Nimmo Bay, Where your Outdoor Fantasies Come True

My planes were like Russian stacking dolls – slowly getting smaller and smaller as I made my way closer and closer to Nimmo Bay and the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia Canada. The third and final plane was the smallest, so small that only 9 people could fit in it. Everything and everyone had to be weighed, earplugs were provided, and one person had to sit in front next to the pilot.

top view nimmo

Excitement swept over me as I got my first view of the fiords from above. We flew out of the bay and started over the inlets of this remote region. Hills were covered in pine trees looking like a beautiful world of triangular shapes stacked upon each other from my vantage point.

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I could see them out my window as we maneuvered our way to the dock – the welcoming committee from Nimmo Bay Resort. It was sort of like landing on Fantasy Island, but less tux, and more fleece. They helped us out onto the floating dock with people bustling around unloading the plane. Fraser extended his hand and introduced himself and welcomed us to Nimo Bay Resort. He could have been a young, modern, outdoorsy version of Mr. Roarke I muse to myself as he tells me about the resort and his family’s history in starting it and building it to one of the top 10 Eco Resorts in the World.

Decompress
cabins

The are no roads in this part of the southern Great Bear Rainforest so the only way in is boat, float plane, or helicopter. This remoteness of the location was the first thing that drew me in. I turned off my cell phone, there really was no need for that here. This was a real vacation.

forest

That first night I sat in the hot tub sipping wine and enjoying the sound of the waterfall in front of me. I closed my eyes and imagined all of the stress oozing out of me in little droplets of sweat forming on my forehead – by wiping my brow I was in essence wiping away the stress. Life was pure and good. The waterfall is the centerpiece of the ecolodge. It provides all the water for the resort as well as the power that lights the buildings. And considering we are in a temperate rainforest – there’s plenty of water to keep the lights on.

Decisions, Decisions
breakfast lodge

After morning yoga, I could smell maple syrup wafting through the air; I practically skipped along the floating walkway from my cabin to the lodge. The sound of the waterfall is always present – varying in sound and strength depending on what has happened miles away in the rain forest. This morning it was roaring after a night of rain. I went past the helicopter pads and watched the pilots get ready for the day, but eventually the maple smell pulled me into the floating lodge for breakfast.

paddle boarding

After that first night of decompression, I was ready to try the myriad of outdoor activities that Nimmo Bay offered. Fraser and his team greeted us for breakfast and provided us a list of all-inclusive resort activities to choose from:

1. Kayaking Day Trip: Load the kayaks onto our boat and head out to the Broughton Archipelago’s remote islands and explore this unique part of the BC coast.
2. Whale Watching: Take a 25min open Zodiac boat trip to where the whales are feeding. Watch in awe as the playful Orcas and Humpbacks put on an exciting show.
3. Bear Watching: Take a 45min open Zodiac boat trip to watch black and grizzly bears fish for salmon as they run up the river to spawn.
4. Waterfall Tours: Tour around in our 38ft fully enclosed aluminum hull boat and discover the plentiful and massive waterfalls as they crash right into the ocean.
5. Ocean Fishing: Bottom fish for halibut, troll for ocean salmon, drop a line in the kelp to catch a Ling Cod.
6. On Water and Land: Take a boat to one of the surrounding inlets, head out for a hike, discover a hidden lake, maybe even go for a swim.

Heli-fishing was an additional activity, but with the initial inclusive list I think I had plenty to choose from!

whales

I chose to go out to see the whales and was treated to quite the pre-show as a school of dolphins came to swim and jump in the wake of the boat. I stood at the front of the boat in awe watching dolphins jump out of the water at top speed. The day was full other wildlife sightings; diving hump back whales, sunning sea lions, and we even spotted a pod of Orcas along the coast.

sea lions

As we glided back through the beautiful fjords, I felt as if I were in a fantasyland, untouched, remote, and magical. The sun was starting to go down as we arrived back at the resort dock. But there was still plenty of time to do some sunset kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. I was seriously overwhelmed with options, so I simply chose a glass of wine on the dock watching the sun go down.

Great Bear Gastronomy
fish

Cocktails were served on the floating fire deck followed by a coastal appetizer and four-course gourmet dinner and mouth-watering, in-house-made dessert. Even in this remote location, everything was made fresh and on-site (including all baked goods). Chef Sandi must have the nicest view out of a kitchen I’ve ever seen. Her kitchen had a big picture window looking out on the water and the floating dock. She was always found working in front of it talking to people as they pass by and providing the general vibe of the lodge.

crabs

The menu was all about the fruits of the sea as we feasted on oysters, scallops, prawns, smoked salmon, and the other tuna. After dinner, take a seat next to the bon fire and gaze at the twinkling stars in this dark sky area where few humans has left their mark.

deck

I sat in my Adirondack chair swaddled in my red wool blanket soaking it all in. The smell of the wood fire was soothing, the stars twinkled, and the waterfall roared. Forget the luxurious cabins, I could have just spent all night out there on the floating deck.

cabin on deck

There’s a reason why Nimmo Bay is one of the most luxurious eco-resorts in the world; from the location, to the staff, to the activities, to the food. And even though staying at the Nimmo Bay Resort is a splurge, it will be one of the most memorable places you’ll ever go. In fact, it’s the sort of place where all of your outdoor fantasies may come true!

Pacific Rim Glamping at Wya Point Resort

One of the many reasons I’m gaga for glamping is because it offers an all-access pass to nature, and at Wya Point Resort, perched on the cusp of Canada’s West Coast, this access is VIP.

Located a few hours from Vancouver, BC, via car and a trip aboard BC Ferries, connecting the mainland to Vancouver Island, I arrived at Way Point Resort with my family in the early evening. The sun was starting to set, bathing the resort’s private beach in a pink, blue, and golden-hued light so complex it would be difficult for Pantone to capture it in a color chip.

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So taken by the way the light was peeking through the old-growth trees towering over the Pacific Ocean, we dashed out of our car and ran to the resort’s sandy cove before even setting foot in our yurt. Once the sun sank into the horizon, we walked a few steps to our “glampsite” and realized we could have witnessed the kaleidoscope sky from the lounge chairs topping the cedar deck circling our yurt.

yurt2_exterior

Built strong and sturdy by the Ucluelet First Nation—the original inhabitants of the land—to withstand their position at the edge of the Pacific Rim, the 15 beach-access yurts at Wya Point Resort are far from fair-weather. Indoor wood-burning stoves provide heat in the winter, while the pop-up rooftop skylight cools in the summer. Small indoor kitchens—intended to complement the outdoor grill—provide just enough space to prepare a coastal feast.

At 8:00 p.m. the tide rolled in and with it, waves so powerful, their froth dusted our yurt’s window with millions of micro bubbles. The sound of the waves juxtaposed against the quietness of nature soothed my soul into a sleep so deep I awoke the next morning to the cry of eagles.

yurt1_interior

After an obligatory sunrise beachcombing session where we checked out tide pools teeming with sea anemones and starfish, we headed into the nearby town of Ucluelet. Locally-roasted coffee from The Foggy Bean Coffee Co was on our menu, as was a coastal hike along the 5.5-mile Wild Pacific Trail.

photo-8

Before returning to our woodsy hideaway, we felt it was our duty to the destination (and our inner foodies) to pick up salmon and halibut caught that morning for an evening cookout.

Barbecuing local fish under a canopy of ancient cedars, I was struck by the privilege of Pacific Rim glamping, and the front-row seat Wya Point Resort gives you to the Pacific wild.

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Know this:

– Well-equipped bathrooms are a few steps from each yurt.
– In addition to yurts, Way Point Resort also features campsites, as well as a collection of nine beachfront, timber-frame lodges.
– The region is famous for fishing, surfing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, so there’s no shortage of activities.

Clayoquot Opens Its Doors to Camp Cloud

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort has been around for many years, as a premiere glamping destination.

Located near the village of Tofino in Vancouver Island, Canada, the resort is accessible by a scenic 45 minute private seaplane transfer from Vancouver, BC., or a 30 minute boat ride from Tofino.

The Clayoquot resort is now opening its doors to Camp Cloud.

Sitting 4,500 feet above sea level, Camp Cloud is guaranteed to take your breath away!

After a helicopter drops guests off, a personal guide will hike with guests around the remote mountain lake.

When the hike is over, a private chef will prepare a delicious five-course gourmet meal under the stars.

Guest sleeping comforts include bamboo linens, down duvets with propane heating and turn down service.

To end the incredible one-night stay, enjoy a continental breakfast filled with items of your choosing, and take the rest of the morning to go for a dip or soak up the solitude.

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