Kayaking & Canoeing on the Sunshine Coast

Feature: Halfmoon Sea Kayaks

Contrary to popular belief, the Sunshine Coast is not an island. However, it is indeed true that we are surrounded on many sides by a heck of a lot of water.

Vancouver Island is perfectly placed to protect our Georgia Strait coastline from the most vigorous Pacific weather conditions, which means you can launch a canoe or kayak anywhere from Gibsons to Pender Harbour and paddle it in relatively safe and calm waters most days of the year.

Sechelt Inlet, also known as the Inland Sea, offers miles of protected sea kayaking including two large inlets reaching back into the BC mainland (Narrows and Salmon Inlets). There are four kayaking companies operating out of the inlet this year, offering rentals, excursions and great lessons for beginners.

New to the Inlet this year are lessons and excursions for Recreational Kayaking. While the Inlet and the Coast in general has always drawn experienced kayakers looking for day trips or longer excursions utilizing our fabulous marine park system, the recreational kayaks offer safe fun and easy adventure for armchair athletes.

No athletic ability is required, and a couple of lessons will give you a great grounding in kayaking so that you can rent a boat with confidence in your skills and safety. Recreational kayaks are very stable, less finicky than excursion craft and highly suited to people looking for few hours out on the water learning something new. Plus they're a lot of fun!

However, if you want adrenalin-pumping white water, we've also got The Skook - a tidal rapids at the head of Sechelt Inlet called Skookumchuck Narrows. It's a Native shishalh word meaning powerful waters - strong enough to swallow an entire boat. This is very advanced kayaking and should only be undertaken by experienced whitewater paddlers.

The annual Skookum Challenge Whitewater Kayak Rodeo will be held this year October 2 & 3. Not for the timid, this wild ride through the rapids is a fun event sponsored by the Whitewater Kayakers Association of BC.

White water kayaking on the Skookumchuck
Photo courtesy of Eagle View Bed & Breakfast

For canoeists who prefer to have a destination, the Ruby Lake, Sakinaw Lake, Agamemnon Channel circle route comes highly recommended. You start at the top of Ruby Lake and head down the west side for the southwest corner (4.5 km). There is a 870 m portage to Sakinaw Lake, where it's best to stick to the east shore for a couple of klicks, than hug the west shore for the last 9 km. The portage to the Agamemnon Channel is about 200 m across Sechelt Indian Band land. Paddle up the eastern shore of the spectacular Agamemnon for 14.5 km, past the ferry terminal to Agamemnon Bay and Jervis Marina. You're about 1 km from where you started (and, presumably, where you left the car).

Introduction & Locations for great Paddling

Exciting, awesome and at times challenging, the Sunshine Coast guarantees the sea kayaker unlimited explorations of magnificent bays, inlets and off shore islands. Where else in the world do we find a major city like Vancouver where the paddler can rise from their bed in the morning, enjoy a fabulous ferry ride, paddle all day in a wilderness setting returning to snuggle back into their own beds that evening! The adventure begins at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. Take the Langdale ferry with your car or bike or even on the bus to get you to Gibsons, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. The kayaking possibilities are numerous and varied, ranging from quiet shoreline excursions ideal for the novice to longer trips on more challenging waters for the more experienced paddler.

HOWE SOUND

The first of the many inlets along the Sunshine Coast is Howe Sound. Dotted with islands and surrounded by the towering coastal mountains, the islands of Howe Sound offers many exciting paddles. Bowen, Keats, Gambier and the Pasleys Islands provide opportunities for day paddles or stay in the many camping spots in the region for a longer exploration. Each of these islands can be accessed from the marina in the village of Gibsons.

WILD LIFE

Love to see some wild life during your outings? A wide variety of sea birds make their home in the Sound, especially during the winter months. Expect to see Harlequin ducks, Scoters, Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Mergansers, Loons, Bald Eagles and others in their seasons as well as the occasional rare Marbled Murrelet. The local seal colonies will delight you, whether lazing on their haulouts or poking up out of the water. Add a couple of comical river otters and those pesky little coons and your day is complete. Deer, mink and even the occasional Orca Whale may be encountered in the region.

THE SECHELT INLET

And this is just the beginning. The Sechelt Inlet is one of the favourite destinations on the coast. This long, narrow inland sea offers seven marine parks for great camping as one moves up towards Narrows Inlet and Tzoonie Narrows Marine Park.

OFF SHORE ISLANDS OF GEORGIA STRAIT

The off shore islands of Georgia Strait give the more experienced paddler a taste of something different. These more challenging waters will extend your paddling experience by confronting you with more choices. Striking out onto Georgia Strait, the paddler should feel confident about their rescues and braces. That special thrill awaits when you venture far enough from land that a sense of disassociation occurs! Play in the waves on the outside coast, experience the heighten state that occurs as the big ones wash over one's deck or stay in the lee of the islands, it's your choice.

THE PASLEY ISLANDS

The Pasley Island group at the mouth of Howe Sound is a wonderful place to start. Leaving from Gibsons Harbour, out through the gap and across Barfleur Passage and you are in the middle of a lovely archipelago, five islands to explore. Remember to keep back 300 feet when you pass the seal haulout, especially in spring when the pups are young. Relax on the beach or have a refreshing swim before coming back.

FURTHER UP THE COAST

The Trail Islands in Trail Bay at Sechelt, the Thormanbys with their splendid sandy beaches by Secret Cove, the Hodgson Islets by Pender Harbour all offer something different and interesting. Other inlets along the coast, Pender Harbour, Jervis Inlet and Hotham Sound all offer the paddler unique and exciting paddling opportunities.

SOME WORDS OF CAUTION

Some words of caution for the paddler in any of these regions. Winds are generated in all the inland waters by the sun and the topography of the area. Generally, there will be thermal winds blowing up the inlets beginning at about 10am and continuing til late afternoon. The state of the tide will also affect the wave height. If you ride the wind and tide going, remember it will be a challenge to return. Bears and other pests should be considered when camping here. Bring enough rope to hang your food away from your camp and take all your garbage home with you to minimize the risks for both you and the animals. For more detailed information about the hazards and about all the many trips available, refer to our book, "Paddling the Sunshine Coast" available in local paddling shops and, of course from Sunshine Kayaking in Gibsons.

SUNSHINE KAYAKING LTD
RR#10, 176 MABEL RD
GIBSONS, BC V0N 1V0

WEB SITE: sunshinekayaking.com
TELE: 1-604-886-9760

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Kayaking & Canoeing on the Sunshine Coast

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CONTACT US

SEARCH/HELP

ADVERTISE ON THIS SITE

Kayaking & Canoeing on the Sunshine Coast

ABOUT THE
COAST

CONVENTIONS/
GROUP TRAVEL