Welcome
VANCOUVER ISLAND – CANADA
Our Story
Lodge History
Gloriously remote, set within one of Canada's most extraordinary wilderness areas, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge has long been Vancouver Island's most celebrated outpost - where the classic spirit of summer camp meets rare, unhurried access to nature at its most pristine.
Founder Richard Genovese envisioned a place to reconnect with the wild on its own terms. That vision took shape on the shores of Clayoquot Sound, evolving from a modest floating lodge in the late 1990s into a 600-acre wilderness retreat. By 2000, it had opened as Canada's first eco-safari experience.
Today, Clayoquot honors that founding spirit - grounded in deep respect for the land, the ocean, and the wildlife that define this part of the Pacific Northwest. Now part of the Beckons collection, it sits alongside properties in Australia, Chile, and New Zealand that share the same founding philosophy: that the places worth reaching always have more to reveal.
In 2025, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge retained its Three MICHELIN Keys - the MICHELIN Guide's highest distinction for extraordinary stays.
Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge sits at the heart of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve - recognized by UNESCO in 2000 for its outstanding ecological significance. Here, a rich mosaic of ecosystems unfolds: temperate coastal rainforest, winding river systems, open ocean, and rugged shoreline.
Nine of the region's forested valleys remain intact - unlogged, undeveloped, and alive with ancient rainforest, alpine peaks, and waterways that support an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, including species found nowhere else.
In a world where wild places are increasingly rare, Clayoquot Sound endures. The lodge's commitment to regenerative stewardship means guests move through this landscape with care - learning from it, contributing to it, and leaving it as they found it.
Travel For Good
Sustainable Luxury at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
At Beckons, regenerative stewardship runs through every stay - deepening the connection between guests, communities, and the landscapes they move through. At Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, that commitment takes several concrete forms.
• A 3% guest contribution funds the Environmental Legacy Program, supporting active conservation across the Clayoquot Sound region.
• One of the largest solar and battery microgrids on Vancouver Island powers the lodge largely off-grid, significantly reducing diesel reliance.
• A kitchen garden and greenhouse supply the lodge kitchen with fresh, seasonal produce grown on site.
• A fleet of e-bikes offers a quiet, low-impact way to move through the property.
• Throughout the interiors, local craftsmanship is present in every detailhandmade furnishings, textiles, and works by First Nations artists using materials drawn from the surrounding landscape.
• Through the Beckons Spirit of Mateship program, the lodge works alongside community and conservation partners including the Redd Fish Restoration Society, whose work focuses on restoring wild fish habitats across Vancouver Island - habitats that are central to the ecological and cultural life of this coast.
MOUNTAIN
WALKING
Lodge
The Cookhouse
Perched on the foreshore of Clayoquot Sound, The Cookhouse is the heart of lodge. An open kitchen anchors the room - its menu shaped by the season, the garden, and the waters just beyond the deck. Inside and out, generous lounges and open decks invite guests to settle in, with the wilderness filling every view.
As evening draws in, the fire becomes the natural centre of things: s'mores, shared stories, and the kind of relaxed conversation that wilderness seems to encourage. Neighboring canvas tents extend the evening further - private dining, live music, and the occasional game of billiards among them.
The Ivanhoe
Named for the SS Ivanhoe - Clayoquot's vintage 110-foot landing craft - this dedicated bar and lounge rests at the edge of the estuary, where the Bedwell River meets the sound. Floor-to-ceiling glass draws the water and treeline inside, framing a room built for settling into: deep armchairs, an open fire, and handcrafted cocktails that take their cues from the landscape around them.
Above, a rooftop terrace opens to coastal air and open fires - a quieter place to watch the light change over the sound. A thoughtful selection of canapés and bar snacks sits alongside premium wines, craft beers, and small-batch spirits.
Healing Grounds Spa
Perched at the water's edge where rainforest meets the gentle pull of river and ocean, the Healing Grounds Spa offers something rarer than rest: a genuine return to stillness. Treatments draw on the landscape itself - whole-body wraps, facials infused with local botanicals and marine minerals, foot therapies, and deep tissue massage among them. A sauna holds its own quiet, while deep hot tubs invite a longer soak, framed by open water views by day and stars by night.
Breakfast 7am - 9am
Lunch 12pm - 2pm
Pre-Dinner Drinks & Canapés
From 5pm
Dinner
From 6pm until late Bookings are required to reserve preferred dining times.
How to Book
A spa menu can be found in your desk drawer, or view the range of treatments online Appointments for the Healing Grounds Spa can be made with Guest Services.
Experiences
Signature Experiences
Every itinerary at Clayoquot is shaped around the landscape and the seasonguided by people who know where to look, and when. On water and on land, the possibilities range from wildlife-spotting marine excursions and canyoning through glacier-fed waterways to guided hikes through ancient rainforest and open exploration by watercraft.
Special Interest Experiences
For guests who want to go further, a selection of special interest experiences is included in every stay. Rock climbing, archery, ocean fishing, and horseback riding through the wilderness are among them - each one a different way into the landscape.
Wellbeing Experiences
Wellbeing at Clayoquot is less a program than a natural consequence of the place itself. Begin the day with a gentle yoga flow, or mark your time here with a glacial plunge in the Bedwell Valley - cold, clarifying, and unlike anything else.
Bespoke Heli Flights
From above, the scale of Clayoquot Sound reveals itself differently - ridge lines, river deltas, and the full sweep of coastline that can take days to cross on foot. Bespoke helicopter experiences range from heli-hiking to sunset flights, each one opening the landscape from a new angle. Flights are operated by Atleo River Air Service Ltd.
Please Note Signature experiences are offered at scheduled times on a shared basis. Private touring is available on request, subject to availability (additional charges apply).
Please Note Special interest experiences are offered on request at scheduled times and shared with fellow guests. Private touring is available, subject to availability (additional charges apply).
Please Note Wellbeing experiences are offered at scheduled times on a shared basis. Private yoga and guided glacial plunges are available on request (additional charges apply).
How to Book
Please talk to our Guest Services team for information and bookings (additional cost applies).
Services & Facilities
Backpacks
Backpacks are located in your tent for use when heading out to explore.
Bathroom In-Floor Heating
There is a thermostat on the wall in the bathroom to control in-floor heating.
Bear Aware
As black bears live in the surrounding wilderness, no food, candy, snacks or beverages are permitted in your tent at any time. Find more in-depth information about wildlife awareness in later pages of this compendium.
Bikes
Complimentary adult mountain bikes are available for guest use. Please visit Guest Services for a map, water and helmet. Please note, the network of boardwalks connecting guest tents are for walking only; riding is not permitted.
Boutique
Open daily, the lodge boutique features a variety of wilderness essentials along with apparel and souvenirs made by local artisans.
Cast Iron Stoves
To operate your cast iron stove, please use the thermostat on the wall or on the column beside the bed. Please do not put things on top of the stove to dry.
Cellular Service
Due to our remote location, there is no cellular service at the lodge. There is a landline available for guest use at The Outpost.
Check-out & Departure
Check-out time is 12pm. Please have your luggage ready at the entrance of your tent for collection by our team.
Guests departing outside the standard check-out time are welcome to enjoy the main lodge facilities.Seair flights typically depart between 3.30pm and 5.30pmplease contact Guest Services for your personalized departure time.
Credit Facilities
All products and services purchased at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge may be charged to your tent account and settled on check-out. Most major credit cards are accepted. Please note that we do not accept Diners Card, personal cheques or foreign currency.
Dogs
A number of staff-owned dogs roam the property and are part of the Clayoquot team. They are friendly and well behaved; however, we kindly ask that you do not feed them. Should you have any concerns, please contact Guest Services.
Dress Code
Life at Clayoquot is relaxed, with a focus on feeling at home. For your safety, we recommend wearing footwear at all times when outdoors and in guest lounge and dining areas.
Drinking Water
Tap water at the lodge is safe to drink. Refill from the urn in your tent bathroom, or at water stations in the main lodge, where bottles are available for use on experiences.
Guest Services
Our Guest Services team is available from 6.30am until late to assist with any request. For immediate support, please message or call +1 778 214 4655 via WiFi (no mobile service is available on site).
Gratuities
Staff gratuities are included in the tariff. If you would like to leave an additional gratuity for our staff, please see our Guest Services team.
Gym
Located next to the bike barn, the fitness studio features TechnoGym equipment including cardio and weight machines, free weights and a stretching area.
Hot Tub Etiquette
Hot tubs close at 10pm. Glassware is not permitted in or around the tubs; alternative drinkware is available should you wish to enjoy a beverage while soaking. Out of respect for neighboring tents, we kindly ask that noise is kept to a minimum.
Housekeeping
Our housekeeping team services tents daily, typically while you are out. Should you prefer a specific time, please contact Guest Services. In support of our sustainability commitment, towels and bed linen are refreshed every third day, unless requested otherwise.
Internet
Complimentary WiFi is available in your tent and at Guest Services using the password: wilderness Consistent with the 'off-grid' nature of the lodge experience, WiFi is not available in the shared guest areas.
Laundry
Laundry service is available. Please place items in the laundry bag, leave it on your bed and notify Guest Services for collection. Items received before 10am will be returned that evening. Due to our remote location, dry-cleaning is not available.
Lost & Found
If you misplace an item, please let a staff member know and we will do our best to help you locate it.
Pillows
The pillows on your bed are made from luxurious Canadian goose down and hypoallergenic microfibre. A firmer option is available on request.
Power
Domestic power supply is 120 volts, at the standard frequency of 60 hertz. Adaptors are available for loan from Guest Services.
Privacy
Should you require privacy, please place the ‘Privacy Please’ rock along the entry walkway to your tent.
Quiet Hours
Out of respect for your fellow guests, we ask that you please observe quiet hours after 10pm.
Room Service
As the lodge thrives on a convivial lodging atmosphere, we do not offer full in-tent dining.
Safe
A guest safe is available at Guest Services. Please let the team know if you have any valuables you would like to store during your stay.
Safety Essentials
A flashlight, insect repellent, and bear horn are provided for your use. Please keep your tent zipped closed at all times to ensure insects and wildlife do not enter your tent.
Smoking
We kindly ask that smoking is avoided near canvas tents and along boardwalks. Smoking is permitted at the central firepit. Please help keep our wilderness pristine by disposing of cigarette butts responsibly. Ashtrays are available on request from Guest Services.
Social Media
We love to see your photos and even share them on our channels. Please tag our account or use the hashtag #clayoquotwildernesslodge to indicate permission to share your photos. Note: If your account is private, we are not able to see the tags.
Instagram: @clayoquotwildernesslodge
Facebook: ClayoquotWildernessLodge
Spa
The Healing Grounds Spa offers a menu of restorative treatments. Advance bookings are essential - please contact Guest Services. A gymnasium, sauna and cedar hot tubs are available for guest use.
Toilet
To support our environmental standards, bathrooms are fitted with low-flow water systems. Please help protect the ecosystem and prevent issues by placing all inorganic items in the waste receptacle.
Turndown
A turndown is performed each evening. On returning after dinner, your tent will be prepared as a restful sanctuary. If you prefer not to be disturbed, please display the ‘Privacy Please’ rock or notify Guest Services.
Safety in the Wilderness
Emergencies, First Aid & Medical Assistance
Our Guest Services team is available from 6.30am until late to assist with any request. Qualified first responders are on hand in the event of injury or emergency. For immediate support, please message or call +1 778 214 4655 via Wi-Fi (no mobile service is available on site).
For in-person assistance or after-hours emergencies, visit our management office near the Outpost. A First Aid room is also available, equipped with a clearly marked VHF radio for contacting our team.
Emergency Muster Point Evacuation
If a siren sounds, please remain calm and make your way to the Muster Point at the shed marked ‘Muster Point #1’, located opposite the Cookhouse. Our team will conduct a headcount and the Safety Officer will guide you to the safest area.
Fire Emergency
If a fire occurs in your tent, remain calm and locate the fire extinguisher. This is positioned in the bathroom in Rainforest Ensuite, Waterfront Ensuite and Hillside Family tents and beside the dresser in Rainforest Deluxe and Waterfront Deluxe tents. Follow the instructions provided for use. If the fire is larger than a waste basket, please evacuate the area immediately and notify a staff member.
Wildlife Awareness
Encountering wildlife is one of the most memorable aspects of a stay in the wilderness. With this comes a shared responsibility to respect the natural habitatnever feeding, approaching or disturbing animals, or placing them or yourself at risk.
Animals that become accustomed to human presence may lose their natural caution and can behave unpredictably. By observing from a distance, we help preserve a truly wild environment for generations to come.
British Columbia is home to both black bears and grizzly bears, though only black bears inhabit the Clayoquot Sound region. Wolves and cougars also reside on Vancouver Island, playing a vital role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. While sightings are less common, signs such as tracks or scat may indicate their presence.
Wildlife may act defensively when protecting young, food or territory. However familiar they may appear, all animals here are wild and should always be given space.
Preventative Measures
• Avoid startling wildlife - make your presence known by speaking, singing or using a bell or horn.
• Never approach or feed wild animals.
• Keep children close and within sight at all times.
• Remain on established trails and explore during daylight hours.
• Stay alert for signs of wildlife, including tracks, droppings or markings on trees.
• Never corner an animal - always allow a clear escape route.
If you encounter an aggressive animal:
• Make yourself appear larger - stand tall, raise your arms and make noise.
• Do not run, crouch or turn your back.
• Give the animal space and slowly back away, or wait until it moves on.
• Stay together as a group where possible.