Things to Do in Port Alberni

Dark wooden shelves buttress ceramic vases at Smashin’ Glass & Anything Art Co. as contemporary floor lamps illume a collection of works that range from oil paintings to jewellery and fused-glass sculptures. Owner Karena Donnelly conceived of the artist-operated gallery as a space to both cultivate creativity and showcase original work from more than 130 local artists. Karena and her husband Kevin moonlight as teachers, sharing their craft with pupils of all ages during workshops and routine dental check-ups. The facility also plays matchmaker between eligible images and professional framing services.

It's unclear why whales jump and splash on the surface of the ocean. It could be to get attention from potential mates, or a way to lose the parasites on their backs. But it is also possible that the whales are simply having fun. From the vantage point of a 65-foot whale-watching vessel, guests of Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres can observe grey and humpback whales in their natural environment, while forming their own hypotheses about their mystifying behaviour.

In addition to whale-watching trips, Jamie's leads bear-watching tours, tours to Hot Springs Cove, kayaking adventures, group hikes, and sunset cruises to find out where the sun really goes at night. A portion of proceeds from all tours supports local wildlife research and rescue programs.

The triumphant crash of bowling balls against pins has been echoing throughout Brechin Lanes since 1956. The newly renovated five-pin-bowling alley maintains its family-friendly atmosphere by only selling soft drinks and prohibiting smoking within their walls. League banners hang over the 16-lane spread, and between turns, players cheer each other on from plastic benches or cushy seats throughout the centre. Atop whimsical bowling-pin-shaped coffee tables, players refuel their rolling arms and bragging muscles with hot dogs, poutine, and pizza made fresh to order. During weekend glow bowling, blacklights switch on, a crisp sound system booms the hits, and vampire bowlers suddenly become the brightest people in the room.

Eaglequest Nanaimo's par 3 golf course encompasses nine lush, challenging holes accented by towering evergreens and water hazards. Golfers tee up on real grass and then launch golf balls and papier mache zeppelins down tree-lined fairways. Shots soar over hilly terrain and water before trundling toward undulating greens. Clubbers can traverse the pastoral playground and complete a round in 60–90 minutes, giving them the ability to fit a game into a busy schedule. Before hitting the course, golfers can make like a pendulum at the 22-stall driving range, which features opportunities for straightening troublesome slices, improving golf games, and alleviating plumber's elbow. The range also hosts lessons and clinics conducted by CPGA pros for golfers of all abilities.

Born and raised on Stockham Island, Tofino Water Taxi owner Brandon Hilbert has come to know the local weather and tides as a part of his collective knowledge ingrained since youth. He and his certified staff use their boating expertise to immerse travellers in the local landscape, offering scenic tours through the inlets near Tofino. At low tide, passengers peer upon the shores as black bears sift through rocks for crabs or forgotten picnic baskets on bear tours. On other expeditions, such as the Meares Island tour, travellers step off their watercraft to walk among western red cedar trees. With their zero-emission charter boat, the crew of Tofino Water Taxi maintains a commitment to exploring nature in a sustainable manner, unlike other charter tours that set fire to their boats after each trip.

Built around a large 3-D globe, the multilevel 3,000-square-foot play structure inside Jumping Jiminy’s Playland and Cafe Inc. beckons youths with twisting tube slides, tunnels to crawl through, and ramps to clamber on. In the rest of the air-conditioned 8,000-square-foot facility, older kids challenge each other to bouts of ping pong and air hockey while the toddler area accommodates younger children with age-appropriate toys and business journals. As their kids play, parents can sip lattes and cappuccinos in the parents' lounge while surfing on free WiFi. Parent and child can reunite at the 80-seat café to snack on homemade soups and focaccia sandwiches, or sojourn in the party room to feast after 50-minute birthday play sessions.