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  • Grizzly Bear Viewing Platform at Klahoose Wilderness Resort

    Klahoose Wilderness Resort

Authentic Indigenous Business
Vancouver Coast & Mountains
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Klahoose Wilderness Resort

Klahoose Wilderness Resort is an exceptional Indigenous cultural experience in the heart of British Columbia’s Desolation Sound, situated within the traditional territory of the Klahoose Nation. This 100% Indigenous-owned eco-resort features a distinctive, off-the-grid retreat for those in pursuit of an authentic wilderness adventure. Positioned along a secluded channel known as ‘Thee chum mi yich’ (Homfray Channel), the resort presents four-night, all-inclusive packages featuring spring bear tours, grizzly bear viewing amidst the fall salmon run, and captivating cultural and wildlife encounters on the lands of the toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) People. Guests have the opportunity to engage with Indigenous guides who generously share legends, stories, language, and songs while leading immersive nature and cultural expeditions within one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests.

Designated Authentic Indigenous

Owned by Klahoose First Nation, offering wildlife and cultural tours, continuing ancestral commitment to  toq qaymɩxʷ lands and waters, with an emphasis on sustainability, local and Indigenous economy, and toq qaymɩxʷ culture and values.

Authentic Indigenous recognizes Klahoose Wilderness Adventures for continuing the ancestral toq qaymɩxʷ commitment to the preservation, conservation, and protection of oceans, wilderness, marine, and terrestrial life, as well as the local community. With an emphasis on clean energy and the environment, local and Indigenous economy, employment, and wellness, Klahoose Wilderness Tours reflects toq qaymɩxʷ culture and values.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort Indigenous-owned Klahoose Wilderness Resort in Desolation Sound

Klahoose Wilderness Adventures, owned by the Klahoose First Nation, offers grizzly bear viewing tours and immersive marine and terrestrial wildlife viewing throughout the traditional lands of the toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) People. toq qaymɩxʷ lands span from Cortes Island, opposite Quadra Island near Campbell River, to Toba Inlet. Working with neighbours of the ʔop qaymɩxʷ (Homalco), kwɑːkjʊtəl (Kwakiutl), and ɬəʔamɛn qaymɩxʷ (Tla’amin) Nations, Klahoose Wilderness Adventures tours are primarily led by χʷɛmaɬkʷu guides. These guides are culturally trained and share legends, stories, language, and songs. While the focus on eco-adventure tours from May through August shifts to grizzly viewing tours from August until October, their commitment to stewardship and community weaves through everything they do.

Culture

Most cultural interpreters at Klahoose WIlderness resort are from Klahoose First Nation and share toq qaymɩxʷ language, values, traditions, and history. Staff and cultural content from Homalco, Kwakiutl, and Tla’amin Nations support visitors’ understanding of local life and history. Klahoose culture informs all marine and terrestrial tourism and offers opportunities to view orca and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, seals, bears, and eagles. These guided tours provide Klahoose interpretation of the history of Toba Inlet. Traditional food gathering and harvesting with delicacies from the Salish Sea, local farms, and foraged items inspire the menu at Klahoose Wilderness Resort. Cultural activities and excursions available to guests at the resort include drum making, cedar weaving, and storytelling.

Klahoose Wilderness Resort people on dock Sauna on dock at Klahoose Wilderness Resort - Credit: Dolf Vermeulen

Community

Klahoose WIlderness Adventures prioritizes local and Indigenous partnerships, products, and employment. With more than 20 local suppliers and an all-Indigenous staff, this contribution to the local economy supports regional coastal communities, artists, and Indigenous Peoples. Their investment in the local community also includes creating mentorship opportunities for Indigenous youth for careers in tourism, including the Heart Ambassador Program. In addition, Klahoose First Nation and Klahoose Wilderness Adventures activity and economy are committed to investments in glacier, watershed, and ocean health research to benefit the environment and the overall wellness of the local community.

TobaInlet Boat Tour Bear photographers

Sustainability

Beyond a commitment to the community as a measure in support of sustainability, Klahoose Wilderness Resort employs many forward-thinking tactics to honour the legacy of Klahoose ancestors’ dedication to resource management. This legacy inspires the off-the-grid resort to produce its power and share the excess within the Territory. Tours of their clean energy hydro system are available to guests. Klahoose Wilderness Resort also charges a conservation fee and shares part of this fee with the Commercial Bear Viewing Association for bear conservation. There are no plastic bottles at the resort–each guest receives a reusable water bottle to avoid single-use plastics in toq qaymɩxʷ lands.

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