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

This is the ultimate Quadra Island kayaking experience! A full day of kayaking, beachcombing, swimming, and wildlife viewing makes this a must to do while visiting our island paradise. Don’t worry if you have never kayaked before. This tour is great for first-timers.

 

Each trip we offer includes a thorough kayaking lesson on the dock to make sure that everybody is comfortable and ready to go. Here you will learn the safety aspects of this activity, some of the gear considerations and proper paddling techniques. Your qualified guides will make sure that your kayak is fitted properly and that your sitting position is correct. You may (if interested) inquire about practicing rescue skills and get an even more in depth lesson. After the orientation session we hit the water and practice our new skills!

 

There are several different tour locations available on the full day paddle including a wide sandy beach in Open Bay, out to the Bretton Islands to visit a seal colony , or along the shoreline towards Hyacinth Bay to see native midden sites and an active salmon stream. Plenty of options to interest all people!! The full day tour gives you enough time to really get out and explore the area. We stop on a beach or a remote island for a lunch break where people get the chance to rest, swim, stretch, beach comb or just relax and take in the views.

 

As for what wildlife you will see? Paddling around Quadra Island there is never a dull moment. We see lots of soaring eagles, oyster catchers, herons, cormorants, gulls, ducks, geese, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoise and sometimes even whales! There is always LOTS inter-tidal life including sea stars, sea urchins, jellyfish, crabs etc. The mountain views are stunning and the guides have lots of interesting info to share. This full day experience is an adventure you won’t forget.

 

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 with sandwich buffet including meats, cheeses, veggies, hummus, fruit, cookies, chips and juice 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 is an excellent option for people on limited time, or if you are not sure if the full day is for you. With morning AND afternoon departures it is easy to make arrangements to get out on the water.

We start this tour with a lesson on the dock to go over the elements of kayaking including safety issues, proper paddling techniques, steering and stability tips. For the half-day paddle we usually head over to the Bretton Islands to visit our local seal colony or we head to Turtle Island and take the five minute hike to the top for the stunning view. Either way we always take a nice rest stop on shore to get out, stretch our legs and enjoy the hearty snack with spectacular views.

As for what wildlife you will see? Paddling around Quadra Island there is never a dull moment. We see lots of soaring eagles, oyster catchers, herons, cormorants, gulls, ducks, geese, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoise and sometimes even whales! There is always LOTS inter-tidal life including sea stars, sea urchins, jellyfish, crabs etc. The mountain views are stunning and the guides have lots of interesting info to share.

This tour offers an opportunity to still get out and explore the area without spending the whole day on the water

 

Half day kayaking Tour details Tour time: 9am -12pm and 2pm-5pm 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

 

This paddle takes place in the calm of the early evening. Watch the wildlife come out to play in the ever changing evening sky. As the sun goes down, the mountains begin to glow and it truly is a “magic” paddle. This is an evening ritual not to be missed.

We start this tour with a lesson on the dock to go over the elements of kayaking including safety issues, proper paddling techniques, steering and balance tips. For the sunset paddle we usually head over to the Bretton Islands to visit our local seal colony or we head to Turtle Island and take the five minute hike to the top for the stunning view. Either way we always take a nice rest stop on shore to get out, stretch our legs and enjoy the hearty snack with spectacular views.

As for what wildlife you will see? Paddling around Quadra Island there is never a dull moment. We see lots of soaring eagles, oyster catchers, herons, cormorants, gulls, ducks, geese, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoise and sometimes even whales! There is always LOTS inter-tidal life including sea stars, sea urchins, jellyfish, crabs etc. The mountain views are stunning and the guides have lots of interesting info to share.

This tour is an excellent opportunity to have a magical end to a day here in our island paradise.

 

 

Sunset kayaking Tour details Tour times: Time – varies: June and July 6:00 – 9:00. August 5:00 – 8:00 Experience necessary: None! Great for all levels, super as an introduction to a kayaking life! Snack: yup, we'll keep you fed with a hearty snack including : crackers, cheeses, hummus, red pepper jelly, veggies, cookies, chips and juice 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.

 
Introductory Paddle

No set time
No food

Not sure if kayaking is for you? Try your first strokes with this intro to the wonderful world of kayaking. Want to rent kayaks but have never performed a self or assisted rescue? Try your first capsize with a trained guide who will assist and train you in the skill of getting back into your boat.

This is a two hour lesson/tour that needs to be set up in advance as there are no set departure times. Must be two or more people to run.

It is an ideal option for people who may need more focus on the lesson to feel comfortable on the water. It is often used by paddlers who have ample kayaking experience and would like to rent but have never tried performing a self or assisted rescue. During this two hour lesson people can work with a guide on completing this necessary skill to being eligible for renting and getting out on their own afterwards.

This introductory tour generally stays within the confines of Drew Harbour as it is focused on skill development.

 

 

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 . Then we have fresh cut veggies, fruit, cheese, sandwich meats, very tasty hummous, 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 best. 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.