JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
Getting to Kyuquot, BC.
Getting to Sea Otter Lodge in Kyuquot, BC.
Kyuquot is a remote, boat-access village on the rugged northwest coast of Vancouver Island, surrounded by rainforest, ocean, and islands. It's off the beaten path—and that’s part of what makes it so special.
By Road + Boat // Most Popular Option
The easiest and most flexible way to reach us is by car followed by a scenic boat ride. From Vancouver, take the ferry to Nanaimo (from either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen), then drive north along Highway 19, past Campbell River. A few minutes after passing Woss, turn left onto the Zeballos Forest Service Road—a wide, well-maintained gravel road. Follow the signs to Fair Harbour.
Your drive ends in Fair Harbour, where you’ll find paid parking, boat moorage, gas, propane, and a small general store. This is where we pick up our guests for a 35-minute boat ride to the lodge.
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Travel north up the Island to Campbell River, roughly 2 hours on Highway 19. As it's your last stop for big-store resources, we suggest picking up last-minute supplies such as groceries, booze, etc. Get back on the Island Highway (Highway 19) for another 45 minutes to Sayward Co-op gas station. This is your second last stop for gas along the route to Kyuquot. Sayward offers fuel, plus a small grocery store, liquor store and restaurants for lunch. You can also stop at the Woss for fuel, but it may be a little more expensive.
After you drive 15 minutes north past Woss, you’ll reach the Fair Harbour Service Road which is a gravel road on the left side that leads you through Zeballos to Fair Harbour. You’re going to travel 72 km along the gravel road. You’ll pass around the town of Zebellos unless you make a detour to stop for a visit, and continue along to Fair Harbour. There are a few forks in the road, be aware to follow all the signage pointing to Zebellos or Fair Harbour. Once you’ve arrived in Fair Harbour, you’re almost there! This is where you will park your vehicle, meet our boat or unload your own boat.
From Fair Harbour, you’re roughly a 35-minute boat ride away from Kyuquot Sound.
Please note, cell & internet service along the journey is spotty. Past Campbell River you lose cell service until either Sayward or Woss. Sayward is spotty connection that works for some cell phone users. You receive a more stable connection in Woss. After Woss, you lose all service until you arrive at the lodge with internet. Make sure you confidently know the way before you lose service. Loading maps for offline use is a good tip.
By Air (Scheduled or Charter Flights)
For a quicker journey, Air Nootka offers scheduled floatplane service from Gold River to Kyuquot three times a week, plus daily charter flights. You can also charter a floatplane directly from Vancouver to our lodge dock—ask us, and we’ll help you arrange it.
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Travelling by air to Vancouver or YVR, you have several choices for arriving on Vancouver Island. Here are two recommendations:
1. Connecting flight direct to Comox
2. Rent a vehicle for a scenic ferry trip to Vancouver Island.
The easiest route is a connecting flight from YVR to Comox which is a short 40 minutes. Comox has waterfront pubs & restaurants for dining and nice hotels for an overnight stay before travelling to the lodge.
If you choose to drive for a scenic route, the closest ferry to YVR is the Tswwassen - Duke Point Ferry. The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry also quickly connects you north on Highway 19 once on Vancouver Island. There are multiple ferries every day all season long.
We highly recommend purchasing a two-way ferry reservation to secure your spots on your desired sailings. Whichever ferry you choose, once you arrive on Vancouver Island, find your way to Highway 19 and travel north to Comox where we will pick up all-inclusive guests for direct shuttle to lodge.
Lodge rental guests who drive themselves will go past Comox towards Campbell River; and then simply follow the directions we’ve provided above for the North Island travel.
By Sea (MV Uchuck III)
Looking for a truly unique experience? Hop aboard the MV Uchuck III, a historic working vessel that departs Gold River every Thursday, delivering freight and passengers to West Coast communities. It’s a slower trip, but a memorable way to immerse yourself in the culture and scenery of this region.
Once You Arrive…
No matter how you choose to travel, we’ll help you get here safely and comfortably. Once at the lodge, you're just a short boat ride from world-class fishing, wildlife viewing, and all the natural adventures that Kyuquot has to offer.
Plan Your Trip
Ferry Reservations Are Always Recommended
