VANCOUVER ISLAND – CANADA
Experience Guide
Discover Clayoquot Sound Location Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge takes its name from Clayoquot Sound, a vast 62-mile inlet of the Pacific Ocean and one of Vancouver Island's most extraordinary natural environments. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Sound encompasses remote inlets, private bays and small islands ringed by pristine old-growth forest. This is an ancient landscape, shaped by ocean and time, and among the most biodiverse coastlines on earth. The lodge sits at its threshold, with direct and exclusive access to a wilderness that few ever witness at such close range.
Getting Here Reach Clayoquot by flying into Vancouver, British Columbia, then boarding a scenic 45-minute seaplane that lands directly at the lodge dock on Clayoquot Sound. Boat and helicopter transfers are available for those seeking an alternative route in.
Vancouver Island Seasons Clayoquot Sound's temperate rainforest sustains one of the world's most remarkable ecosystems, and its seasons each tell a different story. Summer conditions are warm and predominantly dry, ideal for marine adventures and wilderness exploration, while the shoulder months offer a quieter, more contemplative encounter with the landscape. Season
Average daytime temp
Average overnight temp
Spring (May)
9-14°C (48-57°F)
5-10°C (41-50°F)
Summer (June–August)
15-19°C (59-66°F)
11-13°C (52-55°F)
Fall (September)
13-17°C (55-62°F)
6-10°C (43-50°F)
What To Bring Clayoquot calls for comfortable, practical clothing suited to life in the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Layers for warmth, a rain jacket, solid walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen cover the essentials. The lodge supplies a full range of outdoor equipment and clothing for guests, including protective jackets, riding boots, hiking poles and wet weather gear. View our detailed Packing Guide to help you prepare.
Operating Season: Clayoquot is open seasonally and welcomes guests during the warmer months from May to September each year.
Must-Do Experiences Top 5 signature/wellness experiences included in every stay 1. Search for Clayoquot Sound’s most elusive species on a marine-based safari 2. Explore maze-like waterways by canoe, kayak or SUP and spot wildlife along the way 3. Leap off river rocks and float in crystal-clear waters on a canyoning adventure 4. Reconnect with nature on a guided hike through towering old growth rainforest 5. Greet the day with an exhilarating glacial plunge
Signature Experiences » Aquatic Adventures » Hiking Expeditions Special Interests Private Touring Healing Grounds Spa
Top 5 optional/bespoke experiences to amplify your Vancouver Island experience
Wellbeing Experiences
1. Be whisked away by heli to your own private alpine lake for a day 2. Toast the sunset 4,000 ft above sea level on the Sip to Sky heli experience 3. Saddle up to experience wild and diverse landscapes on horseback 4. Embark on an alpine heli fly fishing adventure with a local specialty guide 5. Replenish body and soul at the secluded Healing Grounds Spa
Curated Adventures Bespoke Heli Experiences » Alpine Heli Experiences » Coastal Heli Experiences
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THIS BADGE, WHICH INDICATES A TRULY RARE AND EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE.
CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE / RESERVE.CANADA@BECKONS.COM / +1 250 266 0397 / CLAYOQUOTWILDERNESSLODGE.COM / BECKONS.COM
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Choose Your Pace Whether the day calls for a gentle rainforest walk or a demanding backcountry hike, Clayoquot's guided experiences are designed to meet guests wherever they are. Use the activity level guide below to find the right fit for your pace and interests. Level
Terrain
Key
Light
Short distances with limited inclines, obstacles or steps.
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Beginner
Medium distances less than 3kms over uneven terrain with slight gradients and small obstacles to step over.
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Intermediate
Medium distances less than 10km over irregular terrain including water crossings and natural obstacles to navigate.
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Advanced
Distances up to 15kms with major natural obstacles, steep inclines, river crossings and rope assisted routes.
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Please Note Signature and special interest experiences are led by expert guides on a shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Bespoke heli experiences are operated on a private basis. Enquire with the Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge team for bookings and further information.
Private Touring Every signature and special interest experience at Clayoquot is available on a private basis, reserving the wilderness entirely for those you choose to share it with. Private touring is available on request and subject to availability. Duration
How To Book Please call +1 250 266 0397 from 9am-5pm (PST) daily or email the Clayoquot team.
Rate for 1-4 guests
Land half day
CAD$500
Land full day
CAD$1,000
Marine half day
CAD$750
Marine full day
CAD$1,500
CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE / RESERVE.CANADA@BECKONS.COM / +1 250 266 0397 / CLAYOQUOTWILDERNESSLODGE.COM / BECKONS.COM
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Signature Experiences The lodge's signature excursions reveal Vancouver Island at its most extraordinary. Shared with a small group of fellow guests and guided by those who know this wilderness best, these included journeys balance connection with discovery.
Aquatic Adventures Clayoquot Sound is a wonderful playground for marine activities where guests can explore the changing intertidal waterways and try their hand at a range of paddling adventures.
Sights of the Sound Board a lodge tender and set out across Clayoquot Sound in search of its most remarkable residents. Cruise up to 40 nautical miles of wild coastline, watching for black bears foraging along the shore, whales and porpoises in open water, and bald eagles riding the thermals overhead.
Rate Included
Rate includes one Sights of the Sound experience; additional outings available from CAD$750.
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Duration 4.5 hours Level Light
Watersports Explore the calm waterways of upper Bedwell Sound by paddle, moving quietly through landscapes where wildlife is never far from reach. Choose from canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, with options suited to first-time paddlers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
Rate Included Duration 3 hours Level Intermediate ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Canyoning Reach the canyon by e-bike, then trade the trail for the river itself. Swimming, floating and scrambling through the glacial-fed Bedwell River, with canyon walls rising on either side, this is Clayoquot's wilderness encountered at its most raw and exhilarating. Operation is determined by river water levels.
Rate Included Duration 4 hours Level Advanced ⚪⚪⚪⚪
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Hiking Expeditions The wilderness surrounding Clayoquot is best understood on foot. From leisurely riverside walks to full-day expeditions through ancient forest, the trails here cover terrain as diverse and rewarding as the landscape itself.
River Trail Hike Walk the banks of the Bedwell River with a knowledgeable guide, learning the stories written into the forest floor, from the cycles of the seasons to the delicate balance of the ecosystem. The return journey follows the Salmon Spawning Trail, offering insight into ongoing habitat restoration. Also available on a selfguided basis.
Rate Included Duration 2.5 hours Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Ursus Valley Hike Few hikes reward effort quite like Ursus Valley. The 12km trail winds through 400-year-old cedar and hemlock forest, past plunging valleys and crystal streams, with a picnic pause along the way. Those willing can take a swim before boarding the River Run helicopter for a treetop return to the lodge. Additional charges apply.
Rate Included Duration 4-6 hours Level Intermediate/Advanced ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Penny Falls Trail Hike Begin with an e-bike ride or UTV transfer up the valley before continuing on foot along Penny Creek, where steep and rocky terrain is assisted by fixed ropes. The effort is well earned, culminating in sweeping views, a dramatic waterfall and a dip in a clear, cool pool.
Rate Included Duration 4 hours Level Advanced ⚪⚪⚪⚪
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Special Interests An additional selection of activities is on offer to tailor an even more personalized itinerary of Clayoquot experiences. These activities are included in the tariff and offered on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests.
Archery Discover the meditative focus of archery, beginning with the fundamentals of the recurve bow before stepping out onto the forest hunting trail. With targets hidden throughout the trees, each shot calls for stillness and precision, a quiet challenge set against the sounds and textures of the Clayoquot wilderness.
Rate Included on request Duration 2.5 hours Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
West Coast Fishing Board a fully equipped fishing boat and head out into the rich waters of Clayoquot Sound, guided by an expert captain with deep local knowledge. Cast for halibut, wild lingcod and salmon, tend the prawn traps, and let the Sound reveal its bounty at its own pace. Every fishing adventure is tailored to the tides and the season. Rate includes one fishing experience; additional outings available from CAD$750.
Rate Included on request Duration 4 hours Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Rock Climbing Set into a natural 15-metre rockface overlooking Bedwell Inlet, Clayoquot's climbing wall offers seven rope lines and multiple routes across a range of grades (5.5-5.9). Expert guides are on hand throughout - the summit, and what it looks like from there, does the rest.
Rate Included on request Duration 2.5 hours Level Intermediate ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Horseback Riding Guided by Clayoquot's equine team, guests learn the foundations of western riding before setting off through the valley - old-growth forest, Jurassic-era fern gardens, and terrain that has changed little in centuries. Helmets and boots are provided. Horseback riding is available for guests 12 years and over. Younger guests can meet the herd and get to know them by name.
Rate Included on request Duration 3.5 hours Level Intermediate ⚪⚪⚪⚪
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Healing Grounds Spa Set along the ocean foreshore, among old and new growth forest, the Healing Grounds Spa is a quiet, calming sanctuary - where the boundary between treatment and landscape is difficult to find.
How To Book Reservations are recommended in advance. Browse the Healing Grounds Spa menu and submit your booking online, view a printable menu, email or call the lodge on +1 250 266 0397 Additional charges apply.
Spa Experiences Three treatment rooms, a waterfront massage tent, a yoga room, cedar hot tubs, and a sauna open to the sound. The sauna offers quiet restoration; the hot tubs, a deeper soak after a day on the water or in the hills. Signature treatments range from hot stone massage and energy work to facials - each drawing on the stillness of the surroundings.
Rate See spa menu for full treatment and price details.
CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE / RESERVE.CANADA@BECKONS.COM / +1 250 266 0397 / CLAYOQUOTWILDERNESSLODGE.COM / BECKONS.COM
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Wellbeing Experiences At Clayoquot, wellbeing is less something offered than something that occurs naturally - in the rhythm of the days, the quality of the air, and the relaxed pace of life this far from the ordinary. These activities are included in the tariff and offered on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Private guided sessions can be arranged in advance for an additional charge.
Glacial Plunge A sunrise plunge into the cold, clear waters of the Bedwell River - guided through each step with mindfulness practices that make the discomfort part of the point. Few moments at Clayoquot stay with guests longer. A private guided session is available for an additional charge of CAD$200 (maximum six guests).
Rate Included Duration 1 hour (6am Mon, Weds, Fri, Sun) Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Sunrise Stretch A gentle yoga flow to begin the day - offered in the studio or on the open-air waterfront deck, with the sound as a natural backdrop. Suitable for all levels, and unhurried by design. A private wellness session is available for an additional charge of CAD$200 (maximum six guests).
Rate Included Duration 1 hour (6am Tues, Thurs, Sat) Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE / RESERVE.CANADA@BECKONS.COM / +1 250 266 0397 / CLAYOQUOTWILDERNESSLODGE.COM / BECKONS.COM
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Curated Adventures Curated adventure rates valid May 21 – September 27, 2026 All rates quoted in Canadian Dollars; additional charges and taxes not included. Delve deeper into Canada's wild coast through a collection of privately guided experiences. Hike the ancient landscapes of Flores Island in Ahousaht territory, immerse in a floating sauna retreat, and when conditions align, kayak beneath the stars amid the magic of bioluminescence.
How To Book Please call +1 250 266 0397 from 9am-5pm (PST) daily or email the Clayoquot team.
Lemmens Inlet Sauna Journey by boat to a secluded lagoon float camp in Lemmens Inlet, where old-growth forest meets still, sheltered waters. Spend unhurried hours moving between a wood-fired sauna, cold ocean plunges, paddleboarding, hammocks and the firepit deck - an immersive wilderness experience shaped by the restorative rhythm of heat, water and nature. Operation is subject to tidal conditions and requires a minimum water depth of five feet. Availability may vary.
Rate 1-6 guests CAD$2,750 Additional guest CAD$250 (max 12 guests) Duration Half Day Level Light ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Walk the Wildside Journey by Zodiac to Flores Island and step into one of Vancouver Island’s most intact coastal rainforests. Guided by stories of the Ahousaht people, follow historic trails beneath towering old-growth cedar and spruce, discovering culturally modified trees, local legends and a landscape shaped by generations of connection to place.
Rate CAD$600 per person (min 2 guests)
Operation is subject to tidal conditions.
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Duration Full day Level Intermediate
Luminescent Nights Depart by kayak after dinner to witness one of nature’s rarest spectacles. When conditions align, microscopic dinoflagellates illuminate the inlet with every paddle stroke, creating trails of blue-green light across the water. Quiet, unhurried and deeply memorable, this seasonal experience offers a magical perspective on Clayoquot’s wilderness after dark.
Rate CAD$250 per person (min 2 guests)
Available in late July and early August. Operation is subject to tidal, wind and moon conditions. Bioluminescence cannot be guaranteed.
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Duration Approx 90 minutes Level Beginner
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Bespoke Heli Experiences Bespoke heli experience rates valid May 21 – September 27, 2026 All rates quoted in Canadian Dollars; additional charges and taxes not included. Few things open a landscape like a helicopter. At Clayoquot, a range of bespoke heli experiences coastal, alpine, and everything between - are designed around the terrain, the season, and the guest.
How To Book Please call +1 250 266 0397 from 9am-5pm (PST) daily or email the Clayoquot team.
Alpine Heli Experiences Glaciers, summit lakes, ridge lines, and river valleys that take days to cross on foot. By air, they open in minutes. These alpine heli experiences are among the most extraordinary ways to know this landscape.
Alpine Scenic From valley floor to glacial peak, a scenic heli flight traces the full vertical range of Vancouver Island's interior. Soar over the Mount Mariner Glacier and out across Strathcona Provincial Park - the island's scale revealed in a single, seamless arc. Best experienced at sunset.
Rate CAD$750 per person (min 2 guests) Duration 30 minutes Level Light ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Sip to Sky A helicopter lifts you to the summit of Ursus Mountain 4,000 feet above the sound, above the treeline, above almost everything. Sparkling wine, charcuterie, and the opportunity for a refreshing alpine swim in the lake awaits at the top. A natural choice for celebrations, or any day that calls for something more.
Rate CAD$1,100 per person (min 2 guests) Duration 2.5 hours Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
River Run The return leg of the Ursus Valley Hike, taken by air. A heli follows the course of the Bedwell River back to the lodge - tracing from above the same valley you walked through below, the landscape reading differently from every altitude.
Rate CAD$550 per person (min 2 guests) Duration 15 minutes Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
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Lake Day A short heli flight delivers you to a private lake deep in the backcountry - yours for the day. Swim, hike, play, and picnic at the water's edge, with the itinerary shaped entirely around your group. A natural fit for families or friends traveling together.
Rate 1-4 guests CAD$5,600 Additional 1-2 guests CAD$2,700 Duration Full day (up to 6 hours) Level Intermediate ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Heli Hiking A helicopter opens the high country that most visitors never reach. Hike the scenic ridge of Mt Velella, walk the moonscape of Abco Mountain, or push to the summit of Ursus Peak. Lunch is taken sky-high, with the full sweep of Vancouver Island spread below. Early in the season, snow hiking and glacial dips are part of the picture.
Rate 1-2 guests CAD$2,400 Additional guest CAD$1,200 Duration Half day (4 hours) Level Intermediate/Advanced ⚪⚪⚪
Heli Fly Fishing Explore some of the most remote and protected rivers and lakes in the world, with a guide who knows every bend. Mike Archer and Peter Semehen have spent years reading these alpine waters - their knowledge of where large trout hold, and when, is the kind that can't be learned from a map. Operates seasonally from late May. Not available July 25 - September 1, 2026; additional blackout dates may apply subject to conditions. Advance reservation required.
Rate 1-2 guests CAD$3,800 Additional guest CAD$1,900 Duration Full day (up to 6 hours) Level Intermediate ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Coastal Heli Experiences Some of Clayoquot's most remarkable perspectives are found from the air. These coastal heli experiences each open a different side of the same extraordinary coastline.
Coastal Scenic A coastal heli flight traces Vancouver Island's ocean edge - sea stacks, headlands, and the long sweep of shoreline that stretches beyond sight from the ground. Keep watch for bald eagles riding the same air currents, and whales, porpoises, and sea lions moving through the water below.
Rate CAD$750 per person (min 2 guests) Duration 30 minutes Level Light ⚪⚪⚪⚪
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Island Picnic A helicopter sets you down on a small, wild island where the only agenda is the coastline itself. Explore on foot, settle into a gourmet picnic, and keep watch - black bears forage along the shore while otters, seals, and whales move through the water beyond.
Rate 1-2 guests CAD$3,200 Additional guest CAD$1,100 Duration Half day (4 hours) Level Beginner ⚪⚪⚪⚪
Sea Caves A heli flight north opens a stretch of coastline few ever reach. Carved over centuries by the ocean, the sea caves here hold their own interior world - sheer rock faces, tidal pools, and cool pebbled beaches explored by headtorch. Outside, seals and sea lions play in the surf.
Rate 1-2 guests CAD$4,200 Additional guest CAD$1,100 Duration Half day (4 hours) Level Beginner/Intermediate ⚪⚪
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There's More To Explore There are endless possibilities for exploring Clayoquot Sound. The Clayoquot team can choreograph a personalized itinerary tailored to guest preferences, featuring experiences from this guide and beyond. Please call +1 250 266 0397 from 9am-5pm (PST) daily or email reserve.canada@beckons.com to contact the team.
Terms & Conditions Helicopter tours are operated by Atleo River Air Service Ltd and additional charges apply. For cancellations within 24 hours of the booking date, a 100% cancellation fee applies. Heli operation is subject to weather conditions. V2 | June 2026
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