Wild incentives on Canada’s West Coast
Re-connecting with the natural world is becoming increasingly important to high performing teams keen to switch off from their constantly connected fast-paced lives and be rewarded with truly transformative experiences. There’s nothing quite like being immersed in nature to nourish the soul and calm the mind.
With its wide-open spaces and pristine natural surroundings, Canada has no shortage of wilderness incentive experiences, with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see whales and grizzlies up close in their natural habitat among the many activities available to groups. All while staying in luxury lodges set in breath-taking locations, naturally.
We showcase some of British Columbia’s best wilderness experiences that are guaranteed to stick in your attendees’ memories forever…
Sonora Island, British Columbia, Canada. © Brian Caissie
Cloud Camping at Clayoquot
The experience
Perched 4,500ft above sea level on the Ursus Mountain, Clayoquot’s Cloud Camp takes ‘glamping’ to a whole new level. This is Canadian wilderness at its most exclusive and breathtaking.
Cloud Camping at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.
The Cloud Camp experience begins when the onsite helicopter whisks your group away to their own private mountain lake. Here they’ll spend the afternoon exploring the sparkling turquoise waters with a private guide, paddling, rowing, and drinking in the stunning scenery and jaw-dropping views.
A private chef is on hand to prepare a five-course fine dining experience, complete with wine pairings, followed by an overnight stay in tents equipped with cosy down duvets to snuggle under and all the creature comforts.
Ideal group size: 10-20
Best time to experience: Summer
The resort
Remote, yet refined — Clayoquot was made for inspired corporate retreats, immersive team building and unforgettable incentives. Wild times and warm memories are guaranteed at this wilderness lodge, which sits in the pristine UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve. The sights and sounds of Vancouver Island’s wild West Coast are welcomed into the 25 luxury canvas guest tents which line the ocean shores and dot the ancient forest.
Getting there
The easiest and quickest way to travel to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is to fly to Vancouver, British Columbia and connect with a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight directly to the resort dock on Clayoquot Sound.
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Heli hiking – A heli-hiking experience gives way to truly breath-taking hikes, with 360-degree views of mountains and ocean. Whisk your team away from sea level to epic hiking locations at over 3000ft above sea level in a matter of minutes.
Horse-riding – Pull on western-style riding boots and saddle up to explore forest and river trails by guided horseback. It’s a fantastic way for your group to take in the wild landscape, harking back to the region’s goldmining days.
Canyoning – Hop on a paddle board from the top of Bedwell Sound and paddle up the glacier-fed Bedwell River to a waterfall channel and several hidden waterholes. Jumping off the river rocks to float in the crystal-clear waters is a truly liberating incentive experience.
Grizzly adventures in the Great Bear Rainforest at Nimmo Bay
The experience
One of the most thrilling activities for incentive groups is observing the majestic coastal bears of British Columbia in their natural habitat. Grizzly bears are an iconic Canadian animal and there is nothing quite like seeing a grizzly emerge from the forest for the first time.
Grizzly bear viewing at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort.
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is the perfect place for small groups to safely and ethically view both grizzly bears and black bears, with boat and land-based options available. September and October are the best months for grizzly bear viewing as they follow the returning salmon to the local rivers.
From May to October, black bears are also often spotted at low tide from a boat along the rocky shoreline. Watching them amble along the beach, flipping over rocks, foraging for crab, starfish, seaweed, and other local delicacies is an absolute joy.
Ideal group size: 18
Best time to experience: May to October
The resort
Tucked into the 21-million-acre Great Bear Rainforest, Nimmo Bay is surrounded by one of the largest coastal temperate rainforests left in the world; with a grand, gushing waterfall anchoring the heart of the property.
Family owned for almost 40 years, what began as a quaint fishing lodge has expanded naturally into the world-renowned wilderness resort that Nimmo is known as today. With nine private chalets hosting 18 guests or more, plus room for boats and helicopters, there is no shortage of imaginative ways to experience this remarkably wild place.
Getting there
Accessible by air and sea only, getting to Nimmo Bay is all part of the adventure. Groups can take a 50-minute flight from Vancouver Airport to Port Hardy. Nimmo Bay is then a short 20-minute float plane flight away. Private float plane charter flights direct from Vancouver, Seattle, Victoria, and Tofino are also an option.
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Whale watching – take your group out on the water and spend an afternoon watching for the giants of the deep. Orca and humpback whales, plus many other aquatic creatures, are known to roam the waters surrounding Nimmo Bay, often popping up to say hello to visitors.
Water therapy – rejuvenate your top performers with an invigorating plunge in the Pacific Ocean, followed by a warming soak in the cedar hot tubs, nestled at the base of a cascading waterfall or a meditative steam in the floating sauna.
Kayaking – active groups can start their day with a refreshing glide through nearby sheltered bays, paddling through breath-taking scenery. Kayaking is also available as a guided day trip spent exploring the coastal islands complete with a gourmet picnic.
Salmon snorkelling at Sonora
The experience
Snorkelling with salmon is a thrilling way to observe thousands of returning salmon cruising the crystal water. The Campbell River teems with all five of the main Pacific salmon varieties five salmon species – Chinook Pink, Sockeye, Coho, and Chum.
Don a wetsuit and snorkel alongside the salmon and other wildlife, then treat your group to a riverside chef’s picnic lunch before returning to Sonora Resort on a float plane.
For those who’d rather stay above water, Sonora offers salmon fishing tours, complete with experienced guides, sophisticated gear, and a fleet of Grady-White fishing vessels. Incentive groups can add a competitive element by taking part in a ‘fishing derby’.
Ideal group size: Salmon snorkelling - tbc
Fishing derby - 70 in a flotilla of watercraft of varying sizes
Best time to experience: July-October
The resort
Intimately stylish, and only accessible by air or sea, this secluded paradise in the pristine wilderness of British Columbia provides the perfect backdrop for invigorating incentive experiences. Sonora Resort is a true marine playground – teeming with wildlife, breath-taking scenery, and unbridled adventure.
The luxurious Relais & Châteaux property features 88 rooms across 12 lodges, a fine dining restaurant, an opulent oceanside spa, and a rich array of experiences, activities, and amenities.
© Sonora Resort
Getting there
Sonora Resort is accessible by a 50-minute flight by luxury helicopter or seaplane from Vancouver International Airport. You can also reach the resort by a dramatic 2.5-hour seaplane flight from Seattle International Airport (SEA) or Water Taxi from Campbell River.
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Eco-adventures – Embark on an exhilarating zodiac eco-adventure. Zip into quiet coves to observe Stellar Sea Lions in their natural habitat. Your group will be thrilled with sightings of Pacific White-sided dolphins and resident orcas skimming and submerging and surfacing again.
Enjoy a culture exchange – Find modern-day synergies with a vibrant, ancient culture hosted by local First Nation, the Homalco Band, while exploring the Orford River. An unhurried day of learning and exploration includes art, natural resources, and the possibility of paddling a Salish outrigger canoe.
Culinary classes – Sonora’s award-winning chefs lead intimate groups through a feast for all the senses. This hands-on experience guides guests through the tips, tricks, and culinary techniques of a multi-course menu they’ll enjoy collectively.
Winter storm watching at Wickaninnish
Observe the power of the elements at Wickaninnish Inn. Gale force winds, giant waves, and lively skies – the great energy of the winter storms shapes Canada’s coastline, making it an exhilarating season to experience the West Coast.
While storm watching at the Wickaninnish Inn was named a Canadian Signature Experience by Destination Canada in 2011, it was a favoured pastime of founding family, the McDiarmids, long before the Inn was even built.
Whether you and your colleagues bundle up to join the seabirds dancing in the wind or watch it all from the comfort of the Inn, winter storm watching is an awe-inspiring experience that invigorates the soul. Full rain gear is provided in every guest room, and rubber boots are available for cruising the beach and braving the whistling wind and rain.
Ideal group size: 20 to 100
Best time to experience: November to February
The resort
Set on a rocky edge at the northern cape of Chesterman Beach a few minutes south of Tofino on the Esowista Peninsula, the Wickaninnish Inn is central to exploring the rugged wilderness of Pacific Rim National Park and Clayoquot Sound.
Out of the way, but not out of bounds, this luxury, five-star retreat is no ordinary corporate getaway. This is the ‘Wick — where groups come together naturally, and all 75 rooms and suites and public spaces come with a beach or ocean view.
Wickaninnish Inn Aerial Storm. Credit: Jeremy Koreski
Getting there
Take a 45-minute scenic flight from Vancouver International Airport to Tofino Airport, followed by a 10-minute drive. Alternatively, the Inn can be reached by a four-hour picturesque drive from Victoria International Airport.
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Learn to surf – the sandy beaches of the Esowista Peninsula are optimal for learning how to surf. There are several local outfitters who provide lessons and gear to get you safely into the waves and help you polish your style.
Spa time – nourish mind, body, and soul at the award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa. Sheltered by the forest fringe and with views cast out towards the Pacific, the spa is a haven for relaxation offering a range of healing treatments.
Cultural tours – guided by the Nuu-chah-nulth nation, these are a marvellous offering to consider; their insight into the land and seas bring together centuries of history with present-day traditions.
Want to whisk your incentive group away for an unforgettable experience in the Canadian Wilderness? Get more inspiration here or contact Jennifer Attersall to see how Destination Canada Business Events can help create the perfect reward for your group.
This content is sponsored by Destination Canada Business Events.