Areas to Paddle

South Island

Victoria
Paddling within Victoria's Inner Harbour and the Gorge, a meandering waterway that leads from Victoria's Upper Harbour through a landscaped urban environment before finally widening into Portage Inlet, is a favourite outing for kayakers and canoeists. With Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour and the Gorge Waterway as your backdrop, this is the perfect place for an introductory paddling session. The waters are calm and a kayak or canoe provides the perfect vehicle to see the sights of Victoria from a unique vantage point.

Elk and Beaver Lakes
Elk and Beaver Lakes are only 13 kilometres north of Victoria, on Highway #17 and offer plenty of opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. Two small lakes which merge together, Elk Lake and Beaver Lake are the perfect location for the beginner or family to gain paddling experience.

Sidney
The shoreline of southern Vancouver Island is particularly scenic, with a rich natural beauty. Kayaking allows visitors to view and explore the numerous inlets, bays and a maze of islands with absolute freedom. Launch from the boat ramp at Island View Regional Park or the wharf in Sidney, 30 minutes north of Victoria. Paddle across the channel to Sidney Spit Marine Park, James Island or beyond. Head either north or south to explore the coastline of the Saanich Peninsula.

Sooke
The 60-kilometre ocean route between Sooke and Port Renfrew can be paddled in a lengthy summer day. Of course, you don't have to do the entire length of this coast to enjoy an outing; choose a launch location and paddle to one of several beaches along the way. The west coast of the Island provides wind-carved sandstone formations, old growth forests, sea lions, gray and orca whales and a variety of bird life. This area is often best left to experienced kayakers, as the waters can be very hazardous at times, with outflow winds, ocean swells and sea fog.

Thetis Lake Regional Park
Thetis Lake provides freshwater paddling for those with small boats who can carry their boats to the lake. Launch from the main beach and explore the bays and small islands that characterize the lake. A narrow channel connects the two halves of the lake system, just wide enough for a canoe or kayak.

Gulf Islands

The Gulf Islands lie snugly in the Georgia Strait, between the mainland of British Columbia and the eastern side of Vancouver Island. The sheltered waters of the Gulf Islands are one of the most popular destinations for kayakers; they offer excellent paddling opportunities and a chance to observe seals and eagles at close range. Many of the islands offer protected anchorages and marine parks. Paddling in the Gulf Islands is suitable for novice and recreational paddlers.

Central Island

Cowichan Lake
Cowichan Lake, located west of Duncan, on Highway #18, is another favourite destination and ideal for paddling. Canoeing the 43 kilometre lake can take a couple of hours to a couple of days, depending on the individual. Located in the sunny Cowichan Valley, Cowichan Lake boasts warm water and sandy beaches perfect for launching. Cowichan Lake is popular with families and is perfect for a day trip or summer holiday.

Cowichan River
Running the Cowichan River from the village of Lake Cowichan to Duncan takes about two days. From the launch point at Lakeview Park to your first portage at Skutz Falls is approximately 10 kilometres and you might have to portage around Marie Canyon, depending on the water level. From here to Duncan is 20 kilometres and a moderate to easy trip. Hazards you will encounter include water level changes that occur quickly, log jams and some rapids. The places to watch for on this river are the S-Bend, the Double Whammy and The Last Drop.

Nanaimo
Nanaimo is a canoeist's delight, with two excellent harbours and Newcastle Island Provincial Park between them. Paddlers enjoy Pipers Lagoon, where there is a public boat launch, and Quennell Lake. These waters are ideal for all skill levels, as are the waters of Nanoose Bay, north of Nanaimo.

Ladysmith
Ladysmith is located one hour and 30 minutes north of Victoria. The municipal boat launch in the centre of Ladysmith is a good place to begin exploring the eight kilometre length of Ladysmith Harbour. Dunsmuir and Woods Islands, on the north side of the harbour, are good destinations in summer, while the marshy lagoon at the head of the harbour attracts migrating birds in the spring and fall.

Port Alberni
Paddlers can rent canoes, or bring their own, to explore the many lakes around Port Alberni. Cameron Lake and Sproat Lake are ideal for canoeing and are both popular with families.

Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim National Park
Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands comprise one of the three main recreational components of Pacific Rim National Park. The popularity of these islands with paddlers has soared over the past decade, as they provide a true West Coast experience in sheltered water. Barkley Sound is not normally subject to the extreme ocean conditions found farther west in the open waters around Ucluelet and exposed sections of the West Coast Trail and Long Beach, the two other areas that attract visitors to Pacific Rim National Park.

Clayoquot Sound
Paddling in the waters of Clayoquot Sound is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the village of Tofino and the surrounding area. Clayoquot Sound offers sheltered inlets for intermediate paddlers and surf beaches for advanced paddlers. Migrating gray whales share the waters in which you paddle and bald eagles may soar overhead. Depending on your skill level, you can either plan a trip on your own or join up with one of many tour operators that use Tofino as their base. Day trips close to town include Meares, Stubbs, Wickaninnish and Vargas Islands, all within sight of the federal dock in Tofino.

Nootka Sound
Spiritual, wild and pristine describes Nootka Sound. Paddle around numerous islands and historical Friendly Cove, the very spot where the first European explorers, Captains Cook and Vancouver, encountered the friendly Nootka natives. Paddle though crystal-clear aquamarine waters to glimpse gray whales, black bears, wolves, ancient native villages, totem ruins and sandy beaches.

North Island

Sayward Forest Canoe Route
The Sayward Forest Canoe Route is situated within the Sayward Forest, northwest of Campbell River. The route is a paddle and portage circuit that covers almost 48 kilometres of lakes and creeks. Excellent road access to most of the lakes within the canoe route allows a variety of launch sites to be accessible.

Strathcona Provincial Park
Strathcona is BC’s oldest and largest provincial park. With more than 250,000 hectares, Strathcona is filled with lakes and rivers; upper Campbell and Buttle Lakes offer outstanding wilderness scenery and are favourite destinations for canoeists.

Schoen Lake Provincial Park
North of Campbell River, Schoen Lake Provincial Park is known for its beautiful lake under the summit of Mt. Schoen. Paddlers will enjoy exploring the area. Spend the night at one of the wilderness campsites.

Gold River
Gold River, on the northern west coast of the Island, is the perfect place for extremists. For advanced kayakers and guided intermediates, Gold River has interesting paddling with three different sections. The upper canyon run, which is six kilometres and is not for open canoeists or rafters, includes continuous rapids, pools and drops as you work your way through a narrow canyon. The middle section is rapids, rock gardens and drops over a nine kilometre course. The lower canyon of Gold River is six kilometres in length. Along the way, there are surfing waves, some holes that you should avoid and The Big Drop.

Johnstone Strait
Located between Vancouver Island’s north shore and mainland BC, Johnstone Strait offers the chance to see pods of resident orca whales and explore the abandoned First Nations villages bordering the strait. Johnstone Strait is suitable for experienced or guided kayakers who respect the etiquette for observing whales.