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Chasing salmon
Northern Vancouver Island
The north of Vancouver Island is wonderful for
lovers of nature and wildlife. Much of this region
consists of rugged unspoilt wilderness such as the
huge Strathcona Provincial Park, honeycombed
by an extensive network of underground caves.
The region’s largest town is Campbell River,
particularly renowned for its chinook salmon
fishing and for the views over the Strait of
Georgia. Nearby Quadra Island has fine sandy
beaches and a distinct flavour of its First Nations’
heritage, well represented in the Kwagiulth
Museum and Cultural Centre, whilst nearby
Cortes Island has some of North America’s finest
sailing and kayaking areas. The small village of
Telegraph Cove, raised on wooden stilts over
the water, is the start point for whale watching
trips in the Johnstone Strait while at the northern
tip of the island Port Hardy is the terminal for
ferries to and from Prince Rupert: Canada’s most
awe-inspiring bear watching trips start from here
or from Campbell River.
SILKY’S B&B, CAMPBELL RIVER
Silky’s bed and breakfast is your perfect home in
Campbell River, with a friendly and courteous
welcome assured by your charming – and
eponymous – hostess. Her lovely home is set right
on the waters’ edge and all rooms have views of
the ocean and Quadra Island. Here in the Pacific
northwest the rest of the world seems far away,
especially when you walk through the rainforest to
the spectacular private beach. Sophistication
returns at each mealtime: Silky is an excellent cook.
APRIL POINT RESORT & SPA,
QUADRA ISLAND
Located on beautiful Quadra Island, just a ten
minute water taxi ride from Campbell River,
April Point Resort & Spa is a charming west coast
property set away from the crowds. Offering a
mix of adventure and relaxation for couples and
families alike, it provides great wildlife viewing,
guided salmon fishing and a variety of other
activities. Accommodation is in a mixture of lodge
rooms, suites and cabins, all of which have sea
views. The main lodge has a light airy feel and the
spacious dining room has full length windows, an
outdoor patio and a sushi bar. For those wanting
to spoil themselves, the spa offers a variety of
Aveda treatments, ideal for relaxing at the end of
an activity-filled day.
April Point Resort & Spa
KNIGHT INLET LODGE
The longest fjord on the British Columbia coast,
Knight Inlet enjoys a breathtaking backdrop as
mountain peaks 2,000 metres in height plunge
dramatically into the Pacific Ocean. In the calm of
the temperate rainforest nature’s immense power
is shown by countless thundering glacier-fed
waterfalls. Knight Inlet Lodge is at the heart of this
natural paradise, 60 kilometres from the mouth of
the inlet and reached by a spectacular float-plane
flight from Campbell River. Located on the site of
a historic salmon cannery whose only remains are
the many supporting wooden posts protruding
from the water, the rustic lodge rests, floating
close to the shore. Accommodating just ten
people, the lodge not only offers bear watching,
but also walking, sea kayaking and fishing before
guests enjoy a communal dinner with the lodge
staff. The area is home to one of the province’s
greatest concentrations of grizzly bears, and it is
not uncommon for there to be up to 50 bears
within ten kilometres of the lodge. During spring
the tiny cubs emerge with their ever-cautious
mothers, whilst in summer the heavy berry crop
entices bears of all ages to the area. Sightings can
be from boats and tree stands, while the staff
strive to show bears in their natural environment
without a negative impact. Knight Inlet’s naturalist
guides are excellent and expand your experience
beyond the star attraction to include all the other
wildlife in the area.