The McKay Bay Lodge is a family friendly accommodation that is proud to serve as a gateway to the highlights of true West Coast living. Situated in the historic fishing town of Bamfield, BC, the Lodge is minutes away from world renown salmon and halibut fishing, whale watching, scenic kayaking destinations, beautiful beaches, and hiking trails through ancient rainforests. The family owned lodge offers a range of accommodation options ranging from suites to stand alone cabins and is proud to offer a full dining experience specializing in serving West Coast cuisine in the lodge Kitchen. If you are new to fishing and would like to give it a try, fishing charters are available throughout the summer with our experienced guides. As the oldest family run business in Bamfield, we are happy to offer a customizable experience in order to best meet your unique plans and desires. For further details, visit our website, email or give us a call and we can help customize your experience into an adventure that will last a lifetime. See you soon!
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Decided to try new salmon waters on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2020 and was not disappointed – by both the fishing and our excellent stay at McKay Bay Lodge. Cheryl, Brian, and all of their staff, take wonderful care of their guests from the moment one arrives. Our very affordable room package came with three meals per day and we were impressed from the outset by the quality and variety of the menus. All meals can be taken in the dining room, but for we diehards who are early on the water and often out until well after lunch, chefs extraordinaire Heather and Hanna send us off each evening after dinner with our take away breakfast and lunch for the next day – always tasty, filling and more than we can eat. With the fridge, microwave and coffee maker in the room, we could quickly get a hot breakfast before getting a first light start on the water at 5:00 am. And to top it off, we brought home salmon every day! I would highly recommend picturesque Bamfield and McKay Bay Lodge for a west coast British Columbia adventure and look forward to returning in 2021!
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Date of stay: June 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had an amazing time this August fishing at McKay Bay Lodge, I could not have asked for a better trip. The accommodation's were top notch and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful leading up to the stay/while we were there. The guides were friendly and safe, we got into a ton of fish both salmon and halibut. I would highly recommend this lodge!
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Date of stay: July 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My father, my son, and myself had an excellent stay for three nights at the lodge. The suite we stayed in was clean and cozy and the lodge and property were well kept up and felt like home. As others have said, the food was plentiful and excellent. It was so great to grab a quick breakfast and coffee in the morning and then grab the pre-packed lunches, snacks, and water/soda from the fridge for a day of fishing. Coming back to dinner was fantastic, each meal was wonderful; steaks, halibut, oysters, and more than we could eat. It really was a superb experience for us, and we brought some fish home, too. Rebooked for next summer, can't wait.
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Date of stay: August 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful time at this lodge. Cheryl and Brian and Mel and all the staff went out of their way to make our stay comfortable. We were picked up at the dock and us and our luggage were taken to the lodge. The next day we had a tour booked with the Kiixin first nations across the bay and Cheryl took us across in her little boat. One of us was 89 and getting around Bamfield was difficult for her to go up and down the steep hills but the staff at McKay bay drove us to wherever we needed to go. The meals were amazing!!! breakfast lunch and dinner were all fantastic and it was great to have lots of drinks and home baked cookies and snacks available to all guests throughout the day. Our room was spacious and comfortable and the beds very comfortable. The view from the deck is great.
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Date of stay: July 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:McKay bay offers whale watching tours. We went and we saw humpback whales feeding, a colony of...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here with other course participants for a week and I was so thankful for the wonderful staff caring for us every day. The level of attentiveness was so welcoming. The kitchen was incredibly accommodating for a variety of needs and even special menu requests. What a special spot! I'm looking forward to returning again.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a fabulous 5 night stay in the Creekside cabin at McKay bay lodge. Loved using the kayaks and paddle boards to explore the beautiful inlet and cross over to east bamfield to get our groceries! Nice that no additional charges for kayaks etc - all included. Super friendly staff. Family run feel. Loads of things to do considering we weren’t there for the fishing (most other people where fishermen). Spent our evenings on incredible Brady’s beach. Brian gave us firewood and Hannah drove us to the beach and back in her ATV as a member of Our party was recovering from surgery. Had our boat with us on the dock and explored the deer group and broken group islands every day - amazing place!!
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This family owned and run lodge is the perfect place to stay. Looking out in the bay there is always something to see. Dining with ocean views, we enjoyed home cooked delicious meals, in a family and friendly environment we felt right at home here. Everything you need is here…. Quaint rooms all with your own bathroom. Comfy bed and bedding, I slept so well I had to set an alarm. Thank you Cheryl, Mel, Brian and staff for EVERYTHING. We will be back! 🩷 Highly recommend you choose McKay for your stay in Bamfield.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Stairs make it easy to get to and from dock. But if you have some mobility issues they have...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The weather was perfect. The fish were everywhere. Don't drive the Bamfield Road whatever you do. Find another way of getting there. After you limit out on kings make sure you stop at Port Alberni and buy some Effingham oysters. These are the finest in the world.
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Date of stay: August 2022
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Prepare to catch fish. If the weather is good head out into open water for some halibut.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I are avid fisherfolks and we have stayed at many lodges, McKay Bay sets the standard. The hosts Brian and Cheryl are committed to providing a quality experience, whether you fish, hike, kyak or just want to relax and hang out. The accomodations are clean, comfortable and private (and waterfront). The food is excellent, with a superb plated dinner (not buffet) and dessert each night and a very ample lunch packed for you and ready each day. Breakfast is prepared daily if you like it or you can make your own continental breakfast. There are fresh cookies each day. The staff are friendly, talented and hard working. We have met some lovely guests during our stays and made lasting friendships. I would highly recommend! You can charter or take your own boat.
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Date of stay: August 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Ask for what you want when booking.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pros.: - Very friendly and helpfule staff. - Great food and they don't mind if you walk into the kitchen to get some milk. - The lodge provides facilities to clean, pack and freeze the fish on site. (Salmon fishing in this area is outstanding) - Room was clean. - Free WiFi is available. - The lodge is extremely quiet (almost all guests are in bed by latest 9 pm (most guests get up at 4 or 5 am to go fishing).
Cons.: - Shower facility in the room is OK, but the water supply sucks. My shower went from warm to cold to no water at all. Then started up again with cold water only. - The bed & matrass was extremely bouncy and should be upgraded.
Summary: - I would go back for another short stay as the location is ideal for a great fishing experience - For those of you who are cell phone adicted, there is NO cell phone service available in the entire town of bamfield inluding the lodge.
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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