You’re suspended fifteen feet above the ferns of a coastal rainforest. The wind picks up, just a nudge, and your entire bedroom begins to sway. It isn't a jarring motion. It's rhythmic. Soft. Basically like being back in the womb or on a very calm boat. This is the reality of staying at Free Spirit Spheres BC, a place that looks like a collection of giant wooden eyeballs dangling from cedar trees near Qualicum Beach.
Most "unique" accommodations are just marketing gimmicks. You’ve seen the "glamping" tents that are really just dusty canvas bags with a rug. But this is different. It’s a marriage of high-end yacht engineering and a childhood fever dream. Tom Chudleigh, the visionary behind these pods, didn't just want to build treehouses. He wanted to create a way for humans to inhabit the forest without stomping all over the delicate ecosystem of Vancouver Island.
The Engineering Behind the Sway
The spheres aren't just bolted to trunks. That would kill the tree. Instead, Chudleigh uses a sophisticated web of ropes. Each sphere is tethered to three different trees. This distributes the weight. It also allows the trees to grow and move naturally. Honestly, the math involved is kind of mind-bending.
If you look closely at the suspension lines, you’ll see they are synthetic—usually something like Polysteel—designed to handle massive loads while resisting rot in the damp British Columbia climate. The spheres themselves are built like a classic wooden boat. They use "strip-planking," a method where thin laths of wood are glued together and then encased in fiberglass. This makes them incredibly strong and, more importantly, waterproof.
There are currently three spheres available for rent: Eve, Eryn, and Melody.
Eve is the baby of the group. She’s built from yellow cedar and is cozy—maybe a bit too cozy if you’re over six feet tall. Eryn is larger, crafted from Sitka Spruce, and even features a small loft. Melody is the newest, a vibrant yellow fiberglass shell with a modern interior that feels less like a ship’s cabin and more like a high-end studio apartment.
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What Nobody Tells You About the Logistics
Look, it isn't all forest magic and bird songs. There are things you need to know before you drive up the Island Highway. First, the bathrooms. You aren't going to find a flushing toilet inside your sphere. It would be a plumbing nightmare and, frankly, pretty gross to have a holding tank swaying above someone's head.
Each sphere has a composting toilet nearby on the ground, and there is a central bathhouse with proper showers and saunas. It’s a bit of a trek in the middle of the night. If you have a small bladder, you’ve been warned.
- Pro tip: Bring a headlamp. The forest gets dark. Like, "can't see your hand in front of your face" dark.
- The stairs are more like vertical ladders or spiral steps. If you have mobility issues or a severe fear of heights, this will be a challenge.
- Electricity? Yes. Heat? Yes. Wi-Fi? It’s spotty. But that’s sort of the point, right?
The location is tucked away in Horne Lake, which is about 30 minutes north of Parksville. You’re close to the Horne Lake Caves and the Big Qualicum River, but once you’re on the property, it feels isolated. The silence is heavy. It's the kind of quiet that makes your ears ring until you settle into the frequency of the woods.
The Sensory Experience of Vertical Living
Living in a circle is weirdly therapeutic. There are no corners for dust—or bad vibes, if you're into that—to hide in. The circular windows, which look like portholes, frame the forest in a way that feels like a living painting. When it rains, which it does often in BC, the sound on the roof is melodic rather than percussive.
I’ve talked to people who stayed there during a storm. They said it was the best sleep of their lives. The sphere acts as a giant dampener. The trees take the brunt of the wind, and the sphere just hums.
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Comparing the "Models"
If you’re trying to decide which one to book, keep this in mind:
- Eve: Best for solo travelers or very, very close couples. It’s the original. It’s rustic.
- Eryn: The best "middle ground." It feels the most like a traditional treehouse but with better finishes. It has a small sink and a bit more counter space.
- Melody: The luxury pick. The interior is bright. It has a great desk setup if you're a writer looking for an "existential crisis" retreat.
Why Free Spirit Spheres BC is a Conservation Win
Traditional construction involves clearing land, pouring concrete footings, and disrupting the water table. Chudleigh’s "bio-mimicry" approach leaves almost no footprint. When a sphere is eventually retired, the forest can reclaim the space almost instantly.
This matters because the ecosystem on Vancouver Island is under constant pressure. By showing that high-value tourism can exist without destroying the canopy, Free Spirit Spheres BC sets a benchmark for eco-resorts worldwide. It’s a philosophy of "leaving no trace" but making it comfortable enough for people who aren't used to sleeping on the ground.
Navigating the Practicalities
Booking is a nightmare. I’m being serious. These things are booked out months, sometimes a year, in advance. If you see a cancellation, jump on it.
The price point reflects the uniqueness. You're looking at anywhere from $200 to $400 CAD per night depending on the sphere and the season. Is it expensive? Yeah. But you aren't paying for a room. You’re paying for the engineering and the sheer audacity of the concept.
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Getting there:
Most people fly into Nanaimo (YCD) or take the ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay). From Nanaimo, it’s about an hour's drive north. You definitely need a car. There is no "Ubering" to the spheres.
Food situation:
You can't cook inside the spheres. Fire risk, obviously. There is a shared kitchen area on the property where you can prep meals. Most guests end up heading into Qualicum Beach for dinner. "Bites of BC" or the "Qualicum Beach Cafe" are solid local spots that won't disappoint.
The Reality Check
Is it for everyone? No. If you need a TV, a gym, and a bellhop, stay at a Marriott. This is for the person who wants to hear the owls. It's for the person who wants to feel small in the face of nature.
One common misconception is that the spheres are "scary" because they move. It’s not like a carnival ride. The movement is subtle. Most people stop noticing it after the first hour, or they find it so soothing they don't want to leave. The engineering is solid; these pods have survived massive Pacific storms without a scratch.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're serious about making the trip to Vancouver Island to see these things, here is exactly how to do it right:
- Check the calendar daily: They have a live booking system. Refresh it like you're trying to get concert tickets. Mid-week stays in the shoulder season (October or April) are your best bet.
- Pack light: You have to haul your gear up a spiral staircase. Do not bring a massive hardshell suitcase. Use a soft duffel or a backpack.
- Respect the "Quiet" rule: The property has a strict noise policy. This isn't a place for a forest rave. It's a place for reflection.
- Explore the surrounding area: Don't just sit in the sphere. Go to Cathedral Grove. See the Douglas firs that are over 800 years old. It puts the whole "living in a tree" experience into perspective.
- Bring a journal: There is something about the circular space that encourages brain dumps. You'll want to write stuff down.
Staying at Free Spirit Spheres BC is a bucket-list item for a reason. It challenges your perception of what a "home" should be. It forces you to sync your rhythm with the trees. In a world that is increasingly digital and disconnected, spending a night suspended in a wooden bubble is probably the most grounded thing you can do.