Telegraph Cove
North Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Telegraph Cove, BC, Vancouver Island

Telegraph Cove is a small hamlet situated on the northern section of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The cove is nestled in a quiet little bay fronting the Queen Charlotte Strait and the Broughton Archipelago.

To the north of Telegraph Cove is Cormorant Island and the First Nations community of Alert Bay. To the south are the Hansen and Compton Islands. The marina in Telegraph Cove has over 150 berths for visiting boats. For many cruising yachts, kayakers and sailboats the marina is a planned stop on the way to exploring Robson Bight and the many adventures in the Broughton Archipelago.

A unique feature of Telegraph Cove is the waterfront boardwalk in the village. Standing on stilts, the boardwalk is home to many of the businesses operating in the community. There are restaurants, gift shops, accommodations, heritage buildings and tour companies.

The cove is a well known destination for wilderness adventures like whale and bear watching tours, overnight cruises and guided kayaking tours.The cove is the birthplace of one of the first whale watching tour companies in Canada.

The boardwalk community was first established in 1912 as an Air Force base during WW 2. The area has gone through many transformations. For example, after operating as a base for the Air Force the community became a telegraph station, then a fish saltery and then a sawmill. Today, Telegraph Cove is a wildlife tourism destination on the west coast of British Columbia.

Not far from the boardwalk and wharf in Telegraph Cove - only a short stroll away - is the Johnstone Strait Whale Interpretive Centre. It is a museum and research facility also referred to as the " Bones Project".

How to Get to Telegraph Cove, BC

Telegraph Cove is located 15 kilometres off of Highway just south of Port McNeill, BC. Watch for direction signs. Approaching Telegraph Cove from the south of Vancouver Island from Victoria, travel north on the Hwy 19 ( North Island Hwy) for 200 km (124 mi) to the turn off located just south of Port McNeill.