On the western edge of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island sits Moon Jelly Bathhouse. Floating in the heart of Clayoquot Sound — fifteen minutes away from the popular surf town Tofino — it’s an experience in the midst of nature. A private, self-led floating spa, guests are able to cycle between dips in the ocean, a cool rinse, and soaks in two Wood Burning Hot Tubs. Moon Jelly incorporates thalassotherapy into the experience—a restorative practice of bathing in seawater and seaweed.
We spoke with Kaeli and Mike of Moon Jelly all about how they got started, the experience of being at Moon Jelly, and much more.
Could you tell us the story behind Moon Jelly—how did it get started?
Kaeli: So, when Mike and I first met, we met and fell in love in a rock and roll band that Mike had started. Mike lived on a float house in the same spot where Moon Jelly is now—this incredible spot in the Clayoquot Sound up this beautiful inlet about 10 kilometers from Tofino.
I had recently been on a trip to Ireland with my mom, sister and daughter to bring my grandma’s ashes back to her homeland in Ireland. While we were in Ireland, we found this incredible little spot on the west coast built right into the cliffs crumbling into the sea, with seaweed baths.
We were brought into this little room with an old clawfoot tub, hot ocean water, and a bucket of fresh seaweed, and it was just the most incredible experience. I had never felt anything like it. Then, I learned about this long rich history of seaweed bathing in Ireland and how they had been doing it for hundreds of years. I remember at the time thinking how amazing it would be in Tofino, a coastal town with so much seaweed on the coast.
Mike specializes in off-grid building, and our friend Shiloh is an amazing architect who designed a floating structure. Then, we came across the GOODLAND tubs, and really started building Moon Jelly to be this sanctuary and healing retreat.
How do you reach Moon Jelly?
Kaeli: We take guests on a 15 minute boat ride from Tofino through Clayoquot Sound. Moon Jelly is at the end of this islet in this beautiful pocket that’s so remote and magical.
Mike: The boat ride is a big part of the experience. Our guests love it—it slowly gets you offshore and further out into nature. People talk about Tofino being the end of the road, so we’re going even farther than that. Sometimes there’s a little sightseeing, too—our group last week was followed by dolphins, and we’re often seeing seals, porpoises, otters, and eagles.
Can you describe the experience of being at Moon Jelly?
Kaeli: We do recommend a circuit, which is a 10 minute soak in the hot sea water filled with kelp, a dive into the ocean, and then there’s also a fresh water hot tub. We also have a fresh cold water rinse, a fireplace, and cozy robes to warm up. There’s also an open air, covered room in the back that we’re using as a little meditation room.
Our whole concept is that it’s a self-led spa. Once we take people out and set them up there, we teach them to stoke the fire, and they can just enjoy the experience.
It is a really special experience. We’ve had feedback from numerous guests that visiting Moon Jelly is one of the best days of their lives which just blows us away. Part of it is the place—we’re so grateful to be able to offer this in Tla-o-qui-aht territory in this incredible tribal park.
If you picture being at Moon Jelly, soaking in a Wood Burning Hot Tub, what can you see, hear, smell, feel, around you?
Kaeli: The most palpable sensory element is the seaweed. Bathing in seaweed is a feeling like no other, like you’re being held by the ocean. You get in and you’re one with the seaweed—it’s so silky and feels nourishing on such a deep restorative level.
You can also smell the cedar—the whole place is built with salvaged, old growth cedar, and then there’s the cedar from the hot tubs. Maybe it’s raining on you, sometimes it’s that old growth rainforest mist. Some days the sun is baking and nourishing in that way. There’s really no bad weather. You can also hear the eagles, the crackling of the fire, and the lapping of the water.
Can you tell us more about the seaweed you work with?
Kaeli: We work with an indigenous-led organization called Naas Foods. They have a wild kelp harvesting license, and purchase our kelp from them. Kelp is one of the fastest growing organisms on the planet, and it’s quite seasonal.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. All photos in this article are by Kai Rosentzveig, courtesy of Moon Jelly.
Our A Place to Pause series explores our favourite stays and accommodations, each one featuring exceptional design, a connection to nature, and a Wood Burning Hot Tub. Explore more about hosting with a GOODLAND wood fired tub, including how to set up your guests for a five-star soak, and the easy and effective way to clean between guests.
Craig Pearce
Craig is the founder behind GOODLAND, who launched the company with the Wood Burning Hot Tub. A designer and furniture maker, he’s passionate about creating well-designed and minimal objects and tools to connect people with nature — knowing that when we move half as fast, we notice twice as much.
