Welcome to THE PORT OF KELSEY BAY

The Port of Kelsey Bay is located 10 kilometres from the Junction of Highway 19 and Sayward Road approximately 78 kilometres north of Campbell River or 200 kilometres south of Port Hardy.

Records indicate that this wharf was established in 1926 when the B.C. coast was in high production with logging and fishing. At that time, fuel and supplies were readily available to the marine traffic here on Johnstone Strait. It is one of the biggest and oldest wood structured wharfs in B.C. Over the years, it deteriorated due to the dwindling economy of the region & increased road access to the North Island. The Dept. of Transport divested the wharf in March 2002 to Sayward Futures Society, a non-profit community organization. Extensive renovations have been made by them to make it safe and accessible to the public.

On the Port wharf, an office provides tourist information and community services, including internet rental, and office servies such as faxing, and photocopying. The wharf gift shop Ocean View Gifts, features offerings from our talented local artists.

July, August and September are prime time to fish off the wharf for salmon. A small selection of tackle is available at the gift store, as are online fishing licenses.  For those who arrive without a fishing rods, the gift shop has rentals available.

Cruise ships, pleasure boats and barges are a highlight for locals and tourists alike, but the Orcas and Sea Lions are the biggest hit by far.

Inclement weather is not a problem, as a glassed enclosure, Al's Room, is availalbe for wharf visitors  The Wright family donated the room in Al's memory. 

Come and partake of all the delights that Vancouver Island's Inside Passage has to offer. 

The Deep Sea Port of Kelsey Bay structure forms an “h” shape & consists of an approach, a wharf, a gangway platform & a float. The approach trestle is approximately 5 m wide and 44 m long, and leads from the shoreline at the south end of the site to the wharf. The approach is accessed via a paved public road. The wharf is approximately 55 m in length, and is 9 m wide at the north end and 15 m wide at the south end. The variation in width is stepped approximately 37 m from the southern end of the wharf. Moorage depth on the outside is 13.4 m at low tide. Creosote beams & piles support a maximum GVW 50,000 kg. Arrangements can be made for trucks to deliver diesel from Campbell River and marine gas is available locally. Enquiries concerning rates & feasible usage can be obtained by contacting the Wharf Manager.

In adverse weather conditions, smaller vessels are encouraged to moor at the Sayward Harbour Authority’s Small Craft Harbour, located immediately at the south end of the port and protected by a rock breakwater and wave-reduction system. Within, a ½ mile walk of the wharf is an estuary teaming with migrating waterfowl. The mouth of the Salmon River and Johnstone Strait is a bird-watchers paradise. Adjacent to this stroll, The Village of Sayward offers some services including: a post office, RCMP office, ambulance station, volunteer fire department, a recreation centre complete with a pool, and a regional library.