Could the Village of Egmont on the Sunshine Coast, soon become the “next Tofino?”
That’s the prediction from the co-owner of the West Coast Wilderness Lodge, who believes the village now has everything it needs to compete with Tofino, an ocean-front destination on Vancouver Island, famous for its sandy beaches and outdoor recreation.
“You know, the only difference between Tofino and Egmont is they’ve got that big, long beach,” says Paul Hansen, who owns the lodge with wife Patti Hansen. “But we've got beautiful oceans as well. So, we’ve just got to educate people that this is a place you can come to regardless of the time of year and still enjoy what nature gives us.”
Visiting the Coast year-round just got a whole lot easier with 20 new self-catering vacation rental units open at the lodge, in addition to the seasonal accommodation at Heritage Lodge, which has been in operation since 1997. Hansen says it took almost seven years to get the permissions needed from the Sunshine Coast Regional District to see “Villas on the Inlet by West Coast Wilderness Lodge,” become a reality. Two of the four new buildings are complete with 650-square-foot suites available to rent, while the remaining two are scheduled to open in early November.
Perched 100 feet above the water, each spacious suite features a fully equipped kitchen, a separate king-sized bedroom, large bathroom, living area with a sofa bed, and a generous waterfront balcony, which is where guests can enjoy dinner with a view, which could include some whale watching depending on the time of year. Hansen notes the additional accommodation, makes the lodge an ideal place for weddings and corporate events.
“This is a unique addition to the Sunshine Coast as a whole, because this is the first sort of hospitality extension or new additions that we've had in quite some time,” says Hansen. “And for us here at Egmont, it will allow people, instead of just coming and leaving, because there's so little accommodation up here, they can actually stay. It could be actually a game changer, because without hotel beds, you don't have people staying. If they don't stay, they can't enjoy going fishing or hiking or kayaking or on tours or whatever else they want to do.”
Less than an hour from Sechelt, the village itself is popular for its natural beauty, rugged wilderness and laid-back culture. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Egmont is famous as the home of world renowned Skookumchuck Narrows, where, as the tide changes and the flow of salt water reverses, the difference in water levels between the two sides of the rapids can sometimes exceed nine feet. With 200 billion gallons of water rushing through the narrows, Skookumchuck is considered one oft the greatest whitewater wonders of the world.
Guided tours of Princess Louisa Inlet, fishing excursions, kayaking, jet skiing, wildlife viewing and whale watching are just some of the recreation options that can be arranged through West Coast Wilderness Lodge’s new Egmont Adventure Centre, scheduled to open in 2025. The new 8,000-square-foot centre is located within a former salmon-processing plant and has space for up to 200 people, 2,500 square feet of meeting space, and a new spa, gym and pool for visitors to enjoy.
Hansen says the diving scene in Egmont is also spectacular and notes famed oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau, once recognized the area as being one of the best cold-water diving sites in the world.
“So, hopefully we can encourage the diving operators to look at Egmont as a destination. We do get divers up here, and I'm a diver, so I know that the diving up here is second to none,” he says.
Hansen notes visiting Egmont and staying in one of the lodges’ waterfront suites during the winter months, offers a unique experience — especially with a well-appointed kitchen designed for guests to bring in groceries of their own.
“They can bring a few books, hiking boots, a couple of bottles of wine and enjoy the quiet, the views of the water and ocean, and spend some time in nature,” says Hansen. “Winter here is about solitude, which is exactly what makes it special. It's also a time to connect with nature in its most peaceful state.” From May to October, guests staying at Villas on the Inlet can also dine at the lodge’s Inlets Restaurant with its celebrated five-course dinner. There are also several year-round pubs and dining options in the village. Starting in summer 2025, the lodge will also be home to a waterfront bistro with a private dock for both float planes and boats. Additionally, a former salmon-processing plant is being repurposed to house the Egmont Adventure Centre, along with an 8,000 square foot space for up to 200 people, 2,500 square feet of meeting space, and a new spa, gym and pool for visitors to enjoy.
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