What to bring
Here is a list of things that you may wish to bring with you – not required, but they may help to make your stay more comfortable.
- Shoes that slip on easily (no shoes are worn in the session rooms).
- Swimwear for the hot tub is required.
- Eco-friendly water bottle (we do not sell bottled water).
- Ear plugs and eye shades (if you are sharing a room).
- Hair-dryer (rooms do not have hair dryers).
- Personal soap/shampoo/conditioner if preferred (we offer a 3-in-1 product).
- Shoes that can withstand rain/salt water.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Comfortable layered clothing.
- Notebook, journal or diary.
- Rain wear or an umbrella.
- An open heart and mind.
Getting here
Getting to The Haven is easy! You can arrive on the ferry by car or as a foot passenger, or arrive via float plane from Vancouver (downtown or YVR South Terminal). For full travel information see Getting Here.
Arriving by foot? We provide limited shuttle transport for BC Ferries foot passengers departing Nanaimo on sailings between approximately 3:00pm and 5:00pm for program participants only. If this is available for your program you will be notified in advance. Please contact Reception at 250 247 9211 x0 when you arrive at the ferry terminal (on the Nanaimo side) and have confirmed which ferry you will be on to Gabriola Island. If the shuttle is not available you can use the local Gabriola Taxi which needs to be reserved in advance by calling 250 247 0049.
Arrival and departure
Your room will be ready by 4:00pm on the first day of your program. Dinner will be served in the Lodge from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. View The Haven property map.
On the final day of the program, please remove personal items from your bed by 9:00am so that our housekeepers can prepare the bed for our next guest. Check out time is Noon.
Schedule
Unless you have been informed otherwise, your program will begin with dinner at 6pm and your first session at 7:30pm, and finish with lunch on the last day. Your typical daily schedule as a program participant will be:
- 8:00am to 9:00am – Breakfast.
- 9:15am to Noon – Morning session.
- Noon to 1:00pm – Lunch.
- 3:00pm to 6:00pm – Afternoon session.
- 6:00pm to 7:00pm – Dinner.
- 7:30pm to 9:30pm – Evening session.
Afternoon and evening session times can vary.
Communication
Each accommodation room has a telephone with voicemail. To ring your room phone, incoming callers dial 250 247 9322 and enter your room number when prompted. You will receive your room number when you check in – your room number is not available in advance of check-in. Local calls and calls to locations within Canada and the continental United States are free of charge. Thunderbird Dorms have a dial 911 phone for emergency use only – no incoming calls or voicemail is available with dormitory accommodation.
We offer complimentary WI-FI for all our guests. This service is shared with all guests on site and is not intended to support video streaming or heavy internet use. We love our trees and expansive 7-acre property, and this can sometimes impact connectivity. We cannot guarantee reliable WIFI connection in every room. If access to podcasts, movies and TV shows is important to you, we highly recommend pre-downloading media before your arrival.
Shaw® Go WiFi is also available in Phoenix and the Lodge.
Pets
We have a very limited number of pet friendly rooms, available by advanced booking only, at an additional cost. If you are thinking about bringing your pet, please discuss this with our registrar when you are making your booking.
Food sensitivities
If you have medically-severe dietary needs please alert our registrar when you are making your booking. We will do our best to accommodate your needs, but we may not be able to satisfy all requests. Please see dining for details.
Scented products
Please be considerate of your fellow guests and our staff, and refrain from using aromatic products such as hair spray, perfume and scented deodorant while at The Haven. For some people, these products can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress and headaches.
Smoking
All guest rooms, meeting rooms, pathways, grounds and common areas are smoke-free. Smoking is only allowed in the designated area (behind the Gateway Building at the entrance). A fine of $250 will be charged for smoking anywhere other than the designated area.
Payment
Please check your receipt and confirmation letter carefully and contact a registrar if you have any questions. You can find all the payment options here.
Cancellation Policy
Review our cancellation policy here.
Participation and policies
For more than 30 years, The Haven has offered programs for personal and professional growth and development. Programs at The Haven are educational, not psychotherapy or medical therapy, or a substitutes for these services. If you have medical or psychological problems, you must notify your physician or therapist about your participation in this program. You are fully responsible for your health, and for yourself during this program.
Participation in any parts of programs at The Haven is completely voluntary – you can refuse to participate in any or all parts of the program and are free to leave at any time. Any personal information revealed during the program is confidential. You are free to discuss your own experience as long as it does not identify any other person. You must ask permission of the program leader(s) and participants before taking photos or making audio/video recordings during a program or sharing them during or after the program.
The Haven management reserves the right to dismiss a participant at any time before, during or after a program if the participant:
- Becomes dangerous or harmful to self, others, or property.
- Behaves disruptively or inappropriately.
- Is not able, for whatever reason, to be present for learning.
- Breaks the law.
- Refuses to cooperate with program leaders or The Haven management.
- Does not pay according to The Haven terms and conditions for a program or services provided
This covers the time period from when a participant arrives on Gabriola to attend a Haven program, and is not restricted only to The Haven property. View more policies.
Questions?
Our registrars and reception staff are available to answer your questions.
1 800 222 9211
Extension 1 for Registrars
Extension 0 (zero) for Front Desk Reception
register@haven.ca