Inlets of the BC South Central Coast

The South Central Coast of BC is accessible only by boat or float plane as it is surrounded by the high peaks of the Coast Mountain Range on the mainland and the straits that run between the mainland and Vancouver Island. This wilderness region is well known for amazing natural beauty, wildlife viewing and fishing and it is popular with boaters and outdoor enthusiasts.

Boating in Bute Inlet

Bute Inlet, considered one of the grandest fjords in the world, is surrounded by the rugged coastal mountains of the British Columbia mainland coast, capped by the Homathko Icefield and numerous other glaciers. It runs 80km long and averages 4km in width, and is one of the deepest fjords in this region at 660m. It is located approximately 30 miles north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. 

Bute Inlet

Loughborough Inlet is approximately 22 miles deep, running from the mouth of the Stafford River to Cordero Channel across from West Thurlow Island at the northern end of the Discovery Islands. It is just south of Johnstone Strait. Its average width is 2.5km and the inlet is halfway between the entrances to Knight Inlet and Bute Inlet.

Loughborough Inlet

Toba Inlet is known for its amazing waterfalls and emerald waters. As one of the shorter inlets in this stretch of coast at only 35km in length, it is popular with kayakers and boaters as a great place to explore and offers all of the amazing wildlife viewing that the entire region is known for.

Toba Inlet 

Knight Inlet is the largest in this section of coastal fjords, stretching about 125km and averaging 2.5km in width. The opening of the inlet is just north of Johnstone Strait in Queen Charlotte Strait, along the southern edge of the Great Bear Rain Forest. Knight Inlet is well known for bear watching during the salmon runs of the late summer/early fall especially.  

Knight Inlet 

These inlets and all the other waterways that make up this region provide a diverse, fascinating wilderness experience to boaters and adventurers.

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Accessing Remote Properties

"So, how long does it take to drive there?" "Can I take the ferry there?"

BC Oceanfront transportation

If there is one thing we know at the BCO office, it's that remote properties mean different things to different people. Whenever someone tells Ed they are looking for remote property, the first thing he works to clarify is just how remote they mean.

Bute Inlet

 

BC Central Coast properties, such as Jervis Inlet, Bute Inlet or Phillips Arm, are logistically the most isolated. These are water access only properties, which can be reached by boat or float plane. While there may be some logging roads in the vicinity, there is not any possibility of road access from an urban area to anywhere near the property. If you own your own boat or float plane, then getting there is relatively straight-forward. Otherwise there are water taxis and float plane charter companies that can provide transportation - for a fee of course.

Phillips Arm

 

Many other properties, although in a more populated area, are still water access properties. The Discovery Islands or further north in the Broughton Archipelago on the east side of Vancouver Island and Kyuquot and Barkley Sound on the west side of Vancouver Island are examples of these types of properties. In these cases you can often drive to the nearest community and then use a public boat launch to travel by boat. Again there are charter options for all these properties.

Kyuquot

Another important factor to keep in mind is that travelling to these properties will be weather-dependent. While coast regulars do get used to travelling in poor weather conditions, there are still days that even charter planes and water taxis can't run. If you are using personal transportation, the weather factor will also depend on the size and type of boat you are using.

Remote properties are enticing and appealing to many people, for many different reasons. It's just important that logistics come into play when actually moving forward on purchasing a remote property, and a big logistic is how to access the properties.

 

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BC Coastal Hidden Gems: Bute Inlet

Bute Inlet is one of those places that people might know the name of but often can’t place. It is almost a mythical location, renowned for its abundant wildlife, majestic mountains and beautiful waters. The BCO team spends a lot of time in the area both for work and recreation as it is just 20 minutes by boat from Campbell River, and we know the attraction it has for so many people.

Bute is an 80km (50 miles) long inlet on the BC central coast, south of Knight Inlet, ending at Stuart Island in the Discovery Islands in Georgia Strait. The inlet averages about 4km in width with the mountains along its sides rising up to 2743 metres (9000ft) above sea level. It is also one of the deepest fjords in British Columbia with a depth of 660 metres (2165ft).

The peaceful and beautiful surroundings of Bute Inlet are unlike anywhere else on the coast. The region has a large variety of wildlife and the sea life is equally plentiful. Crab and prawns can be gathered right off shore and although there are fin fishing restrictions in the area – very close by one can enjoy world-class salmon fishing. Just north to the head of the inlet are the Homalthco and Southgate rivers, both of which provide world-class fishing for Cutthroat, Rainbow and Dolly Varden trout as well as Steelhead. The inlet is becoming known as a major destination for grizzly bear watching during the salmon spawning season as well.

But Inlet is named for John Stuart, the 3^rd Earle of Bute and Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763. Stuart’s grandson, Charles Stuart, was on the ship Discovery with Captain Vancouver, and so was part of the British crew that explored this area.

Through-out its history Bute has attracted explorers and adventurers. At one time it was the site of a proposed trail to the Cariboo Gold fields. Like most of the BC Coast, it is also an area rich in First Nations lore.

Another of coastal BC’s many hidden gems!

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