 Smuggler's Cove
James O'Mara photo Victoria is almost completely surrounded by water and its location on Vancouver Island's southern tip is what makes kayaking opportunities so unique and creates several great paddling locations. To the southwest is the Juan de Fuca Strait which opens to the Pacific Ocean and home to boat-access only Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park. To the southeast, Haro Strait leads to dozens of small islands and islets. Victoria's Inner Harbour and the adjacent Gorge Waterway allow paddlers can begin their saltwater adventure directly from downtown. Learn More About Kayaking in: 
Cadboro Bay – Gyro Park
Discovery Island
Gorge Waterway
Inner Harbour
Sidney Have you had an ocean kayaking adventure in BC? Let other visitors know about it. Write a blog! Kayaking In and Near Victoria, BCCity skyline views from the downtown Inner Harbour give way to the parks and suburbs of the Gorge Waterway. Only minutes from downtown, paddlers can discover protected coves, pocket beaches and hidden gems found only by boat. Renting a kayak is easy and convenient. A downtown departure point means paddlers can spend an hour or more on the water and have plenty of time to take in the city's shops, restaurants and attractions. Guiding companies will also transport kayaks to prime locations just outside the city core such as Cadboro Bay, Oak Bay, Sidney and Sooke. Wildlife Watching from your KayakIn Victoria, wildlife shares the waterways with habour ferries, seaplanes and kayakers. Curious harbour seals hang out in the Inner Harbour and the Gorge Waterway leads to Portage Inlet where intertidal mud flats and freshwater creeks are home to spawning salmon and one of the most important bird habitats in Victoria. Victoria is prime whale watching territory and resident Orca whales can often be seen in the Gulf Islands and off the city's coast.
Practical Points and Kayak Safety - The best time for kayaking in Victoria is April through October, but thanks to the city's mild climate it's possible to paddle year-round.
- Kayak rentals are available directly along the Inner Harbour, in various spots along the Gorge Waterway as well as from guide outfitters throughout the city. From downtown's protected, narrow waterways to the open water around Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park, there are kayaking routes to suit every skill level in and around the city.
- Guided tours and lessons are available for all skill levels. If you are unfamiliar with the area, a guided tour is highly recommended. Guided tours will usually supply guests with all the necessary gear and safety equipment needed, or will provide guests with a list of items to bring.
- Always let someone know your route and destination before setting out on a kayak trip. Be aware that weather conditions can change rapidly and may affect your itinerary.
- Weather can change quickly, and kayakers often get wet through rain, waves, spray or splashing. Be sure to dress in layers. Bring quick dry clothing, such as nylon, polyester, or polypropelene; avoid cotton clothing, as takes longer to dry and does not keep in heat. Wool clothing is also a good option.
- A lifejacket, hat, waterproof jacket, and sunglasses (on a lanyard so you won't lose them) are essential, as is rain gear and a change of dry clothes stored in a watertight container.
- Wear suitable footwear, such as sandals, water shoes, or light running shoes. Watertight cases for personal items (such as cameras) are also recommended.
- For a comprehensive guide to sea kayaking, read the Transport Canada Sea Kakaying Safety Guide
Highlights
Cadboro Bay Cadboro Bay is a partially protected bay with the kind of long sandy beaches that make for easy launches and convenient shoreline exploring. Generally the water is calm, although high winds occasionally create enough of a stir to make the bay hazardous for novice kayakers. In the summer, the bay gets quite busy with marine traffic on weekends as this is a favourite among locals. Attributes: - Rated: easy to difficult, depending on the wind
- Approximate time required: 1-2 hours
- Cadboro-Gyro Park is a 25-minute drive northeast of downtown Victoria.
>Back to the top. Discovery Island< Marine Provincial Park Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park is a sensitive seabird nesting area and ecological reserve. Seals, Sea Lions, otters and many bird species also call it home. Book a kayaking tour of the island or, if you're an experienced kayaker, rent a kayak and go it alone. There are no anchorage or moorage facilities in the park, while landing on any of the Chain Islets that lie between Oak Bay and Discovery Park is strictly prohibited. The park is located two nautical miles east of Vancouver Island. Access to the park is by boat only. The closest boat launch is at Cattle Point in Oak Bay.Attributes: - Rated: moderate to difficult depending on tides and currents
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours
- Waters can be treacherous - make crossings at slack tide in calm weather.
>Back to the top. Gorge Waterway The Gorge Waterway passes four bridges to connect Victoria's Inner Harbour to Portage Inlet, a designated waterfowl protection area. The waterway is calm and protected up to Tillicum Narrows, where currents are so strong it should only be crossed at slack tide. Novice and intermediate kayakers should avoid Tillicum Narrows entirely, unless they are accompanied by an experienced guide. Gorge Waterway Park provides paddlers with many scenic, forested viewpoints with restaurants and pubs dotting the shoreline. Attributes: - Rated: easy to difficult, depending on the tides
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours
- Access the Gorge Waterway from downtown Victoria or at points along Gorge Road.
>Back to the top. Inner Harbour The waters of Victoria's Inner Harbour are generally calm, so it's a good place for novice kayakers to work on their skills. A kayak is a wonderfully unique vantage point for taking in the city's skyline and viewing the Harbour Seals that frequent the area. Intermediate kayakers may want to venture further to the Outer Harbour and along the unprotected coastline. The Inner Harbour is a 5-minute walk from downtown Victoria. Attributes - Rated: easy
- Approximate time required: 2-4 hours
- The harbour is busy - exercise caution
>Back to the top. Sidney Inlets, bays and a maze of islands make the Sidney shoreline particularly scenic for kayakers. The tides and currents through the channels and between the islands can be dangerous, however, so exercise caution. Inexperienced kayakers should take a guided tour. Sightings of Orcas, Dall's Porpoises and Harbour Seals are common along this shoreline. Attributes: - Rated: easy to moderate
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours
- Paddlers can launch from downtown Sidney.
Sooke The large sheltered bay of Sooke Basin makes kayaking for beginner to intermediate paddlers an ideal way to explore the many quiet coves, access waterfront parks and spot abundant wildlife such as eagles, herons & seals. Sooke's location along the open ocean provides a more challenging experience for advanced paddlers. A popular route is along East Sooke Regional Park with its jagged coastline and pocket beaches. Paddlers may spot Orca, Gray and Humpback Whales, Steller and California Sea Lions, porpoises and seals in these waters. Rentals are conveniently located at the marina. Attributes: - Rated: easy to difficult
- Approximate time required: 3-4 hours
- Sooke is approximately a 40 minute drive west of Victoria via Hwy 14
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