Wildlife
Wildlife you may see on this tour are the Bald Eagle, Harbour Seal, Oyster Catcher, Raven, Dalls' Porpoise, Black Bear, Deer, River Otter and more. Sea life varies from a Wolf Eel to Star fish to Moon Jelly and more. The list is endless.

Desolation Sound Geography
Desolation Sound is situated in the rain shadow of the Vancouver Island mountains. This means that as the prevailing weather systems come into the coast from the Pacific Ocean, the majority of the precipitation is dropped while the system passes over Vancouver Island making Desolation Sound a relatively dry area on the coast that receives plenty of sunshine.

Incredible Mountain Views in Desolation Sound.

Day 1 Kayaking Desolation Sound
Our tour begins at Quadra Island Outfitting Base. After an initial orientation and pre trip checks we meet our Ferry just minutes from our base located beside the Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal. The Cortes ferry takes us from the south end of Quadra Island and off towards Cortes Island. Making our way arcross to Cortes we soak up the view of the coast range mountains catching a glimpse of seals, eagles and other sights along the way.

When we arrive at our launch point on Cortes each lunch, we go over a safety and instructional talk, then we eat a hearty lunch in the cove while your guide/s explains, and shows how to effectively pack your kayak. Before you know it, we are on the water paddling our way toward the majestic Coast Mountains and, Desolation Sound. This leg of the trip is almost always a great photo opportunity. With the mountains coming into view, they make a picture perfect back drop for photography. We’ll stop for a shoreline snack and get out to stretch our legs along the way.

Depending on the group’s speed and desires, we may camp on the Martin Islands or a little closer to Desolation Sound Marine Park. We set up camp for the night and snuggle in for a sumptuous dinner and campfire.

Day 2 Kayaking Desolation Sound
Fresh air and the sounds of birds and seals are the morning wake-up call with a hint of fresh Starbucks coffee brewing on the camp stove. After a hearty, delicious hot breakfast served with fresh fruit and hot freshly brewed coffee (or hot beverage of your choice from the pantry,) we pack up our boats and head off for a day of adventure. Depending again, on the groups desires we can base camp for a few days from one exceptional camp site or move about each day with a new site for each evening. Either way, we have our lunch with us and always eat somewhere different. Likely, we would explore Tenedos Bay which is on the mainland inside the marine park. It is accessible only by water, and here we hike along a clear babbling stream up to a stunning fresh water lake that begs you for a swim, which almost everyone obliges. By the end of the day we’ll be camped again, enjoying surrealistic views abound, while sampling the smells and sounds of another delicious dinner, and desert. Another night of fresh air and solitude, and a usually cloudless sky displaying an amplitude of stars to inspire awe.

Day 3 Kayaking Desolation Sound
Before the morning sun rises from behind the mountains it creates a glow that begins as a sizzle of light silhouetting the highest peaks with orange-red rim. Then, slowly, the light increases in intensity, as if turning up the volume and the world around us awakens to another day. The Black Oyster Catchers with their bright orange beaks and flesh coloured legs begin flying from rock to rock while whistling that wonderful call that makes them irresistible. The Ravens, a highly intelligent and problem solving bird, soon begins its clucks, giggles and metallic clunks as if it were showing off its wide range of vocabulary just for us. This will be followed by the load splashing sounds of nearby Harbor Seals diving into the water for a morning meal, and in the background is the slight waft of breakfast cooking and coffee roasting to greet your day.

Day 4 Kayaking Desolation Sound
Of course another hearty, delicious hot breakfast is the dawn of a new day. Today we may find ourselves paddling to the mouth of Waddington Channel to explore Roscoe Bay, another gorgeous spot. On the paddle across Homfray Channel to Waddington we experience a view of the coast mountains that is unsurpassed. In front of us is East Redonda Island, the highest island for its circumference on the coast and impressive it is! In less than three kilometres inland on the island, it rises from sea level to over 1500 meters in height creating a formidable challenge to a hiker. Almost splitting the island in half is the world famous Pendrell Sound, a dead end inlet that holds water even warmer than Prideaux Haven due to its long length. This is a view we often reflect on as one of the few that reproduces in photographs with reasonable reflection of what is was actually like to be there -Stupendous.

As we round the corner of Marylebone Point at Roscoe Bay it immediately becomes apparent why we came. The bay is cut deep into the high mountainous sides of West Redonda island with a waterfall crashing down the rock face except during the driest times, that you can paddle your kayak almost under to cool off. At the far end of the bay is a small river flowing vigorously out of Black Lake which is just a few minutes hike on a flat trail inland. The lake is another fantastic swimming exercise, which is an activity we invariable we find ourselves partaking in. Occasionally we have portaged the kayaks up to the lake for a fresh water journey on the remote unpopulated lake.

Day 5 Kayaking Desolation Sound
By the time day five comes along the talk of leaving is almost enough to bring on mutiny. We have all fallen into the syncopated rhythm of natures land and sea, and it feels "right" to be living outdoors in a nomadic lifestyle that encourages ones connection with the land in which we come. It is this day that brings guests back for another tour, next year.

We eventually find ourselves back at our haulout, in no real hurry soaking in the seascape while we head back to meet our ferry in the late afternoon.

 The return ride on the ferry finds us sitting out back soaking up an awesome view, facing the mountain vista that we have been living amongst these past days. The view is, well we don’t want to give away the ending. Come Out For Adventure and see.

For those who are interested in maps and charts, the chart for this area is named DESOLATION SOUND AND SUTIL CHANNEL 3538 and is available from most marine stores.

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Kayaking Desolation Sound