Salmon dishes like this may be offered at the new restaurant
Indigenous Nations, Tourism

A new Restaurant at the Gorge and other updates from QXMC

QXMC, the Klahoose management company, has received a grant to build a new restaurant at Gorge Harbour Marina. They also recently purchased a former manager’s home for additional guest accommodations and are reporting the best season ever at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort.

Gorge Harbour’s old Floathouse Restaurant was torn down in early 2023 because of infrastructure issues. Now, thanks to a one-million-dollar grant from the BC Government’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), a new restaurant will rise on the same site. 

Site of the new Restaurant – Roy L Hales Photo

The New Restaurant at Gorge Harbour Marina

 ”The view over Gorge Harbor is spectacular. We’re really excited because it’s a really key piece of the marina and Cortes Island that was missing the last few years,” explained Christ Tait, QXMC’s tourism Manager. “As far as the menu, it’ll probably be a little bit more elevated. Of course we’re going to have burgers, steaks and traditional restaurant food. That’s standard, but seafood is something we want to elevate using some of that seafood from the Klahoose themselves and other partners: mussels, clams, scallops, salmon, and that sort of thing. Whatever we can source locally.”

The new restaurant will have 10 to 12 tables and be able to serve about 60 guests. There is also a covered upper deck and an open lower deck. This will give them more flexibility when it rains and allow QXMC to extend their season during the spring and fall.

Float plane taking off from the marina

Takeout will also continue to be a key service for guests, boaters and Cortes Island residents.

The new restaurant will probably employ 5 to 6 staff. While some of these  will be experienced personnel, there will be training opportunities for anyone who wants to work in the food and beverage sector.  

Architect’s drawing of the new restaurant

QXMC is in the final phases of the restaurant’s architectural set and expects to break ground around May. Construction will continue as unobtrusively  as possible throughout the summer, but the restaurant won’t be ready until 2027.

The Klahoose Food Truck and General Store – Roy L Hales photo

2026 Season at Gorge Harbour

The Klahoose food truck will be serving guests for the 2026 season.  ”We’re hiring right now for that,” Tait added. “I don’t have the menu, but expect it to be burgers and that sort of thing. It’ll probably be breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

Guests can also purchase food in the store and some of the accommodations have little kitchen areas.

Tait gave an overview of some of Gorge Harbour Marina’s recent renovations. Glamping domes were added in 2024; The RV sites now have power.

Where summer concerts are offered

“Of course we’ll still have summer music; we’ll still do morning yoga for guests; the massage studio will be open again this year; We’ll still have family movie night. We’re going to be adding a few new things this year too. There’s a dance class happening. I just got an email about some new things, we’ll put those on the calendar at Gorge Harbour for people to see.”

QXMC has also purchased the adjoining house, where former manager Bill Dougan and Tammy Allwork once lived.

“That will be part of Gorge Harbour’s accommodation for the 2026 season. It’s a two bedroom house with a full kitchen, a big deck with a barbecue outside, another lower deck. What’s really unique about it is a private dock,  so you’ll be able to moor your boat there.”

The wharf at Klahoose Wilderness Resort

Klahoose Wilderness Resort & Bear Tours

Business is better than ever at QXMC’s other tourist venues as well.  

The Klahoose Wilderness Resort is about to begin its sixth season. It has become an internationally recognized place to go to experience Indigenous culture and wildlife viewing. People are coming from Europe, Australia and all over the world, but there are also Canadians from cities like Vancouver, Toronto  and Campbell River. 

“The seasons will be open in May and continue until October, the same as it’s always been. We’re not a hundred percent full, but we’re getting very close,” said Tait. 

A Grizzly Bear viewing site at Toba Inlet

Guests will continue to visit Toba Inlet to view grizzly bears during the Fall salmon run. There are also day trips from Campbell River, which sometimes pick up  guests on Cortes or Quadra Islands. QXMC works with three partner organizations to offer bear tours from late August to October.

Links of Interest:

All undesignated images courtesy QXMC; top image A salmon dinner overlooking Gorge Harbour

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