Posted on June 21, 2025 – Indigenous Peoples Day
Deep within the heart of the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ haḥuułii (territory), nestled in the still, protected waters of Quait Bay, lies a place of cultural renewal and natural immersion: Wahous Wilderness Lodge.
Surrounded by towering rainforest, calm inlets, and stories passed down since time immemorial, Wahous is more than a retreat—it is a return. The 126-acre property includes a 16-room floating lodge, meandering forest trails, freshwater lakes, and a breathtaking cedar longhouse where curtains may be drawn, songs and dances once again performed, and salmon prepared traditionally around an open fire. A cedar hot tub and cold plunge space, set beside a cascading river and waterfall, invites quiet moments of reflection, restoration, and reconnection.
Once operated as a private resort on land appropriated by the government, the property was returned to Ahousaht hands in 2022 when it was purchased by the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ (Hereditary Chiefs) through the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS). This moment marked a powerful step in the Nation’s vision of land reclamation, re-occupation, and Indigenous-led economic development.
A Sacred Place, Reawakened
Wahous Wilderness Lodge is named after Waʔuus, a nearby traditional village site located at the mouth of Cypre River. This village once housed hundreds of Ahousaht families and remains a site of great cultural importance. The lodge is also adjacent to Chiitape (Catface Mountain), where the ancestor Hyupinulth—Tyee Ḥaw̓ił at the time—climbed with warriors to perform a chant. That chant sparked a thirteen-year war that ultimately secured the survival of the Ahousaht people.
Now, surrounded by these sacred and historically significant places, Wahous Wilderness Lodge stands as a living testament to the strength and continuity of ʕaḥuusʔatḥ culture.
As Tyee Ḥaw̓ił Ḿukʷina, CEO of Wahous Wilderness Lodge, explains:
“People coming to Tofino are asking, ‘Where can I see Nuu-chah-nulth culture?’ Well, now we can provide that opportunity—and we’re going to make it happen.”
A New Kind of Experience
Opening in summer 2026, Wahous Wilderness Lodge offers a self-guided and immersive retreat grounded in Ahousaht tradition. Guests are invited to walk quietly through the forest, reflect beside ancient waters, and experience the beauty of a land deeply cared for by its original stewards.
There are no spa menus here—only the invitation to reconnect with yourself and the natural world. Relax in hand-built cedar hot tubs, take a plunge in the cold waters of the river, and spend time in the longhouse—a space that may, in time, host shared stories, traditional foods, and moments of cultural connection as our offerings evolve.
Your stay contributes to the long-term vision of the ʕaḥuusʔatḥ people: one of healing, cultural renewal, and a thriving future for generations to come.
As our CEO shares:
“The experience here is Ahousaht authentic—the way you are welcomed, the way you leave transformed. You just need to come here, sit with the land, and it will tell you what to do.”
Join Us
As we honour Indigenous Peoples Day, we also celebrate the future of Wahous Wilderness Lodge. Opening in summer 2026, this will be a place where guests can reconnect, reflect, and return changed.
This is not just a destination. It is a legacy. It is an invitation.
Visit wahouswildernesslodge.com to learn more and begin your journey.