Klahoose Wilderness Resort, an all-inclusive retreat on the shores of Desolation Sound’s Homfray Channel, offers a serene escape where wildlife provides the soundtrack and Indigenous guides recount tales of old. Accessible only by air or water, the resort collected guests by boat from Lund, B.C., a small coastal town on the Sunshine Coast at the end of Highway 101. After a scenic hour-long cruise through Desolation Sound, past lush coastal islands on glassy, glacier-fed waters, visitors arrive at a bay featuring a cedar lodge, cabins, a dock bright with colourful kayaks, and a cedar sauna—the only human structures in sight.
Wildlife Encounters and Natural Beauty
The quiet was what surprised one guest the most. Reading in bed one morning, the sound of waves lapping at the shoreline made them look out, expecting a boat. Instead, a mother orca and her calf cruised past, the little one breaching in joyful bursts. Over four days, guests unwind on the water and in the rainforests, taking in breathtaking wildlife and natural beauty of British Columbia’s southwest coast. Activities include kayaking, hiking, and boat trips to Toba Inlet, where orca sightings are common.
Cultural Immersion with Klahoose First Nation
The resort sits deep within the traditional territory of the Klahoose First Nation, who have fished and traversed these waters for thousands of years. The Klahoose are closely connected to the neighbouring Tla’amin and Homalco “sister nations,” sharing an ancestral language and cultural heritage. The Klahoose acquired this former fishing lodge and opened it as a reimagined resort in 2021. It has collected a string of accolades, including sustainability awards and coveted spots on best-of eco-lodge lists, reflecting both the resort’s off-grid sustainability efforts and its deep commitment to Indigenous programming.
Guests gather in the main lodge on their first morning for a safety briefing (bear bells encouraged while hiking!), a welcome song, and a sit-down with the resort’s 23-year-old cultural interpreter and Klahoose First Nation member, Coral Delorme. “I wanted to see my family here, and learn my culture,” Delorme said quietly, hands moving with practiced ease as she braided two long pieces of red and yellow cedar bark. Delorme resides on nearby Cortes Island’s Squirrel Cove, home base for the Klahoose community, when not working at the resort.
Accommodations and Amenities
Accommodations include four lodge rooms in the main building, each with water views and a private deck, comfortably furnished with contemporary Indigenous art on the walls and accent pieces. Three cedar cabins, a short stroll from the main lodge, sleep larger groups. Room amenities include Wi-Fi, robes, Nespresso machines, and soap made locally by Indigenous-owned RavenSong Soap. Three daily meals are prepared from fresh, local ingredients and taken communally around a long table. Guests can decompress in the sauna, nap without guilt, and finish a book—phones only come out for pictures.
Sustainability and Off-Grid Operations
The resort’s off-grid sustainability efforts include solar power, rainwater collection, and waste reduction initiatives. These practices have earned it recognition from eco-tourism organizations, cementing its reputation as a leader in sustainable Indigenous tourism. The all-inclusive packages cover meals, activities, and cultural programming, offering a unique blend of luxury and wilderness immersion.
