The head of Indian Arm: Wigwam Inn, the Indian River and Spray of Pearls
The far north end of Indian Arm has a 1910 lodge, a river estuary full of wildlife and a waterfall most people never see. Plan it for a full day.
Most boats turn around at Granite Falls. Push on another ten minutes and you reach the quietest corner of the fjord, about 20 km from Deep Cove.
Wigwam Inn
The Wigwam Inn opened in 1910 as a resort and fishing lodge for Vancouver’s well-off, who came up by steamer. Today the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club runs it as a members’ outstation. You can’t land, but the lodge and its lawns make a fine sight from the water.
Spray of Pearls
Look to the northwest corner as you approach the lodge. Spray of Pearls Falls comes down Wigwam Creek in a series of fine cascades. It’s smaller than Granite or Silver Falls, and far less visited.
The Indian River estuary
The Indian River enters the arm at its head. Its estuary is one of the few intact estuaries left in Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm, and it shows. Watch for seals hauled out on the flats, bald eagles in the snags, herons working the shallows and, in late summer of odd years, pink salmon jumping by the thousand. Read more in our guide to the pink salmon run.
Watch the depth
The delta shoals fast. The water turns from green to brown where the river silt spreads out, and that’s your signal to turn around. Approach at idle, keep the depth sounder on, and never try to run up the river mouth.
Respect the place
The Indian River watershed is sacred to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, who have used it since long before the lodge was built and lead the work to restore its salmon. Keep your distance from the shore, keep the noise down and leave the wildlife alone.
Plan the day
Allow 50 to 60 minutes from Cates Park to the head. Stop at Granite Falls on the way back down. This trip needs a full-day rental.