West coast views at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge
British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast feels like an island. Though this region north of Vancouver is technically connected to the mainland, it’s accessible only by boat. A 40-minute ferry from Metro Vancouver takes you to the coast’s southern end, and as you travel north, the terrain gets more wooded and a little more wild. On a quiet stretch of shoreline outside the town of Egmont, the West Coast Wilderness Lodge captures the coast’s peaceful, scenic, and slightly offbeat vibe.
Here’s the scoop:
About the West Coast Wilderness Lodge
The Hansen family built the West Coast Wilderness Lodge in the late 1990s, when the concept of “ecotourism” was in its infancy. The main lodge building houses the Inlets Restaurant and adjacent lounge, both perched directly above the waterfront, with a large outdoor terrace one level below.
Surrounding the lodge are five “cabins,” more like mini-lodges, that each include several individual guest rooms. Down the road is a cluster of newer two-story buildings that contain the property’s 20 “Villas on the Inlet.”
One of the “cabin” rooms at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The 26 cabin rooms range from compact standard units with a king bed and a terrace overlooking the forest to larger rooms with a pullout couch in small sitting areas. The best of these units have expansive ocean vistas.
All are furnished with sturdy wooden pieces, down-filled duvets atop the beds, and modern bathrooms. Rooms have TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
The villas, about 300 meters from the main lodge, are far more contemporary, designed for more independent or longer-term stays.
The newer villas have full kitchens, living areas, and separate bedrooms.
In the villas, which are one-bedroom suites measuring more than 650 square feet, the fully-equipped modern kitchen opens into the living/dining area, and all units have terraces overlooking the waterfront. The end units have views of the water and forests on two sides.
Separate bedrooms have a king bed, and the bathrooms have spacious walk-in rain showers.
Outside the villas are two hot tubs where you can enjoy a relaxing post-adventure soak.
Inlets Restaurant overlooks the waterfront.
Facilities and Services
The centerpiece of the main lodge is Inlets Restaurant, with soaring ceilings and a wall of windows offering views across the water and to the surrounding islands. Breakfast serves up typically hearty morning fare; the “Fungi” — eggs Benedict with mushrooms and spinach — is a tasty option, while those with a sweet tooth might prefer the brioche French toast with berry compote.
In the evenings, the restaurant serves a multi-course menu, where starters could include smoked sablefish chowder, scallop crudo, or a spring pea salad, while mains range from seafood pasta to braised short ribs to coffee-crusted rack of lamb. You’ll want to save room for desserts like a berry crumble or a dark chocolate cake, too.
Wisteria decorate the open-air lounge, which also overlooks the water.
Adjacent to the restaurant, the spacious open-air lounge is a popular pre- or post-dinner gathering spot with expansive waterfront vistas and cozy seating areas where guests can mingle, sharing tales of their day’s adventures.
What’s Nearby
The West Coast Wilderness Lodge is an ideal base for hiking, kayaking, and boat touring excursions around the Sunshine Coast. You can organize experiences independently or purchase a package of activities from the lodge.
One of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular destinations is Skookumchuck Rapids, the fastest saltwater rapids in North America. When the tides are high, the water swirls in dramatic whirlpools, and the intrepid kayaker or surfer rides the waves. You can hike to the rapids on a four-kilometer forested trail through Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park.
The West Coast Wilderness Lodge offers half-day boat excursions that cruise through the fjords of Princess Louisa Inlet to reach scenic Chatterbox Falls. While the falls are worth the trip, it’s the spectacular vistas of rocky cliffs, forested islands, and craggy mountains en route that make the voyage worthwhile, particularly in the late spring or early summer when the surrounding peaks are still topped with snow. You might spot sea lions or even bears along the way.
The lodge also offers both guided and self-guided kayak experiences in the surrounding inlets. Nearby, Metta Eco-Experiences runs unique nighttime kayak tours that enable you to see the bioluminescence that illuminates the waters as if with sparkling magic wands.
Cruising along Princess Louisa Inlet from the West Coast Wilderness Lodge
West Coast Wilderness Lodge Rates
Stays in the cabin units at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge are priced as all-inclusive packages, including accommodations, breakfast, and dinner. Rates start at CAD$350 per person per night (USD$250). You can purchase packages that encompass excursions or tours as well.
At the Villas on the Inlet, which are designed for self-catering, meals aren’t included, although guests can dine at the lodge restaurant if space is available. Villas rates, priced by the unit, not the number of guests, start at about CAD$425 per night (USD$310).
You can also check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
The West Coast Wilderness Lodge rooms and restaurant are open seasonally, May through October. The villas are open year-round, which gives you plenty of time for both relaxation and adventure on this corner of Canada’s Sunshine Coast.
Interested in other Sunshine Coast accommodations? Check out some of our other hotel reviews:
An Art-Filled Escape on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast
John Henry’s Resort & Marina: On the Water on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast
SunLund By-the-Sea: A Hiker’s Haven on Canada’s Sunshine Coast
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Destination British Columbia and Sunshine Coast Tourism provided support for my stay at West Coast Wilderness Lodge.
