Shoal Bay Pub and Lodge in the Pacific Northwest

This activity would be much better named mammal watching, as there is so much more to see than just the graceful Killer Whales that constantly slip up and down Cordero Channel here at Shoal Bay. In addition to Orca, it would not be unusual to catch a glimpse of a Harbour Porpoise, a Northern Sea Lion, a Hair Seal, or my favourite, the playful Canadian River Otter.

Unquestionably one of the most beautiful of all creatures, the Killer Whale in the wild is truly breathtaking. Guests will be picked up on Shoal Bay's dock and wisked around the islands and channels by "Eagle Eyed Adventures". In high speed zodiac boats, Eagle Eyed Adventures will take you up the calm inland waterways toward Johnstone Straight and Robson Bight, where we encounter the highest concentration of Orca found anywhere in the world.

A lively and beautiful inhabitant of the reefs, inlets and islands of our coast is the Canadian River Otter. He is often confused with his large cousin the Sea Otter whose population here and elsewhere on the coast was once decimated by the fur trade but is in fact a smaller more playful variety that was for the most part spared. Brash and entertaining the River Otter makes the sea his home and has also made use of people’s sheds and cottages to have their young in! There is often a family at the lodge in the spring that move out and make way for the humans as the summer comes.

Question: Where's the biggest system of marine & terrestrial parkland on the Inside Passage north of Seattle and south of Haida Gwaiii?

Answer: The Discovery Islands archipelago with more than 12, 000 acres of park.

For many years when paddlers talked about great kayaking, invariably the name "Tofino" came up as the place to go. But these days, there are new place names being mentioned, names like Shoal Bay or Whaletown.

Why? Because these places have become popular disembarking points for touring the Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound and some of the inlets of the British Columbia mainland coast. Sea-Kayakers from around the world are recognizing this region as a first-rate paddling destination, and there are many good reasons why. For starters, no other destination can top the scenery offered by the Discovery Islands.

BC's highest mountains serve as a backdrop just to the east, in chain running the length of the continent. The beauty and drama of this range, well known to mountaineers, becomes a feast for the eye at sea level. Where else can you paddle past islands and snowcapped summits with incredible waterfalls cascading down forested mountains? The Discovery Islands, themselves a maze of forested islets, coves and bays, offer sheltered paddling as well as some adventure in negotiating the tidal currents. Additionally, consider that these Islands fall within the rain-shadow of the Vancouver Island mountains, providing the kayaker fog-free, and mostly rain-free touring during the summer months. The calm, sheltered waters of the region reach temperatures of up to 15°C, the warmest sea water north of Baja, and many of the islands are crowned with lakes which are even warmer! And the fishing is still great. Each year, more and more paddlers report catching the "big one" from their kayaks.

Unlike kayak destinations further south, the water is almost all fresh and clear. Imagine paddling up to a mountain stream bubbling out over a pebbly beach and enjoying a long cold drink on a hot day? Paddle next to a friendly seal, observe eagles by the dozen, keep an eye out for porpoises and Minke whales, watch a Black bear feasting on a lunch of mussels: the Discovery Islands are home to scores of large and small mammals, as well as a huge variety of sea and shore birds. Easy access, sheltered waters, incredible scenery...try kayaking the Discovery Islands!

The coastal regions of mainland British Columbia support one of the highest concentrations of both Black Bear and Grizzly. While kayaking or out pulling the crab traps, visitors at Shoal Bay are often treated to the sight of bears foraging naturally along the beaches opposite the Lodge.

Shoal Bay is on E. Thurlow Island and there are no bears on the island itself. Thus making our island safe for Hiking, Mt. Biking, and Exploring, however directly across from the lodge on the shores of the mainland, bears are regular visitors foraging fortender shoots and shellfish along the tidal pools. In the spring you can expect to view mothers with cubs while in the fall there will be many bears along the beaches fattening up for the winter hibernation.

Guests at Shoal Bay can also be picked up dockside by "Eagle Eyed Adventures" an eco-adventure tour company that will wisk you off in high powered sightseeing craft to get a close up view of the Whales, Bears, and other wildlife that inhabit the area.

These tours are professionally guided and are immensely popular with adults and children alike. It is often that Dad will be out salmon fishing while the rest of the family enjoy an exciting day racing across the water witnessing British Columbia's marine eco-system first hand.

hiking

Shoal Bay is home to one of the more popular hiking trails in the Discovery Islands. The over 100 year-old trail to the gold mines offers a strenuous climb through the breathtaking rainforest as well as a rewarding destination.

At the top of the “Gold Mine Trail” is a spectacular lookout that gives the hiker a panoramic view of Shoal Bay, Cordero Channel, Philips Arm, and the majestic Coast Mountains beyond. Also to be found only steps beyond the viewpoint are the abandoned shafts of the Douglas Pine Gold Mine, a productive hard rock mine that operated from the late 1800’s up until the 1940’s. Remnants of old miner’s cabins, bits of equipment, and huge amounts of discarded quartz rock are scattered around the area. The hike up to the lookout and mine area from beachfront takes about 45 minutes to an hour, however considerably less time and effort is needed for the return.

For those of you craving a leg stretch but not driven to ascend the hillside in the quest for gold, there are several shorter, more relaxing walks that encompass the areas in around Shoal Bay itself. On these more leisurely treks one can expect to see many tracks from the local residents. Deer, marten, raccoon, and wolf tracks are routinely spotted on any of the backside trails.