About the Hakai Institute

The Hakai Institute facility is owned and operated as a social enterprise by Eric Peterson and Christina Munck, the two principals of the Tula Foundation, which is a private family foundation based in British Columbia. The rules governing private foundations bar the Tula Foundation from itself directly owning and operating such a facility. The philanthropic objectives of the Tula Foundation and the Hakai Institute are in any case fully aligned and the two organizations effectively function as one integrated entity.

The university-level education and research programs at the Hakai Institute are in most cases conducted by our partner institutions such as the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia. In many cases the participation of these institutions is funded by fellowships, research chairs, program grants and other support from the Tula Foundation.

We are honored to host conferences and other visits organized by Central Coast partners including First Nations leadership, the Coastal Guardian Watchmen Network, the Qqs Project Society, BC Parks and local schools.

Contact us:

The Hakai Institute
Box 309
Heriot Bay
BC
Canada
V0P 1H0

email: contact @ hakai.org

Visiting the Hakai Institute:

By Air Direct

Pacific Coastal Airlines flies most days from Port Hardy Airport to the floats at the Hakai Institute. Flights are mid to late morning depending on the season. Call Pacific Coastal Airlines at Port Hardy Airport for more information (800) 373-5963 (Note: Port Hardy Airport has no food services.) Pacific Coastal Airlines also has a morning flight from the South Terminal at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Port Hardy, which connects to the Hakai flight. For schedules and reservations visit the Pacific Coastal website.
Charter flights from Vancouver, Victoria and other locations can be arranged with Seair and other commercial operators.

Via Bella Bella By Air & Water Taxi

Some visitors may wish to pass through Bella Bella en route to Hakai. The Pacific Coastal flight from YVR to Port Hardy continues on to Bella Bella after a brief stopover.  Bella Bella is also served by BC Ferries from Port Hardy. Visitors typically travel by water taxi from Bella Bella to Hakai. Water taxis leave from the government dock in the center of town.  A taxi (typically a white van) provides transportation from the airport or ferry terminal to the government dock. The commercial water taxi provider is the Shearwater Marine Group.  Water taxis carry twelve or forty passengers plus cargo. Be sure to book well in advance.

From Port Hardy via Water Taxi

Cape Scott Water Taxi provides service from Port Hardy to Hakai. The water taxi carries twelve passengers plus cargo.

By Boat

Hakai Institute has very limited dock space for visiting vessels. In general, vessels anchor in Pruth Bay and visit by dinghy. Please moor dinghies to the shore side of the rear fingers and the wooden dock under the ramp. There are no fuel sales or other commercial services. Dogs are welcome.