The Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River is a waterfront museum built around the BCP 45, the West Coast fishing boat that appeared on the back of the Canadian five-dollar bill from 1972 to 1986. The restored seine boat is the centrepiece, and visitors can step aboard and explore the galley, bunks, engine room, head, and wheelhouse. Around it, the centre tells the story of the region’s fishing industry and west coast maritime heritage through displays, models, and artifacts.
- Time: About 1 to 1.5 hours with a guided tour
- Cost: $8 adults, $5 children and seniors
- Hours: Mon to Fri 10:00am to 4:30pm, Sat and Sun 10:00am to 2:00pm; closed Dec 23 to Jan 6
- Location: Waterfront on the Island Highway in downtown Campbell River
- Accessibility: Indoor museum with ample parking and ocean views
- Highlight: Going aboard the BCP 45, the boat from the old $5 bill
- Best for: Families, history buffs, and anyone curious about the coast’s fishing past
The Maritime Heritage Centre is a maritime museum on the waterfront in Campbell River, British Columbia, at 621 Island Highway. Its main exhibit is the BCP 45, a restored seine fishing boat featured on the Canadian five-dollar bill from 1972 to 1986, which visitors can board and explore. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, and the centre is open year-round.
A great fit for families with kids, history lovers, and travellers wanting an indoor option on a rainy day. Less ideal for anyone looking for a large, big-city museum, since this is a focused community heritage centre.
The BCP 45: The Boat From the $5 Bill
The star of the centre is the BCP 45, a wooden seine boat used in the West Coast salmon fishery. It became famous when it was pictured on the back of Canada’s five-dollar bill from 1972 to 1986, making it one of the most recognized fishing boats in the country.
The boat has been carefully restored, and unlike most museum vessels, you can go aboard and walk through it. Visitors explore the galley, the bunks where the crew slept, the engine room, the head, and the wheelhouse, which gives a real sense of life aboard a working seiner.
Exhibits and Guided Tours
Beyond the BCP 45, the centre holds displays on the area’s fishing and marine history, including knot and rope work, model boats, and artifacts tied to life on the water. The exhibits are well labelled, with extra detail for those who want to dig deeper.
Knowledgeable volunteer docents, several with real experience at sea, often guide visitors through the boat and the displays. A guided tour brings the stories to life and tends to be the highlight, so it is worth asking whether one is available when you arrive. Allow about an hour and a half if you take the full tour.
Visiting: Hours, Admission, and Location
The Maritime Heritage Centre sits on the waterfront at 621 Island Highway in downtown Campbell River, with ocean views and plenty of parking. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.
The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 4:30pm and weekends from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and it closes over the holidays from December 23 to January 6. Hours can shift for special events, so check ahead if you are visiting around a holiday. The building is also a popular venue for weddings and community events, which run outside of museum hours.
