Alert Bay is a small community on Cormorant Island, British Columbia, Canada. Cormorant Island consists primarily of the village of Alert Bay.

Approximately half of the population is First Nations people. The village is in Kwakwaka'wakw territory.
(2006 Population 556)

In 1921, the Federal Government, in an effort to stop the potlatch under Section 116 of the Indian Act, pillaged the community of such items as wooden masks, copper shields, and potlatch-dance regalia, some of which were later placed in the U’mista Cultural Centre in the village. During the 70s and 80s, the population regained their possessions after long negotiations. The artifacts housed in the cultural centre were given back to the village population as well as items stored in other museums.

The volcanism at Alert Bay is part of the Andrew Wadhams volcanic belt. It appears to have been active in Pliocene and Pleistocene time. No Holocene eruptions are known, and volcanic activity in the belt has likely ceased.

Alert Bay is also home to the world's tallest Totem Pole.

Alert Bay is home to Chris Ross, Canada's first World Chess Champion at the age of 7.

Filmed in Alert Bay:

Inbreaker, The (1974)

Jaws of Death (1977)

Sea Lions being chased by killer whales, humpback whale lolling around relaxing

Scenes from Alert Bay

Some of the Namgis people welcoming people of Haida Gwaii to Alert Bay, May 17 2008.