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Frequently Asked Questions

Sonora Resort is open seasonally from May 1 - October 15 and is located on a remote island, reachable only by air or water. The property is equipped with luxury facilities, including a full spa with oceanside mineral pools, a tennis court, fly fishing ponds, a gift shop and more. View a map of the resort here and browse other frequently asked questions below.

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What is my baggage allowance? 

When travelling by air, your luggage must not exceed 25lbs per person. When travelling by boat, there are no luggage restrictions. 

What should I pack? 

Read our packing suggestions here

How do I get to the departure location for air transportation to Sonora?  

Our Reservations Team will confirm your mode of air transportation and departure location in advance of your trip. All flights depart from the Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) South Terminal area, about a 10-minute taxi or shuttle from YVR Main Terminal. You will need to be at your departure location 1 hour prior to departure.  

Departure Locations for Air Transportation:  

London Air Services (LAS) helicopters depart from Air Elite (Interdel Aviation Services):  
5360 Airport Road,  
South Richmond, BC,  
V7B 1B4 

Find directions to Air Elite on Google Maps here
 
Harbour Air Sea Planes depart from Harbour Air Richmond:  
4760 Inglis Drive,  
Richmond, BC,  
V7B 1W4 

Find directions to Harbour Air Seaplanes here.
 
Seair Sea Planes depart from:  
4640 Inglis Drive,  
Richmond, BC,  
V7B 1Q4 

Find directions to Seair Seaplanes here.

Parking for all air transportation: Pay parking is available in the parking lot across from the Sea Planes, or across the street from Air Elite. 

If I arrive early for my flight, what can I do?

The Flying Beaver Pub located in the Harbour Air Sea Plane Terminal is a great spot for a meal or beverage prior to your flight.
Note: on rare occasion the pub gets busy with long lines. Consider making a reservation.  

Where is the water taxi departure location in Campbell River? 

At the Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River, G Dock. There is a sign for Sonora Resort at the top of G Dock. Zoom in the Goolge Map (link below) to see the location of the dock in the harbour.

Find directions to the Discovery Harbour Marina here.

Parking: There is paid public parking in Campbell River. Note: The parking lot is owned by the Marina. Sonora is not affiliated with the Marina parking. 

What time is check-in?  

We strive to have your room ready by 4:00pm. If you arrive before 4:00pm and would like immediate access to your room, we recommend booking your room for the night prior. 

What time is check out? 

One hour prior to your scheduled departure time or 12:00 if your departure is after 12:00. Please check out in the Gift Shop. If you would like to have access to your room later than 12:00, we recommend reserving an additional night. 

At any time, don’t hesitate to ask if you would like us to store your luggage while you use the Island Currents Spa Facilities and lockers.  

What food and beverages are included in my accommodation rate? 

Delicious cuisine including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. 

  • Dinner: choose the evening’s Chef’s Tasting Menu or from the seasonally inspired A La Carte menu. 
  • House wines (red, white and sparkling), house beer and canned ciders/seltzers are included as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Premium cellar wine and spirits (liquor & cocktails) are not included and priced separately. 
  • Lunch is served A La Carte in the Tyee Dining Room.
  • Boxed lunches are provided for off-site excursions which extend through the lunch period. 
  • Snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are found in your well-stocked in room mini fridge.
  • Snacks and beverages can also be found at the Snack Shack located at the dock station.  
  • Breakfast is typically a combination of buffet (with pastries, fruit, yogurt, juices) and an A La Carte menu of hot items.

- Two special dinner menu items are available for purchase – our Tomahawk Steak Dinner and Dungeness Crab Dinner. Both require 24-hour advanced notice to order.
- Off-site catering for group meals outside of the Tyee Dining room are available at an additional cost – please request our Group Booking Guide for more information. 

What activities/facilities do I have access to as part of the accommodation rate? 

  • Use of 5-star facilities including: an outdoor heated pool, hot tub associated with your lodge. 
  • Use of a covered tennis court with pickleball, basketball hoop and ping pong table. 
  • Use of a nine-hole putting green. 
  • Access to a games room complete with billiards, shuffleboard and foosball, virtual golf games with equipment, a 12-seat movie theatre with 400+ titles, Netflix and satellite TV channels. 
  • Access to two stocked rainbow fly-fishing ponds (equipment provided), mountain bikes (first come, first served) and hiking and biking trails. 
  • Access to the Island Currents Spa facilities: fitness centre, outdoor mineral pools, sauna, steam and Swiss shower. 
  • Access to the business centre including use of 5 workstations (computers, telephones, printer). 
  • Use of Conservatory, Discovery Islands Viewpoint and Gazebo and Storey Point Propane Campfire areas. 
  • In room: robes, slippers, mini fridge and turn down service. 

Experiences including fishing, helicopter and grizzly bear tours and spa services are available at an additional cost. Explore our experiences here

Is there Wi-Fi and Cellular service? How can I stay connected?  

We offer free high-speed internet (due to our remote location, it is not always lightening fast). No password is required. Your room is also equipped with a phone from which you can make free phone calls to anywhere in the world. Our Business Centre is also equipped with several desktop PCs which are free to use at any time. 

Are gratuities included? 

As is common with many North American properties, gratuities are not included. If you have enjoyed your stay and wish to acknowledge Sonora staff, envelopes are in your guestroom, or you can leave a gratuity on your room account at check out. When guests ask us to suggest amounts, we suggest the following: 

Suggested gratuities:

  • Resort Staff: $60 per guest, per day
  • Outdoor Guides: half day (4 hours) $30 per guest, full day (8 hours) $60 per guest, Eco Tour Guides $10 per guest, per hour.
  • Spa Treatments: 20% of invoice, before taxes

Is there a dress code in the Restaurant? 

There is no dress code in this west coast oasis. We offer delicious cuisine in an approachable atmosphere.

Do you accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions?  

Yes, please advise us at the time of booking, if you have special dietary requirements or allergies, so we can be prepared for your visit. We always have pescatarian and vegetarian options on our regular seasonal menus. 

Do you offer room service? 

No, we are not able to offer room service. Your room is equipped with a Nespresso Coffee maker and a fully stocked mini fridge, containing beer, wine, soft drinks and a variety of snacks. Additional snacks and beverages are available from our snack shack at the dock station. If you require ice in your room, please contact Guest Services by dialing zero on the resort phone. 

Do you provide bottled drinking water? 

We strive to minimize use of single-use plastics and thus gift each guest with a complimentary reusable water bottle. We have some of the best drinking water in the world flowing from our taps, which you can use to fill your water bottle. Our water comes from seven wells on the island and is sand-filtered, UV-treated and tested in compliance with Vancouver Island Health Authority. You will find water refill stations throughout the resort and on our boats. 

Do I need to pre-book my activities? 

Yes, we highly recommend pre-booking all activities well in advance. Pre-booking ensures we have guides available and are able to book you activity at times which optimize your experience. For example, it allows us to book kayaking during a tide which allows you to see plenty of sealife and paddle without too much effort. As we are located on a remote island, the more notice we have, the better we can provide you with a truly exceptional experience. 

What should I wear when I go on an activity? 

Comfortable layers. If sunny, or forecast to be sunny, consider wearing a hat and sunscreen. If raining or forecast to rain, be sure to wear warm clothing and take a raincoat. Jackets and rain pants are available at the Gear Room, located at the dock station. Weather changes quickly.

Do activities go out in the rain?  

Yes, we have plenty of rain gear to keep you comfortable (available from the Gear Room, at the dock station) and our boats are well equipped for the climate. Our activities run in any weather. 

What are the best months of the year for fishing?

May and June for Fly Fishing (both river and heli) and July 15 onwards for Guided Ocean Fishing (deep sea in a 25 - 36 ft vessel). Prior to July 15 there are limitations on what areas you can keep fish.

Can I request a specific guide? 

Yes. Please request your preferred guide when making your reservation. We will do our best to pair you with them, though cannot guarantee specific guides. 

I caught a fish! What do I do with it? 

Your guide will clean, fillet and freeze your fish.  Dependant on your travel plans, you can take the frozen fish home with you, or send it for off-site processing (smoked, canned, candied etc.).

How do I make a reservation?

Call or email our Reservations Team:

email:
phone: (604) 233-0460 or 1(888)576-6672

Not sure exactly what to book and want to browse your options and get feedback? Submit a request here.

What is your cancellation policy? 

Terms, conditions and policies can be found here: Terms & Policies | Sonora Resort, BC, Canada 

Where can I buy trip cancellation and travel insurance? 

Last-minute emergencies can disrupt travel plans. Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage can be purchased through TuGo. Sonora Resort does not sell insurance of any kind.  

Is the resort accessible? 

The resort is equal parts elegance and comfort and designed to be accessible to all.  

Several rooms are designed to provide easy access, with lower counters, grab bars and an accessible shower. Please specify your room needs when contacting us to make a reservation. 

All buildings with guest rooms are equipped with elevators and ramps lead to all public areas including the dining room and business centre. 

Age restrictions / suitability for young children?  

Guests of all ages are welcome. 

Sonora Resort enchants all ages and offers families a rich array of experiences for their young adventurers. Discounted child rates are available. With our guests’ comfort and safety in mind, some age and weight requirements apply to certain activities and amenities. Because of the diversity of wildlife on Sonora Island and types of activities we offer, the resort is best suited to children aged 12 and older. It is important that children are supervised by an adult while exploring. 

Read more about age suitability and restrictions by activity here

Can I smoke at the resort? 

All guest rooms and public lodges are smoke free. Guests can smoke outside in the designated smoking areas.

Are dogs allowed? 

We do not allow outside pets on property, as our remote location, thick with wilderness and wildlife are not suitable for pets unfamiliar with the area. Sonora is home to 3 Golden Retrievers. Certified service animals with approved documentation are permitted. Please advise our Reservations Team if you plan to bring a certified service animal, and provide documentation for it prior to booking, to ensure we can accommodate you. Service animals must be on a leash while in all indoor and outdoor resort areas.

How do I apply for a position at Sonora Resort?  

Email your resume with cover letter to . and indicate the position you would like to apply for in the subject line. Openings can be found on our Careers page here

What is your Head Office location?

4580 Cowley Cresecent, Richmond, BC, V7B 1B8

Supporting Information

Contact Guest Services

Call or email our team

604-233-0460 or 1-888-576-6672

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