Klahoose Wilderness Resort - New Destination in BC!

By Kit Case

While writing our last post about our travels in Toba Inlet, I learned of the Klahoose Wilderness Resort. The Klahoose First Nation has reimagined what was previously the Homfray Lodge and paired it with another endeavor, Klahoose Coastal Adventures, which offers grizzly bear viewing excursions. They have six viewing platforms set along the Klite River in the Toba Valley. They take small groups up by boat upriver, where the guests can spend time on the viewing platforms (which look similar to bird blinds), unobtrusively observing the bears.

Photo Credit: Klahoose Wilderness Resort

Photo Credit: Klahoose Wilderness Resort

The resort wasn’t open when we were last in Toba Inlet, so I have no personal knowledge of the accommodations, experiences or the operation itself, but I was drawn in by their Instagram page - it is worth a follow for the photos alone!

The lodge’s website is beautiful and states an anticipated opening date in Spring 2021. I reached out to learn more, and Chris Tait, Tourism Manager with Klahoose Wilderness Resort, wrote back with more details.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort is owned and operated by the Klahoose First Nation on their traditional territory within the heart of BC’s most pristine coast in Desolation Sound. The eco-resort’s remote lodge sits on the water’s edge of the calm Homfray Channel between BC’s Coastal Mountain peaks and the lush, temperate rain forests of the Sunshine Coast. 

Photo Credit: Klahoose Wilderness Resort

Klahoose Wilderness Resort offers a wide range of activities and cultural programming. Guests live an immersive, authentic cultural experience during their entire visit. Experienced Indigenous Interpreters and friendly staff add to the memorable experience, particularly on the grizzly bear viewing tours in Toba Inlet. Guests leave transformed by the beauty of the Klahoose territory, their Nation's unique culture, and the region's exceptional wildlife.

At the time of this writing, The Klahoose Wilderness Resort does not offer guest moorage to boaters, unless they have booked a stay at the resort. The resort offers all-inclusive package pricing, with stays available during the operating season, from May to October. The packages include: accommodation, in either a spacious lodge room or a cosy cabin, meals, Wi-Fi, boat transfer from Lund to the Resort, airport pick-up from Powell River Airport, activities, and grizzly bear tours in Toba Inlet. Taxes, service fee, flights and an optional heli-sightseeing excursion are not included in the package prices. 

We wish them well and hope that we can visit soon!!

Mayday - Plane Down at Refuge Cove

By Roy Kauffman

Generally, there is not a lot of chatter on the VHF in this part of British Columbia because, especially early in the season, there is next to no one in the area.  But on this day, things were different.  

A mayday call came over the VHF radio that a small seaplane carrying passengers had crash landed. The plane had been headed to Refuge Cove, on the southern end of West Redonda Island, which was only a few miles from us.  Immediately, there was response from vessels near Refuge Cove and the rescue effort was underway. In addition to local boats offering to help, the BC Coast Guard was sending in a helicopter.  

After a few minutes, the news on the radio was that the plane had “beached” - a nearly successful landing, but the plane ended up parked on the beach. Everyone on board the plane was alive and in the process of offloading.

The drama of all this over the VHF was palpable and, as mariners in close proximity with an ability to help, it was our obligation to monitor and call in to the BC Coast Guard with an offer of assistance if it was needed. But, it was quickly apparent that they had multiple boats in service. There were people already at the plane providing assistance.  We monitored the radio in case we could help. The reports kept coming in, a few more details each time. We kept the volume up.

People at the Refuge Cove docks were quickly on the scene. A large boat that was nearby was able to take on the passengers, some with minor injuries.  There was discussion of how to get the plane towed to the docks at Refuge Cove. In a short time, the emergency was under control. The Coast Guard worked together with vessels relaying messages over VHF to make arrangements for the passengers. The community of boaters rallied together and took care of the situation. It was great to hear the story unfold. 

Photo credit: Refuge Cove - “A Sweet Haven in the Heart of Desolation Sound”

Information for Visitors to Refuge Cove

Refuge Cove is a fun place to visit and a great provisioning stop.  Whimsical yet functional (their words!), it offers the only grocery store in a deep-water harbour in Desolation Sound. Overnight moorage is available, and short stays of under 4 hours are possible as space allows. They have a fuel dock and fresh water available on the docks. There is a small, well-stocked grocery store that offers marine hardware, souvenirs, local books, bait and tackle. The restaurant was closed during the 2020 season due to COVID, but will hopefully be able to reopen in 2021. Refuge Cove is open year round, but in the winter they are open for mail and fuel only (September 15th – May 31st Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 1pm-3pm).

If you are lucky enough to spend a good chunk of your time in Desolation Sound, it is a welcome stop to pull into Refuge Cove.  In years past, there was even a resourceful entrepreneur with a small barge in the cove that accepted bagged garbage for a fee.