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More about Telegraph Cove |
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The tiny community of Telegraph Cove began as a one-room telegraph station in 1912. Today, Telegraph Cove is a mecca for visitors coming to experience superb fishing, kayaking, diving, and wildlife watching.
Small, compact and nestled between ocean and rainforest in the northern Vancouver Island wilderness, Telegraph Cove (population around 20) seems to have jumped through time. The boardwalked resort with its preserved historic buildings recalls a rustic past in which the cove harboured a lumber mill and salmon saltery. Nature beckons travellers to a slew of outdoor activities including whale watching, bear watching, fishing, ocean kayaking, caving, diving, hiking, walking and Aboriginal cultural touring.
Climb out of bed and jump into a fishing boat, kayak, whale watching boat or bear watching craft. It really is that simple.
Most famously, Telegraph Cove is about the great Orca, Minke and Humpback whales that frolic in the Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago. Stubbs Island Whale Watching, launched in 1980, was the first whale watching outfit in BC and on Canada's west coast. It was a landmark endeavour. It's still regarded by many as the best whale watching venture in BC.
North Island has abundant and varied wildlife. Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, 1,248ha/1,084ac Marine Park was established in 1982 for the protection of orcas, also called killer whales or blackfish, 250 of which travel to the area each year. Other creatures in these waters include humpback, grey, and Minke whales, seals, sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and eagles.
Black bear and grizzly bear watching tours are also offered in the North Island region. These safe, guided boat tours include such highlights as bears fishing for salmon or rolling over rocks in search of crabs. Bear watching tours are available from June through October.
In the Sayward area, watch for Roosevelt elk, a species found only on Vancouver Island. Bird watchers will enjoy Winter Harbour, Telegraph Cove, Rough Bay near Sointula, the Salmon River Estuary near Sayward, Storey's Beach in Port Hardy, the Ecological Park near Alert Bay, and the Zeballos Estuary. Other land mammals include black-tailed deer, timber wolves, and cougars.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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