Refuge Cove's waterfront bistro, Upcoast Summers, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sundays and Mondays from  9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, from mid-June through mid-September.  The cafe and bakery serves espresso coffee, a wide selection of baked goods and other delicious offerings including deluxe burgers, home fries, and fresh salads.

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The cafe deck at Upcoast Summers.

General Store

The Refuge Cove General Store is the only grocery store in a deep-water harbour in Desolation Sound.  During the summer, the store is well stocked with ice, groceries, marine hardware, fuel, fishing licenses and tackle, and ice cream cones!

  Colin, one of the store's owners, stands in front of the well-stocked deli case.

Marine Fuel

Refuge Cove Store operates a fuel dock year-round.  The fuel dock provides gasoline, diesel, and motor oil including outboard oil, as well as propane.  The fuel dock is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from June 1st to September 15th.  During July and August, the store and fuel dock are  open an additional hour to 6:00 PM.  The rest of the year, the fuel dock is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

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Customers browse a good selection of fresh produce, groceries, and supplies.

The fuel dock serves boaters year-round.

Moorage

Moorage is available year-round for about $0.50 per foot per day (as of summer,2004).  Visitors can pay at the store or, in the summer, when the wharfinger collects moorage in the afternoon/evening.

Other Services

Lodging

Refuge Cove doesn't have any lodging in the harbour itself.  Most people stay on their boats and enjoy meeting other people at our docks.  For those who want land-based accommodations, nearby lodging is available on Cortes Island.  Check the following links.

Cortes Island Boathouse

Moorage

Moorage is available year-round for about $0.50 per foot per day (as of summer,2004).  Visitors can pay at the store or, in the summer, when the wharfinger collects moorage in the afternoon/evening.

Laundry and Showers

The general store operates a clean laundry facility complete with showers and toilets.  Showers are offered on the "honour" system, and visitors pay at the store for an untimed shower.  These facilities are open from June 1st through September 15th, and are closed the rest of the year.

Garbage Disposal

There are no land-based garbage disposal services at Refuge Cove.  During the summer months, a barge anchored at the entrance to the cove operates environmentally responsible garbage disposal services for $5,.00 per bag.  Boats can tie up at the barge for service.  At other times, garbage can be deposited at the nearby Squirrel Cove public docks for a similar fee.

Telephone

Pay phones are available outside the general store during the summer months only.  Some mobile phone service providers, including TELUS, provide cellular coverage in the Refuge Cove area year round.

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