2 and 3 day camping tours available Kayaking the Calm Protected Waters of the Gulf Islands A perfect introduction to sea-kayaking for those unsure of a longer expedition. Pacific Northwest Expeditions is not responsible for any medical or evacuation costs should they be incurred for your safety or health during the course of the tour. all meals, snacks and hot beverages starting with lunch on the first day through to lunch on the final day, touring sea kayaks (fibreglass single & doubles) along with all the required paddling equipment and on the water safety equipment, all the necessary wilderness kitchen and camping equipment, safety equipment and communication equipment, Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from the trip point of departure. All rental equipment is meticulously cleaned (sleeping bags are laundered) after each use, and replaced on a regular basis. Throughout your trip your guides will provide tips to develop your paddling skills to enhance your experience and to avoid poor techniques that can lead to injury, fatigue or frustration. The Gulf Islands lie tucked in the rain shadow of south-eastern Vancouver Island, and enjoy many more sunny days than mainland communities. Trip Dates. It rained yesterday, the forecast is more rain for tomorrow, but today is perfect for kayaking. A short drive and a ferry ride away from almost anywhere on the south coast, the Gulf Islands offer an accessible break from urban life. Calm, protected channels amongst a plethora of islands make this area a perfect place to spend the day exploring with a sea kayak. Standing on Mayne Island’s pebbled beach, Jen McGuinness of B.C.-based Ecosummer Expeditions and I are attired in our rubber kayaking skirts waiting for ‘slack tide’ – the calm between ebb and flow – to launch. low carbohydrate diets). After a healthy and reenergizing lunch at Woodstone Country Inn, it’s back into the kayak for the paddle back. Gulf Islands The Gulf Islands within the Strait of Georgia (Salish Sea) are known for sheltered waters, stunning scenery and a mild climate. Please check with your health care plan administrator to ensure that you have sufficient coverage while participating on one of our tours. Once you turn the corner away from civilization you will be drawn into the scenery and enjoy the sounds of nature. Leave the city behind and enjoy sea kayak touring in the protected waters of the scenic Pylades & Stewart Channels in the North Gulf Islands. Go Northwest! What makes our kayak … native, Jen launched her kayaking career eight years ago and since then has taken many kayaking ‘newbies’ out to meet the waves. It is advisable to make accommodation reservations in advance. A indoor gym is no substitute for working out in an environment of crisp sea air that helps clear the mind and refresh the senses. © Travel to Wellness is published by Travel to Wellness online since 2004. photo by Dave Dean. Gulf Islands. While our trips are not considered to be strenuous or physically demanding, and we do not require a high level of fitness, good general physical condition is necessary. Your pre-trip information outlines suggested quantities to bring along to make your trip enjoyable for any weather conditions that could be encountered. Read what my friend Heather Priest has to say about her kayaking adventure to Tent Island. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Kayaking Victoria. The North Gulf Island sea kayaking tour departs from the beach, just minutes from the BC Ferry Duke Point terminal and only fifteen minutes south of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The trip is suitable for active singles, couples and families with children as young as 13 years. The gnarled Garry oak and the twisted Arbutus trees provide a framework for rolling meadows of Douglas Fir, one of the rarest ecosystems in the world. The trip is progressive in terms of skills and therefore is suitable for a variety of paddling abilities – beginners are welcome. They really ARE the stuff kayaker’s dreams are made of: clear, sheltered waters, lots of nooks and crannies to explore, nature reserves, parks, and perfect campsites for kayakers alone, away from the busy anchorages and miles from roads, if they exist at all. Visiting the Gulf Islands during the summer months is an unparalleled experience — one that’s best enjoyed by camping. Warm Pacific air keeps the climate on Vancouver Island moderate year round. The Leading Reference to The Gulf Islands of BC, Canada. Gulf Island Kayaking is family owned and operated and offers 3-6 hr guided tours, dockside lessons and canoe, paddleboard & kayak rentals year round! Just a short ferry ride (or two) away, B.C.’s Gulf Islands offer plenty of opportunities to escape the city and embrace the great outdoors. Location: An island laying just off the coast of Nanaimo/Cedar, Vancouver Island. Day One . Leave the city behind and enjoy sea kayak touring in the protected waters of the scenic Pylades & Stewart Channels in the North Gulf Islands. You have a chance to see killer whales and sea otters and will likely see eagles, sea lions and seals. This region makes a great introduction to new ocean paddlers or a serene escape for the seasoned kayaker. Gulf Island Kayaking is located on Galiano Island in British Columbia, Canada, close to the Gulf Islands National Marine Park Reserve. Kayaking in the Gulf Islands Map of the northern and southern Gulf Islands . Our kayaking adventures are suitable for any experience level – including the never-been-in-a-kayak-before level – and are fun for the whole family. Kayaking Gulf Islands. Ganges, Salt Spring Island. A great experience gift for Victoria locals and first-time visitors. I learn there’s a family of 80 to 90 orcas that resides in these waters. Captain Vancouver claimed the islands for the British Crown, and referred to them as being located in a “gulf.” While the Gulf Islands are clearly not in a gulf, the name stuck. No previous sea kayak touring experience is required to participate on this trip. Kayaking The Gulf Islands, British Columbia. You will discover the rustic charm and character of Link, DeCourcey, Ruxton, Pylades, and Valdes Islands, and learn of the sometimes, bizarre history of the area. Holidaying on a Gulf Island guarantees rest and relaxation – and the choice is yours as to whether the R&R is healthy, creative, pampered or pleasantly indulgent. Pacific Northwest Expeditions provides virtually everything you will need for this sea kayaking adventure; To view a larger version click on the map image. If you have a particular snack food that you enjoy, or are the type of person who needs to snack regularly while active you are welcome to bring along your own personal supply. We will meet you at the launch site near Nanaimo, at 9:00 AM. mainland attract kayakers from all parts of British Columbia, Canada and the world. A B.C. However we are not able to accommodate special diets that require a strict menu plan (e.g. The large, relatively isolated lakes of the north and central portion of Vancouver Island are enclaves This archipelago enjoys a mild, almost Mediterranean-type climate and is popular with people who enjoy outdoor recreational activities. Thinking of booking a kayaking vacation? CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Accommodations, and meals prior to or after your trip, are not included. Gulf Islands. Each guest will be required to sign a Pacific Northwest Expeditions ' Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumptions of Risk, & Indemnity Agreement’ and complete a ‘Medical Questionnaire Form’, prior to the trip departure date. Discover the Gulf Islands on a guided Kayak tour from Vancouver Island’s Swartz Bay. There’s lots of wild life out here today – Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and all sorts of seabirds. Our guide to client ratio is 1:5, a standard set by the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. ***New for 2019*** We now offer bicycle rentals, with free bike delivery to Sturdies Bay ferry for full-day and multi-day rentals. A few tips to help you have better exerience. You will be provided with comprehensive information on suggested outdoor clothing for your trip. A primary reason for the popularity of sea kayaking is the ease at which the boat can be propelled and the relatively quick learning curve. In the previous three summers we and other friends had kayaked the San Juans twice, and Broken Group Islands in 2015, so it definitely felt time to explore some of the Gulf Islands. Upon your arrival, we will show you how to effectively pack your belongings into a kayak. About Kayaking Gulf Islands Come explore one of the best paddling areas in the Southern Gulf Islands. Please be advised that weather or other conditions could delay our return time, so please plan accordingly. Approx one hour ferry from Vancouver and Victoria. She says women tend to learn more quickly than men because they listen and ask questions, and follow the technique instead of just muscling through the stroke. Kayaking in BC in Gwaii Haanas National Park is the most popular option with possible hotspots that include, Hotspring Island, Burnaby Narrows and Windy Bay. Our extended peir allows our guest to user the dryfoot launch to start their kayak excursion. We are committed to small group tours. A permit is required for all custodial groups* kayaking and/or canoeing in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve’s marine waters. The sculptured sandstone cliffs of the shorelines were created to show off the pinks, blues, and yellows, draped over them. We stop to watch sea lions, their smooth shiny little heads bobbing just beyond the paddle’s reach, spot a rare Rhinoceros Auklet with a tiny horn on its beak and, as we glide into shore, gaze upon cormorants standing on high pilons drying their water-logged wings in the wind. It’s a beautiful sunny morning in April and we’re in a ‘weather window’ on Mayne Island, one of the smallest of the B.C. Bennett Bay Kayaking offers kayak and SUP rentals and guided tours on Mayne Island, B.C. 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Our 2-3 hour Ganges Harbour Kayak Tours are a great intro to kayaking and our Gulf Islands environment. Ganges Harbour Kayaking Tour. The early summer tours coincide with the blooming of wild flowers. Gabriola Island. The pristine waters of the Gulf Islands, just south of Nanaimo offer fantastic kayaking opportunities for both the novice and experienced paddler. Totally zen. Hotels near Kayaking Gulf Islands, Mayne Island on Tripadvisor: Find 8,916 traveler reviews, 774 candid photos, and prices for 394 hotels near Kayaking Gulf Islands in Mayne Island, British Columbia. As the late afternoon currents stir up nutrients from the seabed, swarming schools of fish bring the terns and sabine gulls who feast in a frenzy until a ferry steams by, giving rise to a thick cloud of screeching seabirds. Gulf Islands The Southern Gulf Islands are among some of the most accessible archipelagos to kayak in the world. 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