Port Hardy is Coho country, where catches are plentiful and prize-winning. Fish for Coho from April to September and for halibut and cod from April to October. Opportunities for water activities abound. Launch a boat at Fisherman's Wharf into Hardy Bay and explore the local waterways or experience exceptional scuba diving. Additional activities in this area include kayaking or whale watching, touring the incubation facilities for salmon at the Quatse River Hatchery, shopping for arts and crafts or watching the Native carvers at work.
Municipal parks provide picnic areas, playgrounds, beach access and swimming.
For longer outings, several provincial parks offer ideal settings for hikers, spelunkers, campers and for anyone interested in exploring outdoor wilderness areas. Along the north end of Vancouver Island is a virtual liquid Eden, otherwise known as Queen Charlotte Strait. At the south end is Johnstone Strait, home of several pods of killer whales and schools of dolphins and porpoises. Sighting killer whales from the surface in Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits is a common occurrence but an underwater encounter is extremely rare. The Pacific white-sided dolphins, on the other hand, are often attracted to boats that ply these waters and may circle inquisitively as you snorkel among them.