Best Private Islands: Canada's Sonora Island

British Columbia is dotted with private islands -- for fisher- men. But Sonora Resort has a bit more than a cabin and a fish-cleaning station. This all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux luxury outpost includes guest rooms in 12 rustic-yet- modern lodges on the otherwise undeveloped and road- free Sonora Island. Across its 64 square miles, the pure beauty of the Canadian wilderness is everywhere. Bald eagles and black bears live among the red and yellow cedars while orcas and porpoises cavort offshore. The wildlife gets its own privacy when the resort closes from November through April. But in the summer, guests can respectfully observe the animals. An eco-adventure boat tour goes to a nearby river where families of grizzly bears catch salmon. No need to fish yourself if you don't want to; chef Matthew Stowe will be happy to serve you his fresh catch. See photos.

Here's further info from the managers of Sonora Resort:

Is Sonora Resort the only development on the island? Yes! Sonora Resort is the only resort on the island; however, there are few private residences spread throughout. Sonora Island is located within the Discovery Islands within the mouth of Bute inlet, one of the deepest inlets in North America.

View Larger Map

What do travelers enjoy most about your resort?
Our guests love Sonora Island's abundance of wildlife in its natural habitat including: orcas, bald eagles, black bears, grizzly bears, sea lions, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and it's all within the comforts of a luxurious living.

Which of your offerings best celebrates the authentic island culture?
At Sonora Resort, guests have the opportunity to not only view bears in their natural surroundings, but they also have a chance to get right down on the river bed with them! After guests take a 30 minute Eco boat tour through the Arran rapids and Desolation Sound, they arrive in the Orford Bay, which is the original winter village site of the Homalco First Nations People. Every summer, the Homalco would return to take advantage of the abundant Chum, Pink and Coho Salmon runs that pass through the Orford River. The Grizzly Bears think along the same lines. The guests watch Grizzlies and their cubs feed in the river bed, and with a guide who knows each bear's names and family history, it just doesn't get more authentic than that!

What makes Sonora Resort unique among all the world's private-island resorts?
Sonora Resort, a Relais & Chateaux property, has truly stuck to its heritage roots. Throughout the resort, guests will be surrounded by native artwork, history, and culture. As stated by Relais & Chateaux, Sonora Resort is unique because "Sonora Resort is a jewel of the very purest caliber. The enchantment already begins during the transfer to the hotel, accessible only by sea and air. No roads, no villas on the horizon."

Do you have any new amenities, accommodations, travel specials or other features planned for 2009?
Phillips Rivers walking tours are a new experience for Sonora Resorts guests for 2009. Visitors have the chance to walk among the red and yellow cedar and the western hemlock. This is where the Phillips River meets the ocean -- the emerald rainforests tower above the clear water that teems with salmon.

To find out more information and book your stay, visit sonoraresort.com. For more private islands, click here.

Islands Right Sidebar