McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella) ↔ Port Hardy (Bear Cove)

Booked travellers should arrive 60 to 120 minutes early at McLoughlin Bay and finish check-in at least 60 minutes before departure. At Port Hardy, arrive 90 to 120 minutes early and check in at least 90 minutes before sailing. These are the booked-travel cutoffs that matter for a scarce coastal departure.

Yes. BC Ferries strongly recommends booking this route, and the current North Coast fare is charged one way. Reserve and pay through the official booking flow, then check the fare guide's effective date before budgeting for the trip back. Do not rely on an old fare screenshot.

McLoughlin Bay has no terminal parking. Port Hardy has 50 secured paid spaces, available only while the terminal is staffed, with daily, weekly and monthly rates. Payment there is by debit or major credit card. Space is limited, so do not arrive assuming the lot solves the trip.

Yes. Bicycles travel free with the passenger fare. Identify the bike at check-in, walk it aboard when the crew directs you and secure it on the vehicle deck. Bring lights and repair gear, and arrange the long road or local transfer beyond Bear Cove before departure.

BC Ferries' summer 2026 deployment plan assigns Northern Expedition to Route 10, the Inside Passage service that includes Bella Bella. Vessel assignments can still change, so check the vessel on your booking before relying on a particular cabin, lounge or accessibility layout.

Northern Expedition's Canoe Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on select sailings. Still check the vessel and amenities attached to your departure, then carry water and a backup meal. A long remote trip is the wrong place to discover that service hours or the vessel assignment changed.

McLoughlin Bay is about a five-minute drive south of the community. BC Ferries lists Starr Taxi and Bella Shuttle, but remote service should be arranged rather than assumed. Confirm the pickup directly, share your sailing date and leave room for a changed arrival time.

Yes, but the available pet areas depend on the vessel and sailing. Read the current northern-route pet rules, confirm the vessel shown for your departure and bring the leash, carrier, water and supplies your animal needs for a long trip. Do not plan around another route's kennel layout.