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Majestically located on a deep-water ocean inlet in the south-central heart of Vancouver Island, Port Alberni is a friendly and affordable lumber and fishing town with a bright future as an incredible outdoor adventure location.

The City of Port Alberni is the largest city and commercial hub of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District - a large and diverse area of over 6,600 square kilometers. The Regional District is bordered by the Beaufort Mountain Range to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Port Alberni currently has a population of over 18,000 of the total regional population of over 31,000. The City and the surrounding region thrived for several decades with an economy based on the management and processing of natural resources. Forestry, commercial fishing, and later tourism, have since provided a more diverse economy.  

A central hub for exploring the island, Port Alberni and its encompassing valley are surrounded by forests, mountains, ocean inlets, and freshwater lakes and streams. This area of Vancouver Island is popular for its salmon sports fishing. Fishing charters operate year-round and the rewards include steelhead, halibut, cod and of course, five species of salmon. Additional outdoor activities are available in every season, including scuba diving, kayaking, kiteboarding, windsurfing, hiking, cycling, golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing, and even surfing in the coastal District of Tofino.  Natural gems in the region include Cathedral Grove's old-growth hemlocks, the mighty Della Falls (the tallest waterfall in North America), Stamp River Falls Provincial Park, the historic Log Train Trail hiking/biking route, and the watersports hubs of Sproat and Great Central lakes.

Both coasts of the island are within easy drives of Port Alberni. The gorgeous stretches of sand in Parksville and Qualicum Beach are less than an hour's drive to the east, while the Pacific Rim meccas Tofino and Ucluelet are some 120km/75mi to the west.

A long history of support for organized sports, arts and culture, festivals and other entertainment interests are available in the valley and surrounding areas. A system of local parks and a full complement of specific or multiple use facilities are maintained for the public to enjoy.

The region has a full complement of education opportunities from pre-school, elementary high school college and university. Pre-school and elementary schools are available throughout communities. A new state-of-the art high school was completed in 2012. Many schools are within walking distance from homes, and a dedicated bus service is available to provide transportation to students that live beyond walking distance.

North Island College has a campus located in the City of Port Alberni with a varied curriculum in both trades and academic courses. Certificate, diploma and continuing education programs can be completed in Port Alberni or through the main campus in the Comox Valley. Certificate, diploma and degree programs are also provided through Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. Additional colleges and universities are located on the southern end of the Island - Camosun College and the University of Victoria, both located in Victoria.

To learn more visit: www.portalberni.ca and www.vancouverisland.travel/.