April Point Resort & Spa, Quadra Island

Location

April Point sits on the shores of unspoilt Quadra Island, the largest of the Discovery Islands archipelago, in the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia. The island is reached via a 10-minute ferry ride from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. There’s also a free water taxi service direct to the Lodge itself from its sister resort, Painter’s Lodge. Flights are available from Vancouver to Campbell River, and airport pick-up can be arranged. Alternatively, take the ferry from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo and drive the 90 minutes from there to Campbell River/Painter’s Lodge.

Accommodation

The resort began life as a camp, serving fishermen attracted by the some of the best salmon fishing in the world. Expanded and renovated throughout, accommodation at the Resort now comes in rooms, suites, and even private houses. Guests can choose between a harbourside or ocean view of Discovery Passage while the array of suites sleep up to four people, with some featuring private decks and Jacuzzis. At the top of the range, private houses run from single-bed “cottage in the woods” to spacious four-bedroom affairs with wraparound decks, hot tubs and BBQs.

Dining

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served in the Resort’s oceanfront dining room, with its spectacular views and indoor/outdoor seating options. There’s also a bar menu available daily between 3pm and 5pm and drinking hours extend daily beyond dinner. The emphasis is on fresh local ingredients, with seafood and sustainably sourced meats to the fore. Tuesday evenings feature live music, while Thursday is oyster night, with fresh local oysters shucked before your eyes. Guests also have access via free water taxi to the dining options at sister resort Painter’s Lodge: gourmet West Coast cooking at Legends Dining Room (which also offers Sunday brunch) and the more casual atmosphere of the Tyee Pub.

Facilities

April Point Resort is the perfect base for exploring the environment and its wildlife, with a wealth of options on offer. Grizzly bear tours are available between late August and early October, and Quadra Island is also ideally located for whale watching, with clans of orcas living in or migrating through Discovery Passage throughout the year. Zodiac tours will take you around the Discovery Islands in search of sea lions, black bears, dolphins and eagles. Elsewhere you can ride through the ocean white water of Arron Rapids or take a pedal boat or kayak on to the calmer waters of the harbour. You can also explore the island via bicycle, or enter the peaceful haven of the Aveda Spa and choose from its extensive menu of treatments and therapies.