$2500 US per couple, including transportation from Port Hardy, excursions, meals and beverages ($6000 with heli-adventures)
– With 18-foot tides, the view changes every few minutes
– The orcas, dolphins and bears were all on vacation during my visit, though I was happy to greet the sea lions, humpbacks and a seal
There are not that many places left in the world to enjoy the wilderness. There are even fewer where you can enjoy it with luxuries like personalized service, exceptional food and your own two-bedroom chalet looking out over the ocean.
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is a fly- or boat-in resort in the Great Bear Rainforest, midway up Canada’s Pacific coast. You’re surrounded by rainforest, mountains, islands, bays and fjords … and the animals that call this home.
This is the remote wilderness, yet you’re also surrounded by some of the best staff I’ve ever come across.
The resort is owned by the Murray family, managed by son Fraser and his wife Becky, and staffed by a team that truly understands hospitality. Wonder aloud about something, pose a question, sometimes even just have a look on your face — the team jumps to accommodate your needs and surpass your expectations. You might not even realize all the behind-the-scenes work going on to do this, simply thinking “oh how nice that Brianna wanted to come with me for a paddle and hike just now!”
Activities at Nimmo Bay are all included, depending on the package that you choose:
– boat excursions to see sea lions and look for humpback whales, orca, dolphins, and bears
– guided hiking, kayaking and standup paddle boarding
– snorkeling (heard of jellyfish lake in Micronesia? Try Nimmo Bay in August!)
– heli-fishing for salmon and trout in rivers shared only with bears
– other helicopter activities like hiking, beachcombing, and glacier and waterfall viewing
Also included are incredible meals by Chef Sandi Irving and featuring the “best of BC” — local ingredients like spot prawns, scallops, salmon, oysters, farmed meats, fruits and veggies, and BC wine and beer. Nosh in the floating dining room, adeptly managed by Hayley Van Wieren.
Stay in one of nine two-bedroom chalets, three by the waterfall-fed stream and six which have the tide rising and falling beneath you. Some are rustically luxurious, and others are more Cape Cod modern.
