Watch the whales from the deck of this beautiful oceanfront residence that overlooks Cramer Passage and across to Baker Island, in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago. Situated on the southwest corner of an island at the top of Echo Bay, this location provides relatively quick, easy access to one of British Columbia’s largest inlets, Knight Inlet, as well as a multitude of other inlets, islands and waterways throughout the Broughton Archipelago. The community of Port McNeill is within approximately 25 nautical miles to the south on Vancouver Island.
The 1150sqft home sits on a rocky outcrop of the island, surrounded by majestic west coast forest. Access is by boat, with included moorage on the east side of the island at Echo Bay Marina. The property is then accessed by foot over the island. The trees afford good privacy from the few other nieghbours on the island, while the open rock front provides for 180 degree views.
The region is popular with boaters and kayakers, and this location offers a great launching spot in the bay beside the home to explore the shoreline and further afield.
The classic west-coast chalet-style home features vaulted ceilings in the main living space, with a wall of windows looking out at the views and accessing onto the wood deck that spans the front of the home. The wood paneling brings nature inside, adding to the relaxing ambience that the setting creates. The main floor includes the open living space incorporating the living room, dining area and kitchen, one spacious bedroom with ocean views and two 3-piece bathrooms. The corner kitchen has ample cabinetry and an island for additional workspace. Stairs lead from the living room to an open loft currently set up very nicely as the primary bedroom.
Your comfort is not spared in this remote/recreational property. The home has all the modern touches as it has domestic water and electricity provided as part of the annual lease payment. There are vinyl windows and the flooring is mixed laminate and wood. There are even some unique touches such as a small built in wine rack and under stairwell storage. A propane stove in the living room provides a cozy warmth in addition to the baseboard in-wall heaters.
The deck connects to a walkway along the side of the home that then runs to a laundry and workshop/storage building behind the home, housing a full-size washer and dryer as well as a freezer and fridge, all electric. This building has a covered porch with room for a bbq and seating.
Ownership is by way of a 99-year lease, with 85 years remaining. The lease includes moorage at Echo Bay Marina on the other side of the island, as well as water, garbage and electricity. The annual fee is $6000.
Echo Bay Marina across the bay has a long history in the area. It attracts boaters throughout the season and offers moorage, a restaurant, post office, store, fuel services, lodge accommodations and water taxi and float plane services. This is a lively, active place during the boating season and offers a great sense of community. These amenities are available to the community of Echo Bay during the season, including owners and guests of this property.
Gilford Island is the largest of the hundreds of islands within the Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park region. Surrounded by the mountains of Vancouver Island to the west and the Coast Range on the mainland of British Columbia the remote islands of the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park are undeveloped and provide outstanding cruising, kayaking, unlimited and unique fishing, exploring and wildlife watching and access to the many channels and inlets on the mainland. The region is home to a northern population of resident killer whales (Orcas), and other marine mammals including dolphins, harbour porpoise, porpoise, seals, and wintering sea lions. Other wildlife in the area includes deer, bears, shorebirds, seabirds, loons, and bald eagles. Vast numbers of salmon migrate through these waters providing excellent salmon fishing.