Vancouver Island Kayak

Vancouver Island Kayak Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada. Arrive by 4:30 p.m. in the Ucluelet/Tofino area, British Columbia, located on the west side of Vancouver Island. If flying, one of our guides will meet you at the Tofino airport and transfer you to this evening’s lodging in Ucluelet. Depending upon the time of arrival, you have the afternoon free to relax or explore the beach. This evening you enjoy a welcome dinner with your guides and fellow kayakers as well as a trip orientation to ready you for tomorrow’s departure.  Dinner included.

• Day 2

  After an early breakfast, we drive to our kayak launch at Toquart Bay on Barkley Sound. After reviewing kayaking techniques / safety and loading up our boats, we set off for the Broken Group. Made up of more than 100 islands and islets, this pristine marine wilderness is accessible only by boat. For millennia the Nuu-chah-nulth people lived in great numbers on these islands enjoying a comfortable life due to the great abundance of food and the temperate climate. It’s easy to imagine what their lives might have been like as your paddle slices through this virtually unchanged environment. We choose a centrally located island where we set up camp for the next three nights (weather / tides will determine our exact camp location).  Note: The Broken Group is a highly regulated area; we limit our groups to eight paddlers. If we exceed this number, we split into two separate groups for these paddling / camping days. Sea Kayaking: 4-6 hours; Terrain: protected water with waves, tides, currents; All meals included.

• Days 3-4

  We spend full days exploring the magic of the Broken Group Islands. We poke into shallow coves to drift over tide pools teeming with life; pull our kayaks up onto wild beaches to explore the ancient forests on foot; paddle to the outer islands keeping an eye open for sea lions and seals. Our route each day is primarily dependent upon the weather and ocean conditions. Whatever the route, the transitions and contrasts between land and sea infuse this place with an inviting sense of mystery. We paddle between four and six hours a day at a modest pace, using both double and single kayaks. We camp on the beach beneath old growth and second growth trees. Our leaders prepare tasty meals and share stories under the starlit skies. There’s time in the late afternoons for short beach/forest walks. Sea Kayaking: 4-6 hours per day; Terrain: protected water with waves, tides, currents; All meals included

• Day 5

  After breaking camp and loading our kayaks we set off for one more morning of paddling and exploring.  After having lunch on one of the island beaches, we meet our 34’ motorized boat transfer, load up our kayaks and spend the next part of the afternoon motoring slowly back to Ucluelet.  We follow cruising routes through the islands and on the “outside” of the Broken Group that allow for wildlife viewing and whale watching.  The boat takes us right to the beach in front of our bed & breakfast by laste afternoon.  Settle in, enjoy a hot shower, and then join the rest of the group for a dinner on the town or on the beach.  Sea Kayaking: 2-3 hours; Terrain:  protected water with waves, tides, currents; All meals included.

• Day 6

  A full day awaits!  We’ve done the kayaking in the Broken Group section of the Pacific Rim National Park, now let’s strap on the hiking boots for a day of great walking in the Long Beach portion of the Park.  Skirting the cliff-edges and the mossy rainforests along the extreme outer coast, Long Beach is the longest stretch of surf swept sand on Vancouver’s west coast. It is utterly wild with secluded coves, rich tide pools, enormous old growth forests of cedar and hemlock and beautiful sandy beaches. South Beach and Schooner’s trails offer great hiking options for our group. Late afternoon we return to Tofino with enough time to do a little shopping and then to enjoy our final dinner together on the beach.  Note: The beach barbeque is weather dependent.  If the weather is inclement, we enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants instead.  Hiking: 5-7 miles; Terrain: level beach.  All meals included.

• Day 7

  Each guest is transferred to the Tofino airport or the Ucluelet/Tofino Junction at the appropriate time for their departure. If time permits, guests can sightsee or explore the Ucluelet/Tofino area before departing. Please do not schedule a flight out of Tofino until after 11 a.m. Breakfast included.

Weather can cause delays and/or changes to the itinerary.  In the event of stormy weather, if we are already in the Broken Islands, this means staying there until conditions change.  This can actually be a lot of fun!  We get everyone together for group activities such as building a shelter out of driftwood or storytelling around a campfire.  Even when conditions are good, much of our itinerary depends on the winds and tides.  Our guides use their extensive hands-on experience to adjust the itinerary according to the conditions.  We try to organize and pace this trip to satisfy both active adventurers and those looking for a relaxing vacation.  July – September are typically superb months to be in the Broken Group.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

All lodging; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; airport-hotel transfer on Day 1 and Day 7; kayaks and related paddling gear including life vests, paddles, paddle jackets, spray skirts, wet suits, dry bags; group camping equipment such as 2-person tents and cooking gear; whale-watch skiff trip; guides and instructions; park permits and fees.

Transportation to/from the Ucluelet/Tofino area; taxes; alcoholic beverages; gratuities to guides; other items of a personal nature. A detailed list of recommended gear is sent to trip participants. Members bring their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad and personal gear. Sleeping bag and pad are available for rent.

This trip is rated Moderate [3].  Beginners are welcome!  The Broken Island Group is one of the best places in the world to try out sea kayaking.  Anyone in good physical condition and comfortable in the water, camping in remote settings including sleeping in a tent, will enjoy this trip.  Pitching in with some camp chores is appreciated.  While in the Long Beach section of the Pacific Rim National Park, we hike primarily on the beach and along rainforest boardwalks.

Although the summer months are the driest on Vancouver Island, weather conditions can vary widely and are difficult to predict. The weather can range from lots of sun and temperatures in the low 80s, to rain and nighttime temperatures in the 40s.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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