Discover Heriot Bay

Heriot Bay brings together the history of the Heriot Bay Inn with art, talks and activities on the water. When choosing a hotel in Heriot Bay, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: Are you interested in local history and culture, planning a ferry trip to Cortes Island, or hoping to explore the northern part of Quadra Island? The places and activities mentioned here offer different, specific points of reference.

Culture and history in Heriot Bay

The Heriot Bay Inn was founded in 1895 by Mr. Hosea Arminius Bull; the building visible today was constructed in 1912. The two dates mark different chapters: 1895 marks the founding, and 1912 the construction of the building that is still visible today. The inn hosts the informal University of Quadra lecture series. It is offered on Wednesdays from October to May and has been running for more than a decade. Check the seasonal lecture schedule before your trip.

The series’ graduates are celebrated at the end-of-year ball, where formal attire and dancing are part of the occasion. The exact dates may vary. If you want to plan your trip around this event, take the relevant date into account.

Copper Coast Gallery and Gifts adds a connection to West Coast art to this local history. It showcases West Coast artists, many of whom are from Quadra Island and Cortes Island. The shop is located in Heriot Bay on Quadra Island. Alongside the lecture series at the inn, the gallery is another cultural point of reference for travellers interested in art from the region.

Ferry connections and kayaking tours

When planning time on the water, taking the ferry and paddling are two different options. BC Ferries operates services from the Heriot Bay ferry terminal to Whaletown on Cortes Island. Check the schedule for your travel date if the crossing is part of your plans. No prior experience is required for kayaking tours with Quadra Island Kayaks; the main paddling area is in Heriot Bay. Pacific harbour seals native to the area haul out on rocks along the paddling routes, though sightings may vary. The ferry service goes to Whaletown, while the kayaking tours and possible seal sightings relate to the paddling area in Heriot Bay.

Northern Quadra Island and outdoor opportunities

Heriot Bay is a gateway to the northern part of Quadra Island. Destinations mentioned there include Granite Bay, Bold Point, Surge Narrows, Walcan, the Main Lakes Chain, Open Bay and Village Bay Lake. Many hiking trails also cross the upper part of the island. These place names point the way to northern destinations; the trails also offer a focus on hiking in the upper part of the island.

Near Heriot Bay, Main Lake Park on Quadra Island offers opportunities for wilderness recreation, including wilderness camping, canoeing, kayaking and hiking. This complements the paddling routes in Heriot Bay with other activities in the surrounding area, both on the water and on foot. If you’re weighing up culture, the ferry connection and outdoor destinations, the specific differences may help: the lecture series runs during a particular season, the ferry crossing goes to Whaletown, and the trails mentioned cross the upper part of the island.

Discover more destinations: Sayward, Comox-Strathcona G, Whaletown, Refuge Cove, Kyuquot, Minstrel Island, Mansons Landing

To the overarching travel guide: Strathcona.