Guest Information

We hope that the following information will be of help as you prepare for your trip and provide you with information about services in the community. We share this information with all our guests before their arrival. 

 

Honest Talk:

Come with an open mind, do not lose sight that this is a small island with limited resources, we pay more for everything and do not have a wide selection to choose from. If you are coming to Island Utopia seeking all the comforts of the city, then we are not the right fit for you. Please respect our cabins, furniture, bedding, dishes etc. Keep in mind the closest dry cleaner is 220 km from Sointula. Our cabins and facilities are simple but always clean, we would appreciate it if you kept it that way. This property is a sensitive eco-system, it is our home, and we are proud to share it with you.

 

We make your bed up with cotton linen, pillows, and a warm duvet in full duvet cover. We can only provide towels for Airbnb guests.

 

We do not have manicured lawns and perfectly paved paths, our property is for a large part forested with areas cleared for housing, cabins, and facilities. Our conditions are not suitable for massive suitcases on wheels. For our international guests, we understand that you need to travel with suitcases, when you arrive, we will assist you to transfer them to your cabin.

 

Garbage and Recycling:

Where it concerns garbage, the general rule is what comes to the island needs to leave the island. Garbage and recycling are stored at our transfer station and trucked off island. Consider how you pack and what you bring with you. Only rinsed items can go in the recycling box, if you do not want to rinse items place them in the garbage. Unrinsed items attract animals and can create a major issue on the island. 

 

Wi-Fi: 

We proudly do not provide Wi-Fi. 

If you need Wi-Fi, we suggest adding data to your phone plan. Cell reception at our property is good for most major networks.

 

Water & Drought: 

Two wells provide us with high quality water, due to the drought conditions in the province we ask guests to use water responsibly. 

 

Drinking water:  

Water comes from two wells; BC health regulations require that we advise you to boil the water for drinking. We do provide filtered and boiled drinking water, there is no need to bring bottled water with you. Bring your water bottle and fill up with the water we provide. 

 

Weather and clothing:  

Weather can change suddenly, we are right at the ocean, evening and morning temperatures can be cold. Mornings tend to be foggy and cold, in the evening it cools down quickly. We dress in layers which make it easier to be comfortable by stripping or adding layers throughout the day. Please bring some warm clothing and appropriate footwear. Crocs work well for walking around the property. In the Spring and Fall you will need rain gear and appropriate footwear. 

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Parking:  

There is no parking in the beach area, it is a protected ecosystem, furthermore emergency regulations require that we maintain access for the fire department & emergency vehicles. We have a newly built road so you will be able to drive down to the beach area. Once unloaded you must take your vehicle back up to the parking area which is uphill, this is one reason for advising that our property is not suitable for people with mobility issues or small children. Driving up this road requires the vehicle to build momentum at a higher speed. If you are not comfortable to drive this road, we can drive your vehicle for you or offer you shuttle service.

 

We do not have sufficient parking to accommodate trailers of any kind. Contact us if you are planning to tow a trailer.

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Community Info: 

Sointula Resource Centre has a webpage where you can obtain a wide range of information about the community, please visit www.sointulainfo.ca.

 

Sointula Resource Centre 

220 B 2nd St, Sointula, BC V0N 3E0

Hours vary by season - Check website for hours

 

- eBike and Regular Bicycle rentals

- Computers with internet (the library also has computers available for public use)

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In front of the office you will find a produce locker where local gardeners place fresh produce for sale daily. There is also a fridge with local free-range eggs. It operates based on an honour system where you record what you are purchasing and place the money in a slot for the products you purchase. 

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*Note that they recently moved to a new location and are still in the process of getting all their services up and running.

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Groceries:  

• The Co-op food store is open Tuesday to Saturday (9:30 am – 5:30 pm) with supplies coming in on Wednesdays and Fridays. They also have a small liquor store with a suitable selection of standard brands.

• The Gas bar is open 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, weekends 10 to 5 pm. It has basics such as milk, eggs, bread, canned goods etc. You can find details about their opening hours on their Facebook page, https://facebook.com/sointula.coop 

• There is a large IGA supermarket in Port McNeill, it is a short distance from the ferry terminal.

 

Food Services:  

 

Restaurant or food services are limited, there is:

• Coho Joe:  They are an institution on the island, open daily 9 am to 2:30 pm - Find them on Facebook

• Burger Barn: Under new management; check their Facebook for hours. (Previously Friday – Monday from noon to 7:30 pm) - Find them on Facebook

• The Malcolm Island Food Company: Specializing in take-out items, frozen meals, and daily fresh baked goods.- Find them on Facebook 

• Upper Crust Bakery: Ice cream, bread and pizza on Fridays! - Find them on Facebook

 

Sauna:  

Our sauna is available on request. Due to the price of wood and labor involved we do request a $25 (cash only) contribution per use for maximum 4 persons for 2 hours. Our sauna is heated with red, yellow Cedar, and Fir. We start it and hand it over to you for the two hours assigned to you. 

 

Heating:  

The heat source for Ocean View is an infra-red heater with temperature control. Rita’s cabin heat source is a woodstove. We provide you with sufficient wood for normal use. Additional wood is $15 per box. 

Under no circumstance should driftwood be used in the wood stoves on the property. If this happens the guests will receive an invoice for the substantial cost of replacing the affected chimney linings and the wood stove. 

 

Propane Firepit available for rent:

The price is $40, cash only, upfront, no e-transfer. You get a propane firepit and an 11 lbs. filled propane tank.

 

Let us know when you will arrive:

When you know which ferry from Port McNeill you will be on, let us know so we can meet you at the top of the property and direct you to your cabin. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. FYI if you are travelling from South Island keep in mind that there is no cell service between Campbell River and Port McNeill. You may have reception around the Woss area. Cell reception at our property is good.

 

Driving instructions for our steep driveway:

• When you arrive at the first driveway put your car in the lowest gear (M, 1 or 2 for automatic transmission, 2 or 3 for manual transmission). Roll down the road only slightly keeping your foot on the brake if needed.

• Please do not step on your brakes, it pushes the gravel forward in dry conditions deteriorating the road. 

• Please do not brake for irrigation cross ditches on the road, they were designed not to affect your vehicle.

• Please refrain from engaging your 4 X 4 going downhill or in the parking area. 

• When going up please generate enough speed to avoid skidding or losing traction, especially when driving a 4-cylinder vehicle or a rear wheel drive.

• During the dry season smaller vehicles might not be able to make it up the hill. No problem, we can provide you with a shuttle service.

 

IMPORTANT:

• Please remove shoes when inside the Cabins.

• There are two other cabins in the beach area where your cabin is located.

• Our toilets are Sun Mar composting toilets which children must use with supervision.

• Toilets, shower, and Outdoor kitchen are communal. 

• Note that we do not provide laundry services. Public coin operated laundry facilities are available at the Marina.

• There is NO PARKING in the beach area. You can drive down to unload, but once unloaded you must take your vehicle back up to the parking area. It is a naturally sensitive and protected area, and we must maintain access for fire trucks and ambulances.

 

When you know which ferry from Port McNeill you will be on, let us know so we can meet you at the upper part of the property. 

 

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Kenneth: 604-793-8802