Rockwater Secret Cove Resort in a Nutshell:

Located on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, Rockwater Secret Cove has sweeping bluffs and sky-high jagged cliffs overlooking the turquoise sea. The magic of the property is that you can experience the region’s vast wilderness and bucolic treasures, yet in the luxurious tentsuites you won't feel that you’re roughing it. The resort is a 40-minute ferry ride from Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay and then a 45-minute drive from the ferry terminal, so it’s a somewhat easy add-on to a Vancouver stay.

Or take an idyllic twenty-minute floatplane from the center of the city at Vancouver harbor and land at the hotel’s deck.

Guest Rooms at Rockwater Secret Cove:

For a rustic-luxe experience, stay in one of the tenthouse suites built above treetops with unobstructed views of the Malispina Straight extending to the Pacific. These permanent canvas structures contain propane fireplaces, king-size beds facing the sea, hydrotherapy baths built for two, heated floors, and wide verandas with chaise lounges. The property also offers eleven one to three bedroom rustic cabins with similar ocean views. But they don’t compare to the tenthouses. The 14 rooms in the main lodge building provide a more traditional hotel experience with queen size beds, fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs and sun decks.

Dining at Rockwater Secret Cove:

The wood-paneled restaurant at Rockwater Secret Cove is inviting and cozy and provides vast sea views. Whenever possible, the chef serves locally grown and harvested cuisine from the Pacific Northwest.

The menu changes frequently but one of the most favored dishes is halibut with prawn risotto. The pan-roasted scallops with truffled sweet corn puree is another standout. From May until September outdoor dining is offered. The wine list offers an impressive selection of wines from British Columbia, California and international locales.

Destination Weddings at Rockwater Secret Cove:

The Rockwater Elopement Package includes two nights accommodation in a tenthouse suite, a four-course dinner, wedding cake and ceremony, a coordinator, marriage commissioner and fees, flowers, photographs, a couples massage, and other amenities. And there are other options. Large ceremonies, accommodating up to 150 guests, are often held outside on the bluff before the Malaspina Straight as eagles soar overhead. A tranquil platform along the water’s edge holds 10 guests as sea otters play in the sea. The most intimate affairs are best held on your tenthouse deck.

Honeymoons at Rockwater Secret Cove:

Charter the Caledonia II, the resort’s 47 foot Jeanneau sloop (considered the Porsche of sailboats). Meander through pristine coves and hidden islands as a crew prepares a scrumptious feast. Or have a side-by-side massage at the resort’s spa without walls. Private-spa tents, open on one side, are nestled just above the ocean. Guests can hear the waves lapping along the rocks and feel the ocean during treatments. The resort also can set you up for kayaking, including romantic paddling by moonlight.

Activities at Rockwater Secret Cove:

The Sunshine Coast is a nature lover’s paradise, and the hotel offers a variety of amenities to fully experience it. The heated 45-foot outdoor swimming pool and large deck, overlooking the sea and neighboring isles, offers a perfect idyll. Several hikes pass through old growth cedar forest and meander along coastal trails. To discover bays, inlets and the occasional sea lion, rent a kayak right on property from Halfmoon Sea Kayaks. Horseback riding for all levels is available a few minutes away via car in Pender Harbour. The trails go as high as 1800 feet and provide sweeping water and mountain views.

Nearby Rockwater Secret Cove:

Take a water taxi to explore South and North Thormanby islands and miles of shoreline and sandy beaches. Also nearby is Jedediah Island, a 600-acre marine park rife with Douglas fir and arbutus trees, sea lions, seals, and the occasional orca. For an unforgettable burger and an excellent view of Porpoise Bay, locals love the Lighthouse Pub and its vast outdoor patio. It’s the ideal venue to watch seaplanes land and take off.

What Could Be Better at Rockwater Secret Cove?:

The concept of an open-air spa without walls is delightful. However, the spa lacks certain key features that most resort spas contain. Aside from the spa’s lobby area where guests wait to be escorted to treatment suites, there is no designated relaxation area to unwind pre-treatment. There are no saunas, Jacuzzis, or steam rooms. Also, when the writer visited in June, the mosquitoes were in full force — so bring insect repellant.

Is Rockwater Secret Cove Resort Right for You?:

Couples who crave a seaside landscape and the natural beauty of the lush Sunshine Coast terrain will be very happy here. The property gets extra points for taking pains to ensure that the tentsuites have the lightest impact possible on the environment. (In fact, it took eight months to carefully build the 2,600 foot cedar walkway to the tent suites to avoid digging into the land). Staying in a tent suite is one of the best ways to connect with nature while basking in luxury. But those who seek a more conventional hotel experience might be happy elsewhere.

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort Info and Reservations:

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort
5356 Ole's Cove Road
Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada
877-296-4593 or 604 885-7038
Hotel Web Site

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.