The perfect west coast coast retreat! Quaint, private, well-equipped, perfectly situated, comfortably furnished and exceptionally peaceful. The view and sunsets were magnificent and the stony little beach was perfect for launching paddleboards, kayaks or taking a salty dip amongst shells and starfish. We enjoyed watching the hummingbirds buzz between arbutus blossoms (which made the air smell divine) and the occassional cackle of woodpeckers (which we dubbed “west coast roosters”). We spotted a family of deer, red squirrels, bald eagles, a curious racoon and fuzzy, busy bumblebees.
The fern and shell laced path to the beachhouse looks like something from a storybook. We loved viewing it from the kitchen sink window. The panoramic water views are stunning! The beachhouse is nestled in a quiet and sheltered section of Saanich Inslet, resulting in gentler sea breezes and a calm shoreline for wading, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Suprisingly close to excellent hiking! Exploring nearby Gowlland Tod Provincial Park after breakfast was fun! It’s an easy walking trail for novices but provides rugged terrain options for more adventurous hikers. We were lazy on this trip and opted to stroll and stop at lookout points and private beaches within the first 1K of the trail before heading back.
The outdoor hot tub was the perfect way to start and end the day. My husband doesn’t like being in water, but I loved using it to warm up in the morning and after trying our hand at kayaking. He prefered enjoying his coffee and beer in the loungechairs of the lower deck that overlooks the beach. This little escape was the perfect substitute to our usual May vacations in Maui. We wish we booked a longer stay and we look forward to coming back!
FYI for new visitors: Nearby Red Barn Market is ideal for groceries (and handmade sandwiches) and a km or two past Red Barn is Country Bee, which is a must visit for their honey bar, tea & coffee, giftshop and small critters.