Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Vancouver Island’s celebrated luxury outpost Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge skirts the banks of its namesake ocean inlet, Clayoquot Sound and offers an escape to the still, tranquil beauty of Canada’s remote wilderness.

Accessible only by seaplane, the journey to Clayoquot is symbolic of a real departure from the everyday. Set among magnificent conifer forests, the lodge offers guests an unforgettable experience of the landscape and its wildlife.

Adventure-filled days are bolstered by local produce-driven, sustainable dining, fine wines and the chance to unwind in generously appointed campaign-style guest tents.

Twenty-five canvas tents styled in the spirit of turn-of-the-century prospectors are studded along the banks of Clayoquot Sound and among the valley’s towering forests, each offering an arm’s length glimpse of the wilderness beyond.

Contemporary interiors complement period and local artisan-designed pieces to offer a decadent retreat.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is surrounded entirely by the pristine, untouched wilderness of Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island’s west coast in the remote Canadian province of British Columbia.

Drawing inspiration from Vancouver Island’s wild beauty, Executive Chef Asher Blackford translates the landscape to the plate through the sights, scents and tastes of the region and uses premium sustainable, locally grown and foraged ingredients to offer a real taste of the destination.

The Healing Grounds Spa promises guests a physical and spiritual sanctuary and restorative treatments for body and soul. Featuring a waterfront massage tent, saunas and cedar hot tubs for relaxing and drinking in the view, the spa is set among gently whispering old growth forests.

Destination

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is named for Clayoquot Sound, a vast, 62-mile (100km) wide inlet of the Pacific Ocean on which it is located. The sound is made up of a series of remote inlets, private bays and small islands surrounded by pristine, old-growth conifer forest.

An ancient landscape carved by the ocean, the west coast of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island is richly biodiverse. Untouched by time, the coastal ecosystem has evolved freely and now plays host to thousands of species of flora and fauna.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is set at the doorstep of this precious wilderness, and is rewarded with direct and exclusive access to one of nature’s great amphitheatres. How do I get there?

Clayoquot Sound was designated as a UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve in 2000. A diverse range of ecosystems exists within the reserve, ranging from temperate coastal rainforest and old growth conifer forest to oceans and rocky coastal shores.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is located at the very centre of the reserve, at the northeast end of a seven mile-long (11km) deep water fjord at Bedwell Sound – part of Clayoquot Sound – at the mouth of the Bedwell River.

A cultural legacy

Clayoquot derives from ‘Tla-o-qui-aht,’ the largest community of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation peoples who have lived around the sound for more than 2000 years. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is located in the First Nations territory of Ahousaht where guests can visit the ancestral village.

Since 1995, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge and the Nuu-chah-nulth have fostered a friendship-based partnership built on a mutual desire to honour, celebrate, protect and educate guests about the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Unforgettable encounters

Adventures abound in the wildly diverse natural playground at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge with seemingly endless options from exhilarating heli-flights and remote hiking to rewarding wildlife-spotting and yoga.

The experiences on offer at Clayoquot promise an unforgettable journey of shared discovery and memory-making with those who matter most.

Abundant wildlife

Clayoquot Sound’s protected ecosystem comprising temperate rainforest, lakes, rivers and alpine peaks provides habitats for a vast array of species, many of which are endangered or rare.

Temperate rainforest makes up a majority of the Biosphere Reserve’s land component and is dominated by large trees including the Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar, while around 300 animal species include the American black bear, cougar, American mink and grey wolf.

The sound is home to grey whales, orcas, humpback whales and porpoises as well as the California sea lion.

Local flavors

Clayoquot Sound’s pristine natural environment also produces a bounty of seafood and edible wild and harvested plants, fruits and vegetables.

Local produce that appears regularly on the menu at the Clayoquot Cookhouse include singing-fresh fish, crabs and scallops, foraged wild mushrooms, turnips and radishes, cabbage and berries.

Local wild and sustainably produced ingredients feature in a dining experience that offers a taste of Vancouver Island’s natural beauty. Read about our Dining Philosophy.

Vancouver Island Seasons

The temperate rainforests that dominate the landscape and ecosystem at Clayoquot Sound also drive the weather systems.

While the region generally receives good rains that sustain its forests, in summertime the conditions are warm and quite dry, ideal for marine sports and outdoor activities and making summer and shoulder months an ideal time to visit.

Winter (DECEMBER – FEBRUARY)

Winters on ‘The Wet Coast’ are temperate, and if snow falls it doesn’t stay long. The winds pick up to produce bigger swell with more power and storm watching is one of the top things to do. Fun winter festivals in Tofino keep spirits high and bring everyone together. Daytime temperatures range from 1-8°C (33-46 F) in Winter.

Spring (MARCH – MAY)

As the weather warms up during spring, summer activities begin in earnest from May onwards. The laziest of the black bears awaken from the winter’s hibernation and can be spotted along the coastline feasting on the first wild berries of the season. Daytime temperatures range from 7-14°C (44-57 F) in Spring.

Summer (JUNE – AUGUST)

Summer is in full swing with warm temperatures during the day and comfortable cooler temperatures overnight. Whale migration is at its peak along the coastline. Summer is driest of all four seasons, making it an ideal time to explore. Daytime temperatures range from 11-19°C (51-66 F) in Summer.

Fall (SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER)

Temperatures gradually begin to fall and surf swell around the coast increases. The salmon begin their run up the Bedwell River and the many black bears find their den for the winter as Clayoquot prepares to close for the season. Daytime temperatures range from 9-17°C (48-62 F) in Fall.

Getting there

The easiest and quickest way to travel to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is to fly to Vancouver, British Columbia and connect with a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight directly to the resort dock on Clayoquot Sound.

Seaplane

Arrival by scenic seaplane flight is the most popular, conveniently and generally spectacular means of transport to and from Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. Clayoquot Reservations can assist with both flights and airport transfers.

Clayoquot works with Richmond Seair Seaplanes as preferred operator, which offers service on 5, 7 or 9-seater single engine planes departing Vancouver Airport’s South River Terminal at regular scheduled times.

Guests are advised to land at Vancouver Airport by 12 noon for the 15-minute transfer to the terminal. Guests may opt for private private charter seaplane flights direct to the lodge dock.

Boat

Guests can also boat in on Clayoquot’s own 12-seater vessel, The Norwester for the 35-minute passage from Tofino. Complimentary car parking is available and coordinated by our reservations team, who arrange a valet service at Tofino Resort and Marina.

Lodge

Gloriously remote and set in one of Canada’s wildest and most astounding natural settings, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is a luxury settlement in the style of the turn-of-the-century prospectors, complete with canvas tents and central guest outpost.

Clayoquot offers guests an unforgettable experience of Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Sound, where the landscape and wildlife combine in an enchanting adventure.
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Our Luxury

The Baillie Lodges experience embraces the luxury of travel. A stay with Baillie Lodges is about connection with the landscape, its culture and wildlife, a celebration of superb regional cuisine and luxurious lodgings.

It offers a genuine sense of place, a union of sights, scents and tastes that immerses guests in their surrounds. Guest itineraries are tailor-made, creating a personal, lasting connection with the destination.

A stay with Baillie Lodges offers time to reconnect with the people and places that matter most. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is the first international property in the Australia-based Baillie Lodges collection.

Call of the wild

The sights and sounds of Vancouver Island’s wild west coast are welcomed into the 25 luxury canvas guest tents which line the ocean shores and dot the ancient growth forest, a tribute to the pioneering pursuits of the turn-of-the-century prospectors with contemporary comforts and custom furnishings.

A stone’s throw away lies Clayoquot Sound, surrounded by coastal landscapes and towering forests where a swag of adventures awaits.

The Cookhouse

Located on the foreshore of Clayoquot Sound and welcoming magnificent views of its vast oceanic wilderness, The Cookhouse is the hub of dining, drinking and lounging. The restaurant features an open kitchen promising coal-face style theatre and a daily-changing menu of locally sourced sustainable produce.

Generous lounging flows to the decks outside, a perfect spot to relax and drink in the views. In the evenings an outdoor fire draws in guests for s’mores and shared stories.

The Ivanhoe

Named for Clayoquot’s vintage tugboat, the SS Ivanhoe, the bar rests at the shore edge where the Bedwell River spills into the Pacific Ocean.

The Ivanhoe features floor-to-ceiling glass welcoming in views of the sound as wildlife including bears, eagles, blue herons, otters, and seals go about their business. Inside, guests lounge with handcrafted cocktails in swarthy leather armchairs warmed by cast iron stove.

A menu of canapes and bar snacks complements premium wines, craft beers and small-batch spirits.

The Outpost

The resort’s hub for dining, lounging and recreation, The Outpost is centrally located near the Bedwell Bridge and comprises The Cookhouse and adjoining tents, the pick-up point for water sports equipment including kayaks and canoes and the meeting point for guided tours.

A fitness centre is free for guest use, while nearby a tree climb to a forest canopy viewing platform offers panoramic vistas across Clayoquot Sound.

Grounds Spa

The Healing Grounds Spa is a serene sanctuary perched on the water’s edge where the rainforest meets the rhythmic currents of river and ocean. Rejuvenating treatments feature marine botanicals along with glacial clay sea salts and pure forest essences hand harvested in British Columbia.

A wood-fired sauna provides restorative warmth, while the deep hot tubs are the perfect post-adventure tonic with spectacular views by day and starlit views to the heavens by night.

Our story

Australia-based Baillie Lodges has taken the reins at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in time for the 2021 season, working with its partners KSL Capital.

Clayoquot is the first Baillie Lodges property outside of Australia, and joins an award-winning family of intimate lodges including Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest, award-winning Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and Huka Lodge in New Zealand.

The vision

Baillie Lodges has started on a three-year plan to align Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge with its luxury lodges around the world. The property will undergo a refurbishment of its 25 luxury tents, leading with a more contemporary vibe.

A second phase will take place ahead of the 2022 season, and include a makeover for The Cookhouse and guest facilities. James and Hayley Baillie believe Clayoquot is a natural fit for the Baillie Lodges family as the most remote and wild addition to the collection to date.

Founder Richard Genovese dreamed of a place where guests could unwind, reconnect with loved ones and immerse themselves in the wild. His vision was realised when he bought land at Clayoquot Sound and the 600-acre resort opened in 2000 as Canada’s premiere eco-safari lodge.

In 2017, Richard tragically died following a battle with cancer. KSL Capital Partners purchased the property in 2019, with a view to upholding Richard’s vision and protecting the ecosystem in which the lodge is set.

Our commitment to the environment

The Baillie Lodges environmental commitment is best expressed by each lodge’s interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings.

A dynamic environmental management plan featuring cutting edge and continually evolving technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience. How we support travelling for good.

Cleanup

A stay on single-use plastic is in place across the property, and wherever possible opt for glass and stainless-steel bottles and canvas tote bags. Straws are not used at all. Amenities in guest tents are presented in refillable glass and stainless-steel vessels.

Education

The provision of educational information is fundamental to guest experiences at Clayoquot. Guides share their knowledge to raise awareness around such themes as environmental protection and ecological impact mitigation – crucial in ensuring longevity of the natural world.

Produce

Clayoquot’s culinary program uses as many locally produced organic ingredients as possible, all of which are sourced from British Columbia – and always from Clayoquot Sound if available. An extensive kitchen garden and greenhouse produces organic fresh greens, vegetables and herbs.

Conservation

Since 2001 Clayoquot has worked to help regenerate the declining wild salmon population by creating new salmon spawning habitat channels and restoring native stocks to river systems as well as phasing out its salmon fishing program, and ceasing to serve salmon in the restaurant.

Our people

The Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge team is dedicated and close-knit, attracting hospitality professionals from Canada, Australia and around the world and creating a remote family for guests and staff alike.

Renowned for their relaxed and friendly first-name service along with impeccable attention to detail, our people are the secret sauce that keep our friends returning for more

Stay

Twenty-five luxuriously appointed white canvas tents, in the style of turn-of-the-century prospectors, line the banks of the magnificent Clayoquot Sound and are dotted among the region’s pristine old growth temperate rainforest.

A Baillie Lodges-led reimagining of the tents’ interiors in time for the 2021 season, brings a fresh new contemporary look to the accommodations with signature clean lines, generous appointments and pared back, refined luxury.

End-of-the-bed views and specially commissioned furnishings from local designers evoke a personal connection with the Vancouver Island landscape.

Rainforest Deluxe

Enveloped in the cool reserves of old and new growth forest , the Rainforest Deluxe features a generous king bed plus sofa bed.

Each tent features contemporary furnishings, a cast iron heated stove, and opens to a verandah with traditional Adirondack chairs made for relaxing with a book and drinking in the view. A separate private bathroom is located just steps outside the tent.

Rainforest Ensuite

The Rainforest Ensuite features a generous king bed plus sofa bed. Each tent features contemporary furnishings, a cast iron heated stove and opens to a verandah with traditional Adirondack chairs made for relaxing with a book and drinking in the view.

The ensuite bathroom features heated floors, double sinks and a private outdoor cedar shower with views up into the lush green rainforest canopy.

Waterfront Deluxe

Lining the banks of the sound and offering sweeping views of the ocean and Bedwell River, the Waterfront Deluxe is ideal for spotting wildlife right on the doorstep or welcoming the rising sun from the private deck.

Each tent features a luxurious king bed that can be split into two king single beds and a double sofa bed. A private bathroom, located separately just steps outside the tent, includes a shower and luxurious heated floors.

Waterfront Ensuite

Located either facing the rising sun or situated on the secluded side of the Bedwell River, alongside the rainforest, the Waterfront Ensuite offers direct views to the water and its boisterous wildlife. Each tent features a generous king bed, a double sofa bed and an outdoor deck with traditional Adirondack seating.

An in-tent ensuite bathroom features heated floors, double vanity and a private outdoor cedar-clad shower. Each tent features desk space, a cast iron heated stove, and comfortable, contemporary furnishings.

Hillside Family

Generously spacious, the Hillside Family is made up of two adjoining tents and is set high on the hillside among the lush old and new growth rainforest with views of Clayoquot Sound.

Ideal for families or friends travelling together with two bedrooms and two ensuite bathrooms with heated floors, double vanity and private outdoor cedar-clad shower, while a deep bathtub is ideal for a post-hike soak. Outside, a private outdoor deck is perfect for relaxing among the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

Dine

Dining at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is both celebratory and considered, reflecting the natural surrounds of Vancouver Island’s wild west coast and using locally sourced, sustainable produce to offer a real taste of the destination.

The lodge offers contemporary style cuisine with influence from the surrounding wilderness, British Columbia’s multi-cultural community and the Pacific Northwest’s thriving culinary scene.

Ingredients on the daily changing menus are mostly sustainably produced, foraged or respectfully harvested and are sourced from Vancouver Island and the greater province of British Columbia.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Clayoquot is designed to be flexible – a light bite before heading out on a day’s adventures or a more leisurely affair with full a la carte selection. Highlights on the menu include buttermilk pancakes by the stack served with local maple syrup and eggs or a foraged forest mushroom and jack cheese omelette.

Lunch

A season-led, daily changing lunch menu features Pacific Northwest bistro style cuisine. Lunch at Clayoquot is designed to fit in easily around an action-packed day of adventures or one spent lounging by the sound. Highlights include freshly caught fish ceviche and the Bedwell Burger with organic Blue Goose beef.

Dinner

A celebration every evening, the three-course dinner menu features the very best of the region’s produce and a generous range of choices. Seafood stars on the starters’ menu, with fresh caught scallops, octopus and prawns from local waters.

Mains or entrees showcase a single star ingredient with sophisticated cooking techniques and complementary flavour bring out its best. Save room for dessert – a crescendo in the dining experience.

Clayoquot Cellar

A generous selection of drinks is included in the tariff at Clayoquot and includes wines, local craft beers and ciders, small batch spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. A cellar master’s selection is additional and features international wines and Champagnes.

Premium selection

Wines include familiar and new wines from the Pacific Northwest, as well as from wine-growing regions including the Napa Valley in California.

The Pacific Northwest craft brewing movement brings a selection of bottle and draught beers to the bar, while spirits from more than twenty British Columbia distillers are used to handcraft cocktails with house made syrups, bitters and tonics.

The Ivanhoe

Reaching eleven feet, floor-to-ceiling glass windows deliver mesmerising views of Clayoquot Sound, making The Ivanhoe the best place to enjoy a drink and watch the weather and wildlife in action.

Upstairs, a rooftop lounge looks straight down to the bottom of the emerald green Bedwell River, while outside a firepit and cedar deck chairs invite lounging well into the evening.

Sunset drinks

As sunset signals the day’s end at Clayoquot and the colours on the sound begin to soften in golden pinks and dusky blues, guests enjoy a drink from the bar, served al fresco on the roof deck, roof bar or by the warmth of the fire inside. It’s a time to reflect on the day and share stories of happy adventures.

Our Chef

Executive chef Asher Blackford leads the talented culinary team at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.

Drawing inspiration from the awe-inspiring wilderness of Vancouver Island, Asher delivers a clever interpretation of the sights, scents, tastes and emotions of the region to the plate. “Earthy, witty and wise” is how Chef Asher describes his culinary style, with an emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients and the producers and stories behind them.

Hailing from Australia, Asher has owned restaurants in Brisbane and Melbourne, previously served as Executive Chef at Baillie Lodges award-winning flagship Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and was also the Executive Chef at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley – a fellow Luxury Lodges of Australia member.

Collectively, Asher has honed his culinary philosophy of delivering a “sense of place” via carefully curated menus sourced from the finest regional, seasonal ingredients.

Spa

Set along the ocean foreshore of Clayoquot Sound and among the cool reserves of new and old growth forest, The Healing Grounds Spa promises guests a physical and spiritual sanctuary and a menu of signature treatments to revitalise body and soul.

The secluded spa features two treatment rooms, a waterfront massage tent, a yoga and meditation room, cedar hot tubs, a sauna and tranquil outdoor lounge space for relaxing and drinking in the view.

For the truly committed, miles of waterfront and forest running trails weave throughout the pristine landscape. View spa menu and book online.

Healing grounds

Enjoy luxurious and restorative treatments for the body, mind and soul in a sublime wilderness setting at Clayoquot’s Healing Grounds Spa. A generous menu of signature massages and treatments includes hot stone massage, energy work and toning facial and body treatments.

Vitamin N

At Clayoquot, there’s an abundance of ‘Vitamin N’ (for Nature), freely available in almost every activity, spa treatment and dining experience.

Hiking, unplugging from technology, sleeping in tents and welcoming in the sounds of the ocean and forest, are all prescriptive for improved wellness.
Natural bounty

The Healing Grounds Spa features Beauty through Balance spa care products. Made in British Columbia, the range combines a therapeutic approach to skincare with a focus on environmental sustainability and harnesses the remarkable healing properties of both local Pacific seaweed and Canadian glacial clay as natural hero ingredients.

Let the journey begin

Within an open–air seaside or studio setting, gentle stretch classes are offered every morning to welcome in the day. Designed for all skill and experience levels, the sunrise limber helps develop balance, strength and flexibility, while reducing stress and help to calm and settle the mind.

Spa Menu

The Healing Grounds Spa is a breathtaking waterfront sanctuary perched on nature’s edge where the rainforest meets the rhythmic blend of river and ocean. Enjoy luxurious and restorative treatments for body, mind and soul as you soak in the healing energy of the ages in this truly sublime wilderness setting.

Experience

Located at the heart of Vancouver Island’s natural wild-west playground, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge sits in the pristine UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve.

The lodge offers a series of extraordinary nature-based adventures and a personalized itinerary is created for each guest and presented on arrival. Guests have direct access to 600-acres of gloriously wild nature reserve and opportunities abound for adventure, education, natural enrichment and personal connection.

Experiences span equestrian, marine-based and land-based and are led by personal guides. View and download our experiences fact sheet here.

Canyoning
One of the most popular adventures at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, canyoning is a fun way to discover the valleys and waterways that run to Clayoquot Sound.

Jump on a paddle board from the top of Bedwell Sound and paddle up the glacier fed Bedwell River to a waterfall channel and several hidden waterholes. Here, in the deep calm waters, hundreds of salmon gather, creating a rewarding spectacle for snorkellers and swimmers.

Jumping off the river rocks to float in the crystal-clear waters is as liberating an activity as any. Pair a canyoning adventure with a hike or bike ride for a big day out.

Horseback Riding
Horse-riding at Clayoquot is a wonderful way to take in the wild landscape, harking back to the region’s goldmining days and evoking a relaxed, outdoors vibe.

A swag of popular horse–riding trails varies in duration from one to six hours and together cover a diverse range of terrain, from river valley meadows, old-growth forest and Jurassic fern gardens to glacial river crossings and abandoned gold mines.

The Tent in the Tree trail is perfect for beginners, slowly looping through lush rainforest along the Bedwell River.

Advanced riders may opt for an additional challenge, venturing across the running river to Walter Guppy’s abandoned cabin in the woods. Keep an eye out for black bears snacking on salmonberries by the waters edge.

Walk the Wildside
Following the path of the Wild Side First Nations Interpretive Trail, Walk the Wild Side is an all-day adventure that delivers an astounding range of sights and wilderness activities in an essential experience of the destination.

Guests board a Zodiac boat and head out onto the sound for a first–hand encounter with black bears, whales, sea lions, sea otters, eagles and more.

After your wildlife watching experience, hike the Wild Side Trail as it meanders along the beautiful western shores of Flores Island, taking in beaches, volcanic shoreline and old-growth forest. Visit the ancestral First Nation village of Ahousaht and enjoy a delicious lunch on the beach.

Sights of the Sound
The half-day Sights of the Sound wildlife-spotting adventure is a wonderful way to encounter Clayoquot’s ‘wow’ wildlife in a short space of time.

Bear and whale watching often go hand in hand, because during low-tide, black bears can almost always be seen flipping rocks along remote foreshores in search of tasty crabs and other crustaceans.

The tour then continues further out to sea where whales, porpoise, seals and sea lions can be spotted close up as they dive the depth of the sound and surface to surf the waves.

Hiking
World class hiking opportunities are plentiful at Clayoquot and are customisable to all ages and skill levels, ranging from one hour to full day adventures.

Paths of cedar boardwalk trails lead through ancient forest cathedrals and lush fern gardens, while abandoned roads deep in the rainforest showcase old-growth, new growth and re-forested landscapes, home to abundant wildlife.

For light walkers and families, the River Trail hike follows the banks of the Bedwell River as it courses through rainforest, while the Penny Falls and Ursus Valley hikes offer more challenging adventures with the chance to swim in the waterfalls along Penny Creek and spot wildlife (hint: bears!) in Ursus Valley.

Design-your-own heli-hiking adventures accessing stunning alpine locations are also available.

À la carte experiences

We offer an additional menu of à la carte experiences for those inclined to explore. From archery to rock climbing or biking the Bedwell, the choices are endless. These optional activities are included in the tariff.

Mountain Biking
There are few better places to try mountain biking than around the diverse terrains – from dense forests to rocky coastlines – at Clayoquot Sound. A swag of single-track biking trails with varying difficulty levels is on offer, with high performance Giant models and child bmx bikes available for use.

Downhill slalom sections provide the opportunity for adrenaline rush junkies to blow off some steam, and test themselves on specially designed mountain bike obstacles.

For a less intense experience, guests can opt for a coast along the Bedwell river towards the suspension bridge and admire the gateway to Strathcona Provincial Park.

Disc Golf
An exciting game of skill to attract young and mature players, disc golf or Frisbee golf (Frolf!) is similar to the traditional game of golf but rather than golf clubs and tees players use a flying disc or Frisbee and shoot for baskets.

Disc golf is low intensity and can be played by all ages, making it a fantastic social sport. However it can get competitive, so it’s important to remember the first rule – whoever has the most fun wins!

Clayoquot’s newly added disc golf course, Backcountry 9 offers a relaxing nine-hole game and can be enjoyed with travel companions or the lodge guides who are always happy to join a round.

Archery
Set your sights and steady the nerve with a fun and skill-building game of archery. Clayoquot’s ancient deep-green forest setting evokes the inner Robin Hood; this is a better time than any to take aim for the bullseye.

Clayoquot’s personal instructors can help with learning how to shoot a traditional recurve bow, using traditional practices as well as more instinctive archery techniques.

Hone your archery skills at the practice range before following the game trail on the search for targets hidden throughout the grove.

West Coast Fishing
Let our guides show you around the channels and inlets that exist along the mouth of the sound and the coastline.

Whether it’s a full day or a few hours, relax and enjoy a day scoping out the sound and taking in the serenity while seeing what local variety of fish may be biting below. Be sure to keep an eye out for all kinds of wildlife, from orcas to otters.

Ocean fishing is our featured fishing experience, as the lodge repositions its fishing programs to minimise it’s impact on wild salmon and address the current issue of overfishing in freshwater channels and rivers.

The Tree Climb
A trunk-round viewing platform at the height of the forest canopy and offering sweeping views through the leaves to Bedwell Sound and beyond is the goal for the rappelling – or tree-climbing – experience at Clayoquot.

The forest canopy viewing platform was purpose built for the centuries-old spruce tree by the Greenheart Conservation Company of Vancouver. Guests ascend to the platform using a system of ropes and pulleys and assisted by lodge guides, who help from above.

A bird’s eye view into the rainforest canopy and out over the estuary is the top prize before rappelling back down to earth.

Bespoke heli experiences

To make a stay at Clayoquot Sound truly unforgettable, we also offer a menu of Bespoke Helicopter Experiences designed to suit every interest and occasion (additional charges apply).

Heli Hiking
While hiking around the forests and rocky coastlines of Clayoquot Sound is already life-changing, a heli-hiking experience gives way to truly breathtaking hikes, with 360-degree views of mountains and ocean.

With an abundance of locations and hikes to choose from, heli hiking offers a chance to design-your-own best adventure.

Access to some of the region’s most remote and spectacular reserves – from private swimming holes and secret waterfalls to ancient fern gardens and pristine rainforest – makes for an unforgettable day of exclusive, guided hiking.

A hearty and delicious packed lunch can be enjoyed in the world’s most remote al fresco dining location along the way.

Sip to Sky
Lifting off from the Sound, Clayoquot’s resident Bell Jet Ranger heli ascends for a 15-minute ‘sea to sky’ scenic flight up to the top of the towering Ursus Mountain (ursus is Latin for ‘bear’).

An exhilarating 30 minutes of flight time, with an hour of Clayoquot’s signature drinks and canapes included at the top of Ursus mountain. Take in the breath-taking views of Clayoquot Sound and Strathcona Provincial Park – all at 4000ft above sea level.

The Sip to Sky heli tour is ideal for a special occasion, and to toast the magnificent natural wilderness of Vancouver Island.

Heli Adventure
If an exclusive and unforgettable experience getting away from it all is the dream of a lifetime, gather your loved ones and set out on this incredible adventure.

Climb aboard Clayoquot’s own Bell Jet Ranger and be transported even further into the remote wilderness of Clayoquot Sound. Reach inaccessible lakes, streams and forest to enjoy time on the world’s edge, a chance to reconnect with the still beauty of nature and the ones who matter most.

This choose-your-own heli adventure can be adapted to cater to specific interests. Opportunities from kayaking, paddle boarding, picnicking, hiking and more ensure a once in a lifetime day of high activity, or one spent relaxing in nature’s serenity.

Heli Fly Fishing
Experience an unforgettable guided heli-fly fishing adventure touring some of the most remote rivers and lakes in the world.

Little known and virtually untouched, Clayoquot Sound’s fiercely guarded secret fishing spots are accessible only by helicopter, offering keen anglers exclusive access to prime fishing locations and the chance to hook the fish of a lifetime when the circumstances align.

Remote, pristine water ways are home to hidden deep green pools, shady eddies and rocky riffles are the stuff of legend. Clayoquot’s expert anglers will guide an incredible day’s fishing that will be dinner party conversation for years to come.

Sample itineraries

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers an extraordinary experience of Vancouver Island’s grand wilderness, revealing pristine nature, offering unforgettable wildlife encounters and delivering exceptional dining to create an enriching connection with this remote outpost.

Guests are presented with a personalised itinerary on arrival which may be tailored to preference.

Website: www.clayoquotwildernesslodge.com

Rooms: 25

Price: from 984 EUR per night