| As a local company we at Beyond Desolation are aware of the best tourism companies to service your North Island vacation needs: As always we tell it as we see it so feel free to contact us directly if you are going to be travelling in our area and need to bounce some ideas around: Here are some of our recommendations |
| Kayaking: Our recommendation here is Inside Passage Expeditions: They are a reputable and knowledgeable company run by a young fellow named Nate who comes up to Sointula from the States each summer with his kayaks. We are exploring offering a joint kayaking/sailing package so if that idea tweeks your interests you can contact either one of us and we will put a proposal together. His website is Whale Watching. There are lots of companies in the area all offering a good service. My favourites are Mckay Whale Watching (for a fast boat to get to the whales quickly) and Stubbs Island Charters (out of Telegraph Cove - the guys that started it all up here) both of whom are very professional. Others, such as Beyond Desolation Yacht Charters (yup thats us) and Sea Smoke Sailing (out of Alert Bay run by Maureen & Dave Towers) offer a more personalised type of service. Bed & Breakfasts Port McNeill - Eve's - right on the beach with a hot tub. as a former camp cook she provisions you for the day with great breakfasts. the downstairs rooms can be a bit noisy but upstairs and the side cottage are well appointed and quiet. Sointula - Dunroven - out of town in Mitchell Bay. very well appointed, great breakfasts and idyllic setting. The owners are quite in love with their oxen so please don't say anything rude about those great lumbering beasts (oops). Sea for Miles: Jill Miles the owner is passionate about providing great service to her guests. Seperate cabins with the beach across the road. There are other B&B's in Sointula which all offer a good service so feel free to contact me if you would like to run through the alternatives. Caving Have you ever tried caving? The north island has some of the best caves in BC and these are well worth exploring with a passionate caver like Rob Countess. He is in my opinion quite expensive if you just want to go out on your own but if you can join a group already arranged he may be a little negotiable on price. He is also pretty knowledgeable about mushrooms and the like being a trained biologist. Eco Tours If you are not into sailing and want the luxury of a power boat we like: Natures Best on the converted trawler m/v Lasquiti Star. Not cheap but from what I have heard from people taking the trip worth it if you can afford it. Fishing Charters Catalla charters in Hardy. This guy really knows his stuff and can take you to where the fish are biting Diving Kevin at North Island Diving seems to be very keen on the whole subject of going under water. Me I prefer to stay on top. diving@island.net is his site Booking Service. My strong recommendation here is Crystal Downing at North Vancouver Island Tours. She knows everyone and everything about the North Island and is well worth chatting to. www.northislandtours.com |
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