Memories made fresh here daily
One hundred-ten miles northwest of Vancouver, British Columbia, the sea extends inland. This waterway, the Bute Inlet, is secluded and beautiful, flanked by steep rocky slopes carpeted with lush old-growth forest, and dotted with islands. One of these, Stuart Island, is the site of Orca Point and its companion facility, Arran Point. In a rugged landscape sculpted by prehistoric glaciers, the mainland nearby Stuart island is the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact stand of temperate rainforest on Earth. The combination of ocean salt air and the fresh scent of fir and cedar is invigorating. As a place to relax and play, the area is unparalleled.
Recreation
The Stuart Island area is renowned for salt water fishing, particularly for large salmon, including the legendary Tyee– Chinook weighing over 30 pounds. Expert local guides and our fleet of fully equipped fishing boats do their best to ensure success. Fishing quality naturally varies with seasonal migrations.
Saltwater Fishing
Skilled local guides take you where the big ones are. Excellent for eating, salmon are the chief object of interest. Chinook, or King, the largest of the Salmonids, have reached 80 lbs. in local waters. They can be caught year round. Coho, also known as Silver or Blueback, are surface fighters and acrobats (catch and release only, May-October). Sockeye, a delicious prize, are only around in summer. Chum salmon are an abundant surface jumper in the fall and great for smoking. Pink salmon, or humpys, spawn in rivers, returning every other year. Other salt water species include ling cod and the occasional halibut.
Wildflower Golf Course
The course was cleverly constructed after katabatic winds blew down a swath of trees. Designed by the noted Robert Trent Jones Jr, Wildflower is his only private 9-hole course. Wildflower offers challenging par 31 play, with several par 4 holes. The course is everywhere scenic; Hole Number 3 overlooks Arran Rapids from 400 feet above. Guests enjoy using our provided top of the line equipment.
River Fishing
Local rivers are not far from their origins in high country snowpack, and provide clear, cold fresh water ideal for salmonids. Under light fishing pressure, they respond well to flies or spin gear. Knowledgeable local guides take you upriver to where the good spots are, and will recommend the best patterns or lures for the day. The usual cast of feisty characters—salmon, rainbow, steelhead and bull trout — provide hours of entertainment. Success is limited to seasonal migrations and river levels.
Jet Boat Eco Tour
A front-row-seat excursion to gain comprehension of this unique natural area is an absolute must. The area’s archipelago, comprising pristine old-growth coastal rainforest, rugged glacial geology, ocean tides and beaches, provides the backdrop for teeming wildlife populations in air, sea, and on land. A naturalist guide takes you on a tour of the best places and sights, and points out awe-inspiring facts and features that will make your visit even more enjoyable.
Grizzly Boat Tours (Seasonal)
This is your opportunity to see the legendary Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos ssp.). The tributary rivers to the Bute Inlet create prime habitat for Grizzly. Your guided journey by boat takes you to where Grizzlies can be spotted and photographed in the open along these rivers, where they gather to fish for salmon or feed on succulent plants, berries, and roots. The richness of this diet accounts for the generally larger size of coastal Grizzlies compared to inland subspecies.
Helicopter Glacier Tours
Go for a remarkable aerial view of glistening glaciers in the highlands above Stuart Island. Icy blue tarns, classic cirques, other geologic formations of the Bute Inlet were sculpted during past ice ages, and vast snowfields and ancient glaciers remain today.
M/Y St. Eval
The M/Y St. Eval, an elegantly restored 1930 tugboat, is available for scenic and luncheon cruises. Once a common Scottish working tug in the age of sail and steam, St. Eval attended some of the greatest ships of the 20th Century, from the last of the tall ships to mighty warships and famous ocean liners. By chance, she was spared being scrapped and has been transformed into a charming and picturesque motor yacht, bearing an illustrious history.
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