Spirit of the West Adventures, Johnstone Strait & Blackfish Sound BC

Relaxing in an AlumiTub after a day exploring BC's coastal wilderness is hard to beat. Seeing humpback whales swim past you while you soak is another story altogether.

Breanne and Rick, the owners behind Spirit of the West Adventures, run guided sea kayaking trips along Vancouver Island and into the Great Bear Rainforest, with decades of experience between them. They are members of 1% for the Planet and certified with Responsible Travel and Sustainable Tourism.

They outfitted both remote basecamps, at Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound, with AlumiTubs. We asked Breanne about the business and the modifications they made for their guests.

Tell us a little about yourselves, and your business.

Spirit of the West Adventures aims to connect people to the incredible places we visit by kayak and inspire our guests to want to protect and preserve them, all while having an awesome vacation.

You've been running sea kayaking trips for more than 25 years along the BC coast. Can you tell us about some of the most memorable sights?

There is no shortage of beautiful places or moments we could share with you. The coast and its creatures never fail to impress. One of my personal highlights was the very first time we filled our hot tub. I had just gotten in when a humpback passed by and gave a perfect tail fluke. Watching whales from a hot tub was a new high for me. I've also watched whales pass by in the moonlight and bioluminescence from the hot tub, which of course is also pretty special.

Tell us about your basecamps at Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound. What experience did you want to create?

When we created these basecamps, they were designed to help people of all ages and experience levels feel comfortable in the wilderness. We wanted camping to be accessible to everyone, even those who prefer creature comforts and might not be as inclined to go camping otherwise. The hot tubs really are incredible to come home to after a day of fresh air and exercise in the kayaks.

Why choose an AlumiTubs wood fired hot tub for a basecamp?

We chose AlumiTubs because they are made right here in BC, they are well built, and the company owners were great to deal with.

Did you make any modifications to suit the basecamp or your guests?

We have built some additional stairs and a little platform for people to sit on to swing their legs in. We have had guests with some mobility issues and these modifications have allowed them to enjoy the hot tub.

The tub is perched right on the ocean's edge. How often do guests brave the cold plunge?

The waters around our camp are really cold. That cold water means lots of dissolved oxygen and therefore lots of marine life. Jumping in after dark into the bioluminescence is really spectacular, but it sure isn't for everyone. We actually have guests wear a lifejacket to make the jump, as the cold can take your breath away.

More on doing that safely in the science of cold plunging.

The underwater hydrophone is remarkable. What is it like to listen to whales?

The hydrophone lets us non-invasively experience the underwater world and listen to the conversations of whales, as well as hear what they might hear underwater. The unique calls and dialects amongst the different echotypes of whales is pretty cool to learn about. There is a research station called Orca Lab just around the corner from our camps that is dedicated to doing just that: studying the whales through their calls.

Besides soaking and looking for whales, what other rituals do guests take part in?

Each group seems to have their own special moment and ritual. People come from around the world as strangers and leave as friends. Often these groups have their own special song, saying, dance or moments that make their trip special to them. Kelp instruments, made from washed up Bull Kelp, and kelp bands are always popular though.

Lastly, what's next for Spirit of the West?

We are always keeping our eyes and ears open for ways to help people connect to these special places. We are currently working on some ways to help people actively make the places we travel better, possibly working with local researchers or helping with beach clean ups or citizen science. The possibilities are limitless.

What guests say

Such an incredible location and access to many sightings of many different marine life varieties. Beautiful camp, loved the two big social areas and of course the hot tub for viewing whales passing by. Food and drinks are so plentiful and healthy, also delicious. Knowledgeable, friendly guides.

Monica, Johnstone Strait BC

Fantastic overall. Wonderful food and accommodations top notch, hot tub included. Amazing guides, great pace. Essentially a perfect trip.

Peter, Johnstone Strait BC

Running a tub at a remote coastal camp

Two basecamps reachable only by water, with no power and no mains supply, is about as demanding a siting as there is. It is also the case a wood fired tub is built for: a flat surface, water and dry wood, with no electrical connection and nothing to winterize.

Getting one there is the part most people underestimate. An AlumiTub arrives pre-assembled and weighs 200 lbs empty on the Small, 220 on the Standard and 300 on the Large, rolling on its side through a 38 inch gap. That is what makes a water-access camp possible at all, since no crane is reaching either of these sites. On a prepared site, setup takes about an hour.

The ocean solves filling. A marine-grade structure handles it, and a pump draws directly from the water in front of the camp. Ocean fills are changed every five to seven days rather than left standing, and the tub is rinsed with fresh water between fills. More in saltwater against freshwater and handling water access at a remote property.

Breanne's modification is the detail worth borrowing. Additional stairs and a platform to sit on and swing your legs in has made the tub usable for guests with mobility issues, at a wilderness camp. That is a small piece of carpentry that widened who the whole trip is for.

One safety note worth repeating from her answer: guests wear a lifejacket for the cold plunge, because cold shock can take your breath away on entry. That applies anywhere the plunge is into open water rather than a controlled vessel, and nobody should be doing it alone.

More owner stories: Tincup Wilderness Lodge in the Yukon, fly-in only, and Mary's boat-access cabin outside Yellowknife.

Common questions

Can a hot tub be filled with ocean water?

Yes, with a marine-grade aluminum structure. A pump draws directly from the water in front of the property. Ocean fills are changed every five to seven days rather than left standing, and the tub is rinsed with fresh water between fills.

How do you get a hot tub to a water-access property?

An AlumiTub arrives pre-assembled at 200 to 300 lbs empty depending on size and rolls on its side through a 38 inch gap with two people, so no crane or heavy equipment is needed at either end. Owners have moved theirs by boat, barge, ATV and kayak.

Can a hot tub be made accessible for guests with mobility issues?

Yes, and it does not take much. Spirit of the West Adventures added stairs and a small platform for guests to sit on and swing their legs in, which made the tub usable for people who would otherwise have been excluded, at a wilderness camp reachable only by water.

Is it safe to cold plunge into the ocean after a hot tub?

Take it seriously in open water. Cold shock can take your breath away on entry, which is why Spirit of the West have guests wear a lifejacket for the jump. Never plunge alone, and be aware that currents and temperature vary in ways a controlled vessel does not.

See more properties at where AlumiTubs live, or read a host's guide to wood fired hot tubs.