 Sea Kayaking Quadra Islands
British Columbia
Kayaking Quadra Island Tour Details
The Discovery Islands are located in the North end of the  Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and the main land British Columbia and is one of the relatively undiscovered kayaking areas of the Pacific North West. We will paddle our kayak through Surge Narrows Marine Park and Octopus Islands Marine Park, both are incredible places to experience British Columbia coastal kayaking. We will view an ancient native village site and hike a portage into a fresh water lake to swim from a remote sandy beach. The surrounding landscape builds from sea level to impressive heights leaving, in some cases, narrow channels for us to paddle through. Hole in the Wall is one of those channels, and as you kayak into it, the vertical rock walls on either side continue to rise up until it seems as if they will connect overhead. A sight to behold, and so scenic that Jim (Out For Adventure co-founder,) once performed a marriage ceremony here for a couple that wanted an outdoor wedding.
Tidal currents moving around these islands stir a large amount of nutrients into the water providing a rich and diverse ocean habitat, more so, than further down the Strait of Georgia. Because of this we see abundant sea life and the fishing is wonderful. These same tidal currents provide an obstacle for the casual visitor that keeps the area less used. As the tidal waters come and go twice each day in a semi-diurnal pattern, it’s flow is somewhat restricted between the many islands and in many cases reaches velocities high enough to create standing waves and whirl pools at high flows. However, at slack times (the point at which the current ceases flowing in one direction and begins to reverse) the water is mirror calm as if it where a mill pond. Timing these slack times for passing through is done with the careful, knowledgeable and experienced use of tide and current tables which is a task your guide will perform to ensure safe passage for the group. Day 1
After meeting and introductions in the morning we will drive to Rebecca Spit Provincial Park (about 10 minutes from the Quadra to Campbell River ferry terminal,) to prepare and pack our boats after our usual safety and packing instruction. After paddle instruction, a demonstration and safety talk, we launch our boats. The Spit has sandy beaches and makes a great launch point.  Paddling away from Rebecca Spit we head out to the Breton Island group, which is invariably a Mecca for Harbour Seals and Bald Eagles. We then will follow the coast line of Quadra Island that is pocked with bays and islands as we make our way North up Hoskyn Channel. Stopping along the way we’ll enjoy a shore lunch and beach exploration. Kayaking further up the channel we will find our campsite and set up for a relaxing evening with a campfire and sumptuous first dinner, maybe even some fresh caught fish.
Day 2
Awaken to the cry of Bald Eagles, sometimes the puff and dive of a Dalls' Porpoise passing by, and the rustle of the Towhee (a Robin-sized bird) kicking its way through the forest underbrush. Enjoy our hot breakfast, possibly delicious version of French toast and fresh-roasted Starbucks Coffee or hot beverage, and watch the sun rise (if you're up early). The air here is fresh, clean and wild, and nothing beats standing on the shore looking out over the water with a fresh coffee in hand... bliss. Usually we’ll break camp (pack our kayak to move) and paddle off in our kayaks, according to the slack timing of the narrows in the Surge Narrows Marine Park. Depending on the tidal flow and time of day we may explore the islands and channels of this marine park before heading further north towards Octopus Islands Marine Park. Looking to the left and to the right we see the mountainous terrain covered with lush coniferous forests. We are surrounded by wild places and beauty. Likely we’ll camp in or near Octopus Islands Marine Park and again set up for a wonderfully relaxing evening of campfire, talk and star gazing. Of course, another delicious dinner, salad and dessert. |
Day 3
The silence of an Octopus Islands' morning borders on a religious experience. Bald eagles calling from high above break the silence and begin our day as morning sunlight refreshes the landscape. If you aren’t out of bed yet, the smell of fresh coffee brewing is the morning wake up. Another hot  energizing meal sets us on our way to explore the Wyatt Bay portage. We kayak our way around the small islands only vaguely suggestive of a direction or even destination but eventually find ourselves pulling our kayaks up the beach at an ancient native village site. A fresh water rivulet pours gently over the midden (ancient refuse heap) embankment and across the beach. A close look at the midden reveals a five foot deep pile of shells that may extend into the bush for fifty feet or more giving evidence of native occupation or use for possibly thousands of years. We do not dig or even move the shells left behind from these tribes, and there is no need. We stand at the midden facing into the forest, on a bright green mossy floor surrounded by a lush coastal rain forest enhanced with an almost imperceptible fog and are transcended.
Depending on the group we may take the incredible hike that crosses the narrowest point of the island, bringing us out in Small Inlet on the west side. It is a beautiful section of forest that unfortunately may be logged in the near future. Hopefully not before you’ve experienced it. We now would either explore more small islands then kayak back to camp or if we were planning to continue around Maurelle Island through Hole in the Wall we would kayak our way according to the tides. 
Our next stop may include the remote, quaint community of Surge Narrows on Read Island, which includes a general store and a post office accessible only by boat, plane or kayak. The mail and perishable goods are delivered by plane to this very small community. The general store, standing on pilings over the water and attached to the wharf is owned and operated by a local family and is stocked with everything from fresh fruit and canned goods to outboard motor parts and wiring supplies, all in a setting that stands still in time. From here we kayak to our last but none the less wonderful campsite for our last evening as a nomadic group of kayakers. Here we are treated to another special dinner and desert while we enjoy a warm cozy campfire and talk of the kayaking days gone by. Day 4
Sitting easy around the morning camp while enjoying an Olympian breakfast, freshly brewed coffee or hot beverage that is Out For Adventure’s idea of beginning a day. The camp sites that we use are spectacular, with arresting scenery that steals ones focus and centers the soul. We break camp and board our kayaks for a day of discovery. Today we are taking our time exploring the shoreline and bays of the coast. Scooting behind some larger islands we sort our way through a channel inspecting the cornucopia of sea life clinging to the rock walls we pass. Ochre Star Fish, Sea Anemones, Red Tube Worms, Oysters, Limpets, the list is as endless as the sea itself. Eventually we meet our shuttle van, pack our kayaking gear and enjoy the scenery as we make our way back to our base on south Quadra Island. Itinerary Changes
As on any outdoor adventure vacation, the traveler needs to acknowledge and accept the fact that we are subject to the whims of nature and/or other circumstances, and as such may have to change details or routes of our itinerary to accommodate our dynamic environment. |
