About
The west coast of Vancouver Island is a remarkable place – a place deeply connected to life on the water.
Until recently, the only way to access many of the communities along the Alberni Inlet was by sea. The vessels that carried goods, people, and mail up the Alberni Inlet were considered a lifeline for those who lived in the isolated communities along the way. While many vessels operated in the area, some names stand out in the memories of the inhabitants of the west coast.
Visit us at the Maritime Museum of BC this summer to learn more about these beloved vessels.
What’s On
Featured Exhibit
The Marine Art of John Horton: From Nine to Ninety
April 4–June 1, 2025
Featured Exhibit
Pacific in Peril: Climate Change, the Warming Ocean, and How to Turn the Tide
October 31, 2024–March 30, 2025
Featured Exhibit
No Walk in the Woods: The History of the West Coast Trail
April 11–October 26, 2024
Permanent Exhibit
Detail Beyond Measure: Models from the Maritime Museum of BC’s Collection
Ongoing
Featured Exhibit
Victoria Harbour
November 2, 2023–April 6, 2024
Featured Exhibit
Salmon Tales: How Fishing Shaped BC
April 6–October 28, 2023
Featured Exhibit
Let There Be Light with Woodblock Prints
November 8, 2022–April 1, 2023
Featured Exhibit
Darn It! Our Maritime Make and Mend Culture
November 8, 2022–April 1, 2023
Featured Exhibit
Queer at Sea: Tales from the 2SLGBTQ+ Community
May 17–November 5, 2022
Featured Exhibit
Victoria: City of Circumnavigators
March 1–May 14, 2022
Featured Exhibit
Our Fleet: Small Craft with a Story
November 23, 2021–May 14, 2022
Featured Exhibit
SS Valencia: “A Theatre of Horror”
March 12–September 2, 2021
Featured Exhibit
Protecting Our Coast: The Shifting Role of BC Lighthouses
October 31, 2019–May 14, 2020
Featured Exhibit
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
April 12–October 27, 2019