Bamfield Tour Boat Steps In With Free Rides to Port Alberni During Road Closure

Residents of Bamfield on Vancouver Island’s west coast are getting some unexpected help while the community’s main road link to Port Alberni remains shut down.

The Bamfield Main Road, normally a 90-minute drive, has been closed since August due to wildfire damage near Mount Underwood. Crews are still stabilizing slopes and clearing debris, and the province now says the road won’t reopen until the end of October at the earliest. Even after that, temporary closures will continue during storms, when the risk of landslides increases.

For now, the only land option is a long detour south through the Cowichan Valley and back up the island—turning the quick trip into a grueling five-hour journey.

That’s why Lady Rose Marine Services owner Greg Willmon decided to step in. After hearing at a community meeting that residents were struggling to make medical appointments and supply runs, he announced his tour boats would carry locals to Port Alberni free of charge.

“They just need to call us and make a reservation,” Willmon said. The company’s regular schedule sails on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., making the crossing in about three hours. Because of timing, most passengers will still need to stay overnight in Port Alberni, but Willmon says he’s ready to add extra sailings if demand grows.

Bamfield Water Taxi owner Mitch McPhee said the community expected a long closure and is adapting as best it can. “We’re just waiting until things are back in service again,” he said, noting that locals are used to weathering storms and outages through the winter.

Until the road reopens, Willmon’s boats offer a vital lifeline—keeping Bamfield residents connected, even if the journey takes longer than usual.