Quatsino

Quatsino is one of the North Island's earliest settlements, it was first settled in the late 1800's, by early Norwegian settlers who arrived in Quatsino Sound aboard the 'Mischief' an old wooden steamship and chose this sheltered area of outstanding natural beauty to settle.
St. Olafs' Anglican Church, originally built in 1896 as the communities first school house is a gentle 10 minute walk from the lodge and is well worth a visit. The church is one of the oldest buildings on Vancouver Island that is still in use today. Visitors can stroll through the old graveyard, and learn a bit about the early pioneers who first settled in Quatsino.

In the early to mid 1900's Quatsino was the hub of the sound with its own Government Wharf, four stores, a Post Office, hotels, sawmills, canneries and a fueling station. The one room school, was re-built and is still in operation today attended by 6-8 children from grades 1 to 7. The older Junior High and High School students are 'bussed by water taxi daily to Coal Harbour, from where they are then 'bussed' to Port Hardy. The School is very much the hub of Quatsino hosting a number of community facilities and events.

Today, the village of Quatsino is much quieter. Quatsino itself is not accessible by road and has only 100 residents, some of whom are summer visitors. The single track gravel road that runs from one end of the community to the other, a distance of approximately 12-13 kms is lined with salmon berry bushes and is a great route to walk as it allows visitors to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the tranquility and stunning views

There is a beautiful secluded lake that the locals keep a secret and no wonder... it is so peaceful and quiet with trout jumping and deep places for swimming.

As Quatsino is only accesible by boat, we pick you up from Coal Harbour, a scenic trip that takes approximately 20 minutes. Coal Harbour was once a thriving whaling station, the last one on the North American coast when it closed in 1967.

The Quatsino Light Station, first established in 1907, is located on the southeast end of Kains Island at the mouth of Quatsino Sound, where we head out to the open waters when we fish for Salmon and Halibut.
In days gone by, the light station guided passenger steamers that travelled to Quatsino Sound and Quatsino village, loading pulp at the mill near Port Alice. Totally exposed to the elements, the wind-swept rocky island is home to sea lions and an abundance of bird life and a shetland pony!