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!

Forest Service Roads

Anyone who spends time travelling the central and northern parts of Vancouver Island will soon come to realize that as soon as you move away from the eastern shoreline you are off the paved roads. There is an entire network of gravel roads on the island, most of which are Forest Service Roads.

 

What are Forest Service Roads? According to the BC Government, they are part of the Resource Roads of BC:

Resource roads are typically one- or two-lane gravel roads built for industrial purposes to access natural resources in remote areas. Over 620,000 kilometers of roads on the British Columbia landbase are considered resource roads. Resource roads are a highly valued part of B.C.’s transportation network and are essential to economic development.

The B.C. Government administers about 60,000 kilometers of Forest Service Roads (FSRs). FSRs are maintained by the forest industry under road use permits, or where there is no industrial user responsible for maintenance, by the B.C. Government.  Where there is no industrial maintainer, the B.C. Government carries out maintenance, subject to available funding, where communities, rural residents and high value recreation sites have priority.

Many of the BC Oceanfront listings will say that a property is accessible by limited Forest Service Road access. This is because Forest Service Roads are not guaranteed to be be open and in working condition at all times. However most of the main lines on northern Vancouver Island are generally open year-round, although not always in great condition.

Driving on a Forest Service Road on Vancouver Island is not the same as driving on a private gravel road or farm track. The condition of the roads vary greatly depending on the season and the amount of industrial traffic using them at any given time. In the rainy winter months it is not uncommon for the roads to get very slick, and for parts to be partially washed out. For roads that head towards the mountains snow is more common than on the rest of the island. In the summer the roads can be rutted and dusty, making visibility a challenge. Drivers should be prepared for any conditions and if it is the first time driving on these roads, take it slow. Keep in mind, the large work trucks generally always have the right of way!

There are many maps available showing the forest service road networks. The one used most often in our office is the Backroads Mapbook - an excellent resource for anyone looking to venture beyond the paved roads of Vancouver Island. However spurs and side roads can open and close depending on the logging work in the region, so a sharp eye and good sense of direction helps in navigation.

For many people living on Vancouver Island, the Forest Service Roads provide access to remote communities (eg. Zeballos, Winter Harbour and Tahsis), lakes, hiking trails, rivers, hunting grounds and much more, enhancing our connection to the rich landscape.

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

BCO Coastal Gem: Tahsis

The Village of Tahsis is situated at the head of protected Tahsis Inlet, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island near Nootka Sound. The picturesque and versatile coastal village offers some of the most rugged and breathtaking scenery in British Columbia, with lush rainforest and steep mountainsides leading to the inlet waters.

 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.

Tahsis has become an eco-tourism destination, offering access to wilderness hiking trails, caving, incredible ocean kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and canoeing.

Wildlife abounds in the region; black bears, 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.

Tahsis is 150km from the major urban centre of Campbell River, and 66km from the village of Gold River. The gravel road from Gold River to Tahsis is known as the Tree to Sea Drive. There are a number of interesting sites along this drive, including the highest point at Bull Lake Summit (586m) and the Three Sisters Waterfall.

The Village has a rich history, with First Nations having been in the area for 4,000 years. As a typical west-coast resource town the village at one time had a population of 2,500. While the coastal resource base has changed, the village has maintained itself as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and fishermen. The Tahsis Museum provides information and displays on much of the history of both the town and the area.

Lodging in the area ranges from guest houses and B&Bs to full-service marinas and a campground. The population is approx. 300 full-time residents, with many others maintaining seasonal residences.

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

BCO Road Trips

While a majority of our listings are boat access, there are a handful that require a driving road trip. Properties in Zeballos and Tahsis require a long drive, first on paved roads and then on gravel roads. These are all day trips, starting generally by 7am and not ending until 5pm or later.

Driving the large forest service roads into these communities requires one to be alert. However it also requires stopping along the way, as there is some breath-taking scenery and views to be found.

These small communities are shaped in part by the long drive in - not everyone wants to make such a drive. A truck is not a must but generally is better equipped to handle the varying road conditions, especially in the wet winters. And whatever one is driving - it's going to get dirty!

Just another aspect of the type of real estate BC Oceanfront deals in!

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

BCO Coastal Gems: Tahsis

The coastal village of Tahsis is situated at the head of protected Tahsis Inlet, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island near Nootka Sound. Tahsis offers access to a number of wilderness hiking trails, caving, incredible ocean kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and canoeing.  

 The Village of Tahsis offers a variety of accommodations, from guest houses to campgrounds and marinas. 

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.

Tahsis is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, approx 2.5 hours' drive from Campbell River along the Gold River Hwy and then past Gold River onto gravel road. It can also be reached by boat launched from Gold River or other west coast communities.

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

BC Coastal Hidden Gems: Tahsis

"Where is Tahsis? I've heard the name, but really, where is it?!" A common question, most recently asked by a realtor who had stopped by the office.

Tahsis is a community on the west side of Vancouver Island, north of Gold River, in the heart of Nootka Sound. It is well known to fishermen, outdoor enthusiasts and eco-tourists as a place for amazing adventure.

The village is accessible by gravel road from Gold River, as well by boat or float plane. The Village has many services, including shopping, a school, recreation centre, post office and library. It is serviced with high speed internet, making it a perfect starting point for many adventures.

Tahsis is surrounded by diverse marine waters, making it a popular destination for fishermen, boaters, surfers, whale watchers and others.

A small village well worth visiting!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!