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Vancouver Island Kayaking Fun Kayaking Vacations
Vancouver Island kayaking takes you through a breathtaking wonderland that stretches from frozen fjords and rocky beaches populated by seals, through temperate, sandy beaches and majestic forests filled with wildlife.
You will kayak past breaching Orca whales, salmon fishing Eagles and perhaps even a brown bear having his lunch!
An ocean kayaking adventure gives you a glimpse into a world you thought was long gone.
From isolated campsites (Pack your kayaking gear carefully.) along the coast to protected misty lakes a little further inland, Vancouver Island offers pristine northern wilderness to explore and enjoy while you glide silently through the coastal waters.
While the entire coastline is beautiful, there are some very specific locations you should check out during your sea kayaking vacation.
The first area tat you need to see is between the British Columbia mainland and the island.
Look for Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait to the north, between which you'll find waters rich in marine mammals like Orca whales, porpoises, and seals.
Next are the the Northern and Southern Gulf Islands which are warmer, with a Mediterranean climate at times, and claim thousands of species of wildlife and plants.
You'll see beautiful sea otters, minks, and dozens of animals that live along the coastlines of the Gulf Islands.
Half of British Columbia's marine parks are located in the Gulf Islands, and it's easy to see why.
Here is a video of a kayaking trip to Nootka Sound. I think you'll enjoy watching it...
Please press the "Play Button" (left) in the player controls instead of the arrow on the screen.
At the far south end of Vancouver Island, the city of Victoria and the South Islands interrupt your Vancouver Island kayaking adventure with a little civilization.
Tucked into the southern corner of Vancouver Island, just on the edges of the Washington State boundaries, this area has over a half a million people.
Use Victoria BC as a base for your Vancouver Island kayaking trips, or as a respite from the rough wilderness beauty of Vancouver Island.
Tour groups of kayakers leave from the Victoria harbour and at various places along the Saanich peninsula, so you'll be able to join a group of fellow sea kayakers--if that is your pleasure.
Ocean Kayaking Vancouver Island West Coast
On the outer west coast, your Vancouver Island kayaking trip takes you through Nootka Sound, Clayoquot Sound, and the Broken Group Islands.
At Nootka Sound, look for the Nuchatlitz Marine Park, with beautiful inlets and creeks alongside an ocean beach.
Here you may also see historic remains: hieroglyphics on rocks and cemeteries for Spanish explorers and Mowachaht natives.
The area is very wild, and if you camp during your Vancouver Island kayaking adventure here, you'll need to hang food and other items from a tree to keep the raccoons and other wildlife out.
Clayoquot Sound is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and boasts the largest intact virgin rainforest in British Columbia, with trees as old as 1700 years.
Islets and rocky reefs add character to your sea kayaking expedition, and you'll see rough rocky beauty that exists hardly anywhere else on earth.
The Broken Group Islands have everything, from plankton in tidal pools to giant Pacific grey whales.
The quiet protected waters carry sound for miles, and you can only reach the Islands by boat.
For your first Vancouver Island kayaking, it's a good idea to book a trip with professional kayaking tour guides.
This will allow you to learn what dangers may lurk along this rugged coastline, and introduce you to campsites and hidden towns where you can pick up supplies you need as well as have a respite from roughing it.
You'll find dozens of tour agencies and guides in the city of Victoria who can help you find the perfect group for you.
They will also be able to suggest where to get (or they can provide), the kayaking gear and equipment that you will need.
Of course you may have your own sea kayaks, in which case, visit the Victoria agencies to get maps and directions as well as suggestions for camping and the very necessary tide-tables.
You must discover Vancouver Island kayaking, as it is one of the finest things the island has to offer. And you will have the kayaking vacation of a lifetime!
