A remote all-inclusive wilderness lodge where canvas tents, exceptional dining, guided adventures and old-growth rainforest meet the wild Pacific coast.
Location: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge occupies a remote 600-acre setting beside the Bedwell River and Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island’s west coast. Surrounded by ocean, mountains and temperate rainforest, it is accessible only by seaplane, helicopter or boat. This is a lodge you would not want to miss out on when exploring what Canada has to offer you.
Rooms: Its 25 white-canvas safari tents combine wilderness views with king beds, gas heaters, charging points and contemporary furnishings. Ensuite categories add private bathrooms with heated floors and cedar-clad outdoor showers, while adjoining Hillside Family tents provide more space for families.
Amenities: The central Outpost includes The Cookhouse restaurant, Ivanhoe bar, lounges, waterfront decks and a fitness centre. Healing Grounds Spa offers treatment rooms, a waterfront massage tent, yoga space, sauna and cedar hot and cold tubs.
Activities: Guided experiences include wildlife cruises, hiking, canyoning, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, archery, fishing, rock climbing and horse riding. Optional helicopter adventures range from remote alpine hikes to scenic flights and mountaintop drinks.
Sustainability: The lodge operates with an extensive solar and battery microgrid, reduces single-use plastics and sources produce locally wherever possible. It has also supported wild salmon habitat restoration since 2001 and uses guest sustainability contributions to fund conservation work.
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Best places to stay in Vancouver Island
Canada Trip Inspiration
When to visit Canada
Find out the best time to visit Canada with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is one of the best months to experience Canada's legendary winter landscapes. The Rockies enjoy excellent snow conditions, making this a fantastic time for skiing and snowboarding in resorts such as Banff and Whistler. Across the country, frozen lakes, snow-covered forests and crisp blue skies create spectacular scenery, while the long nights also offer opportunities to see the Northern Lights in parts of northern Canada.
February
February continues to offer some of the season's best skiing, with reliable snowfall and quieter mountain landscapes between half-term periods. It's also an excellent time to experience winter activities such as snowshoeing, dog sledding and ice skating. In Québec City, the famous Winter Carnival brings the city to life with ice sculptures, parades and celebrations.
March
March is an excellent time for skiing in the Rockies, with dependable snow, longer daylight hours and comfortable mountain conditions. As spring begins to emerge on the Pacific Coast, it's also a rewarding time to explore Vancouver and Vancouver Island before the summer crowds arrive.
April
April offers a quieter side of Canada as spring arrives across much of the country. Vancouver and Victoria burst into colour with cherry blossoms, while coastal wildlife becomes increasingly active. It can also be a good-value time to travel before the peak summer season begins.
May
May is one of Canada's hidden gems. Roads through the Rockies begin reopening, waterfalls are fuelled by melting snow and hiking trails start to become accessible. Black bears emerge from hibernation in many parts of British Columbia, making this an exciting month for wildlife enthusiasts.
June
With long daylight hours and comfortably warm temperatures, June is ideal for exploring Canada's national parks. The Rockies are perfect for hiking, canoeing and wildlife spotting, while the Pacific Coast enjoys excellent whale watching, with humpback whales, orcas and grey whales regularly seen offshore.
July
July is one of Canada's most popular months to visit, and for good reason. Mountain roads are fully open, lakes shimmer in vivid turquoise, and outdoor adventures are at their best. It's also one of the finest months for spotting whales off Vancouver Island, while bears, elk and moose are regularly seen throughout the Rockies.
August
August combines warm weather with exceptional access to Canada's most spectacular landscapes. Canoe across glacier-fed lakes, walk mountain trails, enjoy wildlife cruises or simply relax in a wilderness lodge surrounded by nature. Although it's peak season, Canada's vast open spaces mean it rarely feels crowded.
September
September is one of the very best months to visit Canada. Comfortable temperatures, fewer visitors and spectacular autumn colours make it ideal for road trips through the Rockies and Eastern Canada. Wildlife is particularly active as bears prepare for winter, while hiking conditions remain excellent.
October
October transforms much of Canada into a landscape of golden forests and crisp mountain air. In British Columbia, bears are often seen feeding ahead of winter, while the Atlantic provinces are particularly beautiful as autumn colours reach their peak. Churchill also begins welcoming visitors hoping to see polar bears gathering along Hudson Bay.
November
November marks the start of one of Canada's most extraordinary wildlife spectacles. Churchill offers some of the world's best opportunities to see polar bears in their natural habitat as they wait for Hudson Bay to freeze. Elsewhere, ski resorts begin opening and the Northern Lights become increasingly visible across northern regions.
December
Canada feels wonderfully festive in December. Snow blankets the mountains, Christmas markets fill historic cities and ski resorts come alive for the winter season. It's an ideal time to combine world-class skiing with cosy mountain lodges, while northern regions continue to offer excellent opportunities to see the Aurora Borealis.
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