We strive to ensure our guests can get here as easily as possible. Follow the directions below and contact us if you have any questions or need clarification.
Travel Time & Directions
Getting to the Copper Island Fishing Retreat is an adventure, and you will need approximately 8 hours of travel time from Seattle. From Seattle, you will need to drive north to the Tsawwassen ferry landing. This is about 135 miles. Take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo (Duke Point). Drive north on highway 19 until you intersect with Highway 4. Then you will take Highway 4 to Port Alberni. Most guests park and launch their boats in Port Alberni.
From Port Alberni to Copper Island Fishing Retreat: Most people attending the Copper Island Fishing Retreat trailer their boats to Port Alberni and launch at the Clutesi Public Marina located on the Somass River. The river is fresh water and will flush out your engine on your return trip home. There is a small fee for launching and plenty of space to leave your truck and trailer across the street.
It is recommended to travel down the inlet early in the morning because of possible wind problems late in the summer afternoons. It is approximately 27 scenic miles from Port Alberni to Tzartus (Copper) Island where the retreat is held. As always, be careful and watch for objects in the water such as dead heads, logs, and other boaters. Make sure that your boat is equipped with all of the proper safety equipment and try not to run after dark.
The official name for Copper Island is Tzartus Island. Copper Island Camp is located at Clifton Point on Tzartus Island. You will not find Copper Island on a navigational chart or map. Please look for Tzartus Island and note GPS coordinates below:
48° 55' 27.00" and 125° 03' 55.00"
Guests
Copper Island Fishing Retreat guests are also welcome to park, launch, and purchase fuel at the Poett Nook Marina. If you are going to launch and or park, please contact them early and tell them you are attending the fishing retreat on Copper Island. Poett Nook is very convenient for purchasing fuel and parking for those who drive down. There is a daily fee for parking and a nominal fee for launching your boat. We trust each of you will be kind and courteous to all those at Poett Nook. Check out their website or call for information or reservations at (250) 758-4440. Please note that trailering a boat to Poett Nook is not recommended since the road to Poett Nook is an active logging road. The road is unpaved, dusty, and rough.
Ferries To Vancouver Island
From Seattle, you would take the Tsawwassen/Nanaimo Ferry. You can check the schedule, fees, and reserve your spot on a ferry at their website. We recommend that you make reservations. The cost for reservations is only $15, and during the summer, travel can be high. You can reserve both trips, going and coming, on the ferry. The ferry ride is beautiful, and there is a reasonably good food service aboard. Phone for the ferry to Vancouver Island (Tsawwassen-Duke Point) is 1-888-BC FERRY (1 (888) 223-3779).
Fisherman coming from the Olympic Peninsula can take the Black Ball M.V. Coho Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria. The 90-minute, 22.59 nautical mile (42 km) trip between Victoria, British Columbia and Port Angeles, Washington is a scenic journey through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with spectacular views of The Olympic Peninsula. Call 1 888 99-FERRY (33779) or check their website. Please remember that a passport is required to enter Canada from the United States.
