Kayaking & Canoeing
Harmony Islands Marine Provincial Park (Albert Normandin photo)
Ocean kayaking, lake paddling, whitewater kayaking... for kayak and canoe enthusiasts, British Columbia’s spectacularly scenic regions offer adventures for all skill levels.
BC is one of the world's premier ocean kayaking destinations, thanks to its jagged coastline and many islands, inlets, and coves. Kayakers enjoy easy-to-challenging waters and myriad wildlife viewing opportunities. Orcas, as well as grey and humpback whales, are commonly seen during their migration seasons. Watch for marine birds, seals, otters and porpoises too.
Launch from Deep Cove or False Creek near Vancouver’s urban environment, or kayak through the isolated Broken Group Islands off Vancouver Island’s west coast.
Prefer canoeing? Head to the renowned Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. Or try the Thompson Okanagan’s Wells Gray Provincial Park, laden with gorgeous waterfalls, and home to Murtle Lake, which boasts 100km/62mi of shoreline.
Meanwhile, whitewater kayakers flock to the legendary Stikine River in Northern BC and the Sunshine Coast’s Skookumchuck Narrows.
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Learn more about kayaking and canoeing in BC’s regions and cities:
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Vancouver Island
Thompson Okanagan
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Kootenay Rockies
Northern BC
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
Ocean Kayaking Highlights
Paddling hotspots on Vancouver Island’s west coast include the Broken Group Islands and Clayoquot Sound. The Gulf Islands archipelago and Nanaimo are popular destinations on the east coast. Near Vancouver, Bowen Island provides the gateway into island-dotted Howe Sound, with the neighbouring Sunshine Coast communities of Sechelt and Gibsons and Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park (near Powell River) close by.
Heading north, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast's popular areas are along the lush, pristine coastline around Klemtu, Bella Bella and the Hakai Luxvbalis Conservancy Area. Paddlers can truly escape in remote areas around Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) in Northern British Columbia.
For convenient paddling near the city, Vancouver offers the protected waters of Deep Cove, False Creek and Jericho Beach. Victoria offers paddling directly from the Inner Harbour. Explore the Gorge Waterway and nearby Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park.
Lake Paddling and Canoe Routes
Love freshwater paddling? The Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit, a 116km/72-mi chain of four lakes in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region, is arguably BC’s best-known canoe route.
In the Thompson Okanagan region, Wells Gray Provincial Park offers excellent lakes, wildlife and waterfall viewing and includes Murtle Lake, North America's largest paddle-only lake.
Nation Lakes Canoe Circuit draws paddlers to Northern British Columbia. The four pristine lakes that make up this chain are considered an undiscovered jewel.
Another great option is the Powell Forest Canoe Route, located on the Sunshine Coast in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. It’s a gorgeous circuit of eight lakes and five portages with 57km/35mi of paddling.
Whitewater Kayaking Highlights
BC's whitewater crown jewel is located in Northern BC on the Stikine River, called "the river of a lifetime" by world kayak freestyle champion Olli Grau. Known as one of North America's greatest whitewater challenges and best pure class V whitewater rivers, the Stikine was first run by kayaking legend Rob Lesser in 1981. The Grand Canyon of the Stikine has sheer, 1,000ft walls and is considered unnavigable except at low water flows (normally in August or September). It's only been successfully run by the world’s most accomplished whitewater paddlers.
Northern BC also has the pristine ecosystem of the Tatshenshini-Alsek river system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and kayaker's delight.
BC is famous for another kind of whitewater challenge – surfing the standing waves at saltwater tidal rapids. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park, on the Sunshine Coast in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, is popular with expert kayakers and spectators. The consistent and thrilling rapids and the tide change that happens between the Sechelt and Jervis Inlet, easy put-ins, and stunning scenery make Skookumchuck an exciting area to explore.
Guided Tours and Rentals
A guided tour is a good option for first-time paddlers or those unfamiliar with BC's waters, as some of the best paddling takes place in more remote locations. Tours range from short, half-day adventures to 10-day wilderness excursions. Canoe and kayak rentals are widely available at beaches, in lodges, and in cities.
Year-round whitewater kayaking lessons of varying durations and for all levels are available in BC. Courses feature certified instructors. Paddlers can bring their own equipment, or, depending on the operator, all gear and safety equipment may be provided, offering a safe, easy introduction to the sport.
Practical Points and Safety
- For a comprehensive guide to sea kayaking, read the Transport Canada Sea Kayaking Safety Guide.
- Learn more about canoe safety.
- There are inherent dangers to whitewater kayaking, so paddlers should have a good understanding of the international whitewater classes/river difficulty ratings.
- Get real-time river-level information.
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44 Kayaking & Canoeing in British Columbia
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1
Websitehttp://www.adventuress.ca
Toll-free866-955-6702
Phone250-755-6702
Come paddle with us! The scenery is spectacular here with mountain vistas, majestic old growth rainforests, expansive wilderness & captivating wildlife. What better way to see all of this, than to kayak the shores of Vancouver Island. Adventuress offers wildlife tours, rentals & lessons. Choose from fun day tours in Nanoose, Parksville & Qualicum Beach to weekend getaways & exciting multi-day adventures in the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, Johnstone Strait & Broken Group Islands. Check out our all-women trips; all women-all fun! Every day an adventure. Live fully. Let Adventuress Sea Kayaking take you on a trip of a lifetime.
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2
3375 Lakeside Road
Whistler, British Columbia
V0N 1B3
Websitehttp://www.RiverOfGoldenDreams.com
Toll-free
Phone604-932-3111
The River of Golden Dreams is a flat water serpentine river that winds it's way from Alta to Green Lake in Whistler. No rapids, just some ripple, but the twists and turns will keep you wondering what's around the next corner. Beaver, beaver dams and lodges, eagles, osprey, river otter, black bears, birds that burst off the water in front of your boat and glacier capped mountain views. Warm up on the lake to start then enter the river. Guides are recommended. This trip has been offered for over 100 years and is an annual event for many resort guests.
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3
208 Mabel Lake Rd
Lumby, British Columbia
V0E 2G0
Websitehttp://www.bigbeartours.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-547-6043
We provide fun, adventure & unforgettable experiences in the great outdoors. Check out our ATV, quading, canoeing, kayaking & dogsledding tours. Our area of operations is in the north Okanagan from Vernon east to Lumby to the Monashee. We are open year-round with summer & winter outdoor adventure activities.
In the summer, enjoy one of our 6 kayak / canoe trips, or our backcountry ATV adventures. In winter, cross country ski, snowshoe or hike through a mountainous, winter landscape. We have trips for every experience level with our top-of-the-line equipment & knowledge. This is what people dream of when they envision Canada!
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4
Between Barkerville & Wells
Wells, British Columbia
V0K 2R0
Websitehttp://www.bowronlakes.com
Toll-free800-924-2944
Phone604-514-8024
Bowron Lake canoe/kayak adventure tours offer great fishing, photography & wildlife viewing (black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, moose). Instruction provided, no experience required; 8 day camping expeditions; beautiful snow-capped mountains, scenic lakes; vacation of a lifetime - classic Canadian outdoor experience.
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5
Simoon Sound (Gilford Island)
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
V0P 1S0
Websitehttp://www.paddlersinn.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-230-0088
Sea kayak in comfort based from our oceanside or float-house
accommodations. Enjoy catered meals or cook for yourself. Guided
kayak tours & rentals are available, as well as charter boat tours & kayak transport. Acupressure massage is also available on-site.
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6
5505 Jacobson Rd
Beaver Valley, British Columbia
V0L 1G0
Websitehttp://www.cariboocanoe.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-243-2201
The Cariboo Chilcotin is famous for its many beautiful lakes & waterways, including the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, Beaver Valley 4 Lakes Chain, Nazko Lake Canoe Circuit & more. Explore on your terms by renting a canoe or kayak. Amazing camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, swimming & sightseeing await you.
Whether you are interested in paddling for a day or a week, Cariboo Canoe and Kayak Rentals has an itinerary suited to you.
Leave the crowds & your worries behind, while you dip your paddle into cool refreshing water & glide silently through the amazing landscape of the Cariboo Chilcotin.
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7
Read Island
Surge Narrows, British Columbia
V0P 1W0
Websitehttp://www.CoastMountainExpeditions.com
Toll-free
Phone250-285-2823
Lodge based sea kayaking tours in the Discovery Islands, off Central Vancouver Island. Marine parks, wildlife, mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. Watch grizzly bears from your kayak, paddle with seals on the water. Our 25th year. No experience necessary.
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8
1765 Cowichan Bay Rd
Cowichan Bay, British Columbia
V0R 1N0
Websitehttp://www.cowichanbaykayaks.com
Toll-free888-749-2333
Phone250-748-2333
From our waterfront location in historic Cowichan Bay Village we rent sea kayaks & run daily kayak tours to explore the Cowichan Bay Estuary, Genoa Bay & Sansum Narrows. Seals, otters, bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons & other wildlife make this beautiful area their home. Join us on a tranquil Sunset or Moonlight Paddle, or on one of our guided 2hr, half or full day tours.
An accredited 'Paddle Canada' Training Centre, our qualified instructors offer lessons, instruction & clinics for all levels of paddlers.
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9
2354 W 8th Ave
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6K 2A9
Websitehttp://www.damgoodlogistics.com
Toll-free
Phone604-783-3597
Start your journey here with Dam Good Logistics for self-guided kayaking and hiking adventures in stunning British Columbia. My experienced colleagues and I believe that the self-guided, highly personalized kayak & hiking trips we create offer you a unique kind of independence and flexibility. We match your needs with the many opportunities available in BC and equip you to do it. Alone. Unguided. But well informed and advised about what challenges you will face. That's how we put our knowledge to work for you.
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10
1668 Duranleau St
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6H 3S4
Websitehttp://www.ecomarine.com
Toll-free888-425-2925
Phone604-689-7575
Ecomarine is Vancouver's leading paddlesport specialist with 3 unique oceanfront locations; Jericho Beach, English Bay & Granville Island. We offer kayak and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) rentals, lesson & tours. Jericho Beach features a large beach with easy parking, ocean kayak rentals, sit on top rentals, adult lessons, kids camps & custom group tours. English Bay is conveniently located in downtown Vancouver and has our largest SUP fleet. Our retail store on Granville Island is open year-round, selling ocean kayaks, SUP boards, outdoor clothing, footwear, books & charts for your outdoor adventures. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres offers perfect paddling experiences for everyone!
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