Things to Do
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Things
to Do
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Most visitors arrive by a twenty minute ferry ride from Port McNeill and are immediately in the relaxed atmosphere of the little village of Sointula. There is plenty to see and do. Ahead off the ferry is the island Cooperative Store - selling groceries and dry goods and offering bulletin boards full of information. The downtown area includes a gas station, gift and art shop, bakery outlet with restaurant, garden shop, a Credit Union and a post office. The island has a wide variety of accommodations. The main street to the left is a narrow road along the water. Older houses colorfully painted and set in fenced gardens perch above the road. On the water side are net lofts, marine ways, and occasional small businesses. A walk through town takes you to the museum offering you a glimpse into Sointula's past. Up on the hill by the historic halls is a working forge. Continue your stroll along 1st Street to the hardware store and finally to the boat harbour. Check out the historic anchor and the "Lost at Sea" Memorial. The commercial fleet and pleasure boats share the harbour. There is plenty of space for visiting mariners, along with power and water. There is a facility with showers, laundry and public restrooms. The entire walk outlined here is about 2 kilometers long. A Longer Walk ~ Go Right A right turn off the ferry allows a variety of activities. A shore walk past neat houses and marine ways leads to the cemetery. The gravestones offer you another slice of history. Kaleva Road continues from the cemetery for another nine kilometers along the beach. You can watch for cruise ships along any shoreline on Malcolm Island, but southbound ships make a narrow turn between Dickenson Point and Haddington Island allowing for great viewing. You can bike, walk or ride down Kaleva Road with the ocean on one side and farm land on the other. Like many island communities, Malcolm Island is a haven for artists and artisans alike. Residents include painters, rug weavers and workers of wood. But it is not merely a place for looking at art -- it is a place Hiking Trails The popular 5-kilometer Beautiful Bay Trail winds along a ridge through stunning rain forest with periodic glimpses of the sea and coastal mountains. Beach exits and the tide give hikers the option of designing their own circuit route. The 3.2 kilometer Mateoja Heritage Trail begins on Third Street above the town site. This trail wanders through the site of an early 1900's homestead, a marshland, skirts a couple of ponds and continues to Big Lake, the local swimming hole. Along this route there are numerous decks and benches ideal for picnics and bird watchers. This trail is an educational trip through the ecosystems of Malcolm Island. Both trails are rated as moderate hiking, although Beautiful Bay is more strenuous. Hikers need to allow for a return time. Plan on a half day to complete either of these journeys into our natural world. From one end of the island to the other A 28 kilometer gravel road runs down the spine of the island and connects Mitchell Bay to Pulteney Point. Mitchell Bay is a quiet rural community on the southeast point of Malcolm Island. Take the Mitchell Bay Road off Kaleva. Keep the powerlines on your right. Here you can visit an oxen farm with a working forge. The return road takes you past Big Lake and Bere Point, continuing on Pulteney Point at the other end of the island. Pulteney Point Lighthouse is still manned by a friendly lighthouse keeper. To get there, you must park at the turnaround by the gate and take the short path to the beach. Then it's only a 10-15 minute walk to the lighthouse. Bere Point Six kilometers of gravel road take you to Bere Point, Mt. Waddington Regional District Park and campground. It includes 21 campsites, each nestled in the trees just off the beach, some with views across Queen Charlotte Strait to the snowcapped Coastal Mountains. There are also picnic facilities for day use. There is a short trail to the Point and to the start of the Beautiful Bay Trail. Killer whale pods frequently visit the beach. Perched high above the point are two newly-built wildlife viewing platforms. Quirks of Sointula Things you only know if you live here. The ferry lineup is along First street. The Co-op Store is closed all day Sunday. The 8:00 am ferry on Sunday leaves at 7:20 am. There is one ATM machine on the Island, located at the Coastal Community Credit Union in the center of town. You can call to make an appointment to see the museum. You often have to drive around dogs sleeping on the road. It is just that kind of place. Special Activities There are bicycles and kayaks for rent, and boats (both sail & power) for charter. If your interest is sport fishing or whale watching, our local skippers are experienced. The general area of Malcolm Island is becoming recognized as a world class sport fishing and diving area. The combination of cold, clear water and tidal currents offer an abundance of marine life for underwater exploration. Malcolm Island has some of the most dramatic tides on the west coast of North America. They create a variety of tide pools and expansive mud flats, which house all manner of marine creatures. Malcolm Island is a place for people who want to explore for themselves. It offers a safe, friendly environment, as well as plenty of solitude for unwinding and contemplation. Try a long walk along a wild, deserted beach hand in hand with someone special or even by yourself. You may discover much more than just driftwood and stunning views. As we warned you, Malcolm Island can be addictive. Slow down and stay awhile!
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