One of the best things about visiting British Columbia fishing resorts like Sointula Lodge is the chance to experience some of Canada’s most scenic coastal islands. But that same remote location in British Columbia that makes a Fishing or Wilderness Tour package so special also means that our resort isn’t accessible year-round.
Like most British Columbia lodges, Sointula Lodge is only open to guests from late spring through the end of the summer months. In 2023, we’ll welcome our first guests on June 12, and say goodbye to the final guests of the season on September 1.
Our season falls during the most popular time of year for a vacation. However, booking a stay at British Columbia fishing resorts takes a little more pre-planning than your average beach vacation. Keep reading to learn when you should book your stay at the best fishing lodges BC has to offer, as well as some other important deadlines you should know ahead of your visit.
When Should You Reserve Your Stay at British Columbia Fishing Resorts?
The best time to reserve your stay at British Columbia fishing resorts is as soon as possible!
One thing that makes Sointula Lodge one of the best fishing lodges BC has to offer is our all-inclusive packages, as well as our small size. We welcome up to just 18 guests at a time, ensuring an intimate experience and one-on-one time with guides.
We offer four- and five-day packages on a rotating basis. This, coupled with our small group sizes, means that we have a limited number of trips every season. And our resort’s reputation means that spots on these trips can sell out far in advance of the start of our season! In fact, some of our 2023 trips have already sold out!
To increase your chances of getting your choice of dates, it’s a good idea to book your trip as early as possible. This will also give you more time for the other important deadlines covered below.
Other Deadlines You Should Know
Booking your stay at British Columbia fishing resorts isn’t the only thing that you should be doing at least a few months ahead of your trip. Let’s take a look at a few other important deadlines.
Renew Your Passport at Least 6 Months Before Your Trip
Non-Canadian citizens will need a passport to visit Sointula Lodge. Americans can opt to use a passport or a passport card to get into Canada. The passport must be valid, although Canada does not require U.S. passports to have a certain amount of time left before their expiration in order to visit.
If you need to apply for a passport or renew an existing one before your trip, aim to do this at least 6 months before you plan to travel.
Those who have an existing passport in good condition, and who haven’t changed their name due to marriage, can renew by mail. Otherwise, you’ll need to renew in person. Keep in mind that it can take up to 18 weeks to mail in your application and receive your new passport. While it is possible to expedite your application, this still takes time and includes an extra charge.
Book Your Airline Travel 70 Days Out to Get the Best Deal
If you want to get the best price on your flights to and from Vancouver Island, you need to think carefully about when to book them.
Research shows that, on average, flights are their lowest 70 days out. Of course, if you’re someone who likes to have everything ready to go earlier than that, you can always book your flights ahead of time to secure your seat and give yourself less to worry about as your trip gets closer!
But if you choose to wait, be sure to book your flights as close to that 70-day deadline as possible. Wait longer than that, and you risk your flights selling out or the price jumping up.
Get Your BC Fishing License
Another important document you need to get before your arrival at the best fishing lodge BC has to offer is a British Columbia fishing license. You can get your fishing license online from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website. Purchase your license before you leave for your trip, print it out, and bring it with you to Sointula Lodge.
Even if you’re booking a Wilderness Tour, we recommend that you get a BC fishing license so that we can set crab traps, and you can do some fishing during your trip if you choose.
Book Your 2023 Visit to British Columbia Fishing Resorts
The 2023 season at British Columbia fishing resorts might still be a few months away from starting. But if you’re dreaming of visiting Sointula Lodge this year, now is the time to start planning and booking your trip and other travel arrangements.
Check out our available trip dates today to book your Fishing or Wilderness Tour package.