Background

Prince Rupert was named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine, the first Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, who never actually visited Canada. The name was chosen in 1906 through a national competition held by the Grand Trunk Railway, with the winning entry submitted by Miss Eleanor MacDonald of Winnipeg.wikipedia+2

The region has been inhabited by the Coast Tsimshian (Ts’msyen) people for at least 5,000 years, with archaeological evidence showing significant population increases around 1500 B.C.. The modern city was founded as the western terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, which began construction in 1905 and was completed in 1914. The railway company purchased a 5,700-hectare First Nations reserve and received a 4,000-hectare grant from the BC government to establish the town.wikipedia+2

Prince Rupert was incorporated as a city on March 10, 1910. The city was envisioned by railway president Charles Melville Hays as becoming the “great port” of western North America, potentially larger than Seattle or Vancouver. However, Hays perished on the Titanic in 1912, and his grand vision was never fully realized.kids.kiddle+2

Prince Rupert

Historic Prince Rupert captivates both mind and heart with its maritime history and awe-inspiring scenery.

Located near the Alaska panhandle, Prince Rupert was established in 1910 as the intersection of commerce and trade for First Nations people and continued to develop as a town when selected as the western terminus for the Grand Turk Pacific Raiway. Nestled within a temperate rainforest, it experiences 220 days of rain each year, earning it the poetic nickname “The City of Rainbows.” But from within the raindrops, Prince Rupert shines with heritage charms best seen in its Kwinitsa Railway Station Museum, the Museum of Northern British Columbia, and the historic North Pacific Cannery compound. Its stunning vistas captured in flight from the window of a seaplane adventure amaze travelers. Abundant wildife can be observed on land at the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. And seen from the deck of a wildlife cruise on the chilly waters, breeching humpback whales and soaring eagles inspire. Hike through the Butze Rainforest or the Exchamsiks River Provincial Park, then end the day with a stroll among the colorful gift shops, stopping in a charming bistro to sample the freshest catch of the day.

Princess Cruise Patter September 2025

The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway at Prince Rupert

The Kwinitsa Railway Museum, located in Rotary Waterfront Park, showcases the fascinating history of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. This museum is housed in an original Grand Trunk Railway station that was originally located 45 miles east of Prince Rupert at Kwinitsa on the Skeena River and was moved by barge to its present location.museumofnorthernbc+2

The museum exhibits portray the daily life of station masters and crews, along with Prince Rupert’s development from a tent town at the railway terminus to its incorporation as a city in the 1920s. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway operated from 1914-1919 before being nationalized as part of the Canadian National Railway system.museumofnorthernbc+2

One-Day Itinerary for Prince Rupert

Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Start at the Museum of Northern British Columbiamuseumofnorthernbc+1

• Open Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM-12 PM and 1 PM-4 PM
• Admission: Adults $9, Children 6-18 $4, Family $18
• Located at 100 1st Avenue West
• Explore 5,000 years of Northwest Coast Indigenous history in this cedar longhouse-style building
• View artifacts from Coast Tsimshian, Haida, and other First Nations peoples

Walk to Cow Bay Historic Districtcowbaymarina+1

• Explore the charming waterfront district with cow-themed decorations throughout
• Visit unique shops housed in colorful heritage buildings
• Stop at Cow Bay Gift Galley for local crafts and souvenirs
• Enjoy coffee at one of the local cafes

Afternoon (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

Lunch Options:

• Waterfront Restaurant : Located in the Crest Hotel with harbor views, serving Pacific Northwest cuisineyelp
• The Fresh Onion Cafe & Catering : American cuisine, open 8 AM-4 PM dailyyelp
• Fukasaku of Prince Rupert : Authentic sushi with local BC seafood (open Wed-Sat evenings only)yelp

Railway Museummuseumofnorthernbc+1

• Open Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM-12 PM (check afternoon hours)
• Located in Rotary Waterfront Park
• Learn about the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway history

Rushbrook Trail Nature Walkdaydreamunderthestars+1

• Easy 1.8-mile out-and-back trail starting behind Bob’s on the Rocks
• Features three suspension bridges and stunning harbor views
• Perfect for spotting bald eagles and enjoying coastal scenery

Late Afternoon Options

Prince Rupert Fire Museum : Small museum showcasing local fire department historyprincerupertlibrary

Sunken Garden Park : Former WWII ammunition bunker transformed into a community gardendaydreamunderthestars

Museums in Prince Rupert

1. Museum of Northern British Columbia – The main cultural attraction featuring Indigenous art and regional historywikipedia+1
2. Kwinitsa Railway Museum – Grand Trunk Pacific Railway historymuseumofnorthernbc+1
3. Prince Rupert Fire Museum – Local firefighting historyprincerupertlibrary

Marina Facilities for Transient Boaters

Cow Bay Marinacowbaymarina+1

• Located at the Atlin Terminal in Cow Bay
• Accommodates vessels up to 100 feet
• Transient moorage: $1.90 per foot per day (vessels up to 80 feet)
• Capacity to moor larger vessels on the dock’s outer edge

Prince Rupert Rowing & Yacht Clubprryc

• Located at 121 George Hills Way
• Open Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM, Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, Sunday 10 AM-4 PM
• Offers marina facilities, Wi-Fi, and accepts various payment methods

Customs House and Border Services

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Officemapquest+1

• Located at 7-45 Charlie Currie Road, Prince Rupert
• Prince Rupert serves as a major port of entry for vessels coming from Alaska
• The city has a marine preclearance site for those ferrying to Alaskatravelpulse
• Commercial vessel services available with specific office hours
• Cannery History

Prince Rupert has significant cannery heritage. The North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site is located near Port Edward, just south of Prince Rupert. This was BC’s longest-running cannery, operating for nearly 90 years from 1889 to 1968 (with brief operations until 1981).tidestotins+3

The cannery was established in 1888 by John Carthew and later owned by the Anglo-British Columbia Packing Company. It’s now a museum showcasing the West Coast fishing industry, with 25 historic buildings that can be toured, including worker bunkhouses, the main cannery building, and a visitor center.northpacificcannery+2

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Prince Rupert offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities for enthusiasts:

Marine Wildlife

• Whales: Orcas, humpback whales, and grey whales frequent Chatham Soundthunder1+2
• Best whale watching: Late August through Septemberthunder1
• Marine mammals: Harbor seals, sea lions, and otters visible right from the docksvisitprincerupert+1

Land Wildlife

• Grizzly bears: Access to Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, 45 km northeast of Prince Rupertgoldstarcanada+1
• Birds: Abundant bald eagles throughout the city, ravens, blue herons, kingfishersvisitprincerupert+1
• Coastal wolves and black bears also inhabit the regionthunder1

Wildlife Tour Options

Prince Rupert Adventure Toursadventuretours+1

• Highly rated (4.9 stars) whale watching and grizzly bear tours
• Located at 205 Cow Bay Road
• Offers both day trips to Khutzeymateen and whale watching excursions

Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab Shelterprwildlifeshelter

• Open 24 hours for wildlife viewing and education

Prince Rupert truly lives up to its reputation as a gateway to some of North America’s most spectacular wildlife viewing, combined with rich Indigenous and railway history, making it an ideal destination for a comprehensive day of exploration

BC Ferries service has declined sharply over the last twenty years due to privatization, service cuts, fare hikes, and more frequent cancellations from staffing shortages and vessel issues, with over 1,300 sailings cancelled just in early 2023 alone. The cost to ferry a car and four passengers from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii in 2025 typically runs about $370–$550 CAD for the vehicle plus driver, and $60–$180 for each additional passenger, totaling approximately $610–$1,000 CAD for one way, with higher costs if booking late or peak season.vancouversun+8 Hence, it is costly. We were told it cost 3,500 to send a pickup truck to its new owner in Bellingham from Ketchikan. But passenger only travel makes economic sense.

BC Ferries Decline (2005–2025)

• Service has dropped, especially on minor and northern routes, due to privatization in 2003 and ongoing shifts to profitability over public mandate.cbc+2
• Major layoffs occurred in 2020, with over 1,400 staff laid off and many routes suspended after pandemic-related passenger declines—some never fully restored.cbc
• Since 2012, BC Ferries slashed dozens of round-trips, reduced supplementary sailings, and suspended entire low-ridership routes, impacting access for remote communities.wikipedia+1
• Crew shortages and persistent mechanical problems have led to unpredictable last-minute cancellations; 1,304 sailings were cancelled between January–May 2023 alone.timescolonist+3
• Fares have increased up to 125% on some routes since privatization, resulting in criticism for “price gouging”—high costs burden families and small businesses in northern BC.reddit+2
• Passenger experiences now include frequent delays and cancellations, more limited support for those stranded by service gaps, and increased difficulty getting reservations during peak periods.cbc

Ferry Cost: Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii

For 2025, expect the following one-way fares:rome2rio

• Vehicle (standard car) and driver: $370–$550 CAD
• Each additional adult/passenger: $60–$180 CAD
• Cost for four passengers plus a car: $610–$1,000 CAD (depending on season, advance reservation, and promotions)
• Crossing takes about 7 hours by ferry from Prince Rupert to Skidegate (Haida Gwaii); reservations recommended.rome2rio
• Additional transfer for Alliford Bay sometimes needed for full access to southern Haida Gwaii, adding about $8–$12 CAD per vehicle.rome2rio

Recent Problems and Considerations

• Storms, mechanical breakdowns, and staff shortages often mean sailings to Haida Gwaii can be cancelled or delayed, leaving travelers stranded for days at significant extra cost.cbc
• Travelers should always reserve in advance, check the sailing status close to the date, and have contingency plans for accommodation in Prince Rupert or Haida Gwaii.cbc

Columbia ferry service has become less reliable and much more expensive for northern communities and visitors, especially for major trips like Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii.vancouversun+6

Viewing Bubble-Net Feeding

Bubble-net feeding is a complex learned behavior first documented near Prince Rupert, where groups of humpback whales blow spirals or circles of bubbles to corral fish like herring or krill, making it easier for the whales to lunge upward and feed in synchrony. This technique requires careful cooperation and communication, often with a lead whale initiating the bubbles and vocal calls, while others help herd the prey.marinesanctuary+2youtube

• This behavior is rare and spectacular to observe, as only a small number of humpbacks in the North Pacific show it regularly, and it occurs mostly during the summer feeding season.princeofwhales+1
• Guided tours for whale watching near Prince Rupert (and Fin Island, west of Prince Rupert) focus on areas where herring balls form; they go to feeding hotspots in Chatham Sound and channels around the Inside Passage, especially when humpbacks are present.bcwhales
• Most boats leave from Cow Bay or other central Prince Rupert docks, with tour operators like Prince Rupert Adventure Tours and local guides tracking recent whale sightings to maximize viewing chances.

“Wally” and Lead Whales

• In some local accounts, a whale known as Wally gains attention as a frequent participant and possible lead “caller” for bubble-net events in the Prince Rupert region, meaning Wally was often recorded as the whale who initiated the vocal call to start bubble feeding.bcwhales
• However, while individual whales like Wally have been recognized and named by guides and researchers, leadership within whale pods can vary per feeding event and pod makeup; not all groups use the same caller consistently.youtubemarinesanctuary+1

Bubble-net feeding is an extraordinary and hard-to-view spectacle—the best chances are in late spring through early fall with experienced Prince Rupert guides targeting where active, resident whales have recently been reported.princeofwhales+1. We found bubble net feeding around Maskelyne Island.