Canada (British Columbia) Alaska Prince Rupert (British Columbia)
Ships dock at the Northland Cruise Terminal on the downtown waterfront, a few minutes' walk from Cow Bay and the town centre.
Cow Bay and the Museum of Northern BC are about 300 m from the terminal. There is no shuttle: the town is explored on foot.
Prince Rupert, on Kaien Island on the north coast of British Columbia, is a port of call on Alaska cruises along the Inside Passage. Ships dock at the Northland Cruise Terminal, on the downtown waterfront, which takes ships up to 300 m (984 feet) long. Passengers go through Canadian border control in the terminal building, so a valid passport is needed. There is no shuttle bus, as the town can be explored on foot. Cow Bay, a small waterfront district with shops, cafés and the visitor centre, is about 250 m (275 yards) from the terminal, and downtown is a few minutes uphill.
The Museum of Northern British Columbia, in a large cedar longhouse close to the terminal, covers the history and culture of the Ts'msyen (Tsimshian), Haida and other peoples of the north coast. The best-known excursion, from May to July, is a boat trip of seven to eight hours to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, a provincial park about 40 km (25 miles) northeast of town, to watch grizzly bears from the water. The boats leave from the Atlin Terminal in Cow Bay. Other options include whale watching and the North Pacific Cannery in Port Edward, about 25 minutes by road: built in 1889, it is the oldest surviving salmon cannery in British Columbia and a national historic site.
From the ship to the centre
6 options-
Cow Bay and the Visitor CentreAlong the waterfront to Cow Bay Road, with shops, cafés, the Visitor Centre and the Atlin Terminal, where the boat tours leave.3-5 minFree
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Downtown and the Museum of Northern BCUp to the museum on 1st Avenue West (about 300 m) and on to the shops of 3rd Avenue (about 1 km). The streets climb a hill.5-15 minFree
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TaxisTaxi stand at the terminal. Useful for Port Edward and the North Pacific Cannery, 23 km away by road.25 min to canneryAsk the driver
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BC Transit city busesLocal buses run around town, and route 60 goes to Port Edward (higher fare, CAD 3). Ask at the Visitor Centre for stops and times.VariesCAD 2, day pass CAD 4
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Khutzeymateen grizzly toursCovered boats from the Atlin Terminal, a 5-minute walk, to watch grizzlies from the water in a provincial park 37 km northeast. May to July.7-8 hSet by operator
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North Pacific CanneryNational historic site in Port Edward, 23 km by road. Ship excursions of about 3 hours include transport and entry.25 min by roadSet by operator
Map of Prince Rupert (British Columbia)
Climate
Average daily temperatureCool and very wet: average temperatures of about 13-14 °C in July and August and 2 °C in January. Rain falls all year, least in summer and most in autumn. May to September are the best months.
Cruises from Prince Rupert (British Columbia)
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Tips for your call
- Entry to CanadaPassengers clear Canadian border control in the terminal. Visa-exempt travellers arriving by ship need no eTA, only a valid passport.
- Museum of Northern BCIn a cedar longhouse on 1st Avenue West. Open 9:00 to 16:00 on cruise ship days. Adults CAD 9, ages 6 to 18 CAD 4, under 5 free.
- Grizzly toursRun from May to July, last 7 to 8 hours and have limited places. The port advises booking tours with the cruise line. Sightings are likely but not guaranteed.
- North Pacific CanneryBuilt in 1889, the oldest surviving salmon cannery in BC. Open 10:00 to 17:00 from May to September, with guided tours at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 in July and August.
- No Wi-Fi at the portThe cruise terminal has no Wi-Fi for passengers. Plan ahead if you need to get online during the call.
- RainPrince Rupert is the wettest city in Canada, with rain on about 240 days a year. Bring a rain jacket and waterproof shoes.
Accessibility
The cruise terminal is wheelchair accessible and its ramp keeps a gentle slope at any tide, but the port offers no specific assistance service. Streets up to downtown climb a hill. The ramp down to the tour boats at the Atlin Terminal can be steep at low tide.
In pictures
