The Campbell River and Strathcona Region serves as a gateway to wild, unspoilt natural shores; dozens of remote islands; and discreet inlets lining the coast. Our vast coastal terrain hosts many luxury lodges, prime ocean view tenting spots, and unexpected beachfront cabins just off the beaten path. The coast is your oyster, with anything from world-class culinary or wilderness experiences to simple, off-the-grid living. Regardless of your comfort choice, all of these accommodations offer the opportunity to get away from the hustle of the city and allow you to slow down, unwind, and flow with the tidal schedule.
Read on for 10 local accommodations offering guests the opportunity to wake up in the heart of nature.
Campbell River and Strathcona Region, are your gateway to the wild.
Blind Channel
Located on West Thurlow Island, Blind Channel Resort has been family-owned and operated since the 70s by the Richter family. Reputed for their incredible hospitality and beautiful location, staying at Blind Channel is an exceptional island experience. Opt to travel by water taxi or floatplane to Thurlow Island to get a sense of the area by air and sea. Once you’re there, you’ll realize how easy it is to disconnect. Home to old-growth forests, a walk in the woods is a great way to reconnect to your surroundings and gain a sense of the generations that have come before. Stroll over to the marina and savour the locally sourced, land and sea-inspired menu of the Cedar Post Restaurant. Join a marine wildlife tour of the Discovery Passage and Desolation Sound… or just crack open a book on the cozy deck of your cabin.
Browns Bay Resort
Located just north of Campbell River, Browns Bay Resort is the perfect base for adventure in Campbell River. Their accommodations offer a taste of refined island life in many fashions: seaside cabins, float house suites, glamping tents, and a fully serviced RV Park. Tucked into the shoreline of the Seymour Narrows, this location provides easy water access if you’ve brought your own boat. However, even without a vessel, you’ll have first-class tickets to regular wildlife sightings via travelling whales, resident eagles, pods of dolphins, and more. Check out the nearby Ripple Rock Trail, mountain bike on one of the local trail networks, or stay right in your wild luxury paradise for the day. If you’re there in the fall, you’ll be privy to their chum derby, a popular event among locals and return visitors. Kitchen amenities are available on-site, however, there is also the Narrows floating restaurant featuring all-you-can-eat crab dinners and other popular cuisines.
Dolphins Resort
Dolphins Resort stands on a 4-acre heritage property with sweeping views of the Discovery Passage and the Coast Mountains. Built-in the 1940s, Dolphins Resort is one of British Columbia’s original sportfishing destinations. The Resort has been kept in fabulous condition over the years by generations of doting owners. Each cabin has its own unique personality to suit yours. Envision your own personal hot tub and wood-burning fireplace to come home to at the end of your adventure-packed day.
Dolphins Resort offers a number of fishing vacations that appeal to anglers of all skill levels. They offer guided ocean fishing charters, overland fly fishing trips, and operate a high-end helicopter fly-fishing program. For the non-fishermen, whale watching, glacier tours, and other unique coastal experiences are at your fingertips.
Nootka Marine Adventures
Nootka Marine Adventures operates three resorts on the west coast of Vancouver Island: Moutcha Bay Resort, Nootka Sound Resort, and Newton Cove Resort. Each resort offers an extensive range of facilities from marine services, accommodations, guided fishing charters, wildlife tours, and kayak tours. Accessible by floatplane or by boat from Moutcha Bay Resort, Nootka Sound Resort and Newton Cove Resort are floating, all-inclusive resorts in the thick of the Canadian coastal wilderness. Offering moorage, a large, full-service 44 slip marina, guided fishing charters, experienced professional guides, and a first-rate selection of fully-equipped rental boats, these resorts are an angler’s dream. Did we mention the excellent salmon fishing?
Oyster Bay Resorts
Oyster Bay Resorts is located between Campbell River and Courtenay/Comox. Their unique chalets have sprawling ocean views of Georgia Strait and daily seaside sunrises and sunsets from your private deck. Perfect for families and reunions, the resort offers wireless internet service, books/games, horseshoe pits and bocce ball court. For large groups, their outdoor pagoda has gas barbeques and picnic tables, along with a fire pit to relax by and roast marshmallows in the evening.
Painter’s Lodge
Location, location, location. Wake up in nature on the banks of Discovery Passage and explore Painter’s Lodge & April Point Oceanfront Resort (Quadra), two spectacular sister lodges divided by the spectacular view of Discovery Passage. Painter’s Lodge, which is located on the Campbell River side, is a legendary fishing mecca; a truly secluded retreat showcasing the best of our coastal marine environment. Welcoming fishing enthusiasts from all corners of the world, the options for adventure include guided fishing charters, grizzly bear tours, whale watching…or simply bask in your oceanfront cabin in the woods.
Shoal Bay Inn & Marina
Shoal Bay is located on the northern shore of East Thurlow Island. Three beautiful rental cabins, an organic vegetable garden, and a community pub operate during the summer months, serving local craft beer. There are laundry and showers for the visitors in a separate stand-alone cottage. Shoal bay is directly adjacent to one of the finest trophy salmon fishing areas in the world. Local, professional fishing guides are available by appointment and will pick you up at the docks with all licensing, tackle, and even weather gear provided. Shoal Bay is dog-friendly.
Strathcona Park Lodge
Overlooking the shores of Upper Campbell Lake and a procession of snow-capped peaks, a 160-acre property plays host to an eclectic collection of log and timber-framed chalets, waterfront cottages, trails, zip lines, rock climbing bluffs, beaches and protected bays. For those looking to get off the grid, Strathcona Park Lodge is a one-stop eco-conscious retreat powered by a micro-hydro system. Their priorities are providing a memorable experience in nature while focusing on energy conservation. They treat their own water and heat it with passive solar technology. Their on-site kitchen provides fresh, healthy, energy-rich and local foods. Within a 40 minute drive there is access to excellent whitewater paddling opportunities, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, canoe circuits, sea kayaking, and the city of Campbell River.
