Getting to Campbell River

We are located in Campbell River, a scenic oceanfront city, located on the 50th parallel on the east coast of Vancouver Island. It is the fourth largest city on Vancouver Island and is centrally positioned midway between Victoria at the bottom and Cape Scott at the top of Vancouver Island.

Approximate Drive Times for getting to Campbell River

It really doesn’t matter if you’re traveling from the Northern or Southern part of Vancouver Island. Just stay on Highway 19 until you come to the Jubilee Parkway turnoff.  Here you take the exit and follow the parkway down to the very end where it will intersect with HWY 19A.  Now, turn left onto HWY 19A and follow this road (along the water) into downtown Campbell River. It is about a 10 minute drive. Once you come down the hill into Campbell River, be ready to make an immediate RIGHT hand turn at the bottom of the hill opposite Dicks Fish & Chips. This is the entrance to the Fisherman’s Wharf, just before the pedestrian crossing. Turn right and you are in one of the closest full day public parking lots to our office. This is the Fisherman’s Wharf/Maritime Heritage Centre public parking lot.

Discovery Marine Safaris office location is easy to find from here . . .

You will find us about 250 metres north on the ocean side. When you pass the bright yellow and red wharf building, you are literally only a couple of minutes away.

Our Gift Shop and check-in office and is located on Historic Pier Street, downtown Campbell River in the Georgia Quay building almost next door to the Bee Hive Cafe. Just look for our orange Discovery Marine Safaris Logo and Whale Watching & Grizzly Bear Expeditions sign on the ocean side of the street . . . and the images on the windows make us hard to miss! There is a pull in with restricted short term parking outside the office to allow guests to be dropped off if required.

Your Options for Free Parking in Campbell River

Things to do in Campbell River

You will not be short of things to do in Campbell River. We recommend staying at least a couple of days to explore our friendly city and region. But if you are only in town for the day we are within easy walking distance of the Visitor Centre; Discovery Passage Aquarium; The Maritime Heritage Museum; local shops; hotels; restaurants and cafes. And The Museum of Campbell River is less than a 5 minute drive and definitely worth a visit.

Travelling to Vancouver Island by air or ferry

Travelling by Air

The Campbell River Municipal Airport – YBL is about eight kilometers from our departure point and offers shuttle service and car rentals. The Harbor Airport is only two kilometers away for those of you arriving by seaplane.  There are also direct flights offered from Calgary and Edmonton through the Comox Airport (45 km South/ 28 mi). 

Travelling by car from Vancouver or via Vancouver

There are multiple possibilities to get to Vancouver Island from the mainland of B.C. via Vancouver. B.C. Ferries offers ferry service (vehicles and passengers) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) or Nanaimo (Duke Point = South end of Nanaimo or Departure Bay = Central Nanaimo).

Travelling by Bus

The Vancouver Island Connector offers daily scheduled bus services from Victoria to Port Hardy, including stops in Campbell River, Courtenay, Parksville, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Ucluelet. and Tofino.

From Washington State

Vehicle and passenger ferry service is available from Bellingham via Victoria San Juan Cruises; from Port Angeles via Black Ball Ferry Line and from Anacortes via Washington State Ferries

Victoria Clipper (from Seattle)

A high-speed catamaran passenger only service is available between downtown Seattle and Victoria’s Inner Harbour: Victoria Clipper

CREWS TIP . . . To enjoy the whole coastline of greater Campbell River take the Miracle Beach Exit off Highway 19 and continue North on the Oceanside route . Visit our FAQ’s for more info.