Quadra Island kayaking day tours

Sea kayaking is one of those activities that really is accessible to everyone, especially in British Columbia. We specialize in taking out first time kayakers. Our kayaks are designed for the beginner in mind so you feel comfortable from the get go. We have the best guides in the business to take you out there and to keep you up on the latest local knowledge about Quadra Island's wildlife, history and social life. We have a great selection of sea kayaking tours to suit your schedule.

 

 

The guides, the buffet lunch, not to mention being surrounded by the dolfins.....the highlight of our trip to Vancouver Island.

Pat and Doug Rodgers, Ny, Ny

 

 

Full-day Quadra Island Kayaking Classic

Our full-day sea kayaking tour is a popular one. It's an easy way to have a glorious day outside, on the water. Great for first time kayakers.

About the Kayaking tour
After a lesson in paddling skills and safety, you will be ready to get on the water. Most of our day tour guests have never been in a kayak before and that's great. This is the perfect introduction to sea kayaking. For those that have kayaked before, it's a good opportunity to get out with a local guide and learn about the area from the experts.

We take you from our specialty designed kayak dock, at the mouth of Drew Harbour, Quadra Island. Our normal route is to kayak over to the Breton Islands. This takes, depending on the group, about 30 minutes.

 

Full day Tour details Start time: 10am Return time: 4pm Experience necessary: none, and great for all levels. Lunch: yup, we'll keep you fed For you to bring: A water bottle, waterproof shoes if you have them, otherwise we can lend you some, and a spare change of clothes. (sometimes our bottoms get a little wet) Cost: $85 That includes: having a guide, lunch, PFD, kayak, paddle and all safety equipment Reservations: Call North America: 1 877 475 8687 or International 1 250 285 3400 or fill out our online reservations form.

 

 

Half-day kayaking tour

This tour leaves at 10am also, but brings you back for the 2 or 3 o'clock ferry, unless you're going to keep hanging out with us here on Quadra Island, British Columbia.
On this tour we'll take you out to the Breton Islands for lunch, and a swim if it's hot enough for you. After seeing the seals who pick the Breton Islands as their tanning salon, we'll take you around the other side of the Breton Islands and back towards Drew Harbour for home.

 

Half day kayaking Tour details Tour time: 9am -12pm and 1pm-4pm Experience necessary: none, great for all levels. Lunch: yup, we'll keep you fed For you to bring: A water bottle, waterproof shoes if you have them, otherwise we can lend you some, and a spare change of clothes. (sometimes our bottoms get a little wet) Cost: Cost: $69 Includes: having a guide, lunch, PFD, kayak, paddle and all safety equipment Reservations: Call North America: 1 877 475 8687 or International 1 250 285 3400 or fill out our online reservations form.

 

 

Sunset sea kayaking tour

 

Being on the water as the day winds down is a splendid way to view the evening roll in.  We pack the picnic and with our gear, we make the short walk to the dock where your guide will give you instructions on the best and safest way to paddle.  With our easy launching arrangement at the Taku docks, we launch at the mouth of Drew Harbour, across from our very important place, Rebecca Spit. 

Once on the water we paddle as a group to either the Breton Islands, home to a sunbathing Harbour Seal colony, fishing Bald Eagles, vibrant intertidal scene and great landing spot to eat our hearty snack.  Or, we head to Hyancinthe Bay and hike up to the top of Turtle Island, a clam midden and a very classy spot from which one can see directly down the Strait of Georgia, towards Mittlenatch Island.  Once refuelled we head back onto the water to make our way back towards home, past the silhouettes of sea birds on floating logs, as dusk settles in.  This tour is great for families, couples and singles alike.

Should you eat dinner before?

Well, it's up to you. We provide a super duper sunset snack. We've got cream cheese, crackers, hot red pepper jelly (I have since become an addict of this fantastic spread), fruit, veggies, dalmades, cookies, chips and juice.

 

Sea Kayaking Tour details Tour times: 4 or 5 or 6pm, depends on when it gets dark, we'll be sure to let you know when you give us a call or email Return time: 8pm - ish Experience necessary: None! Great for all levels, super as an introduction to a kayaking life! Snack: yup, we'll keep you fed For you to bring: A personal water bottle (which you can refill during the picnic, we encourage you to stay well hydrated), waterproof shoes (ideally, but if you don't have them, we have a loaners), sun protection (consisting of sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen), a spare change of clothes (just in case you get wet!) and bring your camera you'll have an experience worth capturing. Cost: 59$ for adults, 55$ for kids, plus tax That includes: having a guide, hearty snack, PFD (personal floatation device), kayak, paddle and all safety equipment Reservations: Call North America: 1 877 475 8687 or International 1 250 285 3400 or fill out our online reservations form.

 

 

Quadra Island's Wildlife

 

The seals

Crossing over to the Breton Islands brings us to an area whose most prominent demographic is seals.

At the beginning of the season they're pretty shy, but by the end of July they're used to our little boats paddling on by. July is baby-time: seal babes here, there and everywhere.

 

 

 

 

The Birds

British Columbia has great birding as well with one of the largest eagle populations in North America. There is a long-time eagles nest on the main Breton Island, the island where we like to take our lunch. We may also see several types of ducks, oyster catchers, stellar jays, turkey vultures and a multitude of shore birds.

The Pacific White Sided dolphin

These playful animals can often be seen while on our day kayaking tours. They love to play and it is incredible to have a group of 200 dolphins leaping round us.

 

 

 

The sealion

At the beginning of the kayaking season (May to June) we often see sealions as they pass us on their way North. Watching a massive stellar sealion swim by is and awesome experience.

 

 

 

Our lunch
Lunch, yes, well, let's just say it covers all the food groups, even those food groups not recognized by Health Canada such as the cookie food group. We set up a buffet style lunch with fresh bread from Steiner's bakery in Campbell River or from Quadra Island's Lovin' Oven II. Then we have fresh cut veggies, fruit, cheese, sandwich meats, very tasty hummous from Black Creek, cookies, chips, water and juice.

 

 

 

At a glance

Type: Sea Kayaking day tour Highlights: Great wildlife viewing, Meet new people, awesome lunch, explore Quadra at it's nest Includes: guides, food, kayak equipment, basic instruction. Start: Quadra Island Rating:Beginner Wildlife: Seals, Eagles, Intertidal life, sealions, otters, eagles, and deer. Chance encounters with Killer whales, Grey whales, humpback whales. Sea Kayaking Day tours run every day of the summer from May to September. Reservations: Call North America: 1 877 475 8687 or International 1 250 285 3400 or fill out our online reservations form.

 

If you plan on staying on Quadra Island, Check out our great Quadra Island accommodations options, where to dine on Quadra Island, and what else the is to do on Quadra Island. If you like art, check out our Quadra Island arts page.