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Discover Canada’s Quintessential Rainforest Retreat

This 340-acre sanctuary on Bute Inlet, 100 miles north of Vancouver, is the ultimate sporting estate

Fawn Bluff is located on unspoiled Bute Inlet, within the Emerald Edge and the Great Bear Rainforest, considered one of the grandest fjords on the globe, with jaw-dropping coastal scenery. Think rugged mountains, crystal glaciers, emerald waters, with lush rainforest providing the ultimate natural sanctuary. World-class sport fishing and bountiful wildlife are also key attractions of this peacefully remote playground.

An abundance of fish include salmon, halibut, and lingcod, while sightings of black bears, cougars, eagles, and whales are commonplace.

“The first of many incredibly wonderful things about Fawn Bluff is that it is accessible year round and yet is so very private and protected,” says Faith Wilson of Faith Wilson Group, the exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in Vancouver.

Wilson explains that Fawn Bluff, which is comprised of eight structures, was completed in 2008 and built as a pampering sanctuary for family and friends, but is ultimately all about fishing. “Being part of the Emerald Edge, one’s experiences are bound only by the imagination,” she says. “Heli up to a glacier for a gourmet picnic complete with starched linen tablecloths and be back out on the open water in the afternoon in anticipation of catching a king salmon.”

“Fawn Bluff is accessible year round, yet very private and protected.”

While Fawn Bluff can be enjoyed privately as a family retreat, as it currently is, it can also operate as a fishing and wildlife resort similar to others in the area, such as Nimmo Bay and Langara Fishing Adventures in Haida Gwaii. A crucial component to enjoying such a grand, albeit ruggedly natural, destination is the personnel. “If the opportunity arose, I’m sure the staff would be pleased to stay on, as they have a high sense of pride and ownership,” says Faith Wilson. This shines through in the guests’ experiences too, as Peter Noire, Fawn Bluff’s guest facilitator and co-ordinator, explains. “The ultimate goal is for guests to enjoy a truly memorable experience and we often get told they’ve enjoyed the greatest day of their lives here,” he says.

A 45-minute flight from Vancouver via seaplane, Fawn Bluff and its private helipad are easily accessible—just minutes away by helicopter or float plane from nearby Campbell River, an international port of entry. Wilson says the owners are known to fly from home to Whistler to ski. Meanwhile, in summer, the protected lake warms to swimming temperature, allowing waterskiing or just lounging dockside, reveling in the amazing vistas.

There are four generous guest buildings that together sleep up to 30, staff accommodation for eight, and a private three-mile road system. One of the property’s most impressive buildings is the Founder’s Lodge; a three-bedroom, four-bath home, which spans 4,070 square feet. Timber, stone, and reclaimed wood were used to create a quintessentially West Coast luxe look, with just the right blend of rough-hewn and aspirational pieces.

Meanwhile, the Lake Cottage is a fly-fisherman’s dream home. Luxury log cabin style, with views of Leask Lake, the house is as charming as it is comfortable. A short, pine-scented stroll connects it to the Lodge. For big family gatherings, the Guest House is an ideal venue—a bunkhouse-style wilderness camp with six bedrooms.

[ Excerpt from Christie’s International Real Estate’s 2018 Luxury Edition — A curated collection of the world’s finest properties. Explore more properties here ]