Refuge Cove
West Redonda Island, Desolation Sound, British Columbia
Boom & Bust
Learning about the historical significance of Desolation Sound – from ancient times to the modern day – has always been a memorable insight into genuine coastal life for our guests.
At Cabana Desolation Eco Resort, this experience is most often illustrated by a visit to one of the more fascinating and eclectic communities on the British Columbia coast: Refuge Cove.
Just a 45 minute paddle from the resort, this historic boardwalk community epitomized the sharp rise and spectacular fall of these blue-collar fishing, canning and logging communities up and down the coast over the course of the 20th century.
Yet as eco-tourism and pleasure boating has exploded in popularity over the last couple of decades, coastal communities like Refuge Cove have been experiencing a kind of renaissance – a true testament to the resilience of their people, history, and way of life.
Kayak Through Time
As you paddle past the aptly named ‘Hope Point’ and into Refuge Cove, and our guides’ vividly describe the day to day life of the community in its heyday, you can close your eyes and almost believe that you have been transported back in time.
You can see the wrinkled faces and weather-beaten float homes. You can hear the shouts and calls from the residents and the whistle of the Union Steamship piercing through the mist. You can smell the grease of the machinery and the aroma of fresh baking in the evenings once everyone has come back home.
As you explore the cove you will learn about the history that is so entwined with the rise and fall of coastal British Columbia – the great boom and the terrible bust as modernity and efficiency overtook the dependability of everyday life.
And as you land on the dock below today’s Refuge Cove store, you can again catch a glimpse of the excitement that must have been so evident all those years ago, as modern sailboaters and yachters pull in to fuel and stock up for new modern adventures into Desolation Sound.
Be sure to bring along some cash or a credit/debit card when you visit, as there are fantastic local art pieces, souvenirs, and even ice-cream for sale on a nice hot day!
