Refuge Cove, British Columbia

Refuge Cove, B.C., is a year-round community in the heart of the Desolation Sound area of the Inside Passage. It serves as a centrally located supply stop for boaters travelling in or near Desolation Sound, offering a wide range of services including moorage, fuel, groceries, ice, showers, laundry, espresso, and other supplies.

Most of the services are seasonal, operating from June through September. During the rest of the year, the general store and fuel docks are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Refuge Cove is home to about twenty families during the warm summer months. Hundreds of boaters stop here daily during the summer, relaxing and provisioning for their Desolation Sound adventures. During the colder seasons, the population hovers around 12 residents.

Refuge Cove is located about 150 kilometers northwest of Vancouver, between Vancouver Island and the mainland at the north end of the Strait of Georgia.

The two ways to arrive directly in Refuge Cove are by boat and by float plane.

Every day during the summer, there are up to eight float plane flights to and from Seattle, Vancouver, and Campbell River. For seaplane service within British Columbia, visit www.corilair.com. For seaplane service from Seattle, visit www.kenmoreair.com or www.nwseaplanes.com.

Map of Strait of Georgia and Desolation Sound.

For first-time boaters in the area, a guided learning cruise is offered by Richmond Sailcraft. Captain Warren Hale or one of his other skilled instructors take you on a 9-day adventure aboard a 44-foot C&C. Besides operating the boat while underway, you will learn about the local conditions, including tides, weather pattFor first-time boaters in the area, a guided learning cruise is offered by Richmond Sailcraft. Captain Warren Hale or one of his other skilled instructors take you on a 9-day adventure aboard a 44-foot C&C. Besides operating the boat while underway, you will learn about the local conditions, including tides, weather patterns, and the locations of the best moorages.

   * 300101 (Vancouver Island...)
   * 351301 (Strait of Georgia Northern Portion)
   * 353801 (Desolation Sound and Sutil Channel)
   * 355504 (Refuge Cove)

BC Ferries Routes - Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast

Visitors travelling by car can take BC Ferries from Vancouver or Victoria to Powell River, and drive the short distance northward to Lund. From there, a private boat or the Lund Water Taxi can take visitors the rest of the way to Refuge Cove, about 13 miles.