Top Adventure Resorts in BC

For the inexperienced adventurer, fishing for hundred-pound fish can seems a little daunting. If you are truly concerned about being a novice BC fisherman, the good folks at Big Spring Sports Fishing are happy to be of assistance.

They begin by supplying an information kit on fishing the area, supplemented by a clinic and, if required, personal attention from their staff. They’ll then show you how to cut the bait and catch fish, how to handle the boats, and where the best fishing is located. Only when you feel adequately prepared will you go out and brave the high seas in pursuit of glory. All of the regulars are here: chinook, coho, pink, chum, and the odd sockeye salmon, lingcod, red snapper and halibut. Don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize those- the guide will be sure to inform you what exactly you caught! Of course the Lodge provides all the amenities that one can expect from a high-quality vacation spot:excellent service, comfortable lodgings, and delicious fresh-cooked meals.

Address

10411 Springhill Crescent Richmond BC

Highlights

The worlds largest Coho (28 lbs.) and the worlds largest, Chinook (126 lbs. King) were caught in Rivers Inlet!

Fun facts

Interestingly, the Lingcod isn't related to either Ling or Cod- it simply looks sort of like them.

Every year Nootka Marine Adventures welcomes both old friends and new guests- you could (and should) be part of the latter!

Fishing is the obvious draw at Nootka, as Coho (Silver) and Chinook (King) salmon are plentiful, sizable and scrumptious. Nootka Sound makes for a spectacular backdrop, and even if the fish aren't biting you'll be enjoying the majestic environment you're surrounded by. And you can get even closer to that environment by getting out for some wildlife viewing! Bears, whales, eagles, sea otters and much more are everywhere you look, and an eco tour through Nootka Sound will let you experience the endless variety of wilderness, wildlife, and history of the area. End your day with a scrumptious meal at the onsite seafood restaurant, then hit the hay for some well-earned rest!

Address

Head Bay Rd, Tahsis, BC V0P 1X0, Canada

Highlights

Guided fishing tours and boat rentals are also available, and pets are accepted for a fee.

Getting there

The resort lies 16 km from Tahsis Mountain and 26 km from Westview Marina.

A smart adventurer diversifies their portfolio. How can you know you like something or not until you’ve tried it, after all? To find out what an adventurer excels at, they must sample everything. To this end, there isn’t a better entry on this list than the Wilderness Resort & Retreat. A world class destination for kayaking, fishing, paddle-boarding, hiking and connecting with nature, this resort will throw awesome activity after awesome activity at you until something sticks. And stick it most certainly will.

For the athletically-inspired adventurers, Wilderness offers canoeing, hiking, and (awesomely) diving. An artificial reef, created by the wreck of the HMCS Chaudière, is available nearby home base. The Sunshine Coast of Canada is renowned for some of the best diving in the world, earning praise from Jacques Cousteau and National Geographic. Swim deep into the clear water, and perhaps you’ll catch sight of an octopus or a wolf eel! If you’d prefer a less strenuous adventure, the resort has sailing, yoga, and bird watching. Before you cannonball into a supremely soft bed at night, however, make sure you go out and attend an Astronomy class! What are you waiting for? Go here and do this stuff now!

Address

7651 Sechelt Inlet Road, BC

To the patient adventurer, good things come. Fishing can best be described as a waiting game with bouts of intensity, and a veteran adventurer knows this. You can't just force an adventure to happen; sometimes it must come to you. At Black Gold Lodge, however, it's safe to say that it will be coming to you often and with celerity.

Black Gold Lodge is based on Rivers Inlet, an area known throughout BC for its fantastic fishing. Cast you line into the Inlet - which is connected to three different river systems - and try to hook something. It could be an enormous chinook salmon, powerful Tyee, coho, ling cod, snapper, or even a barn door halibut, which can weigh over 150 pounds! Should one take the bait (literally), an adventurer such as your self will rise to the challenge. Fight tooth and nail with the ichthyiod monster. Make a stand! It's a tale as old as time itself: man vs nature, an epic struggle of you vs fish. And should you win or lose, there will be a hot meal and a warm bed waiting for you back at Black Gold Lodge's cozy cabin.

Address

3826 Azalea Place Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Population

As of 2011, 55,958 people call nearby Port Coquitlam home.

Fun facts

River's inlet is about 45 kilometers (28 mi) in length.

An adventurer can’t always be doing physically demanding things; sometimes they need to sit down and connect with nature on a spiritual level. How can you truly adventure it if you don’t understand it? Fishing, while extremely soothing, can be an adventure in its own right. The friendly staff at Blackfish Lodge grasp this better than most, and provide a stimulating and relaxing experience for adventures of all types.

Founded in 1989 by Chris and Hannah Bennet, Blackfish Lodge focuses on giving adventurers exceptional service and hospitality. Much like the Grizzly Bear Lodge, a maximum of eight guests are allowed at a time, with everyone staying in the same shared cabin. Their legendary hearty seafood dinners will punch your taste buds with deliciousness, and each room’s queen and king beds will whisk you off to dreamland. Then get up at the crack of dawn the next morning, grab a fishing rod, and give those fish what-for! Whatever type of fishing you’re into, the Lodge can facilitate. Fly fishing, conventional freshwater fishing, salmon fishing and bottom fishing are all options, and if you’re unsure you’re welcome to try them all! But even if the Salmon, Halibut, and Trout aren't biting, you’ll still be surrounded by the awe-inspiring Great Bear Rainforest preserve, the rugged mountains of the Coast Range to the east, and beautiful Vancouver Island to the west. Go, adventurer, and catch some relaxation!

Elevation

26′ above sea level.

Total area

519 acres

Mountain range

The highest peak in the surrounding Coast Mountain range is Mount Waddington, which stands 13,186 feet high.

But in the end, being a great adventurer is simply about the memories you make and the stories you tell. An experience is, surprisingly, meant to be experienced. These days, with everyone's ability to connect to the rest of the world at ALL times, it's easy to forget that. But the owners and operators of Nechako Lodge haven't. They know that sometimes you have to put down the phone and go have an adventure.

Nechako Lodge calls the huge expanse of Eutsuk Lake in North Tweedsmuir Provincial Park home, and the areas striking beauty and huge population of delicious fish attract boating, canoeing, and fishing enthusiasts from all over. Fishing is obviously a popular activity here, but even more unique is the option to go on a journey through the many nearby waterways. Some canoeist even chose to follow a nearby chain of lakes that stretch for over 200 kilometers. Boaters can go the full length of Nechako River, a journey that usually takes a week. Regardless if you prefer exploring the islands and bays of this glacier fed lake by canoe or traversing the river in a cozy catamaran, being surrounded by the spectacular glaciers and peaks of the Coast Mountains is an unforgettable experience.

Address

Nechako Lodge & Aviation 2500-500 Rd Vanderhoof British Columbia

Mountain range

The nearby Cariboo Mountains range is 7,700 km² (c. 2,975 sq mi) in area and about 245 km in length.

Fun facts

Cell phones don’t work at the Nechako Lodge. Oh well!

The environmentally-conscious adventurer is without question the best form of adventurer. While people come and go, this traveler recognizes that earth does not, and it must be protected and cared for. Without nature, true adventurers would go extinct. If you identify as this type of adventurer, perhaps you’d enjoy a resort that shares these same values.

Ecotours-BC, located in the Cariboo Mountains, offers guests the rare opportunity to “see through the eyes of the forest”. Respectful wildlife observation is the name of the game here, as Salmon are plentiful in the streams and, consequently, bears on the paths. The huge mountain wilderness that surround Ecotours includes 2 provincial parks, a wilderness protected area, and Quesnel Lake, the deepest fjord on earth. Besides the salmon and bears, the area is home to moose, Mountain Caribou, Mountain Goats, wolves, mule deer, wolverines, minks and martens, and over 250 species of birds. You can't adventure any closer to nature than that.

Address

The lodge is located on the Quesnel River at the outlet of Quesnel Lake and the foot of the Cariboo Mountains in Likely, British Columbia.

Population

Approximately 300 people year-round

Fun facts

On August 4, 2014, a nearby mine exploded, spilling toxic effluent into Quesnel Lake and temporarily depriving residents of Likely, British Columbia, of fresh water for household use.

An adventurer has to be able to visualize, so visualize this: You're on a catamaran, zipping along the coastline. It's a balmy 45° out, and the ocean spray isn't doing your goosebumps any favors. But these goosebumps aren't from the cold- they're from anticipation.

The West Coast Fishing Club has been fantastic so far, but this is where you'll discover if the trip was worth it. You listen to your experienced guide explain basic fishing technique, and you listen intently. This guy has been doing this for forty years- he probably knows what he's talking about. When he gives you the go ahead, you grip the reel, wind up, and cast away into the cerulean waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Your guide continues, explaining how because of migration there are literally millions of Salmon that pass right beneath you. Odds are, he smiles, in your favor. Suddenly there's a tug on the line so powerful You sweat and fight for five minutes as your companions cheer you on. Eventually, you manage to throw the fish into the prepared net. It's a Chinook Salmon, around 30-lbs, your guide tells you. You smile, exhausted, as your friends thump you on the back in congratulations. That was amazing, and you'll never forget it. And without the West Coast Fishing Club, it never would have happened.

Address

West Coast Fishing Club 4540 Cowley Crescent Richmond, BC

Total area

Langara Island is around 8,080 acres.

Fun facts

A Chinook Salmon can weigh over 100-lbs!

Even the most dedicated adventurer needs time to unwind every now and then. While in British Columbia, you’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere better than April Point Resort & Spa. Pamper, exfoliate, and rejuvenate yourself at the Japanese-inspired shoreline spa. Go on a low boat ride. Or, if it's too much relaxation, go watch some Orcas and Grizzly Bears. It's all here.

Yes, for a small part of the year Grizzly Bear Tours are available, and Orca watching year round. Both of these majestic, highly dangerous animals are a sight to behold, and you'll witness them under the watchful gaze of the guides. As long as their rules are obeyed, it's a completely safe thrill ride. But, you say, I can watch things on my TV! I want some action! If that's the case, ocean rapid tours, kayaking, and biking are all options available to you. Go out and experience some authentic Tyee fishing (see below for what that is) on the nearby Campbell River. After all of those physically demanding activities, you're going to want to take a load off. Lucky for you, you just happened to stay at one of the best spas in British Columbia! Soothe your aching muscles with a hot stone massage, a rosemary-mint awakening body wrap, or just show off your toes after a pedicure. Then throw back a few oysters and listen to some live music. Treat yourself!

Address

900 April Point Rd, Quadra Island, British Columbia

Total area

Quadra Island is 119.7 square miles.

Fun facts

The word Tyee comes from the coastal Indian language and means “The Chief” or “Great Leader.” It's used to describe Chinook or Spring salmon that weigh at least 30 pounds. It just so happens that the Campbell River is known as the salmon and Tyee capital of the world!

This off-grid destination is ideal for anyone seeking a secluded adventure!

Located on an uninhabited island in the heart of Desolation Sound, Cabana Desolation Eco Resort is committed to providing its guests with a unique and incredibly comfortable experience. Between the superior accommodations and the incredible personal service, you'll stay in preposterous comfort. Meanwhile, the adventure is plentiful! Sea kayaking is the best way to truly experience all aspects of Desolation Sound, and you'll have access to pristine equipment throughout your stay!

Address

Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound, Powell River, BC V8A 0G4, Canada

Highlights

Snorkel right off the point and encounter giant spiny urchins and colourful sea stars.

Related Onsite Offerings

After the sun sets, experience the wonder of the milky way in the spectacular night sky!

This ideal secluded Vancouver retreat is filled to the brim with opportunities for adventure- take your pick!

Whether you're exploring the mouthwatering menus of executive Chef Lukas Gurtner or out and about in the pristine surrounding wilderness, it's easy to have an unforgettable experience at Sonora. Among the deluge of amenities you'll experience here are swimming pools, hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, putting greens, a 12-seat movie theater, fly fishing ponds, and so much more! If you're looking for real adventure, start with a fishing expedition! Cruise ocean channels in search of mighty Chinook, as there's a fleet of Grady-White vessels and experienced guides stocked with everything you need to reel in a big one. Sonora Island is itself a playground, and you’re free to explore it from Sonora Resort!

Address

Sonora Island, BC V0P 1V0, Canada

Getting there

The resort is a 50-minute helicopter ride from Vancouver and a 75-minute water taxi ride from Campbell River.

Related Onsite Offerings

The on-site spa has 6 treatment rooms, hot mineral pools and yoga classes.

Staying at Tofino Resort + Marina means staying at the only waterfront resort in Tofino, British Columbia!

Tofino Resort + Marina gives you everything you’re looking for on the rugged west coast of British Columbia. Whether you arrive with ideas or are looking for inspiration, they will set you in the right direction. The onsite Marine Adventure Centre can assist and help guide you on the numerous activities you can partake in. From both free and sky diving, to crabbing excursions, to soaking in ancient hot springs and paddling into waves on a surfboard, adventure is an expectation here. You’ll have rare opportunities to go both whale and bear watching as well as take guided fishing trips to catch 40-pound salmon! The resort is also located in the heart of the community so you can walk from your room to anywhere in downtown Tofino.

Address

634 Campbell ST Tofino, British Columbia V0R2Z0

Fun facts

The state-of-the-art, full-service marina is the only one on the west coast of Vancouver Island that can accommodate vessels up to 130’ long.

Related Onsite Offerings

The resort also has two restaurants onsite. 1909 Kitchen—named after Tofino’s first post office has an ingredient-driven menu sourced from the local forests and shoreline. The Hatch Waterfront Pub has daily specials where folks return for the patio and pub scene being it is the only one in town!

A true adventurer doesn't avoid danger -- they seek it out. How can it be a true adventure if there isn't a little peril? While in reality incredibly safe, Grizzly Bear Lodge & Safari's name alone will certainly convince you family and friends that you risked life and limb just for a slice of adventure.

A safari? In Canada? While the word is typically associated with the African Serengeti, its an apt description for the fantastic wildlife tour that the Grizzly Bear Lodge provides. But it also provides an intimate environment to relax and to learn about one of the most awe-inspiring creatures in the world. The main cabin only sleeps eight guests, so you know you'll be receiving the owners and guide's full attention. After you've made yourself at home in the quaint shared cabin, then jump into a float plane and fly to the Campbell River, a spot world-renowned for its Grizzly population. In a three day safari, you'll be treated to an assortment of different animals each day. On day one watch a multitude of glorious Bald Eagles and a solitary Black Bear. Day two, motor out to Johnstone Strait and treat yourself to dolphin packs, hunting orcas, and breaching whales. For the finale, get into a viewing platform and watch a family of Grizzlies lumber by. If you're a wildlife enthusiast, you won't find a better adventure!

Address

3100 Kensington Crescent, Courtenay, BC

Season

Year round!

Fun facts

The average lifespan for a male grizzly bear is estimated at 22 years, with a female's being slightly longer at 26.

For the avid adventurer, few experiences can compare to the thrill of plunging headlong down a raging river, paddling frantically as you (and everyone else) do your best to survive. A babbling brook is fine and dandy, but angry rapids are how the true adventurer proves their mettle. But without the proper equipment and guiding hand, a quick current can prove deadly. That’s where REO Rafting Resort comes into the picture. If you’d like to test your grit against mother nature herself and have a fantastic vacation at the same time, look no further.

A mere 2.5 hours from Vancouver, REO Rafting Resort offers rafting for all skill levels. Beginners can ease their way into the Class 2 Green River, while hardened veterans and confident fools are more than welcome to enter the domain of the dreaded Class 5 Stein River. Whatever your comfort level is, REO will make sure that you feel safe and supported the whole way. They also offer multiple day excursions, where your group and a guide hit the river with camping gear in tow and experience an aquatic life for yourselves. When you aren’t plowing into the torrid waters, you can relax in a soothing hot tub or on the private beach. Eat a delicious meal, and enjoy a campfire under the stars.

Address

61755 Nahatlatch Forest Service Rd, Boston Bar, BC

Dates and Prices

Prices range from $100 to $600 per person. However, there is something called "The Ultimate Adventure", which involves flying to 24 different rapids in the area!

Fun facts

The International Rafting Federation (IRF) is the worldwide body which oversees all aspects of the sport.

CMH Bugaboos Lodge makes it easy to plan your next adventure! Head to the stunning British Columbia mountains and discover the wondrous surroundings on your winter or summer retreat.

CMH Bugaboos Lodge is surrounded by the breathtaking Columbia Mountains, which offer exciting adventures at any time of the year. Their hiking trips in the summer include helicopter transportation to some of the most pristine locations across the rugged mountain terrain. You can enjoy zip-lining over roaring rivers, rock climbing along massive mountainsides, and crossing a suspension bridge at Mt. Nimbus. You'll discover incredible canyons, glaciers, waterfalls and make memories to last a lifetime! CMH Bugaboos Lodge offers excellent all-inclusive trips that include heli-hiking getaways. All trips include accommodations at their 32-room lodge, all meals and beverages, equipment, and transportation. You'll also have access to onsite amenities such as hot tub, sauna, and steam room!

Address

Bugaboo Forest Service R East Kootenay G, British Columbia

Highlights

CMH Bugaboos Lodge offers family-specific trips that takes your children's skill levels into consideration and include fun-filled options such as zip-lining, waterfalls, and glaciers!

Related activities

Mountain lovers of all ages will discover an unforgettable vacation at Bugaboos. Located in the beautiful Columbia Mountains of British Colubmia, this magnificent destination offers some of the most beautiful vistas in the world.

Make your British Columbia adventure one to remember with an all-inclusive getaway at Cariboos.

Whether you're here in Valemount, British Columbia in the summer, you'll find that their exciting adventures include everything you need for a great vacation. Cariboos all-inclusive packages also make it easy to have an unforgettable adventure. The packages include lodging, meals, transportation, and equipment, so you don’t need to worry about anything but having a great time. The Cariboo Mountains are located along the northern part of the beautiful Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. The range runs for nearly 190 miles and offers stunning landscapes and adventures. Heli-hiking trips take you to untouched locations around the mountains where you can hike the rugged terrain and discover stunning natural scenery. Try zip-lining across canyons, or climb the rocky slopes beside a roaring waterfall.

Address

Fraser-Fort George H Valemount, British Columbia

Highlights

Cariboos is only reached by helicopter, meaning it's away from the hustle-bustle of the cities and crowds and allows you to spend more quality time with your loved ones.

Related activities

For your heli-skiing trip, you will be fitted with specifically-designed heli-skiing skis and poles. Plus, to ensure your safety and comfort, you'll have an Association of Canadian Mountain Guide (ACMG) and/or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA) certified guide to show you the way!