BCO Coastal Gems: Owen Bay

 Located within the heart of the Discovery Island group and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and an abundance of wildlife, this Sonora Island area offers all types of outdoor recreation and sport activities - fishing, boating, diving, and wildlife viewing, while seafood such as crab, prawns, clams and oysters are all available within minutes of this region. 

Approaching Owen Bay from the end of Busby

(Springer Point at the south tip of the development

is in the centre of the photo)

Owen Bay is located on the south side of Sonora Island on Okisolo Channel, just above Hole in the Wall rapids. 

The Discovery Islands are rich in First Nations culture and history.

view out from Busby

Owen Bay was first settled by non-indigenous people approximately 100 years ago, at times it was home to a school, church and general store, however the location did not attract a more permanent settlement in the long run. It has evolved into a quiet, coastal vacation and recreation community with a small complement of full-time residents. The Owen Bay development encompasses both a portion of Sonora Island and Busby Island, which is separated from Sonora by only a small channel.

looking across from Sonora to Busby

There are government dock facilities located in Owen Bay. Owen Bay provides excellent protection for both mooring and anchoring your boat and the roadway leading from the Government Dock throughout the area is more than adequate for vehicles if one chooses.

Owen Bay government dock

Owen Bay Rd

There are a few marine parks to enjoy within close proximity, including the Octopus Island Group Marine Park which is only minutes away. Access to Owen Bay is by boat or float plane only. 

aerial approach to Owen Bay

Campbell River is approximately 45 minutes away by boat and provides an excellent centre for supplies and services. During the summer months there is regularly scheduled water taxi service from Campbell River to Owen Bay and Busby Island. There is also regularly scheduled barge service to Owen Bay to bring propane and fuel as well as any arranged deliveries (groceries, building supplies, etc). Other areas such as Browns Bay on Vancouver Island or Heriot Bay on Quadra Island provide even quicker access through primarily protected waters. 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Coastal Gems: The Magic of Malcolm Island

 It is common knowledge in the BCO office that Malcolm Island is one of Kate's favourite places to visit. What makes this coastal gem special?

1. The village of Sointula. This picturesque town sits on the eastern shore of a large bay on the southern shore of Malcolm Island. The name means 'place of harmony' in Finnish, named by the Finnish immigrants who arrived there in the early 1900s looking for a better way of life. That history is still reflected in the town and its buildings. It has also been an active fishing centre in the region, as evidenced by the docks and netlofts still seen along the shore. Walking around the vibrant village is a great way to spend the day, taking in the historical sites, colourful homes and many small businesses. Sointula has shopping, fuel services, private and public docks, a library and a medical clinic among other amenities. There is a vibrant community of approx. 800 on the island mostly in Sointula. The residents are an eclectic mix of old-time families, artists, fishermen and those looking for a quieter life. There  is also rich First Nations heritage, as is common along all of the west coast.

2. Whale watching. Malcolm Island is in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago and as such is well placed for wildlife viewing. Orcas and humpback whales frequent the area and can be observed in the waters off the island regularly. Bere Point on Malcolm Island is renowned as well for its rubbing beaches, places where the orcas come and rub along the cobble stones at the sloping edge of the shoreline. Kate was fortunate enough to witness a large group of Orca at Bere Point late in August one year.

3. Hiking and outdoor activities. Malcolm Island is a great base for outdoor activity. There are a number of good hiking trails, including the Beautiful Bay Trail between Bere Point and Malcolm Point. Pulteney Point lighthouse sits on the northeast point of the island and is accessible by a nice beach walk. Boat tours, fishing and kayaking are all popular activities to participate in while staying on the island as well.

There is regular car ferry access to the island from the BC Ferries terminal in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island. There are a few campsites on the island, including Bere Point Regional Park campground as well as a number of B&Bs and guest houses. The main roads along the eastern shore are paved, while the further out roads are gravel.

Malcolm Island sits at the junction of Queen Charlotte Strait, Broughton Strait and Johnstone Strait off the northern end of Vancouver Island. To learn more about visiting Sointula, click here.

                                       

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

 

BCO Coastal Gems: Owen Bay

Located within the heart of the Discovery Island group and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and an abundance of wildlife, this Sonora Island area offers all types of outdoor recreation and sport activities - fishing, boating, diving, and wildlife viewing, while seafood such as crab, prawns, clams and oysters are all available within minutes of this region. 

Approaching Owen Bay from the end of Busby

(Springer Point at the south tip of the development

is in the centre of the photo)

Owen Bay is located on the south side of Sonora Island on Okisolo Channel, just above Hole in the Wall rapids. 

The Discovery Islands are rich in First Nations culture and history.

view out from Busby

Owen Bay was first settled by non-indigenous people approximately 100 years ago, at times it was home to a school, church and general store, however the location did not attract a more permanent settlement in the long run. It has evolved into a quiet, coastal vacation and recreation community with a small complement of full-time residents. The Owen Bay development encompasses both a portion of Sonora Island and Busby Island, which is separated from Sonora by only a small channel.

looking across from Sonora to Busby

There are government dock facilities located in Owen Bay. Owen Bay provides excellent protection for both mooring and anchoring your boat and the roadway leading from the Government Dock throughout the area is more than adequate for vehicles if one chooses.

Owen Bay government dock

Owen Bay Rd

There are a few marine parks to enjoy within close proximity, including the Octopus Island Group Marine Park which is only minutes away. Access to Owen Bay is by boat or float plane only. 

aerial approach to Owen Bay

Campbell River is approximately 45 minutes away by boat and provides an excellent centre for supplies and services. During the summer months there is regularly scheduled water taxi service from Campbell River to Owen Bay and Busby Island. There is also regularly scheduled barge service to Owen Bay to bring propane and fuel as well as any arranged deliveries (groceries, building supplies, etc). Other areas such as Browns Bay on Vancouver Island or Heriot Bay on Quadra Island provide even quicker access through primarily protected waters. 

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Coastal Gem: Tahsis

The coastal village of Tahsis sits at the head of protected Tahsis Inlet, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island near Nootka Sound. Tahsis is a (gravel) road access village, with services and shopping. It has a K-12 school, a recreation centre with swimming pool, bowling alley, workout room, gym and climbing wall, post office, hardware store, convenience store with gas station and restaurant, and a mechanic. Services include a medical clinic, ambulance, coast guard station and volunteer fire department. Campgrounds and B&Bs provide accommodation.

Tahsis offers access to a number of wilderness hiking trails, caving, incredible ocean kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and canoeing. The area is best known for offering world-class sport fishing as massive runs of salmon migrate down the west of British Columbia to their spawning grounds in coastal streams and rivers. Anglers can also venture out to the Pacific Ocean where fishing is excellent for halibut, flounder, rockfish and lingcod. Crabs, prawns, shrimp, oysters and other seafood are also plentiful. Wildlife abounds! Black bear, wolves, cougars, Roosevelt elk and coastal black-tailed deer are frequent visitors to this area. Guests from around the world marvel at the eagles, sea lions, whales and other marine wildlife that is common in the nearby waters. 

The picturesque and versatile west coast village offers a full-service marina and a safe, friendly small town atmosphere that boasts an incredible blend of outdoor adventures and some of the most rugged and breathtaking scenery in British Columbia, Canada.

To find out more about this coastal community, click here!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!