Outer Shores Lodge is thrilled to announce the return of our much-loved "Stars & Sea Stars" featured stay in 2025, running from October 2nd to 6th. Due to popular demand, this outstanding experience event will once again bring together two remarkable experts: Dr. Sara Ellison, a renowned astronomer, snorkeller, and shallow freediver, and Dr. Jon Willis, an acclaimed astronomer and astrobiologist.

During your immersive four-day retreat, you will journey into the heart of nature’s great spectacles. By day, the rich marine life of our coastal waters awaits your exploration. Here, amidst the calm seas, kelp forests—now fully matured—sway gently beneath the surface, offering some of the finest snorkelling conditions the year has to offer.

As the day gives way to night, the wonders of the cosmos come alive. With early autumn’s tranquil sunsets as your backdrop, the sky unveils its celestial grandeur—perfect for stargazing, a reminder of the vastness and beauty of the universe above.

Dr. Ellison’s academic focus is on galaxy evolution, with a particular emphasis on galaxy collisions and black holes. Her love of snorkelling inspired her to write Snorkelling Adventures Around Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands: The Ultimate Guide. Dr. Willis, whose research takes him to the farthest reaches of the globe to explore the origins of life and the search for extraterrestrial life, has written All These Worlds Are Yours: The Scientific Search for Alien Life, with a new book forthcoming that delves into how clues from Earth can guide our search for life elsewhere in the universe.

Throughout the stay, guests will participate in hands-on activities and engaging discussions covering topics such as ocean conservation, astrophysical phenomena, and underwater photography. 

In addition to the enlightening experiences that await, you will embark on excursions through the awe-inspiring coastal landscapes of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Guided by our expert team, these journeys—both onshore and aboard our skiffs and kayaks—will reveal nature’s wonders in their full glory. Beneath the waves, the delicate and intricate beauty of sea stars awaits your admiration, while above, the vastness of the night sky stretches endlessly, dotted with countless stars. This adventure offers a profound connection, uniting the mysteries of the deep ocean with the boundless cosmos. Complementing the stay will be local musicians and Huu-ay-aht cultural leaders and of course an out-of-this-world culinary program.

This unforgettable experience with our expert guides awaits you in 2025. Don’t miss out!

Prices start from CDN $2,900 for four nights, inclusive of guided excursions, snorkelling gear, chef-prepared meals, and all lodge amenities.

Photos courtesy of Dr. Sara Ellison, Maureen Scott, Danielle Gellar