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Sointula History

Location

This coast forms part of the famous Inside Passage, the channel that extends to Prince Rupert and Alaska. From May to October, cruise ships ply these waters. Travelers from around the world sail by Malcolm Island, while residents and visitors get spectacular views of these ships.

Vancouver Island can be reached from the Lower Mainland of BC (i.e., the Vancouver area) by BC Ferries. Ferry terminals are located in Nanaimo and near Victoria.

The North Island Route - and Sointula - are reached via Highway 19, the Island Highway. The route from Victoria to Campbell River, located halfway up the Island's east coast, is now being upgraded to the four-lane "Inland Island Highway." Many sections are already completed, making the journey up-Island much quicker and more direct.

From Campbell River, an excellent two-lane highway takes the traveler through the dramatic, uninhabited vistas of the North Island Route. There are no shopping malls, no fast food strips, no traffic snarls here - just the silent splendor of mountains, lakes, and forests.

A journey of about 200 kms along this road brings the visitor to Port McNeill (plan on about 2-1/4 hours from Campbell River). Here the Tri-Island ferry links Vancouver Island with the communities of Alert Bay and Sointula. There are seven ferry sailings to Sointula per day,six of them direct runs taking about 20 minutes. The ferry can load 30 vehicles. For sailing times, click on "Ferry Schedule" on the panel above and you will be linked to BC Ferries' web site.

The community of Sointula lies on Malcolm Island's southwestern coast. This location ensures great sunset views and somewhat warmer, sunnier weather than on Vancouver Island itself. Houses, many of them colourfully painted, perch on the streets above the sea. Boat sheds, net lofts, and old-fashioned wood-fueled saunas extend along the shoreline.

East of the village is the area known as Kaleva. This term comes from "Kalevan Kansa," the colony's original name, which - in turn - derives from "The Kalevala" the Finnish national epic. Kaleva is a peaceful area of farms, grazing cattle, and stunning ocean views.

Westward is the section called Rough Bay where the Finnish pioneers first settled. Here, in the harbour, the community's fishing fleet is docked (Rough Bay isn't actually very rough). There is room for pleasure boats as well, with plenty of space for visiting mariners. Power, water, public showers, and laundry facilities are located at the marina. The large tidal flat in Rough Bay is excellent for beachcombing and birdwatching.

The rural community of Mitchell Bay, is located at the southeastern end of Malcolm Island, about 20 kilometers - by gravel road -from Sointula. Located on the edge of the famous "Broughton Archipelago," Mitchell Bay offers expansive views of outlying islands and is a great place for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and fishing.

All areas of the Island are serviced with accommodations, ranging from cozy cottages to bed & breakfast retreats.

Most of Malcolm Island is uninhabited, with a network of gravel roads providing access to various locations. The North Shore area faces the mainland of BC and its vistas of snowcapped mountains. A small public campground is located there, at Bere Point (about 6 kms from Sointula). From July to September, killer whales (Orcas) often parade past Bere Point. However, there is no way of predicting their arrival. If you are lucky enough to see the whales close to shore, please move slowly, keep dogs and children quiet (noise and sudden movements can disturb them), and enjoy the spectacle!