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Sea Kayaking Desolation Sound
offered by supplier M07342 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 5
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 10
people
Destination(s):
British Columbia
Specialty Categories:
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
Season: May - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 445 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 445 US Dollar (USD)
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Desolation Sound is a sea kayakers paradise. Paddling amongst the towering mountains of the British Columbia Coast mountain range is a truly awe inspiring adventure. Desolation Sound has a Mediterranean climate which makes it our favorite place to paddle in May, June early July and September where you can count on having the best weather on the coast.
Carved into the inaccessible wilderness of the Canadian mainland over the ages, the soaring peaks of the coastal mountains tumble to the water’s edge in a jumble of river mouths and small islands, a perfect spot for sea kayaking. The rugged terrain has stopped any road access into Desolation; kayaks are the best way to visit this majestic and unspoiled area.
Tour Itinerary
The Desolation Sound tour launches from the east side of our neighboring Cortes Island. The Spirit of the West van will be traveling from Quadra Island to Cortes Island on the 9am ferry on day 1 of the tour. If you are traveling without a vehicle and need transportation with us, just let us know and we can make arrangements.
Day 0: Please join us for a pre-trip orientation meeting at 6:00pm at the Spirit of the West Office in Heriot Bay (also known as the Yak Shack) for a chance to meet your fellow paddlers and answer any questions you may have. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please check in at our office on Quadra Island during this day or please call us the day before to confirm that you have arrived and to see if there are any last minute details or schedule changes;
Day 1: Meet at our location, the Spirit of the West-Yak Shack in Heriot Bay at 7:30am for early morning check in and brief orientation, or meet at Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island. Travel to our launch site at Squirrel Cove via the 9am Cortes Island ferry. After packing our kayaks we will go over the kayaking basics and safety procedures before our journey begins. Our route takes us on a paddle towards the fjords of Desolation Sound, providing us with a stunning mountain backdrop. We stop at the Martin Islands for our first night's camp. Keep your eyes open for Harbour seals or Dall's porpoises along the way;
Day 2: Savour our first hearty breakfast in the great outdoors before we pack up and head off on our next days adventure. Today we cross over to the enchanting islands of Desolation Sound, where we scout out our desired camping sight. In the afternoon we will have plenty of time for exploring the intricate network of islands, coves and bays of this beautiful Marine Park;
Day 3 & 4: These days may entail paddling through the scattered islands, interpretive forest walks, swims in fresh water lakes, practicing some on-water skills, or simply lounging at our island campsite;
Day 5: We will journey back to Cortes Island along the rugged shores of West Redonda Island. A visit to Refuge Cove or the lovely protected lagoon of Squirrel Cove will be our last stop of our 5-day kayak journey. A return in the late afternoon will allow for the time needed to return to Quadra Island.
Accommodation and other activities
On the expeditoin style tours we camp in a variety of scenic settings from forest groves to oceanside beaches. Most sites are rustic non established camps, which is what gives you the sense of really being out in the wilderness. The camps are generally set up with tent sites, a mobile kitchen set up, tarped sitting area area, and allocated toilet areas (note there are very few toilet facilities on our tours, so your guides will suggest an appropriate area and system). We provide high quality expedition style tents, along with comfortable air inflatable thermarest sleeping mats that should make you feel right at home. Most often we have enough tents to accommodate both singles and couples with their own abode for the trip. If by chance we have lots of single participants on a tour we may need to match up folks (as we are limited to how many tents we can fit in our kayaks). We will do our best to match you up with a suitable partner.
Other activities include hiking, kayaking skills development, shellfish harvesting, and lots of opportunity to just kick back and enjoy mother nature at it's best.
Testimonials:
"Unbelievable how much time I spent smiling on this trip. I found myself smiling one time, even when I was having a very serious conversation with a fellow kayaker - I just couldn't help it, I was in such a beautiful place." Bob Gornet
"I was convinced to go on this trip by my children. After going on this tour I feel like I'm 10 years younger: I'm reenergized after what feels like a long hibernation. Thank you." Carol Goer
"It was great! Wonderful time with my son." Kathryn Landry
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Group discounts, family rates, off season rates (May June Sept).
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
British Columbia
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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