Cabana Desolation Eco Resort is a comfortably designed, exclusive eco resort located on an uninhabited island in the heart of Desolation Sound, British Columbia, Canada. Warm Pacific waters, lively marine wildlife and towering Coast Mountains provide an awesome setting for a truly unique experience on the west coast of British Columbia. Inspired by the eco lodgings of Costa Rica and designed and constructed with a west coast flare, Cabana Desolation is a place to relax, enjoy wonderful foods from an on-site chef, and to explore one of the world's most beautiful settings. Packages are available for those seeking guided sea kayak trips as well as for those who simply want to chill and immerse in the majestic scenery of Desolation Sound. All packages include kayaks, stand up paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, freshly created food and thoughtful service. Join us at Cabana Desolation Eco Resort for an experience that is unique, wonderful, relaxing and adventurous.
We were 2 families who are outdoorsy but have essentially never kayaked before; we have 5 kids aged 8 to 19. We’ve all travelled fairly widely but every single one of us including the teenagers found our stay at Cabana sea kayaking exceeding their expectations. We kayaked 4 out of 5 days, experienced a broad range of conditions and felt like we really challenged ourselves—our guides Kyle and Desiree pitched it at just the right level for us. One day we all went out for a hike, leaving our 8 year old behind—-Kyle spent the afternoon building a fort in the forest with him. Just incredible attention to our needs. Meals by Steve were mostly local/regional products, which were prepared/presented inventively and (secretly) very healthy. Even the lunches out on paddling trips were varied and tasty. The accommodations do qualify as “glamping”—-but in a good way. The buildings and walkways are all kept up really well so they look almost new (not easy in a climate like this). The cabins have no electricity or heat but there are comfy memory foam beds, candles for light in the evenings, hot coffee served in bed in the mornings and the shoreline is just 20 metres outside through mesh windows. There are hot showers which are a little finicky but more than adequate for the situation. Again, it’s just right—-it’s really comfortable but not so fussy that you feel you are in some generic hotel room. You feel like you are in the woods on the coast of British Columbia. You could wish for a spa or a gym but that would be completely missing the point. What you get is a very well supported and satisfying experience of kayaking in Desolation Sound delivered by a really wonderful team of people.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip 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.
Four girlfriends embarked to a magical place in the islands of British Columbia and had the most marvelous time at Cabana Desolation Eco Resort. We chose the 5 day kayak trip out of Powell River Sea Kayaks, and 5 days were definitely not enough! Kinghorn Island is a beautiful central destination to do day trips to surrounding islands. Our guides Robin and M.J. expertly and safely led us out every day when the weather allowed it and made sure everyone had the skill level by giving instruction. The meals were gourmet farm to table from local producers in Powell River, cooked by Chef Emily and were outstanding. We were fortunate enough to be grouped with 8 other people who became friends by the end of the trip as we all kayaked and ate together. The accommodations were beyond glamping with comfy beds, running water, propane showers and flush toilets. Even French pressed coffee delivery in the morning and stunning sunsets at night. Make sure you kayak in and out if you're able. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Choose the double cabana (share a wall) if you are travelling with another couple or friends.
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 have read the reviews on this site and advise you to do the same as there is some good advice in some reviews that can help to make your trip the best it can be! This is a rather longer review than normal, but this is an unusual trip and planning is essential.
COVID: I will start by saying that this trip is great for travel during Covid. You are out of doors the entire time (and with limited numbers of guests and a good covid plan in place), you feel safe.
Numbers: The maximum number of guests is 10 with three staff (two guides and one chef). We were a party of 4 with two other couples. Both couples were fantastic and were a significant part of making a great holiday.
Staff: We had Graeme as our lead guide and MP as assistant with Emily as chef. This is a wilderness adventure so the quality and skill of your guides is paramount. Graeme is a very competent lead and you can rest assured that you are in good hands. We discussed his training and first aid experience and it was reassuring. MP was quiet supporting and very capable as well.
Fitness: Fitness for this trip is a must. Although we were an older group (71, 67, 63 and 60) we are modestly fit and were up to paddling 65 km in 5 days. It is possible to paddle less and take transport on day 1 for a nominal charge if you do not feel you are up to it, so "worry pas". Wind and weather can be a factor, but the guides are careful to make sure you are only out in reasonable winds. That being said, Mother Nature can have other ideas. The shoreline is rugged and you must be prepared to carry kayaks over uneven terrain during low tide.
Food: Morning coffee is GREAT! Breakfast is not until 9 but you can ask for a wee something with coffee (fruit and nuts). The food is varied and well done. Emily baked every day and made great salads and my favourite were the fish dishes. If you like desserts, you will be thrilled at the offerings and her cookies and banana breads were excellent. (You can bring your own wine and there are options for sale on site).
Weather: Obviously weather can make a significant difference on your holiday and we were so fortunate to have had 5 days of sun!
Lastly, I gave this a 5 star as it is a wonderful resort and experience with great people. Usually a 5 star would have your own bathroom, but this is a eco resort on a remote island so I took that into account.
Enjoy
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:they are all the same!
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 booked a trip to the Cabana Desolation Eco Resort at the last minute. I was extremely lucky that a space was available but I’m sure it’s only due to Covid-19 and the fact that there is no international travel. I myself was supposed to be in France but wow was I happy to have this wonderful opportunity instead. I’ve kayaked a few times but am not a kayaker (I think I am now!!) but chatting with Adam put me at ease. I did the guided kayaking option so actually packed my belongings into the kayak and paddled to Kinghorn Island and the resort. It was a beautiful start to a fantastic trip. Such a gorgeous area of our amazing province. I’ve Always wanted to see Desolation Sound and now I’m positive the best way to do that is by Kayak. The resort is so well done too. Spotlessly clean open air dining area spotlessly clean cabanas with very comfy supportive foam beds sinks and showers and shared flush toilets. Glamping at its best. One of my favourite treats was the morning coffee delivery at a civilized hour followed by breakfast about an hour later. Although our group did amazing paddle filled days there was always time to relax overlooking the water or swinging in a hammock or sitting at one of the beaches. Swimming in the pleasant water, snorkelling and hiking were also a lot of fun. There was time for everything. Our guides, Desire and Graham were kind, informative very hard working and a lot of fun. Can’t say enough good things. Emily our chef, managed to build back up our calories (we burned a lot during the day) with wonderful fresh and local food, tons of fresh herbs and her signature flower petals. We were very pampered, she even provided the ingredients for s’mores at our campfire!! I can’t recommend the resort enough. If you like action, adventure, good food, good company, incredible scenery combined with a dash of relaxation - this is the place for you!!
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip 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.
Our 5 day / 4 night trip was amazing. The food was all excellent, gourmet farm to table meals most of which was grown locally. The two kayaking guides were kind, engaging, knowledgeable and encouraging when the paddling was hard. We just loved having warm, comfy beds and flush toilets while kayaking in beautiful Desolation Sound. We brought our 10 year old and he loved it - but I am not sure it would be ideal for a younger kid. The guides were fantastic with him. It is on an island so limited fresh water but that wasn’t a problem at all. Other guests brought wine to have - but there is some local wine / beer / cider available. We did take the motor boat to and from the lodge as we weren’t sure how our 10 year old would do with the long paddle. It was nice - but only left us with 3 days of paddling.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:It was great for our 10 year old but I don’t think much younger would be ideal.
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.
Cabana Desolation has a spectacular location In Desolation Sound on an old growth island. The log buildings are exceptional eco creations, with great care taken to perfect every design detail. We were served delicious local foods....even with quite a number of food restrictions. I think I ate more in five days then I have over the past three months! There was extra pampering with morning coffee in your room. The staff were outgoing, thoughtful, conscientious and fun! Every day was a new experience with a variety of kayaking routes. We had intermittent rain for four out of days which didn't seem to matter, although, our clothes had a dampish feel. For those who love creature comforts while being in a remote location, this is the holiday for you.
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Date of stay: June 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:The double cabana was exceptional because it had a sink and shower right inside the room. Loved...
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 just came back from Cabana, 2 adults, 2 kids (with very limited experience kayaking). We used 2 double kayaks to go to island and back, the kids used single once or twice on day trips. The cabins are amazingly comfortable and enough away from each others not to hear other couples conversations. We used the family cabana. The toilets are so clean and well design feels like being in a luxury log cabin. If all fancy restaurant in Vancouver had such clean toilet would be great. The food that Chef steve prepared was so delicious even one picky eater finished her plate every time. Never felt hungry but was looking forward to meal time after swimming and kayaking for sure. The atmosphere between people on that adventure was really lovely. It was nice to have social time but also the resort is built in a way that there are many spots to be on your own. For a first time socialising in a while it was the perfect setting. The Guides were super pro: kind, patient and directing our little diverse group with great skills. For us it was five star experience, comfortable bed, great food, outdoorsy, good company. We saw bald eagles, swam with seals, and watch whales go by at sunset for one hour, paddled to remote beaches, admired the 360 view on Desolation sound in total silence...if this is not the definition of Bliss don't know what is! Don't wait just book it!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Family cabana was great for our 2 adults 2 kids group
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.
Ecocabana kayak excursion was definitely the best kayak trip ever. The resort is thoughtfully designed and beautifully maintained. Having a shower and one’s personal sink complete with hot water was a luxury. The cabins all had screened windows looking out to the ocean so we went to sleep to the sound of the waves lapping at the shore and even woke one morning to whale sounds. Coffee was delivered to our cabins each morning. The guide we had could nit have been more attentive, knowledgeable and congenial and the chef treated us to gourmet meals from locally sourced ingredients. SUPs, yoga matts and wetsuits with snorkels were available for our use. Desolation Sound is a stunning part of the world remote from civilization and to be able to experience it from the comfort of the cabanas was a special treat! Kudos to all the staff!
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Date of stay: June 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:There are only 6 cabins, 4 with queen beds and 2 with double. They were equally nice
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 group of 6 friends just returned from the best kayaking trip ever at this pristine, wilderness, hideaway, complete with cozy cabins and fantastic meals. The resort is truly beautiful and nature surrounds you on this quiet, private island. The rooms were both thoughtfully and tastefully designed with your comfort in mind. Hot shower, rooms with a view, and all using eco-friendly measures.
The staff were warm and welcoming. Calvin and Evelyn, our kayaking guides were extremely knowledgeable about the area, attentive, and very considerate of guest's limits on our kayaking adventures. Their calm and chill nature was very welcome on a very wavy, white cap day, as we approached Cortez Island! We appreciated their respect of nature, to keep away from scaring seals and also to Calvin, for cleaning up some old oyster netting that could potentially harm wildlife.
Esme, our chef, was truly talented at creating the meals for us. They were not only delicious and healthy, but also very beautifully presented, definitely her own style of artwork. We appreciated every single meal that she served to us, and the packed lunches were excellent as well. Thanks also to our kayaking guides who brought coffee to our cabana every morning, and also helped Esme prepare and make the meals, as well as doing baking too! Calvin, your zucchini muffins were excellent, and Evelyn, your chocolate chip cookies were to die for after a morning of paddling!
I would high recommend this resort to anyone who loves nature, kayaking, and great food!
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Location
Service
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 am so glad we decided to get out of our backyard and discover this little gem! So close yet so far removed from the craziness that is this year.
It was our first time into Desolation Sound and Cabana Eco Resort allowed us to experience just a bit of its' beauty. It was lovely be out in nature, to hear the ocean at night, and to just chill for a few days. I would do one more day next time!
Our guides who were actually our hosts,Kyle and Dan ensured we were well looked after and safe and they shared their passion for kayaking and the area surrounding the resort. And, they provided a few good laughs too which is always a must for us.
Chef Steve made healthy, creative and delicious meals using local ingredients. I was happy that he stepped out of the kitchen to proudly explain all the ingredients and how he crafted the plates.
After experiencing the efforts made to ensure guest comfort and provide great guest service I can totally understand why all three spoke so highly about working for Adam and Laurie who own and run Cabana Desolation. After a career in Hotels I can honestly say that they get it and should be proud of what they have created on Kinghorn Island. It was a pleasure to meet them both as well.
Thank you for letting us come to your beautiful backyard.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Location
Service
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.
Hi there, these are great questions! We’ll try to answer them all briefly here.
1/ There are many ways - both directly and indirectly - that we strive to support the local community. Employment of local people (see below) is one of these, but some other examples include:
- Working with local farms and business wherever possible to provide fresh meats and produce for both our eco resort and sea kayaking tours.
- Working with local business where possible to help service our resort and sea kayaking operations.
- The use of locally milled woods and other materials in the construction of the facilities at the resort.
- Patronage and monetary donations to numerous local organizations and non-profits in the Powell River community as individuals and as a company.
2/ Despite being a seasonal resort with diverse and specialized employment positions, we can proudly boast that each year well over half of our employees - from our office staff to our Cabana cooks to our guiding team - live in the Powell River area full time. In 2019 for example, this number was over 70%.
Furthermore, the majority of those that don’t call Powell River home for the entire year have been working with Powell River Sea Kayak and Cabana Desolation for multiple seasons (some up to 10 years in a row!).
We understand the importance of employing local people for both the health of the local community and creating a healthy and committed work environment. When considering employees for positions each season - all things being equal - preference is of course given to local applicants.
Finally, our local ownership have been operating as a sea kayaking company in Desolation Sound since 1995 and have deep roots and connections to the Powell River community!
3/ There are many ways that we strive to help preserve the natural environment as a company and a resort. The following are taken directly from a relevant page on our website:
- comfortable rooms and intriguing common areas that reflect local designs and heritage
- a natural setting that has been carefully preserved to retain the indigenous landscape
- use of sustainably harvested and/or recycled building materials
- locally grown and harvested foods
- use of renewable energy and creative means to reduce consumption
- use of environmentally sensitive systems for water and disposal of waste water
- employing local staff and guides as well as local ownership to provide natural and cultural experiences
If you have any further questions, please contact us directly at info@bcseakayak[.]com and we will be happy to answer!
We are modelled after more tropical-like eco resorts and therefore we operate seasonally from late May to mid-September.Although we are an open-air eco resort, with cozy comforters, wool blankets, sheep skins and a fire pit in the lounge area, we fair very well in the rain!
There are more places to choose from in the Powell River area.
LOCATION
CanadaBritish ColumbiaSunshine CoastPowell River
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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