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“This ranks as one of the very best sea kayaking vacations I have ever taken. It was everything I’d hoped for, and on many occasions, it well exceeded my expectations.”
- Rod Vullenvue, Calgary
Gwaii Haanas is the
#1 National Park as rated by the National Geographic Traveller Magazine.
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THE REMOTE CENTRAL COAST
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Sea kayaking BC's Central Coast offers the grandeur of big views and open beaches while ensuring the comfort of archipelago islands and quaint moments. The potential to paddle vast open waters melds itself nicely with the many opportunities to meander calm shores and quiet passages. The Central Coast defines solitude, and true wilderness.
Visitors are few, including other kayakers. You will feel as though you are the first to kayak some of the shorelines that the area boasts. Wildlife however, is plentiful. The Central Coast offers a rare occasion to spot sea otters after their successful reintroduction to the Coast. Intertidal life is grand. Waters are clear. Birdlife, both marine and terrestrial, is very abundant.
We will begin in the protected waters just east of Calvert Island - offloading directly from BC's Inside Passage ferry - and gradually make our way across the Hakai Passage, up to Hunter Island, out towards the Bardswell Group and eventually into Bella Bella, the home of the Heiltsuk First Nation. Everyday will offer a new experience as the area provides numerous options for optimal paddling. In essence, it allows for the quintessential kayak expedition. Mountain peaks fall steeply to varied shorelines of cliff, beach, cove and thick west coast greenery. Mother Nature showcases her bounty in the Central Coast.
Other Tours: Forgotten Totems of Chaatl | Hot Springs to the Totems of the Pacific | Native Totems of Gwaii Haanas | Wild BC Salmon
Day 1
We will start the trip together the evening of Day 1 in Port Hardy, meeting at a B&B to get acquainted with each other and the trip. Questions will be answered and bags will be packed so everything is ready for our early ferry departure the following morning.
Day 2 - 10
We will board the Inside Passage ferry walk-on style, bags and kayaks in tow, and enjoy a northbound sail. The ferry will sail through Queen Charlotte Strait and across the Sound. Glimpses of Cape Caution and the many empty beaches along BC's mainland coast are likely. By mid afternoon the captain will arrange for a drop off from the ferry into the waters of Fitz Hugh Sound, just east of Calvert and Hecate Island. That's right - right from the car deck itself. Before you know it, we will be paddling off together toward Pruth Bay, waving to the ferry and beginning our northbound expedition en kayak.
Weather permitting, we will travel daily setting up comfortable camps as we make our way north. We will paddle across the Hakai Passage and part of the Hakai Luxvbalis Conservancy Area, British Columbia's largest marine park, early in the expedition. Our next landmark will be Spider Island to the northwest, a World War II Radar Listening Post, and the many smaller islands in its vicinity. The opportunity to peek at views of the wide-open Pacific and experience its swell presents itself along much of the paddle.
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We will continue along Hunter Island, where peaks reach nearly 1000 meters above sea level, and make our way towards the southern reaches of Campbell Island. We may even catch a glimpse of the Goose Island Group in the offshore waters to the West. The natural flow of land masses will guide us further northwestward towards Horsfall, Dufferin and Athlone Islands. An abundance of channels and headlands, crossings, beaches and views into the open Pacific will keep us more than occupied on this section of the expedition. Time, tides and weather guiding us further, we will paddle an enjoyable route to |
the northern tip of Campbell Island, and gradually make our way to the small island community of Bella Bella. An opportunity to visit the community and the Heiltsuk First Nations Museum may even present itself. Our paddle expedition will come to an end in McLoughlin Bay just south of Bella Bella. While not promised, glimpses of sea otters and bald eagles, potentially even whales, sandhill cranes and puffins are not unlikely. Sea otters were reintroduced to the West Coast of Vancouver Island in the late 1960's and have since made a successful comeback after populations were reduced to near extinction. The Goose Island Group and area to the east in particular is home for many individuals and rafts. |
Day 11
After our last night camping near the ferry terminal at McLoughlin Bay, we will pack up and board the ferry southbound**. Views and a sense of true accomplishment will accompany us as we travel south through Lama Passage, Fitz Hugh Sound and back through the familiar waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. The trip comes to an end once back in Port Hardy and transportation to your vehicle or a B&B for the night has been arranged.
Please note that Mother Nature has the final word on tour itineraries and the above is just a general overview.
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2011 TOUR SCHEDULE
All prices are in Canadian Dollars and include park fees.
12% HST NOT INCLUDED in pricing.
| DATES 2012 | TRIPS | PRICE | DURATION |
| July 3-12 | Hot Springs to Totems of the Pacific | $2275 | 10 paddle days |
| July 12-21 | Hot Springs to Totems of the Pacific | $2275 | 10 paddle days |
| July 21-28 | Hot Springs to Totems of the Pacific | $2095 | 8 paddle days |
| July 28-August 4 | Hot Springs to Totems of the Pacific | $2095 | 8 paddle days |
| August 4-11 | Native Totems of Gwaii Haanas | $2135 | 8 paddle days |
| August 11-20 | Hot Springs to Totems of the Pacific | $2275 | 10 paddle days |
| August 20-29 | Wild BC Salmon and Skedans | $1995 | 10 paddle days |
