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Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Tofino, Canada

Just getting to this far-flung ecolodge is an adventure: you’ll take a floatplane over the rivers and rugged beaches of Vancouver Island’s west coast, then a horse-drawn wagon shuttle. The property is set close to the waterfront, on a secluded part of the Bedwell River, and its rooms consist of luxury canvas prospector tents. Vintage touches (such as antique silver and crystal candles) combine with modern amenities to create a quirky yet extremely comfortable glamping experience.

Stays include a range of guided adventure activities, from kayaking to horse riding, hiking to rock-climbing. There’s a focus on restorative experiences and the benefits of being in nature, with outdoor yoga classes held on the property’s waterfront decking, a spa, and open-air hot tubs.

Food is nutritious, hearty and locally sourced, but also has real gastronomic flair, with freshly cooked hot breakfasts, a morning tea and coffee delivery service to your tent, and à la carte evening dining. Local fishermen provide fresh catches, and the resort’s greenhouse grows herbs and vegetables. Made-to-order smoothies, homemade granola and homemade daily breads are available daily. On your last night, a multi-course menu paired with British Columbian wines is served.

OUR OPINION:

Clayoquot offers escape — it does feel as if you’re getting away from everything — as well as a decadent glamping experience. We love its isolated location, its wide range of guided activities and its gastronomic food.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

Speak to someone
who's been there
Audley Travel specialist Anna

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Canada specialists

Rooms

The safari-style tents are roomy and stylish, with antique furnishings such as rugs, down duvets, and propane-powered wood stoves. The tents are extremely comfortable, with white cotton linen bedding and fluffy towels. Some tents have a private composting lavatory and a private shower in a separate nearby block; others have an en suite bathroom with a flush lavatory and shower, while rainforest deluxe tents are the plushest and most spacious option. There’s no TV or telephones in tents, but the resort does have high-speed Wi-Fi and phone systems.

Location

The lodge is situated in Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the location may be remote, it does mean that you fully escape Vancouver Island’s crowds. The property is accessed via a 45-minute seaplane flight from Vancouver or Tofino (but boat transfers can also be arranged) then a ten-minute horse-drawn wagon ride.

Food and drink

A continental buffet breakfast is served in the Cookhouse from 6:30am to 10am, with an à la carte service from 7am to 10am. Lunch is served in the dining tents from midday, with gourmet packed lunches available. Dinner is an à la carte affair and is served from 6pm nightly in the Cookhouse, dining tents, and at the open-air kitchen bar.

Families

Clayoquot caters well to families as many of its activities can be scaled down and adapted to involve participants of all ages. The tents can also be adapted to families’ needs: there’s a waterfront en suite tent that can be reserved in tandem with an adjacent sunrise deluxe tent in order to accommodate extended or larger families.

Facilities and activities

Activities are focused around six themes: equestrianism, water-based trips, land-based activities, helicopter adventures, wellbeing and restoration, and fishing. Guests select which activities interest them and which to include in their package (your specialist will explain in more detail about the packages offered). The scope of activities is vast, with more unusual offerings such as archery and forest bathing included in the above categories.

Tour ideas in Tofino

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.

    • Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching
      Mother bear and cubs, Clayoquot Sound

      Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching

      Clayoquot Sound Black Bear Watching

      From April to October, it is possible to have an intimate black bear watching experience in the beautiful, calm water environment of the legendary Clayoquot Sound.

      View details

    Tofino and nearby places