Where is Telegraph Cove?
Telegraph Cove is in the North of Vancouver Island.
From Campbell River, you will have to follow Highway 19 N. Then, before Port Nc Neill, you will have to turn left on Beaver Cove Road and Telegraph Cove Road. It will take you approximately 2 hours and a half (if you don’t stop because there is always an opportunity to stop and to discover other places ).
Once you arrived there, you will have parking where you can park. You will have to pay for it. Everything was closed when we went there, but I can imagine that it must be pretty crowded during summer.
The History of Telegraph Cove Resort
Telegraph Cove is situated on the northeast corner of Vancouver Island. The resort was created in 1979 by Gordie and Marilyn Graham, long-time residents of the North Island, primarily to take advantage of the tremendous recreational ocean fishing. A campground and marina marked the beginning of the resort, which was the first of its kind built in the region. It accommodated the need for such a facility as Highway 19 had just been completed to Port Hardy. The ferry terminal to Prince Rupert had also just been established, bringing an influx of tourists to the area.
The history of Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove was established in 1912 as an old sawmill town that had deteriorated to the point where everything had to be restored and rebuilt. Today, an eight hundred-foot-long boardwalk and dock surround the old village. The original houses and buildings were eventually restored and are used today for tourist accommodation.
Telegraph Cove is home to the first whale watching company that was established in 1980. Soon Telegraph Cove and the Killer Whales were known to the entire world. Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, home of the famous rubbing beach, was formed in 1982 to protect this unique area forever. Today, Robson Bight Reserve is closed to public access, by land or water, to preserve the sensitive habitat for future generations.
Throughout this time, Telegraph Cove Resort Ltd kept restoring the buildings and structures of Telegraph Cove, entirely at its own expense. Soon this little town out in the wilds of northern Vancouver Island had many reasons to be in the news. The Travel Writers of Canada voted it the loveliest town in B.C., and articles about Telegraph Cove appeared in publications worldwide.
In 1998 Telegraph Cove Resorts expanded, building a restaurant and pub, new general store, small hotel, and large sewage treatment plant to increase ecotourism and decline in sports fishing. It now was a resort that could accommodate 500 guests between the houses, cabins, and campground/R.V. park.
In 1993 the Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society (WIC) was formed following a recommendation from the committee studying the co-existence of whales and humans. Gordie Graham was made aware of the need for an Interpretive Centre by Jim Borrowman in 2002, and the WIC became an excellent addition for the Cove. That same winter Gordie and Leo Tureczek tore down 40′ of the old warehouse on the docks and built a large yellow cedar structure displaying skeletons of the marine mammals of the area. The centerpiece is a 20-meter long fin whale that was donated graciously by Jim Borrowman. Public education is the primary function of the Interpretive Centre. Every year over 25,000 people tour this facility. 2017 saw the addition of another 1200 square feet, involving a lot of reconstruction, at the expense of Telegraph Cove Resorts.
In 2000 Tide Rip Grizzly Tours came to Telegraph Cove and started taking guests up Knight Inlet to view the grizzly bears at Glendale Cove. Soon the tiny, historic village of Telegraph Cove Resort became the gateway for thousands of visitors to marine adventures, from kayaking, whale watching, and sport fishing to grizzly bear & wildlife viewing. Today Telegraph Cove is the center for world-class ecotourism activities.
What can you see there?
Take a walk around the old village and take time to learn about the last boardwalk settlements left on Vancouver Island.
The town itself is not big, but it is worth your time on Vancouver Island. At the same time, go for a kayaking tour to observe the whales.
When is the best time to go there?
You know me, I love when there is nobody when I’m traveling, so I enjoyed going there during the low season. But if you want to see the marine wildlife, summer is undoubtedly the best time to do so.
