Bamfield

Bamfield is a small coastal town of about 180 people (2016) in Central Vancouver Island. It is divided by Bamfield Inlet. Bamfield is a tourist destination for the West Coast Trail, ocean kayaking and sport fishing.

Understand
Bamfield was populated by Huu-ay-aht of the Nuu-chah-nulth, the local indigenous people. Europeans founded a small fishing community sometime in the late 1800s. Most of the indigenous people now live in the neighbouring village of Anacla about 5 km from Bamfield.

Bamfield was named after the first government agent of the area, William Eddy Banfield. The name "Bamfield" with an "m" is said to be either due to how the local First Nations people had trouble pronouncing the letter "n" in his name, or a mistake made by the post office. In 1902, the Bamfield cable station was constructed as the western terminus of a worldwide undersea telegraph cable called by some the All Red Line as it passed only through countries and territories controlled by the British Empire, which were coloured red on the map. The cable went to Fanning Island, a tiny coral atoll in the mid-Pacific, and from there continued to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. A second building, made of concrete, was built on the site in 1926 to replace the old wood structure. This building, designated a historic site in 1930, is now used by the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

A Marine and Fisheries lifesaving station on the Pacific coast was established at Bamfield in 1907. It was the first lifesaving station on Canada's Pacific Coast.

In 1953 the cable was extended up the Alberni Inlet to Port Alberni and the local station was closed in 1959. In 1972, the site was converted into a marine biology research station, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. It became the largest employer in the community.

Commercial fishing was based in Bamfield up to the mid-1980s. Bamfield is now home to several sport fishing lodges, which pursue primarily salmon and halibut. Bamfield is also the northern terminus of the West Coast Trail, a hiking trail built in 1907 along the west coast of Vancouver Island to help survivors of the area's many shipwrecks find their way back to civilization. The trail runs 77 km (48 mi) along extremely rugged terrain. The research activities at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre attracts hundreds of researchers every year. The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre also offers credited university courses through its five associated universities. An outreach program, which provides multi-day immersion field trips for school, college and adult learners, also bring thousands of visitors to the community every year.

By plane

 * Operates seasonal seaplane services to Bamfield from Vancouver (45 minutes) and Port Alberni (15 minutes) between May 1 and September 30.

By car
Bamfield is only road accessible via logging roads (smooth to rough gravel). You are likely to encounter logging trucks, which have the right of way. Pull over and let them pass or risk getting honked! Check your spare tire, and make sure you have a full tank of gas. There is a gas station in Bamfield.

From Port Alberni
There is a signposted route from Port Alberni, marked with red and white kilometer signs from 1 to 76. The road is usually well maintained, and is 76 km, taking 1.5-2 hours.

From Duncan
A signposted, but less well maintained route from Lake Cowichan (on Hwy 18) is around 120 km, and takes 3-4 hours. Head north pass Duncan on Highway #1 and turn west to Cowichan Valley Highway (Highway 18). After passing Youbou, continue west on gravel logging road to reach Bamfield.

Get around
To cross between East and West Bamfield, get a water taxi. Call for one on the two way radios stationed on or near most major public docks. Remember to turn the radio off after use!


 * Bamfield Pachena Taxi - Contact Susan at +1 250-728-3363. (June 2018)