Located at the foot of Argyle Street in South Port, Harbour Quay is a focal point in the city, with numerous restaurants, shops and the Alberni Aquarium. Lady Rose Marine Services, which sails the MV Frances Barkley up and down the Alberni Inlet, is also based here.
Birds in the Alberni Inlet are best viewed (with a spotting scope) from Centennial Pier, which juts into the inlet. The avifauna here include gulls (Glaucous-winged, Mew, California…), ducks and sea ducks such as Surf Scoter, loons (Common, Pacific, Red-throated), cormorants (Double-crested, Pelagic, occasional Brandt’s), and Bald Eagles.
In breeding season (June/July), Purple Martins can be found nesting in boxes at Harbour Quay Marina (on Harbour Rd, approx. 200 m south of Argyle St).
From the Visitor Info Centre in Port Alberni (2533 Port Alberni Hwy, at the Y-junction with Hwy 4), take Port Alberni Hwy for ~3.1 km, where it turns into Redford St. Follow Redford St for 1.4 km. Turn L on Third Ave (there is a traffic light at this intersection). Follow Third Ave for ~750 m, keeping to the right lane and then taking a slight R turn onto Kingsway Ave before the hill. After ~550 m, turn R onto Argyle St; straight ahead is the parking area for Harbour Quay.