Premier Listings for Quadra Island
The largest and most populated of the Discovery Islands in BC, Quadra Island is nestled between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. Quadra Island is a popular destination for visitors from around the world, and is best known for its natural and beautiful wilderness scenery, and its excellent salmon and freshwater sportfishing.
The mild temperate climate, rural lifestyle, pristine environment, breathtaking coastal scenery, and the friendly people of Quadra all add to the charm of Quadra Island. The diversity of people, professions, lifestyles and pastimes is what makes Quadra Island a truly great place to live or visit.
Quadra Island was named after Don Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, the 18th Century Spanish Naval Officer and close friend of Captain George Vancouver. Just over two hundred years ago, Captain Vancouver made contact with the aboriginal people on the island, sending yawls to sound the now-named Discovery Passage before bringing in his ship Discovery, anchoring off present day Cape Mudge.
Quadra Island has three main communities: Quathiaski Cove, the commercial hub of Quadra and the most populated; Heriot Bay, the picturesque gateway to the Discovery Islands and mainland inlets, and Cape Mudge (Yuculta), home to the We Wai Kai band of the Kwakwak’awakw (Kwagiulth) First Nation. Most of the permanent residents of Quadra live on the southern half of the 35-km-long island.
Its sheltered coves and inland lakes are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, river otters, harbour seals, sea-lions, cormorants, snowy owls, the great blue heron, and the elusive peregrine falcon.
The Visitor Centre is located next to the Quadra Credit Union in Quathiaski Cove, and is open from mid-June until the Labour Day weekend (the first weekend in September).
Population: 2,700
Location: Quadra Island is located in the Discovery Islands of British Columbia. Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island is reached by a mere 10-minute ferry ride across Discovery Passage from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. BC Ferries also links Heriot Bay on Quadra Island to Whaletown Bay on Cortes Island, a 45-minute journey. Both ferries transport vehicles.
Heriot Bay: Long before Campbell River was settled, there was a significant community established at Heriot Bay. For many years the wharf at the Heriot Bay Inn was a major stop for various steamships travelling up and down the coast. The resort was the first in Heriot Bay, established in 1894, with the hotel soon becoming a social centre for residents and workers of the Discovery Islands, and for visiting travellers. Heriot Bay still serves as the harbour for ferries across Sutil Channel to Whaletown on Cortes Island, and boat traffic to and from the Outer Islands and Inlets. The Outer Islands include Read Island, Maurelle Island, Sonora Island, Stuart Island, East Redonda Island, West Redonda Island, East Thurlow Island, West Thurlow Island, and the Rendezvous Islands.
Granite Bay in northwest Quadra was once a significant settlement, and in the 19th century served as a base for one of the largest logging operations in the district. At peak operations of the Hastings Company in the 1890s, the settlement boasted a beach camp, log dump, general store, post office, school, hotel, brothel, and a government dock where the Union Steamships called to deliver passengers, mail, and supplies. The Lucky Jim Mine located three miles from Granite Bay opened in 1903 and yielded tons of gold and copper ore before it petered out. Granite Bay is quiet today, but is experiencing a resurgence of new residents and outdoor adventurers.
Arts and Crafts: Resident artists and craftspeople make the island a fine place to sleuth around for pottery and other creative, handmade wares. The Quadra Island Studio Tour in June steers visitors to Quadra’s galleries and studios run by carvers, spinners, weavers, glass blowers, potters, painters, sculptors, photographers, furniture makers, quilters, jewellers, blacksmiths, woodworkers, leatherworkers, and stained glass artists. Studio Tour tickets and a detailed map of the island are available at the Visitor Centre in Quathiaski Cove, just up the road from the ferry dock.
First Nations Culture: Ancient stone drawings called petroglyphs can be seen along the high-tide line at We Wai Kai Beach and Francisco Point at the southern tip of the island.
Cape Mudge Lighthouse celebrated its 100th birthday in 1998, and is well worth a visit. The lighthouse is the only one in BC that is accessible by road and is still staffed and fully operational. Linked by a trail to Cape Mudge Village, the lighthouse is located below the bluffs visited by Captain Vancouver in 1792. Petroglyphs from centuries ago can be found at extremely low tide just south of the lighthouse. To access the lighthouse, depart the Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal on Heriot Bay Road, turn south on Cape Mudge Road, then follow Lighthouse Road to the lighthouse. Tours are available in good weather in spring and summer.
Pop in to the Saturday Quadra Island Farmers’ Market (May to September) in Quathiaski Cove, behind the Quadra Credit Union, where vendors’ tables are loaded with unique local crafts, fresh farm produce, and freshly home-baked delicacies.
Events: There a number of festive events worth attending on Quadra Island. The Quadra Garden & Quilt Tour offers the chance to learn about the native flora and see the beautiful island gardens up close. Held every two years on even-numbered years. Quadrapalooza is Quadra Island’s Arts and Music Festival, held annually in August at the Quadra Island Community Centre. The weekend-long family event showcases a huge selection of diverse Canadian artists on a multitude of different stages. Quadra Island Studio Tour in June promotes the community of visual artists on Quadra Island, providing the public with a glimpse into the working studios of Quadra Island’s many artists. Quadra Island Festival of Chamber Music continues the tradition of extraordinary music and breathtaking venues, featuring guest musicians from across North America under the direction of Artistic Director, Philip Hansen, principal cello of the Calgary Symphony. Quadra Island Fall Fair is held annually in September at the Fair Grounds. Quadra Island May Day celebration is Quadra Island’s oldest celebration, having been celebrated since 1898. The annual community event is held on the Saturday after the May long weekend at Rebecca Spit.
Quadra Salmon Eco-Centre invites visitors to view the educational displays and learn more about salmon and watersheds, and what you can do to help and protect them. Have fun participating in the hands-on activities and daily fish feeding. Open Wednesday to Sunday in July and August, at 2071 hyacinthe Bay Road, just north of Heriot Bay. Operated by the Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society. Free admission.
Adventure Companies on Quadra Island provide hiking, diving, sea kayaking, boating and sailing tours, revealing the hidden secrets of the Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound, and the sheltered inlets of the BC mainland coast.
Boat Launches: There are three public boat launching ramps on Quadra Island, located at Quathiaski Cove, Heriot Bay, and Rebecca Spit in Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park.
Kayaking: Exploring offshore waters in a sea kayak is the best way to discover the islands, sheltered coves and protected channels. The fascinating waters around tightly packed Quadra, Cortes, Maurelle, Read, and Sonora Islands will provide hours of enjoyable paddling. You should be well versed in the reading of tidal-current charts to safely explore these waters. Check the listings below for local companies offering sea kayaking services.
Canoeing & Kayaking around Vancouver Island and the BC Islands.
Canoeing: An alternative to saltwater paddling around Quadra Island is a small chain of freshwater lakes in the interior of the island that are perfectly suited to canoeing. In summer, the water in the lakes warms up as water levels drop. You may well find that you’ll have to haul your canoe through a narrow channel connecting Village Bay Lake and Mine Lake. You can bypass this section by launching directly into Mine Lake and heading for the prettiest part of the route that leads from Mine to Main Lake, the largest of the lakes in this chain. Sandy beaches on small islands and in cozy bays are delightfully welcoming spots to land and pass a sunny day, with hardly any other paddlers with which to share this slice of paradise. If you land on the northeast side of Main Lake, you’ll find not only a sandy beach but also a short walking trail that follows an old logging road to Yeatman Bay, north of Surge Narrows on Quadra’s coastline. To reach the launch site, take West Road north from the ferry landing at Quathiaski Bay to Heriot Bay. Keep heading north on first Hyacinthe Bay Road and then Village Bay Road. Launch at the bridge in Village Bay or continue another 1.5 miles (2.5 km) farther north along Surge Narrows Road to Miners Bay.
Fishing: The waters around Quadra Island have yielded some of the largest salmon ever caught on BC’s west coast. Although much of the activity is centred in nearby Campbell River on Vancouver Island, there is plenty of action around Quadra, particularly at Quathiaski Cove, where the ferry linking Quadra and Campbell River docks. Anglers also congregate in the waters off Cape Mudge, Copper Bluffs and April Point, and at the entrance to Quathiaski Cove around Grouse Island. Good fishing is also found in the protected waters around Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park, where a popular public boat ramp is located. Inland on Quadra, cutthroat trout are numerous in the freshwater regions of Village Bay, Mine, and Main Lakes.
Scuba Diving: The clear waters and profusion of colourful marine life off Quadra’s shores make the area one of the best and most challenging destinations for scuba diving. Diving in Discovery Passage can only be attempted during slack tide. The currents are very strong and are phenomenally rich in nutrients and oxygen, sustaining an awesome array of marine life. There’s no wreck like an old wreck. That’s what the 366-foot former navy destroyer HMCS Columbia is fast becoming. She was scuttled by the Artificial Reef Society near Maud Island on the west coast of Quadra Island. Divers should check with the Underwater Archeological Society of BC, or dive shops and marinas in Campbell River, for more details. The small island of Steep, off the southwest coast of Quadra Island, is rated as one of the best dives in the world. The northern tip of Steep Island is best dived at the end of an ebbing tide, ensuring a fabulous dive amongst a profusion of colour and marine life.
Diving around Vancouver Island and the BC Islands.
Camping: There are no provincial campgrounds on Quadra Island, but there are private campsites, including the We Wai Kai Campground at Rebecca Spit, run by the Cape Mudge Band. Campsites are located on the beach at Drew Harbour, or in a quieter forested location across the road, a short walk from the beach. A provincial campground is located at Smelt Bay Provincial Park on neighbouring Cortes Island.
Hiking: Rolling forested hills are criss-crossed with over 200 kilometres of hiking trails. Some trails are long established, while some have been made recently, and many are former logging grades. All of the trails are managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC (formerly maintained by the BC Forest Service) and are well signed posted. Hike up Chinese Mountain for a panoramic island view. The pleasant forested Morte Lake Trail is an easy hike; the Chinese Mountain Trail is for the more experienced hiker.
Mountain Biking: Logging on the island has left countless backroads, rail beds and challenging trails, attracting mountain bikers to Quadra. The more popular trails are the Morte Lake Trail, the Main Lake-Yeatman Bay Trail and the trails around Mt. Seymour. Ask for the mountain bike trails map at the Visitor Centre.
Golf: New in summer 2012, Quadra Island Golf Club offers fairways set in Quadra Island’s natural beauty, with standing stone formations, wetland, and forest scenery. The intriguing layout in exceptional surroundings has resulted in a nine-hole gem that draws you into the fellowship of golf and nature (Par 36, 3,219 yards from the blue tees). The golf course includes a clubhouse overlooking a pond and a driving range. Located on Heriot Bay Road, overlooking Sutil Channel and the BC mainland coastal mountains. Golf Vacations in British Columbia.
Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park lies on the east side of Quadra Island at sheltered Drew Harbour, almost 6 miles (9 km) from the ferry landing at Quathiaski Cove. The park is a popular picnic spot as there are more picnic tables here than on any other island, and a prettier sandy beach than almost anywhere else on Quadra. Anglers launch from the boat ramp here, and beachcombing and swimming are popular.
Octopus Islands Provincial Park is both remote and accessible at the same time. Nestled among the maze of islands through which the waters of Johnstone Strait funnel into the Strait of Georgia, the Octopus Islands are most easily reached from Quadra Island. From the ferry dock at Quadra’s Quathiaski Cove, journey east by road across island to Heriot Bay. This is one of two good places to launch kayaks, along with Village Bay farther north. Tidal currents around Quadra Island are notorious for their strength, particularly at Surge Narrows on the east and Seymour Narrows on the west. Paddlers should avoid Seymour Narrows completely and only transit Surge narrows at slack tide.
Main Lake Provincial Park on the east side of Quadra protects an exceptional biological area, with over 72 bird species and 234 plant species. Wildlife in the park includes wolves, cougars, owls, Bald Eagles, hawks, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, and wintering swans. Recreation includes hiking, wilderness camping, canoeing and kayaking. A panel of pictographs in red ochre on Main Lake records past native presence in the park.
Small Inlet Marine Provincial Park is located at the northern tip of Quadra Island, accessed by boat from Granite Bay. The remote park protects second-growth forest and two small lakes, with Small Inlet providing a protected anchorage in all weather conditions. Boaters also utilize the anchorage to wait for slack tide, allowing safe passage through the tidal rapids of Discovery Passage, Okisollo Channel and the Hole in the Wall.
Surge Narrows Provincial Park is located at the junction of Quadra Island, Maurelle Island and Read Island. Tidal currents around Quadra Island are notorious, and can roar through Surge Narrows at 16 knots, and up to 14 knots on the ebb. Random wilderness camping is permitted on the upland portions of the park, which is undeveloped and has no facilities. Access to Surge Narrows is by boat from Heriot Bay or the Hoskyn Channel Landing.
Read Island Provincial Park on the southern tip of neighbouring Read Island protects old-growth and second-growth forest, bog and fertile lowlands, and variety of wildlife. Park visitors will find plenty to do, including kayaking, wilderness camping, scuba diving, and swimming in the ocean or in fresh water at Rosen Lake. Access from Heriot Bay or Hoskyn Channel Landing.
Journey by boat to Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park, where you’ll find a bird-watching and wildflower paradise located 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Saratoga Beach. Mitlenatch is home to the largest seabird colony on the Strait of Georgia, principally 3,000 pairs of glaucous-winged gulls. Other nesting species include pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, and black oystercatchers. Specially-designed trails for wildlife viewing lead across the middle of the island between Northwest Bay and Camp Bay to an observation blind. This area is characterized by open meadows carpeted with wildflowers from April through August. Access is restricted to other parts of the island where rocky uplands are forested with trembling aspen, a species more frequently seen in the BC Interior. Their presence, along with prickly pear cactus, is a result of the semi-arid conditions here in the rain shadow cast by the Vancouver Island Mountains.
Take the ferry from Heriot Bay across Sutil Channel over to Whaletown on Cortes Island. The placid lakes, beaches, and rugged gorges make Cortes Island one of the most impressive of the Discovery Islands, blessed with its own distinctive charm and a wide variety of things to see and do.
Campbell River on Vancouver Island is the closest large community to Quadra Island, and the port of departure for the scenic 10-minute ferry ride to Quadra. Campbell River is big as Vancouver Island cities go, and hosts a busy arts and culture scene. Campbell River is located in a region rich in natural resources, with towering West Coast forests that have fostered a growing forestry industry and provide great scope for outdoor adventure.
Island Hopping: Travelling between the Southern Gulf Islands and Northern Gulf Islands can be accomplished in small hops. Each of these islands is a world unto itself, each with its own history, culture and colourful characters – each island deserves at least a day or two for exploring.
The Quadra Island Recreation Society is a non-profit organization providing details of Community Events and other information useful to residents and visitors.
Biographical Info
It’s a Coastal Lifestyle … Live It!
Specializing in marketing and selling local residential, recreational, unique oceanfront and commercial real estate throughout Campbell River, northern Vancouver Island, Discovery Islands, the Outer Islands and the BC Mainland Coast. Our real estate listings include homes to small oceanfront and lakefront recreational lots, private islands, remote island acreages, fishing lodges, wilderness / adventure resorts and vacation homes, oceanfront / lakefront cabins, marinas, remote & timbered acreages, and development investment properties on the west coast of BC and Vancouver Island – BCO has the Coast covered!
The BC Oceanfront Real Estate Team loves to bring people to the coast and introduce people to the coastal lifestyle. All members of the team live an active coastal lifestyle, and they bring that passion for the coast to all that they do. All three agents have their own boats and are very familiar with the many different regions surrounding central and northern Vancouver Island. With a team behind you, you can be sure that someone is always at hand to answer questions and lend assistance.
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In 1987 we built our off-grid kayaking lodge in the Discovery Islands with a dream of crafting life-changing multi-day sea kayaking experiences. We still live where we paddle, and our passion for exploring our remote corner of British Columbia has only grown stronger.
Guided trips combine skills instruction, wilderness adventure, and meals prepared from our own garden produce, local sea foods, and home baking. Our kayaking tours explore sheltered routes amid marine parks, abundant wildlife, and rainforest islands – all with spectacular views of the highest peaks of the rugged Coast Mountains.
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Wildcoast provides memorable kayak vacations for adventure travellers that combine spectacular scenery, scrumptious food, and abundant wildlife encounters, including whales, dolphins, bears and eagles. Kayak with Killer Whales at our Orca base camp in Johnstone Strait, or take one of our kayak expeditions to Desolation Sound or the Discovery Islands. Our top-rated service caters to both local and international clientele. All kayak tours are fully inclusive and no kayaking experience is required. Only have a day? Visit our storefront for paddleboard and kayak Rentals or Day Tours in the stunning vistas surrounding Quadra Island.
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The Flow Wilderness Retreat is located on the wilderness Maurelle Island, just east of Quadra Island in the Discovery Islands, surrounded by emerald green waters offering some of the finest kayaking in the world. Our central location allows us to explore three unique provincial marine parks and return to our luxury base camp each evening.
Enjoy a fresh shore lunch at a different scenic location each day. Relax after a day of adventure with our cedar-wood-fired hot tub, hot showers, hammocks and your private, cozy, cabin accommodation. Three-course gourmet meals with wine are served each evening on our seaside patio overlooking the islands of the Surge Narrows Marine Park.
Water-taxi pick up from Campbell River on Vancouver Island or Heriot Bay on Quadra Island can be arranged through our office with Discovery Launch Water Taxi. Kick back, relax and enjoy a scenic cruise through the enchanting archipelago that is the Discovery Islands.
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Discovery Islands Lodge is a friendly B&B style inn, providing affordable waterfront accommodation and kayak tours for adventurous people. Located on remote northern Quadra Island, the lodge is ideally situated close to hiking trails, swimming lakes, and some of BC’s best kayaking.
Nearby Surge Narrows Marine Park offers Quadra Island’s most spectacular kayaking; our guided kayak day trips are the perfect way to explore its beauty and diversity. Entirely off-grid, and powered primarily by solar, Discovery Islands Lodge is the perfect place to unwind, unplug, and connect with others.
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Waterfront West is the first and only marketplace dedicated exclusively to buyers and sellers of waterfront and water view real estate in British Columbia. Advertising Realtors’ listings, private sales and developments, we are pioneering the market for this prime real estate. Featuring private and brokered sales, waterfront developments and a complimentary Buyers’ Club.
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EMR is a fully licensed Travel Agency offering fully furnished vacation homes, condos, suites, and estates in Victoria, Vancouver, Tofino, Whistler, the Okanagan, and on Vancouver Island. We have a large inventory of unique properties to select from. This includes properties that feature oceanfront, beach front, breathtaking views, private hot tubs, luxurious settings and more.
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The Heriot Bay Inn is Quadra Island’s adventure resort. Adventure: Kayak, whale or grizzly watch. Dine: Casual seaside fare in Herons, HBI Pub with live music Fridays. Stay: accommodations range from hotel rooms to ocean-view housekeeping cottages. Also onsite: marina, RV & tent campsites with full service hook-ups, wireless internet.
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Kayaking British Columbia is the ultimate way to view BC’s abundant wildlife.
We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. Choose among several professionally-guided 4-8 day trips for all experience levels around Vancouver Island. ‘Glamping’ basecamp-style with wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or expedition-style paddling from camp to camp and paddling between 100s of islands through the Broughton Archipelago, famous Desolation Sound and the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast. Savouring a fresh salmon BBQ in the open air, explore and view fascinating wildlife and wilderness and wake up on remote islands with the sound of the whales. Unique and breathtaking.
Our adventures are for everyone and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Our groups are small, ranging from 8 to 13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. We provide high-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.
Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, prepare delicious, organic and local meals, and have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.
During the Northern Hemisphere winter, we also offer kayaking trips to the glacier-fed South American wildlife paradise, the Chilean Patagonia Archipelago, and multi-day escapes to sun, sand, remote beaches and the warm crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Please contact us for all details of these amazing winter getaways!