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Centrally located on Graham Island, the largest island of ecologically unique Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii, Port Clements is ideally situated to provide a gateway to BC. Port Clements is famous for its mild climate and as a cozy little town by the sea offering breathtaking sunsets, magical rainbows and a spectacular sky line.Nestled at the south-east of Masset Inlet, near the mouth of the famous Yakoun River, this old logging and mill town is commonly known as ‘Port’ to the Islanders. Whereas at the beginning of the twentieth century people and freight gained access to the center of Graham Island on water through Port Clements, today it acts as a ‘Gateway to the Wilderness’. Hunting, fishing for salmon and steelhead trout, picking mushrooms for dinner, walking along Golden Spruce Trail, taking photographs of the beautiful scenery and exploring the interior of the Island with its lakes, rivers and rainforest, containing old growth cedar and Sitka spruce, are only a few of the things which are easily accessible from here
The highway leading to Port Clements from Tlell and from Port Clements to Masset was paved in 1969 and soon after completion the village became incorporated in 1975. The other main road that heads west to Juskatla Camp and back south to Queen Charlotte City is still gravel and mainly a logging road only open to public traffic after working hours.
INDUSTRY:
Forestry, outdoor recreation Population
Village Population: 282 (BC Stats, 2011 Census)
Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Northern Health
Health Service Delivery Area: Northwest
Regional District: Queen Charlotte
Rural Designation: RSA community
RRP Designation: A
RRP Points: 51.25
Practitioners
There are no general practitioners yet in this community.
Clinic
Port Clements Medical Clinic 12 Park Street Port Clements, BC, V0T 1R0 P: 250 557-4478
Ambulance
BC Ambulance Services are available in this community.
Imaging Services
Mammography services provided by BC Cancer Agency. See BC Cancer Agency for details.
Midwifery
Haida Gwaii Midwifery Box 13 Tlell, BC, V0T 1Y0 P: 250 557-2444 | F: 250 557-4527
One of the islands 3 municipalities Port Clements is the gateway for exploration of the Islands isolated and rugged west coast along a myriad of logging roads leading all the way to Queen Charlotte.
Airlines
Air Canada has regular scheduled flights from Vancouver to the community of Sandspit, daily in the winter months and twice daily in the summer.
Pacific Coastal Airlines has regular scheduled daily flights between Vancouver and the Village of Masset.
Inland Air has regular scheduled flights between Prince Rupert and the Village of Masset.
Bus Services
Northern Health’s Ferry Connector service provides public bus service to and from BC Ferries’ Skidegate terminal. Wheelchair service is available. Call Eagle Transit for details at 250 559-4461.
Service to and from the Sandspit Airport (YZP). Eagle Transit meets Air Canada Jazz flights.
Ferry Schedules
BC Ferries provides regular scheduled service year round, from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing (approximately 10 minutes drive to the Village of Queen Charlotte). BC Ferries transports passengers and vehicles, and can easily accommodate bikes and kayaks. This journey takes approximately 7 hours if weather conditions are good.
Car Rentals
Budget Car & Truck Rentals Sandspit, BC P: 250 637-5688 Budget Car & Truck Rentals Queen Charlotte, BC P: 250 559-4262 Island Auto Rentals Queen Charlotte, BC P: 250 559-4118 National Car & Truck Rentals Masset, BC P: 250 626-3833 Rustic Car Rentals Masset, BC P: 250 626-3756 Rustic Car Rentals Queen Charlotte, BC P: 250 559-4641
Taxi Services
Sandspit Taxi Sandspit, BC P: 250 637-5655 Eagle Transit Queen Charlotte, BC P: 250 559-4461 Ron Souza Limo Service Queen Charlotte, BC P: 250 637-1459 Gwaii Taxi Skidegate, BC P: 250 559-8622 Highlander Marine Services Skidegate, BC P: 250 637-1111 Mile Zero Taxi Greater Masset, BC P: 250 626-8999 Haida Time Taxi Greater Massett, BC P: 250 626-7994
The Community Economic Development Centre of Port Clements provides valuable information about the community, relocation and local businesses.
Currently there are no banking facilities in Port Clements but neighbouring villages have ATM machines in most gas stations and grocery stores.
Schools
Port Clements is in Haida Gwaii School District #50.
Port Clements Preschool (Pre-K) 14 Park Street Port Clements, BC, V0T 1R0 P: 250 557-4333 Port Clements Elementary School (K-7, 39 Students) Box 288 Port Clements, BC, V0T 1R0 P: 250 557-4333 | F: 250 557-4406 www.sd50.bc.ca portoffice@sd50.bc.ca
Visitor Center
There are visitor centres located in Sandspit, Queen Charlotte and Masset. The Haida Gwaii Tourism department publishes a yearly Visitors Guide.
Port Clements prides itself on being a place where nature is front and centre. Whether it is fishing for salmon and steelhead trout, picking mushrooms for dinner, walking along Golden Spruce Trail, taking photographs of the beautiful scenery or exploring the interior of the Island with its lakes, rivers and rainforest, containing old growth cedar and Sitka spruce, these are only a few things that one can do.
The Sunset Park at the west side of the community offers RV sites with hydro hook-ups, water, gazebo and tenting sites, walking trails, and a bird watching tower overlooking the Yakoun River estuary. Relax and observe not only eagles, herons, ducks, geese, cranes and other birds.
While in ‘Port’, also be sure to stop at the local Museum which focuses on the community’s local logging history and also explores its farming background, the museum is a great place to look at old logging and farming equipment which has been beautifully restored and placed on the grounds around the museum.
The Port Clements Recreation Commission annually organizes a Canada Day celebration. It starts on a Friday with the fishing derby. Continuing Saturday with a parade, softball tournament, kids games, soccer tournament, rugby, beer garden and great food and in the evening a dance. Sunday, the excitement continues with helicopter rides and the Mud Bog. Other events the community hosts is Bloomin’ in Port Clements, Sunset Park Trail Clean-up and Remembrance Day.
