A west coast guide favourite
Length:
6 Days
Location:
West Coast Vancouver Island
For Who:
Expedition travel, some wilderness experience
* Kayaking trips & tours are priced and charged in Canadian dollars and are subject to 5% GST and $25 / person environmental sustainability fee. Please see our Terms and Conditions for complete terms. To check live availability on any trip, click the Book Now tab and select a trip date.
What makes this tour so special?
If you crave adventure, and a desire to kayak and explore an area that few ever get to, then this west coast kayaking expedition is for you. Our expert guides know the area, the currents, winds, and of course the best camping and sunset spots! Together with your small group, you will see sites and visit places that are outside the realm of the modern world, and accessible to only a select few. The dramatic seascape of the wild northwest coast of Vancouver Island provides the setting for one of the finest sea kayaking destinations in Canada, Nuchatlitz Marine Park. The area is sheltered from the open ocean by small and enchanting islands. This string of islets gives the adventurous kayaker an opportunity to experience the rugged coast while paddling in relatively protected waters.
The Area
This remote area is one of the few places where you can escape the crowds. Getting out to the park can be difficult for the solo paddler or independent group as the distance is far from the launch site and headwinds are often encountered deeper in the inlets. To avoid this long and arduous paddle, Spirit of the West Adventures will transport you by water taxi to and from this prime west coast kayaking destination. Once there we will establish our first night’s camp on a secluded beach among old-growth forests. Each day we will explore the numerous islands and beaches, marvel at the natural rock formations like sea caves and towering rock pinnacles, and reflect on the rich west coast First Nations culture.
Sea Otters
The Nuchatlitz is home to one of the largest sea otter populations on the west coast of North America. Once hunted to extinction in this area, the sea otter was reintroduced in the late 1960s and now thrives. Their extinction caused considerable upheaval in the natural world, however, with their return the area is returning to ecological health once again.
west coast Sunsets
The sunsets on the West Coast of Vancouver Island are simply stunning. Watch as the sun sinks over the horizon to the west and beautiful colours illuminate the skies. Most of the campsites on the Nuchatlitz tour offer west-facing beaches where you can enjoy these amazing spectacles.
WHITE Sand
Most sea kayaking areas on the Inside Passage, between Vancouver Island and the mainland, have landing areas that range from rock to pebbles or gravel due to the lack of consistent wave action. Here on the outer coast, we are treated to numerous beaches where you can walk barefoot and really get the sand between your toes.
The Tour
Our west coast kayaking adventure begins from the town of Tahsis on the west coast of Vancouver Island. From here we jump aboard our water taxi and head into the heart of the Nuchatlitz Provincial Marine Park. En route, we take in the mountainous coastal landscape and keep our eyes peeled for wildlife as we pass by historic village sites. In the park, we have six days to explore. Our itinerary is quite flexible and the route will be mostly dictated by wildlife viewing opportunities, tide heights, wind direction/speed, and wave conditions. Our guides will base campsite choices on scenic qualities, availability, and, of course, group preferences.
Sea Stacks & Caves
Stacks are formed when part of a headland is eroded by hydraulic action. The force of the water weakens cracks in the headland and causes them to collapse, forming free-standing stacks and small islands. These formations, along with the numerous sea caves in the area, make for some of the most picturesque and interesting paddling on the coast.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Professional guiding service
- All kayaking equipment (including kayaks, PFDs, paddles, pumps, ropes and sponges)
- Meals (lunch day 1 to breakfast day 6)
- Camping equipment including tents, camp pillows, Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads, tarps, and more.
- Water taxi service
- Park and land use permits
If you are planning on bringing any of your own equipment please double-check the packing list to ensure you have the appropriate gear and please let our office know in advance of the tour to avoid us bringing duplicates.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
Not included in the tour cost are accommodation before or after the kayaking portion of your trip;
- Flights, airport transfers, ferries, taxis
- Travel/medical insurance
- Alcoholic or carbonated beverages
- Rain gear*
- Sleeping bags*
- Personal items (toiletries, clothing, etc.)
- Guide gratuity
Sleeping bags and rain gear may be rented if you prefer not to travel with them (please reserve in advance; maybe booked online with your trip reservation).
What’s Cooking?
Your multi-talented guides are not only experts on the water but also skilled in the kitchen, crafting delicious meals at camp. From preparing dishes with fresh vegetables and local ingredients to accommodating a variety of dietary needs, no one ever goes hungry! Tasty, wholesome meals are crafted daily, starting with a nourishing breakfast to fuel your day of exploration. A picnic lunch is prepared each day and enjoyed during a relaxing break on one of the stunning beaches along the coast. Upon reaching your destination, enjoy an appetizer to celebrate a fantastic day of paddling. To wrap up the day, enjoy in a delicious dinner, followed by a nightly sweet treat—after all, dessert tastes even better in the wild! Learn more on our Food page.
The Camping
This is a true expedition style trip, which means we will move from camp to camp. If we find the perfect location we may choose to spend two nights camped at the same beautiful site, however most nights we will be at a new campsite. Relaxing on the beach in the evening is a great way to finish a day of west coast kayaking. This is where new friends are made and talk of the day’s adventure unfolds.
Also Available for private group Reservations
If you have a large group that would like to book a the whole tour as a private group, ask us about booking out the whole trip for just you & your group.
Spirit of the West acknowledges and operates in the unceded traditional territory of the Mamalilikulla, 'Namgis, Tlowitsis, Kwikwasut’inuxw, Nuu-chah-nulth, We Wai Kai, Homalco, Klahoose and Heiltsuk First Nations.
