Experience the Luxury Lodges
For a dose of high adventure, nothing compares to these two luxury lodges in Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia.
Directly in front of us was an unnamed waterfall as tall as a skyscraper—one of half a dozen tumbling into this remote valley.
Fraser Murray, owner-manager of Nimmo Bay, a resort in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, hazarded a guess: “Five hundred feet maybe?”
“Let’s find out,” said our pilot, Riley Wilson, who proceeded to drop our five-seat Bell 206 helicopter through the air as fast as the water in front of us was falling. In moments, we were hovering eye-to-eye with the base of the falls, which plunged down among car-sized boulders before joining the river below. Then, with one eye on the altimeter, Wilson took us up again, filling our field of vision with tumbling white water. “Watch for mountain goats,” he said. They are white, and it’s hard to tell them from the scattered patches of early October snow dotting the upper reaches of this valley.
I was mesmerized by the torrent in front of me. “Four hundred feet,” Wilson said as we ascended. “Five hundred. Six hundred. Seven hundred.” We popped up over the lip of the falls and found ourselves in a glacial bowl filled with dark-sapphire water, nature’s own infinity pool. “Seven hundred and fifty feet.” Even Murray was impressed, and he grew up in this region.
Explore the Wilderness
There is no easy way into the hidden recesses of British Columbia’s coastal wilderness. The shoreline is more than 15,000 miles long—a convoluted maze of islands, inlets, and fjords. Tucked away in these forested coves and bays you’ll find a handful of lodges, and their remote environments offer a tacit guarantee: you simply cannot survive out here unless you’re in the hands of people who know what they’re doing.
Nimmo Bay and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, two lodges thriving here for decades, have been founded by visionaries who established barge-based toeholds in prime locations. To arrive dockside and be greeted with cocktails by a host clad in late-season fleece and Gore-Tex is to experience a wondrous conundrum: How can a place so wild feel so welcoming and luxurious? I grappled with this question every day I was out there, and I loved it.
The Salmon Experience
Small boats, floatplanes, and helicopters are the preferred modes of transport. I arrived at Nimmo Bay via a Grumman Goose, equipped with retractable wheels and pontoons, which offers an extraordinary view of the scenic surroundings. The coastline is dotted with small islands, uninhabited in many places, complemented by majestic mountains and ancient glaciers.
Nimmo Bay is nestled deep within the mid-coast’s rainforest. The lodge, conceived by Craig Murray and his adventurous wife, Deborah, embodies a unique approach to upscale wilderness hospitality involving an off-grid floating lodge and waterfall-powered electricity.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge has been in operation since 1998 and emphasizes experiences that encompass health and wellness as well as exquisite cuisine, emphasizing a close relationship with nature.
Guest Impressions
One of the aspects that stood out was the enthusiasm of the guides at both lodges. Whether kayaking, paddleboarding, or even horseback riding, the tailored adventures are facilitated seamlessly through competent and cheerful guides.
Guests are encouraged to immerse themselves fully in their surroundings. For example, I expressed my desire to see salmon in their natural habitat, and my guide curated an experience that fulfilled that dream. Floating down a pristine river, we engaged with the environment in a respectful manner, connecting with the ancient journey of the salmon.
The entire experience at these lodges showcases not just adventure, but a chance to connect with the natural world and reflect on personal journeys. Prices for a three-night package at Nimmo Bay start from $5,550 per person, while Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge starts at $1,029 per person, all-inclusive. Though the price may seem high, it guarantees a level of attention and care that enhances every moment of your stay.
Nimmo Bay and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge provide opportunities to explore one of the most breathtaking regions in Canada, making for unforgettable experiences in luxury and wilderness.
