April Point Resort & Spa, Quadra Island - Canada Outdoor Magic
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It used to be a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska was one of the best family holidays in Canada, and it still is. Well, other than skiing the thrilling slopes of Whistler Mountain which has just hosted the Olympics.
But now summer visitors are finding there's more to do on shore, such as visiting fishing lodges on the gulf islands, little gems sprinkled along the famed Inside Passage on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island. I've just been to April Point on Quadra Island, 10 minutes by ferry from Campbell River, long known as the salmon fishing capital of the world.
The airport shuttle dropped us at Painter's Lodge, where Bob Hope used to visit. A small convoy of Boston Whalers, each with two fishers and a guide, was returning from the dawn patrol, almost every one with catches of 20lb Chinook salmon. One small boy jumped up and down in front of the weigh scale and exclaimed, "Look Dad, mine's almost 25 lbs!"
His dad gave him a hug and said, "Pity about the one that got away."
"No problem," said the excited boy. "I'll get him tomorrow."
We shared a boat over to April Point, a cosy resort where the boy's young brother and sisters were jigging for minnows off the dock. Their father said, "This place has it all - fishing, kayaks and bikes. Also the kids love to poke around the rocks looking for crabs. We've met a seal called Salty and eagles soar overhead all day.
"But the best part is that they're outside all the time and away from video games. We dine as a family and everyone sleeps like a log."
I loved the lunches on the big deck, sitting under parasols with the sea wrapped around. Service was friendly and the food was the freshest fish, oysters and crab you'll find. Evening BBQs were popular, for April Point has chalets big and small where family and friends can be together. We had a luxurious suite a stone's throw from the beach and endowed with a deck which blessed us with magnificent sunsets.
April Point also does lots of weddings, part of the appeal being a spa where I sat outside with the world's best view while I had a pedicure.
Other activities include wilderness and whale watching tours (where you'll also see dolphins), tennis courts, rental scooters for touring the island, and one of my favourites - sitting at the water's edge, with a book, and thinking, this is what holidays were like when I was a kid.
April Point is part of the Oak Bay Marine Group which operates a number of fishing lodges up and down the coat. Charter and scheduled flights make all of them easily accessible from Vancouver's International Airport.
April Point , Quadra Island, Canada
Cost standard double room: £££
Services spa, near beach, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, golf course, water sports
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April Point Resort & Spa
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