Echo Bay sits on
the threshold of breathtaking scenic beauty, abundant wildlife,
and the quiet of quiet. It is a great place to re-supply,
rest or socialize on your Journey through our pristine wilderness
Echo Bay is about 26 miles from Port
McNeill and accessible only by boat or float plane. Located
on Gilford Island, the largest of hundreds of small islands
in what is known as the Broughton Archipelago, Echo Bays' coordinates
are West 126 degrees 29 min.and North 50 degrees 45 min.
There are two resorts in the bay.
One, provides the post office, grocery store, fuel, laundry facilities,
showers, electricity, moorage, hotel and housekeeping units. The
other is a floating resort in keeping with the float houses of
the times gone by. It provides moorage , showers, two float house
rentals, an art gallery with local art and crafts, filtered local
spring water and a bakery in operation during July and August.
At the head of the bay is the Echo Bay Provincial Marine Park.
It is accessible by a government dock although moorage is limited
to boats under 7 meters long. The park provides a place
to walk around and stretch your legs or for kayakers, a flat place
to camp. Further on in the back of the bay is the Echo Bay Community
Hall built in the 1960's and Echo Bay School, established in the
1920's and is one of the last few one room schools still in operation
in the province.
History of Echo
Bay and Simoom Sound
There is much history connected with
Echo Bay. It is the site of a large clamshell midden, indicating
that it was an old village site. An archeological dig was done
here in 1973 that dated the village site back about 5000 years.
In the first half of the 20th century,
Echo Bay was a bustling community. The bay housed a large float
house community of hand loggers and their families. A hotel was
built in the 30's and steamships would make scheduled runs bringing
people and supplies.
In the present day, Echo Bay provides
much to the small full time residence and the ever growing visiting
population during the summer months.
How to get to
Echo Bay
By Air: Daily seaplane service between
Seattle, Port McNeill, and Campbell River exist.
By Car: Take a B.C. Ferry from either
Tsawassen or Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. Drive north on the Island
Highway through Cambell River to Telegraph Cove or Port McNeill.
Launch your boat from either location. You can launch your boat
and store your vehicle. We recommend a boat larger than 15 feet
to make the crossing.
By Water: Cross Johnstone Strait
and Blackfish Sound. Stay along the SE edge of Queen Charlotte
Strait and enter Arrow Passage. Travel up Arrow Passage, through
the Fox Group Islands, and up Cramer Passage to Echo Bay. We recommend
that you have up to date charts (#3515 and #3546), tide tables,
VHF radio, listen to the weather before crossing, and make sure
your boat is seaworthy.
