Best Things to Do in Sointula, British Columbia (Malcolm Island)

Secluded but still accessible, Sointula is a special place in Queen Charlotte Strait, just off the coast of Northeast Vancouver Island.

This isolated island community is peaceful, incredibly beautiful and rich in interesting history. For visitors, it is the perfect place to slow down, watch the ocean and truly relax.

24km wide yet only 3km in width, most places on Malcolm Island are accessible within 10 minutes drive of Sointula.

We travelled to Sointula for the first time in late August 2024, after hiking the North Coast Trail. It was the perfect place to chill after such a challenging hike!

This post shares the best things to do in Sointula, based on our first hand experiences. We spent two and a half days on Malcolm Island, which we felt was a great amount of time to slow down but also explore pretty extensively.

If you have any questions after reading this guide, head to our BC and Alberta Travel Tips Facebook group and we can chat about all things Sointula! We also have an article about Alert Bay, if you’re considering visiting Cormorant Island as well.

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An introduction to Sointula

Sointula is a small community of around 700-800 people on Malcolm Island, located off the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island. The village is best known for its utopian origins and scenic ocean setting.

Having visited most of the islands between Vancouver Island and BC’s mainland, I would say that Sointula has a unique ambience. Its beyond the beaten path oceanside location blends with its historical background and community spirit to create a peaceful destination like no other.

This is not a place to rush or hurry. There are no traffic lights. Farm animals sometimes roam the streets and gardens.

The roads are narrow; yielding is a way of life. A fridge filled with local farmers’ produce sits on the main street, with an honour system. There is no sit-down dinner restaurant.

The island’s biggest attraction is the ocean. Yes, watching the water really is the thing to do here. But there are many reasons to do so; breaching whales are not uncommon.

Sointula isn’t the ideal destination for every traveller. The visitor brochure sums it up by stating ‘Malcolm Island is the place for people who want to explore for themselves.’ Independent travellers who love nature and solitude will love Sointula. We did and I’m excited to share what we found!

A brief history of Sointula

Tlatlaskudis, or what we now call Malcolm Island, was visited seasonally by the Kwakwaka’wakw (pronounced KWOK-wok-ya-wokw) people, specifically the ʼNa̱mǥis, Kwakiutl and Mamalilikulla First Nation groups.

At one time, the Kwakwaka’wakw, meaning “the people who speak Kwak’wala,” lived in 28 communities across this area of BC.

European settlement began in the late 19th century, with 500 acres of land allocated to William Clarke and Charles McHardy in 1883. They were joined by a rancher a decade later and then the Christian Temperance Society (who left within the year).

Not long after, a group of Finnish immigrant miners who had been working on Vancouver Island established the Kalevan Kansan Colonization Company. They had the help of the charismatic political philosopher leader Matti Kurikka. ”Kalevan” was a reference to a Finnish mythological hero.

With utopian society ideals in mind, the group signed an agreement with the BC government to settle Malcolm Island in 1901. The plan was to establish a self-sufficient and collectively run community.

The group voted to name their new home Sointula, after a Finnish word meaning “place of harmony,” reflecting the village’s founding ideals.

Despite some triumphs, the community went backrupt in 1905 after a devastating fire, difficulties farming and some misguided business decisions.

Some families remained on Malcolm Island and continued to build the village and more productive industries (fishing, logging).

Today, signs of unity and Finnish heritage are still evident. Sointula is home to BC’s oldest co-operative store, there is Finnish signage to spot, Finnish-inspired architecture and you may just hear some local residents speak Finnish! Hand knitted Finnish-style sweaters also seem pretty popular.

How to get to Sointula

Unless you have your own private boat (lucky you!), Sointula is accessible by ferry only.

There are multiple daily services by BC Ferries from Port McNeill. The ferry journey takes around 25 minutes and the fare is for a return journey.

The current fare (2025) is $11.60/adult and $26.80 for a regular sized vehicle. There is an Experience Card discount available.

Foot passengers, bikes (both pedal and motor) and vehicles are all welcome on the ferry, though space is more limited for oversize vehicles.

There are no reservations available for this ferry route. When travelling with a vehicle, I’d suggest getting to the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before the sailing during the summer months, earlier if you are driving a RV or other large vehicle.

The ferry has multiple decks with unobstructed views of the ocean, Vancouver Island and Malcolm Island itself – definitely get out of your vehicle to go take a look! There is sheltered seating for those who want to avoid the wind.

There is a high chance to see marine wildlife on the ferry to Sointula in the summer months. We saw humpback whales, sea otters and seals during both journeys on our last visit.

When arriving to Sointula, vehicles need to yield at the first junction.

On the way back to Port McNeill, be sure to follow the local ferry line-up rules. The line-up parking is on the right hand side of 1st Street, facing north. Do not cut in line and be sure not to block any driveways.

Once parked in the line, you can leave your vehicle and explore Sointula’s waterfront area while waiting.

Visiting Sointula just for the day? Consider not bringing your vehicle. There are places to visit within walking distance of the ferry dock. Bikes are available to rent for free.

Where to stay in Sointula

The Oceanfront Hotel is situated right on the water, with some of the rooms offering incredible private oceanfront balconies. There is a guest kitchen although some of the rooms have kitchenettes too. The hotel is just a block from the ferry dock.

Also located on the ocean is the Orca Lodge, a property with three private suites. Each has a deck and the two larger suites have kitchen facilities. All three can be booked together for large groups.

Other options include the Island Utopia Cabins, Sointula Lodge and various B&Bs/vacation rentals.

For camping, the waterfront Bere Point Campground is hard to beat. If you’d like more facilities, consider booking a stay at the Harmony Shores Campground. There are free hot showers and a choice of waterfront and traditional (slightly inland) sites.

Sointula and Malcolm Island map

Orientate yourself with the below Sointula and Malcolm Island map. I’ve marked all of the featured activities, as well as the ferry dock, popular accommodation options and places to eat.

The best things to do in Sointula

Now that we’ve figured out how to get to Sointula and where to stay, let’s get into what to do when you’re actually there!

Here’s our top picks for the best things to do in Sointula, each activity tried and tested by us.

Explore the independent cafes and boutiques of Sointula

Sointula’s range of cafes and boutiques are as characterful as Malcolm Island itself.

Coho Joe’s is a much loved cafe just steps away from the ferry dock. Breakfast and lunch is served alongside local art. The sunny patio is a great place to sit and wait for the ferry.

Fresh, small batch items are the name of the game at Upper Crust Bakery – visit too late in the day and your choices will be limited! Prices are very reasonable and the baked goods tasty! A speciality is the Finnish pulla (buttery sweet bread).

The Wild Lil’ Gift Shop is a fun and friendly boutique opposite the dock (again, great for browsing while waiting for the ferry), full of local art inspired by the ocean. There are half a dozen art galleries and artisan studios scattered across Malcolm Island, some open to visitors.

A very popular local eatery that is not located in ‘downtown’ Sointula is the Burger Barn. Besides burgers, this takeout spot also has a reputation for excellent fish and chips. Note that it is open Friday to Monday only (we sadly missed out).

Visit the Sointula Co-Operative Store

Sointula is most famous for its utopian history and the Co-Operative Store is the most visible reminder.

Formed in 1909, the store is the oldest continuously operating co-op in Western Canada. It is certainly worth a short stop to explore this historical building and community hub. The busy bulletin board on the exterior also provides an interesting insight.

Obviously, the Co-Op is also a great place to pick up food and other other supplies you may need while exploring Malcolm Island. There are some Finnish favourites to be found inside – look out for lingonberry jam and rye crackers.

Discover more about Malcolm Island at the Sointula Museum

While the Sointula Museum isn’t extensive (two main rooms and basement in an old school), it offers a great insight into the community with joy, hardship and perseverance all displayed. Entry is by donation.

I initially expected there to be more emphasis on the utopian side of Sointula’s history, but the exhibits are quite well rounded, with a section about local Indigenous people included. The museum’s artefacts have been donated by the local community.

Visiting Malcolm Island on a rainy day? The Sointula Museum has a great reading area with many local reference books.

Rent a free bike and travel the Island on two wheels

With Sointula being relatively small and also quiet, cycling is a great way to get around. Visitors can rent out a bike (for free!) at the Sointula Resource Centre. There are e-bikes available as well as standard pedal bikes.

The Sointula Resource Centre is only 250m from the ferry dock, so it’s very easy to walk to after arriving on the island. This is a fabulous option for anyone wanting to visit Sointula for the day (or even overnight), without the extra expense and hassle of bringing a vehicle.

Explore the Kaleva Road Walkway

The Kaleva Road Walkway is an interpretive roadside path that follows the southern shore of Malcolm Island. It is accessible from town, with the trailhead about 700m from the ferry dock.

The ocean views are the main appeal of this trail and there are viewing platforms and benches situated along the way to make the most of them. This is a great place to watch for wildlife (birds, whales, seals) or go beachcombing.

The trail is 3km long and is almost completely flat. Look for the trailhead and parking area at the corner of Kaleva Road and 2nd Street.

Watch for whales at Bere Point Regional Park

Bere Point is a regional park featuring a wonderful vehicle-accessible waterfront campground and coastal hiking trail. It is located 6km from the ferry dock, along an unpaved but well maintained road.

The park is best known for its long pebble beach. As well as providing beautiful views of the ocean, there is a chance to see whales…..and closer than you may think!

Northern Resident orca whales are known to enjoy rubbing their bellies against the smooth pebbles for exfoliation. While visitors are more likely to see orcas or humpback whales swimming past instead, imagine being that lucky!

There are two day use areas in the park – one at the entrance and another on the other side of the campground.

Bere Point is a popular place to watch the sunset and it is possible to walk west along the beach from either parking area to get to the prime viewing area.

Camp at Bere Point

Bere Point Campground is a simply wonderful place to go camping. There are 30 campsites and a group tenting area, all nicely spaced with some being very private.

About half of the spots have ocean views, with 6 prime sites being right on the waterfront (A-F). The others are forested but are still only a few minutes walk from the ocean (and are more sheltered!) Campsite E is our favourite as it has an amazing oceanview platform.

Bere Point Campground has outhouses only (no showers) and no potable water. Campers need to bring all of their own water – consider filling up at the marina on the way. There is no cell phone signal.

This campground is almost always full during the summer months. Reservations usually open in February – the specific date will be announced on this regional website. Check often for cancellations if you miss out. Waterfront sites are $30/night, forested sites $20/night.

Travelling to Bere Point Campground without a reservation is a big risk – we did this and managed to secure a site for two nights but were fully prepared to camp at Big Lake instead (see details below).

Hike the Beautiful Bay Trail at Bere Point

The Beautiful Bay Trail, also known as the Bere Point Trail, showcases beautiful old growth forest on the way to Malcolm Point on the far western side of the Island.

Paralleling the ocean for the entire route, there are several viewpoint areas accessible from the trail. Lucky hikers may be able to spot whales swimming by or even orcas rubbing their bodies on the beach.

The trailhead is located at the western end of the Bere Point Campground. A mix of boardwalk and dirt path, some areas of the path are quite muddy.

The total trail distance is 5km one-way – at low tide it is possible to walk back along the beach. For a short hike, I’d recommend hiking 1.3km to the Giant Sitka Spruce tree (65m tall).

Looking for another local hike? The Mateoja Heritage Trail begins on Third Street and traverses through the site of an early 20th century pioneer homestead and a bog before finishing at Big Lake (details below).

Walk to the Pulteney Point Lighthouse

The red and white lighthouse at Pulteney Point was built in 1943 to guide shipping vessels and fishing boats from Queen Charlotte Sound into Queen Charlotte Strait and Broughton Strait.

Pulteney Point is a manned lighthouse, so you have the chance to meet the friendly lighthouse caretakers. The current caretakers are Doug and Donna, who we first met at the Yuquot Lighthouse on Nootka Island after hiking the Nootka Trail.

Pulteney Point Lighthouse is only accessible on foot. Drive to the end of unpaved Pulteney Point Road, until the gate that blocks entry onto the lighthouse grounds.

There is a small parking area on the right hand side. Look for the trail sign pointing through the trees and follow the short forested path down to the beach.

A short stretch of pebbly beach leads to the lighthouse and a peninsula with views of Port McNeill and a backdrop of mountains. The trail is about 1.2km return.

Swim at Big Lake

Big Lake is Malcolm Island’s local swimming hole. The beautiful dark-coloured lake has a sandy beach so its easy to get in and cool off (or get out quickly!) The tea-like colour of the lake comes from plant tannins – totally harmless and non-staining as well!

This peaceful spot is also a good place to go if you end up on Malcolm Island without a campsite. The large parking area is just above the lake and there are a couple of adjacent flat spots in the trees with fire rings. There are two rustic outhouses (no paper).

Enjoy a scenic drive to Mitchell Bay

The paved Kaleva Road leads to Mitchell Bay, the second largest collection of residences on Malcolm Island.

The ocean borders the road on one side, with houses on the other. Alert Bay and the Pearse Islands can be spotted across the water.

The views are the main reason to travel to Mitchell Bay; there isn’t a lot for visitors to do otherwise.

We parked by the wharf (near the red building on stilts) and had our lunch by the beach. The road gets a lot narrower shortly after this point. We spotted humpback whales in the Strait here!