Outer Shores Lodge invites you for an experience featuring Outer Shores' well-refined approach to balancing escape, relaxation, education, wildlife & conservation, inspiration, and connection throughout your stay at the all-inclusive ecolodge located in Bamfield, British Columbia on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
49 Michelsens Lane, Bamfield, British Columbia BC V0R 1B0 Canada
Outer Shores Lodge
36 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This was our second stay with Outer Shores but our first at Outer Shores Lodge. The first, a pre-pandemic week spent on their 72’ wooden schooner SV Passing Cloud in the Great Bear Rain Forest of British Columbia, exceeded all expectations.
Given our previous experience with Outer Shores hospitality, we had high expectations of the four nights stay at the Outer Shores Lodge in Bamfield. Our expectations were not only met but exceeded.
Our host, the principal and founder of Outer Shores, was Russ Markell, a PhD in marine life sciences, a patient and thoughtful educator when it comes to the BC marine environment and BC’s indigenous peoples as well as a magnificent inn keeper, boat handler and host. When you ‘join up’ as an Outer Shores’ guest it’s an immersive experience that leaves one well rested, well wined & dined and better educated on matters concerning our BC Coast and history.
Each day was as busy, or as relaxing, as we wanted with outings on the Zodiac to many different locations. Wildlife sightings-particularly birds-were numerous. When we wished, Bamfield or a local beach was close at hand.
We would be remiss to not mention the kitchen staff and the magic performed there. Led by Julie and Ben the food, prepared from local ingredients, was a marvel of both imagination and presentation that never failed to hit the mark. Each meal was complemented with a marvelous selection of BC Wines.
Perhaps the greatest compliment one can pay an innkeeper is to long to return one day. To this we say “We can hardly wait!”
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outer Shores Lodge is located in a significant (both historically and pre-contact) gorgeous setting on the wild water west coast of Vancouver Island. Some of us took the ferry out from Port Hardy, on a spectacular day. That trip alone is worth it. The food menu, using regionally and locally sourced supplies, is creative, really, really tasty, different every day, and again, worth the trip alone. Russ and Scott and their team work hard to ensure you are introduced to the area in a knowledgeable and respectful context; a culturally sensitive and very informative guided tour of an ancient village by a Huu-ay-aht community guide, frequent tours in the boat to see outcrops, wild vistas, bountiful wildlife, tide pools, hikes, including a reconnaissance hike along the West Coast Trail. If you want a genuine west coast experience, in a comforting context, with friends and/or family, this is it. We even saw a few sea otter, a species repopulating the area after an absence of approximately 170 years due to near extinction hunting in the 1880’s. This is pretty special moment in time, in a pretty special corner of the world.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Truly an amazing few days! From the minute we arrived at the seaplane dock where Scott was waiting for us to our final goodbyes at the same dock, our stay was perfect. The lodge itself is large and comfortable with plenty of seating and stunning views. There are binoculars on the fireplace for guests to use and fascinating books scattered around on subjects from marine biology to local history. The beds are divine...probably the most comfortable I have ever experienced outside of my own home.
The food! I could write a whole book about the glorious food lovingly prepared by Jeanne and Hugo. The wine choices by Jen were always perfect accompaniments to the menu. Every meal was a treat for the senses and in between meals, tasty snacks and treats would appear as if by magic. The Outer Shores Lodge power balls were a particular favourite.
Scott was a perfect host. Every day he would help us plan our activities for the day and then execute those plans. There is so much to do! Hiking, tide-pooling, zodiac rides along the shore looking for bears, sea lions, eagles, etc. No two days were alike and activities were as strenuous or easy as each member of our group preferred. A highlight for me was an evening spent with Keats, a Knowledge Keeper from the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. His story telling, drumming and singing touched us all deeply.
Each day ended with us climbing up the bluff next to the lodge and watching the glorious sunset. So beautiful!
One caution for seniors...you must be sufficiently fit to clamber in an out of a float plane if that is your mode of transportation, hop into and out of a zodiac and walk short distances on hilly, uneven terrain. I certainly plan on keeping myself in as good shape as possible in order to return to this incredible place again.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were fortunate to stay at Outer Shores Lodge for three nights in early June 2022. If, like us, you enjoy outdoor adventure, want to learn about British Columbia's marine environment, are curious about First Nations' long history on the coast, but also like to sleep in comfort and enjoy superb meals, then Outer Shores Lodge is the place for you. Scott and Russ, the owners, are both trained marine biologists. Scott was our leader during our stay. He has a seemingly unlimited knowledge of B.C.'s marine ecology and is a superb guide and teacher. A highlight for us was a Zodiac tour of Barkley Sound during we were lucky to see sea otters, which are in the process of recolonizing this part of the coast. We enjoyed every minute of our stay.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our Entrepreneur Organization (EO) Forum recently enjoyed a four-day retreat at Outer Shores Lodge. People ask me how things went and I always enthusiastically say "outstanding, spectacular, incredible!"
From the delicious five-star meals courtesy of Jess and Ben, to the comfortable guest rooms and beautiful views, Outer Shores Lodge delivered a memorable experience that I will not soon forget.
We especially enjoyed the activities including a tour of the remarkable Kiixin indigenous site, kayaking, beach hikes, boat tours and impromptu tidal pool science classes courtesy of our wonderful host Scott.
Bamfield is a wild, pristine little gem of a community ... I feel blessed to have experienced its gorgeous forests, rugged coastline and friendly people. Lots of fun getting there too sailing on the quaint Francis Barkley through the Port Alberni inlet.
Congratulations to both Scott and Russell for creating such an incredible experience that is Outer Shores Lodge.
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Date of stay: May 2022
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Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:all of the room are glorious! The bunk bed suite is so charming and perfect for a family.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I don't think words can capture how magical this place is. It is a glorious escape from the outside world of noise, stress, running around. And yet, we were never bored or lacking in things to do! The location is saturated with life: the ocean, verdant temperate rainforests, tide pools filled with aquatic creatures, scenic views everywhere. Not to mention bald eagles, bears, seals, whales and all sorts of living things! The hummingbirds on the porch who entertained us at breakfast. Russ is a lovely and knowledgeable guide to it all. And chef Jeannie made us feel so well cared for and deliciously fed. This is the special kind of place that makes you want to abandon your old life and be adopted into this wonderful community.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Amazingly there are NO ticks here! Some mosquitoes, but the ocean breezes keep them in check....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was one of 14 seniors who arrived at this super comfortable Outer Shores Lodge not really knowing what to expect. Every aspect of our 4 days and 4 nights in this special unspoiled place was fantastic. The daily programs were designed to meet everyone's level of ability and interest.....or we could just hang out and enjoy the magnificent views. It was a total surprise to have 5 Star meals in this remote setting. The staff, while offering an amazing food experience, were friendly and extremely approachable. Russ and Scott, the owners, who are both marine biologists, were awesome guides. They left none of our many questions about what we were seeing, either on foot or in the comfortable zodiac, unanswered. We were also treated to an informative and most encouraging encounter with the First Nations people, including the Chief, who joined us for a special dinner. Without a doubt, I want to return to this unique place on Vancouver Island, sooner than later.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Room Tip:All the rooms looked extremely comfortable. Some of the rooms would be great for a family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After our Haida Gwaii boat trip with Russell (skipper and marine biologist) on the Passing Cloud, we were very confident that the Outer Shores Lodge experience would be equally remarkable. And it was. As the only ecolodge in Bamfield (the other 13 are deep sea fishing) it hits every note. Having a intertidal “front lawn” was delightful as we could explore and learn from co-owner Scott, also a marine biologist. (Ask him about Amina, his favorite sea urchin as well as sculpin pedicures.). The temperate forest, beach, stacks, kayaking, zodiac, bears, night sky, island paths, and birds create the perfect environment to explore, muse, learn, observe and even study, as we were lucky to participate in data gathering with Russell and his wife Rebecca (marine biologist) and son Dylan on an outer island. All of this wrapped in the comfort and aesthetics of the well-appointed lodge and topped off with the jewel of Jeanne’s outstanding meals. She prepares the most delicious AND NOURISHING meals! Our after dinner evening walk on the town’s waterfront boardwalk is a fond memory. The lodge is ideal for larger groups such as family or work retreats. We happened to luck out and be the only guests during our stay and we basked in it.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Go!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outer Shore Lodge in Bamfield, BC, is a hidden gem on Vancouver Island. The lodge is nestled among towering trees and overlooks the stunning Pacific Ocean, providing a serene and picturesque setting for a getaway.
The accommodations at Outer Shore Lodge are cozy and comfortable, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay. The staff are friendly and attentive, making sure that guests have everything they need to enjoy their time at the lodge.
One of the highlights of staying at Outer Shore Lodge is the delicious and locally sourced food. The meals are expertly prepared and served in a beautiful dining room with panoramic views of the ocean.
In addition to the comfortable accommodations and delicious food, Outer Shore Lodge offers a range of activities for guests to enjoy, such as kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching. The lodge also provides guided tours of the surrounding area, giving guests the opportunity to learn more about the history and natural beauty of Bamfield.
Overall, Outer Shore Lodge is a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature. I highly recommend a stay at this peaceful and charming lodge in Bamfield, BC.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outer Shores Lodge is simply exceptional. What we loved: morning boat runs to watch bears turning over rocks and breakfasting on seafood up very close. Walks as long or short as you like to nearby beaches and coves. Zipping through the magnificent Deer Group islands watching the seals, otters, birds and other creatures. Toasting marshmallows around the fire pit on the edge of the bay in front of the lodge. Fascinating hands on biology sessions with resident Marine Biologist and host Scott. Watching sunsets up on the headland above the lodge with a mum and cub passing through one evening. Wonderful meals freshly prepared, beautifully presented and made with local ingredients. Great selection of complimentary wines and boutique beers. The lodge itself is lovely and very comfortably furnished, comfy beds, room to spread out. The visit to Huu-ay-aht First Nations was fascinating. Scott and his team did everything to ensure our stay was the best possible and there was always something to make the most of our time there which was simply not long enough so we will be back. The addition of the lovely sailboat Passing Cloud next season will be yet another drawcard. Thank you to all for the best holiday experience.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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