Vancouver Island Things To Do

There are kayaking routes to suit every skill level in the Vancouver Island region. The best kayaking weather occurs between April and October.

A word or two on safety:

• Take head winds and tides into consideration - they can significantly increase the duration of your trip
• Novice paddlers may be required to paddle with a friend
• Life jackets are mandatory in BC

Highlights

Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago:  Renowned for its wildlife, cultural sites, and Orca viewing.

Broken Group Islands: One of the world's premiere sea kayaking destinations.
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Clayoquot Sound: Miles of variable coastline bounded by an ancient rainforest.
> More.

Gulf Islands: Enjoy the sheltered waters and spectacular scenery.
> More.

Nanaimo: An established kayaking destination with lots of tours to choose from.
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Also see Kayaking in:
Victoria.

Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago

Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago are prime kayaking areas situated along the scenic Inside Passage, near the north end of Vancouver Island.

Johnstone Strait is known for its premier wildlife viewing, dramatic landscape, and rich Aboriginal cultural sites.  Each summer, the salmon converge through the narrow waterways of Johnstone Strait, and this rich environment attracts an abundance of eagles, bears and whales.  Resident Orca whales are present from June through September, and the area has become famous as one of the best places in the world to view Orcas.

Adjacent to Johnstone Strait, the Broughton Archipelago consists of a myriad of islands stretching from Vancouver Island to the mainland coast.  These sheltered waters make for ideal paddling, and the area is rich in natural and cultural history.  Highlights include Village Island, an abandoned Kwakwaka'wakw villlage; ancient midden sites; and rich wildlife viewing.

Most tours and rentals depart either historic Telegraph Cove or nearby Port McNeil on northern Vancouver Island.  The paddling conditions in this area can be treacherous at times - novice paddlers should consider joining an organized tour.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: moderate to difficult
• Approximate time required: 1 - 8 days
• Best time: late June to early September 

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Broken Group Islands

The Broken Group Islands archipelago is one of the world's premier sea kayaking destinations. Manoeuvre your kayak through more than 100 islands and rocks that feature giant twisted cedars, enormous sea caves and blowholes. Go ashore to hike the island trails, investigate tide pools or build a campfire on the beach. You'll find the wildlife viewing as exquisite as the scenery: eagles, sea lions, Grey Whales and Black Bears all call the Broken Group Islands home.

The islands can only be accessed by boat. They are located in Barkley Sound, between the communities of Ucluelet and Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: moderate to difficult
• Approximate time required: guided tours average 4 days
• Scheduled ferry service: June - September

A word or two on safety:

• In winter, adverse weather conditions can make access to these waters difficult

> Pacific Rim Park website.

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Clayoquot Sound

Clayoquot Sound is a beautiful area of beaches, headlands and old-growth rainforest on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast. Enjoy a wide range of protected inner waterways, miles of rocky coastline and all kinds of marine wildlife: whales, salmon, sea squirts, marine birds, sea lions and more. Tofino is the service centre and launch point for most kayaking trips in the sound.

Good day trips for beginners include Browning Passage, Maurus Channel and Lemmens Inlet. Experienced paddlers can circumnavigate Vargas Island in a day. Note that some stretches of its 32-km (20-mi) coastline are exposed to open ocean.

The most popular multi-day paddling excursion in the sound is the one to Maquinna Provincial Park. The park’s docking area is connected to a 2-km (1.2-mi) boardwalk trail through the rainforest to Hot Springs Cove. Jump into one of the cove’s lower pools for a relaxing soak in geothermally heated water.

The community of Tofino is the main "gateway" to Clayoquot Sound. It's a 1.75-hour drive west of Port Alberni via Highway 4.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: easy to difficult
• Time required:  1 day - multi-day
• Best time: July – August

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Gulf Islands

A mild climate, safe and sheltered waters and spectacular scenery make the Gulf Islands one of the paramount kayaking destinations in Canada. Rentals, lessons and guided tours are available on many of the islands and, as kayaking is a particularly satisfying way to watch the sun set, companies often offer sunset and evening paddling excursions. The waters around the southern Gulf Islands are especially calm and are suitable for paddlers of all skill levels. Farther north, the "Discovery Islands" offer a quieter, more remote paddling experience along a dramatic and varied coastline.

The Gulf Islands lie between the mainland of BC and Vancouver Island.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: easy to difficult
• Approximate time required: 3 hours - several days

> Provincial Coast Marine Parks website.
> Gulf Islands Park website.

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Nanaimo

A dramatic coastline, mild weather as well as numerous protected inlets and islands make Nanaimo a superb sea kayaking destination. Local tour companies can provide all the equipment and know-how you'll need to have a terrific time out on the water. They offer everything from women-only and children's day camps to moonlight paddles and multi-day excursions. Paddle around charming Newcastle Island or explore the dramatic, natural sandstone formations of the Malaspina Galleries. Both places have been tourist attractions for more than a hundred years.

Nanaimo is a 90-minute drive north from Victoria via Highway 1.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: easy to difficult
• Approximate time required: 3 hours - several days

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