Outer Islands and Mainland Inlets

The Outer Discovery Islands and nearby Mainland Inlets are an off the beaten path delight of chisel.ed fjords and forest-clad islands, a land where the salmon run, the eagles soar and the grizzly bears roam. Tucked between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, it’s a mostly untouched expanse of wilderness whose lodges, marinas, parks and breathtaking scenery are only accessible by boat or float plane.

By boat
There's no scheduled ferry service to the outer Discovery Islands so you'll need your own boat or hire a water taxi to get to your destination. Campbell River has two companies that offer water taxi services into the islands.

By seaplane
Another option for getting in is by float plane with year-round connections to Campbell River and summer flights from Vancouver and Seattle. Many of the lodges are part of scheduled service and the companies can usually schedule a drop-off/pick-up at other locations, although expect to pay more. Note that some destinations do not have a marina or dock so the drop-off/pick-up is plane to boat.



See
Nature is the main attraction with some spectacular scenery and excellent opportunities to see wildlife.


 * The coastal inlets, pushing up to 80 km into the Coast Mountains, are dramatic with a background of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls plunging over steep cliff faces.

Wildlife
Wildlife is abundant in the Outer Discovery Islands and one of its most popular attractions. The opportunity to see grizzly bears in their natural habitat is the main draw, but many other animals — such as eagles, black bears, sea lions, porpoises and orcas — make their home here or pass through. Viewing is seasonal though, so if you have your sights set on a particular animal, keep the following dates in mind:


 * Blacks Bears - will forage along the shoreline in spring and early summer, more uncommon after that as they move higher in the mountains for food
 * Grizzly Bears - also forage along the shoreline in spring and then gather at the rivers in late Aug thru Oct to feed on returning salmon
 * Eagles - commonly seen, particularly in spring and early summer
 * Orcas - occasional sightings throughout period, but more common in mid to late summer
 * Sea Lions - early spring & fall

Do

 * Fishing is a very popular activity and several lodges in the islands cater to it, as well as operators in Campbell River. Salmon fishing is the main attraction with five species of Pacific salmon present. Halibut, lingcod and rockfish can also be fished. For most species, there are restrictions on the number of fish and size that can be kept, and caught fish can only be kept at certain times of the year (e.g., chinook can typically be kept in spring and coho in fall). The exact dates vary from year to year so confirm with your fishing operator or check the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website. Fishing in BC requires a licence — some lodges will arrange it for you, while others will expect you to arrange it yourself prior to arrival — so it is best to confirm this detail before arriving.

Buy
Limited food supplies are available from general stores. If you're camping, it's best to stock up before you head off into the islands.



Eat
Eating options are limited and, unless you have your own boat to travel around, will be determined by your choice of accommodation. Many lodges have restaurants and provide meals as part of the vacation. Lodges that don't have restaurants usually have shared cooking facilities or cabins with kitchens.

Sleep
There isn't much accommodation in the Outer Islands but it's surprisingly varied. Options range from wilderness camping with no facilities to fishing lodges to a posh all-inclusive resort (with options in between).

Camping
There are many small and hidden spots for wilderness camping throughout the islands. There are no facilities and you are expected to practice "leave no trace" camping. Private camping facilities or camping in provincial parks are noted below.



Lodges
If you don't have your own boat and you want to stay overnight in the islands, then you're looking at one of the lodges.