One of the best parts about booking an all-inclusive vacation is avoiding many of the worries that come with preparing for other trips.
From your day-to-day itinerary to meals, fishing gear, and lodging, we take care of everything for you, so that you can focus on relaxing and enjoying yourself from the moment that you arrive.
But taking care of a few important things ahead of your trip can help to ensure that your visit goes even more smoothly. If you’re planning a visit in 2022, keep reading for the ultimate pre-arrival checklist!
Check Your Passport
It’s most travelers’ worst nightmare; you’re getting ready to head to the airport for your long-awaited vacation. You reach into your dresser, safe, or other trusted location and pull out your passport. But as you flip through it, you realize with a shock that it’s expired. Suddenly, that vacation you’ve been dreaming of and planning for so long goes out the window.
One of the first things you should do after booking a vacation, or perhaps even before you begin planning a vacation, is to check your passport. If it’s going to expire within a few months of your trip, it’s a good idea to go ahead and get it renewed. Some countries require that international visitors have at least 6 months before their passport expires in order to enter that country.
Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for a passport or a renewal. As of June 2021, wait times for U.S. passports are now up to 6 weeks. While in some cases you can pay to expedite your passport, this isn’t a guarantee.
Visitors to Sointula Lodge from the U.S. will need a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card.
Plan Your Travel To and From the Lodge
Getting there is half the fun—but only if you plan ahead and aren’t left scrambling to book a flight or make travel arrangements right before your visit!
Guests have several options for traveling to and from Sointula Lodge. Traveling by seaplane is a popular choice among visitors looking for a unique experience, but you can also catch a boat from Vancouver Island if you prefer.
However you plan to travel, be sure to make your arrangements far in advance of your trip. Besides ensuring your seat on a plane or boat, this will also affect your packing. Traveling by seaplane means a restricted baggage allowance, and if you’re driving to and from Vancouver Island, you’ll need to bring a cooler or two to transport your fresh-caught fish back home.
Communicate Any Allergies
Our experienced chefs are able to accommodate a variety of allergies and diets. However, you’ll want to let us know ahead of time of any restrictions you may have. This will allow our chefs and team time to prepare and to communicate with you about your needs to ensure that you’re safe—and full—during your visit.
Make a Packing List
Most of the gear and other items that you’ll need during your visit is provided. This includes all fishing equipment, rain gear, float coats, and more. However, there are a few items you’ll want to bring along to stay comfortable during your visit.
For instance, choosing the right clothing to pack can help you stay comfortable through changing conditions throughout the day. You’ll want to have your camera on hand to capture every incredible moment of your visit. And a great book might be just the thing to help you unwind after a great day on the water.
Creating a packing list before you pull out your suitcases is a great way to make the packing process easier, and help you make sure that nothing is forgotten at home during your trip.
Plan Ahead to Get Your Fish Home
Our experienced guides are not only there to help you reel in a big catch. They’ll also prep it for you and pack it to take home!
If you’re flying to Sointula Lodge, our guides will pack your frozen fish into wax boxes to keep it fresh for your journey home. But if you’re planning to road trip to and from Malcolm Island, you’ll need to bring a cooler to keep your catches cold on your ride home.
Get Your Kids Excited
A visit to Sointula Lodge makes for a bucket-list family adventure. But if you want to make the experience even more special, why not start getting your little ones excited for your upcoming trip a few weeks or even months ahead of time?
Teaching your kids about the wildlife they’ll see or the fish they might catch is a great way to combine a little education into your adventure. This will also help to make the experience that much more special, as they’ll recognize the fish and animals they see during their trip.
Brush Up on Your Fishing Terms
If it’s been a while since you’ve cast a line, you might opt to brush up on your fishing terminology ahead of your tip.
Of course, this certainly isn’t a requirement. After all, you’ll have our experienced guides there every step of the way to lend a hand or offer advice to help you reel in your own record catch!
Purchase an Extra Memory Card—or Two
You’ll find that there’s no shortage of Kodak moments to capture during your visit to Sointula Lodge. While we recommend taking in the moment as much as possible, it doesn’t hurt to snap a few photos as well that you can look back on or share with friends back home. Be sure to grab an extra memory card or two so you’ll have plenty of room to capture every perfect moment.
Book Your 2022 Adventure Today!
The most important item on your pre-arrival checklist? Booking your spot at Sointula Lodge in 2022! Book today to lock in your top choice of dates and give yourself plenty of time to start prepping for your trip!
