Self Guided Kayak Tours
Pender Harbour Self guided Kayak Tour
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Tour time: 1 – 3 hours depending on route.
Depart Madeira Park Government Dock and head straight across Pender Harbour to Garden Bay. Caution, keep an eye open for boats, they are bigger than you! On the right hands side heading in you will see a small dock, this is a marine park. If you choose you can land your kayak here and go for a hike. In Garden Bay you will see and out post for the Seattle Yacht Club, the Vancouver Yacht club and Garden Bay Pub. Please save the pub until the paddling is done.
Following the shore in a counter clockwise fashion you will eventually come to Hospital Bay. Your paddle will take you past Fisherman’s Resort and on to John Henry's gas Docks( they have ice cream). To the left of John Henry's is the Hospital Bay Government Dock. Next you will see the yellow Navy bi-plane. If you are in the harbour later you will see its regular evening flight.
Following the shoreline will take you out past the Indian Island and on to Irvine's Landing at the mouth of the Harbour. You may continue out of the Harbour, but watch the weather, or around the outer Island with the light known as William Is. Feel free to pull up on any of the islands for some exploration or a picnic.
Heading back in you will be on the opposite side of the Harbour and have a great view of Mt. Daniel. You will pass the blue coloured Prawn Processing plant on your right. Slightly past the prawn plant you will see Calder Island paddle through this narrow channel to circumnavigate the island. At the tugboats take a sharp left and head for the far shore. Follow the shore to the left and back around to Madeira Park. Tour time varies as to how many stops and detours you decide to take.
Bargain Harbour Self guided Kayak Tour
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Tour time: 1 –
3 hours depending on route.
This tour is somewhat dependent on local tides, but with a short portage can be done at all times.
Depart Madeira Park Government Dock and head to your left along the shore. Caution, keep an eye open for boats, they are bigger than you! As you head out Mt. Daniel will be on your right or starboard side. You will paddle around the point, heading SE. On the left you will see a fish net drying shed, reminiscent of the great fishing days.
Following the shore on your left you will see a large covered boat house and a Black Channel marker. Take a sharp left here. On your right there is a Red Channel Marker and an old Blue WW2 Torpedo Boat. Looking straight ahead is the Lougheed cottage which boasts 16 bathrooms, two kitchens and a bowling ally in the basement. Head just to the right of the “cottage” and a channel will come into view. This is called Canoe Pass. This route can be taken at any time, although at extreme low tides a short portage may be necessary.
Once through the pass you are in Bargain Harbour. Bargain Harbour opens up to a series of islands and the Malaspina Strait. At this point the options for your paddle are boundless. We will present two options.
Paddle around Francis Peninsula. This route is rated Intermediate to Advanced as you will be in the open waters of the Malaspina Strait for approx 40 minutes. For this route you will hug the right hand side of Bargain Harbour which is Francis Peninsula. Just before you reach Francis Peninsula light there is a inlet and an island. Feel free to explore this area, if the tide is right, or just stay to the outside and round the point. The beacon light on the tip of the Peninsula will be on your right hand side. It is rare not to see eagles and seals in this area and quite common to be watched by deer as they feed by the shore.
Follow the shore on your right hand side, heading West, and you will be led to the mouth of Pender Harbour. Following the shoreline will take you out past Charles Island and on to the Indian Islands in the centre of the Harbour. Feel free to pull up on any of the islands for some exploration or a picnic.
Paddling back to Madeira park will take you past the blue Prawn Plant on your right, then Calder and Mary Island. You are now looking directly at Mt Daniel. Set a course just to the right of Mt. Daniel and veer to the right after the point and you are back at the Government Dock.
Tour The Seven Islands. This route is beginner to intermediate. Heading out of Bargain Harbour the first island that you will come to is Edgecombe Is. This is a private island and landing is discouraged. You are OK as long as you stay below the high tide mark.
Paddle to the left of the island, the mainland is on your left and Edgecombe Is on your right. This side of the island is often shaded, not to worry you will be in the sun soon. Following the island shore around the point and you will see two islands. The one directly ahead with the dock is private, the island to the right is park land and you are welcome to stop and have lunch with the eagle that frequents the tree at the top of the island. Exiting here is a little tricky, with the steep slippery rocks and frequent ocean swells. Use caution, do not attempt if the conditions are not favourable.
The outermost islets are called Whitestone Islands. The main island is private, feel free to paddle around and explore the smaller islands. This area is open to wind and waves so please watch the weather conditions at all times.
The return trip to Madeira is a simple retracing of the outward path. Often this is easier said as from different angle the landscape feels completely new. The easiest way is to follow Edgecombe Island along the front side to the mouth of Bargain Harbour. When in Bargain Harbour follow the left hand side of the harbour around to Canoe Pass. Exiting Canoe pass, head straight for the Red Channel marker, beside the Blue Torpedo boat, then hang a sharp right. Follow the shore line on your right around the point and back to Madeira Park.
Jedediah Is Marine Park Self guided Kayak Tour
Level:
Advanced
Tour Time: 2-5 days
Meet at the Madeira Park or Secret Cove Government Dock at scheduled time to load kayaks and gear on one of our Water Taxis. Crossing time to Jedediah Marine Park is approx. 45 to 60 minutes depending on weather conditions.
Kayakers can be dropped off at a number of locations. Some sites are weather dependent. Kayakers must be ready to follow instruction of the boat Captain and aid in the loading and loading process. There are no docks at Jedediah so loading and unloading must be done in a fast organized fashion so as to not damage the boat, the kayaks or ourselves. A tutorial will be given by the Captain prior to loading and unloading, explaining in detail what is expected.
The paddling routes out of Jedediah are endless, the hiking is spectacular. There is fruit and seafood for the picking and unlimited tranquility. I know you will find your stay magical and rejuvenating.
Squitty Bay on Lasqueti Island is approx 8 nautical miles to the South West and has a government dock, but no services. Squitty Bay has the biggest Arbutus tree I have ever seen and miles of hiking through picturesque settings.
Anderson Bay Marine Park, located on the SE side of Texada, is approximately 7 nautical miles SW. Watch the weather. This park has excellent secluded camping, miles of hiking trails and the occasional apple tree. It is well worth the paddle.
Kayakers have been known to spend up to two weeks on Jedediah. Most people spend 3 – 4 days and book their return trip on the way back in the boat.
The 243-hectare Jedediah Island Park has approximately 5 kms of walking trails connecting the secluded bays and old-growth forest of Douglas Fir and Arbutus trees. The island boasts a variety of wildlife and a shoreline rich in marine life.
Jedediah's isolation and tranquility make it an excellent destination for kayaking, wilderness camping, exploring and relaxing. Jedediah is one of the largest island parks in the province.
Camping
Camping is allowed at any of the numerous pristine locations across the island. This park is open year round for your exploration and adventure. Informal campsites abound around the island marine park. Unlike many of the nearby islands, Jedediah has never been subjected to logging so much of the forest cover through which visitors walk is old growth.
Picnicking
The island is an excellent picnic destination. Discover and explore the many secluded areas of Jedediah's semi-Mediterranean climate. Enjoy the taste of the many fruits such as pear, plum, cherry and apple that grow in the orchards around the island. The blossoms are spectacular in the late spring. Be sure to keep an eye out for the herds of wild sheep and goats.
Kayaking
Jedediah Island offers some of the best Kayaking on the West Coast. Malaspina Water Taxi will deliver and pick-up your kayaks or you may rent from us.
If tranquility is what you seek, then Jedediah is the Island for you.
Musket Island Marine Park Self guided Kayak Tour
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Tour time: 1-3 days
Meet at the Madeira Park at scheduled time to load kayaks and gear on one of our Water Taxis. Travel time to Musket Island is approx. 35 to 45 minutes.
Musket Island is located in Blind Bay, located just off the south shore of Hardy Island, northwest of Nelson Island. Being located in Blind Bay provides miles of protected waters for exploration and adventure. For the more adventurous paddlers the Strawberry Islands are about 8 nautical miles to the south and provide excellent wilderness camping and exploring opportunities. Hidden Basin with its tidal entrance is hard to pass by and definitely will not disappoint. Pay close attention to the tides or plan on staying the night, there many excellent camping locations in the basin.
If you have made it to the Strawberry Islands then Roberts Beach is just around the Point. See write up, this is one of my favourite spots to flake out on the beach, search for washed up treasures and explore the miles of hiking trails.
Musket Island Provincial Marine Park is the epitome of peace and tranquility, where wildlife including eagles and seals abounds. The warm water encourages swimming, and wilderness campsites are provided for overnight campers.
Access to the park is from Pender Harbour via Malaspina Water Taxi.
Princess Louisa Self guided Kayak Tour
Level: Advanced
Tour time: 4-8 days
Meet at the Madeira Park or Secret Cove Government Dock at scheduled time to load kayaks and gear on one of our Water Taxis. Travel time is 2 hours.
Kayakers can be dropped off or picked up at any point along the way or taken right to Chatterbox Falls.
Princess Louisa Provincial Marine Park is located approximately 45 miles northeast of Madeira Park. Tucked into the Coast Mountains it is one of the most splendid trips you can take in BC. This is guaranteed to be a trip of a life time.
Princess Louisa Provincial Marine Park on the Sunshine Coast has a charm and scenic beauty that must be seen and experienced to be fully appreciated. Voted the "most scenic natural anchorage" in the world, the marine park is located in the Princess Louisa Inlet and is accessible by boat or plane only - there are no public roads. The only entrance to the marine park is through the Malaspina Strait by way of Jervis Inlet.
This 65-hectare park offers a unique setting with tranquil waters surrounded by a magnificent granite-walled gorge. Cut by a glacier, the walls rise to heights in excess of 2,100 metres. Tumbling 45 metres at the head of the inlet is the beautiful Chatterbox Falls, one of the most visited and celebrated nautical destinations in British Columbia.
Princess Louisa Inlet, referred to as Suivoolot or "sunny and warm" by natives, serves an active part in native lore for groups such as the Sechelt Nation. As placid as a mountain lake, the ocean waters of Princess Louisa Inlet move constantly with the tides, but currents are practically non-existent except for the seven to ten-knot Malibu Rapids at the entrance.
Roberts Beach Self guided Kayak Tour
Level: Intermediate to Advanced,
Tour time: 1-3 days
Meet at the Madeira Park Dock at scheduled time to load kayaks and gear on one of our Water Taxis.
Roberts Beach is located on the south west side of Nelson Island, in the Malaspina Strait. There are miles of shoreline in both directions to be explored. To the East is Quarry Bay which has one of the best examples Native Pictographs in our area. To the West around the point are the Strawberry Islands and Goat Island which are excellent for bald eagles and harbour seals.
The entrance to Cockburn Basin is hidden behind these islands and is a must for explorers, with miles of trails to be discovered. Hidden Basin is just beyond the Strawberry Islands. Hidden Basin with its tidal entrance is hard to pass by and definitely will not disappoint. Pay close attention to the tides or plan on staying the night, there many excellent camping locations in the basin.
Beach Combing
Roberts Beach provides the best beach coming site in the Malaspina Strait. Facing South East the beach is ideally situated to catch everything that our prevailing Southeast winds may bring. From pieces of wrecked boats to sculptured logs, you are sure to find your treasure here.
Outdoor Activities
A secluded day at the beach for and your family, with miles of uninhabited beach, excellent for beachcombing, relaxing and spending time with your family. Hiking trails cross the island, revealing spectacular mountain and ocean views.
Camping
Random camping is allowed. Pick a site next to the beach and have the waves soothe you to sleep.
Kayaking
Roberts Beach has excellent Kayaking offering miles of shoreline and islands to discover. Malaspina Water Taxi can safely deliver and pick up your kayaks.
Harmony Islands Marine Park Self guided Kayak Tour
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Tour time: 2-4 days
Meet at the Madeira Park Dock at scheduled time to load kayaks and gear on one of our Water Taxis. Travel time is approx. 45 to 60 minutes.
Located on the east side of tranquil Hotham Sound, off Jervis Inlet, Harmony Islands Provincial Marine Park includes the southernmost of four Harmony Islands, the smaller northernmost island, and most of the inside foreshore.
Just south of the Harmony Islands, you can view the impressive Freil Lake Falls, a 1,400-foot cascade down an almost sheer rock face into Hotham Sound below.
The warm water offers excellent swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing.
Visitors to the Harmony Islands should note that two of the islands are private property, therefore outside of the park, and should be treated respectfully.
Harmony Is can be accessed from Pender Harbour.
