Kayaking Day Tours

Each trip we offer includes a thorough kayaking lesson on the dock to make sure that everybody is comfortable and ready to go. Here you will learn the safety aspects of this activity, some of the gear considerations and proper paddling techniques. Your certified and knowledgeable guides will make sure that your kayak is fitted properly and that your sitting position is correct. After the orientation session we hit the water and practice our new skills!

There are several different route options available on the full day tour including: a white sand beach in Open Bay, an open water crossing out to the Breton Islands for a visit with the local seal colony, or perhaps meander along the shoreline towards Hyacinthe Bay to learn about a first nations village site and view an active salmon stream. There are plenty of options to interest all people! The full day tour gives you enough time to really get out there and explore the area. We stop on a beach or a remote island for our lunch break where people get the chance to rest, swim, stretch, beach comb or just relax and take in the views.

As for what wildlife you will see paddling around Quadra Island, there is never a dull moment. We see lots of soaring eagles, Oystercatchers, herons, cormorants, gulls, ducks, geese, harbour seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoise and sometimes even whales! There is always a wide variety of inter-tidal life to learn about including sea stars, sea urchins, jellyfish, crabs etc. The mountain views are stunning and the guides have lots of interesting info to share. This full day tour is an experience that you won’t forget!

We start this tour with a lesson on the dock to go over the elements of kayaking including safety issues, proper paddling techniques, steering and balance tips. For the sunset paddle we usually head over to the Breton Islands to visit our local seal colony or we head to Turtle Island and take the five minute hike to the top for the stunning view. Either way we always take a nice rest stop on shore to get out, stretch our legs with a spectacular views!

In the evening there is a calm quiet on the water. We may see soaring eagles enjoying the night sky, oystercatchers relaxing on rocks, herons standing tall to take in the sunset, cormorants, gulls, ducks and geese flying by. We nearly always see seals hanging out on the rocks. And in July these harbour seals are having their pups! There is always the magical chance of spotting dolphins, porpoise and sometimes even whales! Of course our friends the sea stars, sea urchins, anemones, and jellyfish are always there to entertain us. The coastal mountains take on an impressive glow as the sun goes down over Vancouver Island. This tour is an excellent opportunity to have a magical end to a day here on Quadra Island.