Prince Rupert

Located on Kaien Island in British Columbia's far north, Prince Rupert is both a commercial center and a traditional fishing village. In fact, many of the city's restaurants, shops and galleries are housed in the pioneer buildings of its early days. Beyond the city limits, rugged coasts, sandy beaches, rain forests and mountains collide to form some of the most dynamic landscapes in the Northwest.

Attractions

Just a short ride north of Prince Rupert is Khutzeymateen - Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary. Khutzeymateen means "confined space of salmon and bears" and it's no city zoo. The park's 122,000 acres are home to grizzlies, wolves, owls, moose and geese, along with harlequin ducks, kingfishers, harbor seals, and orca and humpback whales along the coast.

Activities

• The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is Canada's first and only grizzly bear sanctuary.


• Prince Rupert Archives has holdings of approximately 20,000 photographs and other documents that provide a fascinating look at the ever-changing life of Prince Rupert and area.


• The Sunken Gardens is a great place to just slow down and smell the proverbial roses.


• Go for a soak in natural hot springs on the banks of the Skeena River.


• Check out the totems of Prince Rupert's local aboriginal tribes - the Haida and Tsimpsean Indians - scattered throughout the city's beautiful parks and downtown.
• The bustling Cow Bay district on the north waterfront features a captivating visitor center in the new Atlin Terminal building, plus a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants.

Adventures

• Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the natural environment and Prince Rupert is quietly establishing itself as a premier ocean-kayaking destination.


• Diving is also available 12 months a year although winter diving is better due to increased visibility. Most of the diving is better suited to intermediate to advanced divers due to strong currents, although there are some areas for beginners. The water is not as cold as most would think and is wetsuit diveable.


• If eco-tourism is your thing (and it will be after a trip here), sportfishing off the coast or in local rivers can't be beat.

Shopping

You will find many unique gift and specialty shops and galleries throughout downtown and funky Cow Bay. You will also find gifts at many of the area museums as well as at a number of the local hotels.

Food

While salmon is always plentiful in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, so much halibut has been shipped through Prince Rupert it has often been called the "Halibut Capital of the World."

Currency

In Canada, the Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency. Credit cards are widely accepted and often offer a good exchange rate. In all of Canada, a 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST) must be paid on all transportation, accommodation, restaurant meals, and just about anything else you purchase, right down to a pack of gum.

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