DISCOVERY ISLANDS KAYAKING EXPEDITION
Tour Overview
Quadra Island kayaking and more. This 6-day kayaking expedition launches from Rebecca Spit on beautiful Quadra Island. You will explore several of the islands along the Discovery Islands chain. Quadra, Read, Rendezvous, Penns, and Bretons, all sparsely inhabited and remote islands waiting to be explored.
Included in National Geographic Canada’s 50 Places of a Lifetime, the Discovery Islands, located between Vancouver Island and the mainland in British Columbia, are a sea kayaking paradise. One of the West Coast’s best kept secrets.
QUADRA ISLAND KAYAKING IN REMOTE CANADIAN WILDERNESS
Each day you will paddle into secret bays and each evening as you take in the spectacular view towards the British Columbia Coast or Vancouver Island Mountains, campfires will warm your soul as you recount the day.
Humpback Whales, Seals, Dolphins, & More
In the last few years, Humpback Whales have made a strong resurgence in the Discovery Islands and have often been seen on our kayak trips. Given their wild nature, you can never be guaranteed to see a whale, but many of our recent trips have had amazing encounters. Check out one humpback encounter on this trip that was covered by news station worldwide.
During your Quadra Island kayaking vacation you’re bound to have close encounters with a variety of BC’s coastal wildlife. This region is known for its sea lions, seals, pacific white sided dolphins, otters, colourful birds and some of the largest starfish and clams in the world.
Coastal Cuisine
We strive to make your sea kayaking vacation a trip of a lifetime. We know an important part of this experience is delicious, hearty, and plentiful food.
For our kayaking expedition trips we enlisted a local gourmet chef to design the menu and train our guides to be excellent wilderness cooks! Fresh meals prepared each day will leave your belly full and ready for all the adventures the new day brings.
Quality Expedition Tents & Warm Sleeping Bags
All gear needed for your trip (kayaks, paddles, tents, & dry bags) is included in the trip price. Our equipment is kept in top-notch condition. From toasty sleeping bags to crawl into at the end of each day as you head off for a peaceful sleep to quality tents (including tents for singles so you don’t have to bunk with anyone else if you are a solo traveller).
High Staff to Guest Ratio & Small Group Size
The maximum number of guests on any Wildcoast sea kayaking expedition is 12 and our staff to guest ratio is 1:6 or better. For each trip, our guides select the kayak routes based on your group’s kayaking skills and level of experience. You will enjoy a couple nights at one spot, or if you are with a more advanced group your kayak expedition could be racking up the nautical miles circumnavigating one of the more remote islands.
Your First Night on Quadra Island
Included in your sea kayaking vacation package is the first night at one of Quadra Island’s beautiful Resorts. A relaxing start and an opportunity to enjoy Quadra Island as you prepare for the spectacular days you will spend kayaking and camping throughout the Discovery Islands.
On the day of your arrival a briefing at the resort will provide you with everything you need to know before launching on your tour early the next morning.
Tour Highlights
- Towering trees, mountains, and remote beaches
- Humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and dolphins
- Some of the world’s largest starfish
- Small group size
- Great trip for solo travelers
- Coastal cuisine designed by a local gourmet chef
- Quality kayaks, expedition tents & warm sleeping bags
- High Staff to Guest Ratio
- Accommodations on Quadra Island the night before you launch at one of Quadra’s beautiful resorts
Discovery Islands Expedition
6 Days / 5 Nights
2023 Trip Dates
June 4-9
June 11-16
June 18-23
July 2-7
July 9-14
July 16-21
July 23-28
July 30-Aug 4
Aug 6-11
Aug 13-18
Aug 20-25
August 27-Sept 1
Sept 3-8
Sep 10-15
Tour Itinerary
MEETING LOCATION: Wildcoast Adventures is located at 685 Heriot Bay Road just a short distance by foot or by car from the BC Ferry Terminal in Quathiaski Cove. An afternoon briefing is held on the day of your arrival. During the meeting we will provide you with a dry bag for your belongings and tell you everything you need to know before launching on your kayaking tour early the next morning.
Day 1
Your Arrival Day!
Your first night is at one of Quadra’s beautiful Resorts. A relaxing start and an opportunity to enjoy Quadra Island as you prepare for the days you will spend kayaking and camping throughout the Discovery Islands.
Day 2-3
YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS
Your trip launches from the breathtaking Rebecca Spit Provincial Park located in Quadra Island’s Heriot Bay.
Each kayak trip is customized to suit the group’s paddling ability and interests. With the variety of islands to explore each trip is unique.
Day 4-5
MAGICAL DAYS & NIGHTS
Days in the wilderness will have you kayaking amongst the islands, walking through ancient forests, swimming in fresh water lakes, and honing our paddling skills. Evening campfires and stargazing will round out each day.
Your expert guides each add their own flair to the trip providing an experience unlike any other.
Day 6
THE JOURNEY BACK
On your last day you will paddle back to your launch point and be transported back to the Wildcoast shop by early-afternoon. A relaxing end point where you can hang out, grab a coffee and repack your belongings before heading onto your next destination.
6 Frequently Asked Questions About This Trip
While no experience is required to participate in this kayaking tour, we recommend that you enjoy a challenge, have a positive mindset and that you are in good physical shape. Our kayaks are stable, and safe to paddle. Wildcoast guides provide kayak instruction and safety procedures prior to your first launch, and assist during your kayak tour with tweaking your technique. Learn more
Yes we provide excellent alternates for guests requiring a special menu. These modifications don’t compromise on the quality, freshness, or portion sizing of each meal (this may require an additional fee to cover the menu modification costs for your specific dietary requirement).
On this trip, we equip you with high-quality tents and sleeping bags that are ideal for the climate and expedition kayak camping – at no extra cost. This is so we can be assured you are best outfitted for the climate and conditions. This also prevents our guests from having to travel to our location with cumbersome camping gear.
If you are traveling with a friend or partner we will have you share a tent. If you are a solo traveler you will get your own tent and not be “bunked” with a stranger.
We provide our kayak vacation guests with a durable dry bag to pack your personal items into, and answer any last-minute questions you might have, during your morning briefing.
Follow our helpful PACKING LIST to be sure you come best prepared!
Nope! We think our trips are an excellent way for solo travelers to experience a fantastic adventures with others. There is no additional “single supplement” and we don’t bunk you with a stranger. For that reason, we do limit the number of solo travelers on our trips – so be sure not to miss out!
Our guides determine the length of each days’ paddle based on the weather conditions, sea conditions, and group paddling skill/dynamic. As this is an expedition style trip you will be kayaking between campsites and spending up to five hours a day on the water. Each day’s paddle is broken up by a lunch stop, and opportunities to see & learn about the wildlife along the way.
The campsites are located in remote wilderness settings. Some of the campsites have sparse amenities. Tent locations may be uneven and the beaches are usually rocky. There are limited washroom facilities. Your guides will assist you to make this wilderness camping experience as comfortable as possible.
Testimonials
We were lucky enough to be part of the 5-day Discovery Islands kayaking expedition that got humpback whales breach really close to us… I would have rated the expedition 5 stars even without the whale encounter.
TripAdvisor 5 Star Review
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