Few areas in the world are as beautiful to explore by kayak as the coastal waters of BC, with its jagged coastline and thousands of islands, inlets and coves. British Columbia is one of the premier adventure destinations in the world for ocean kayaking, whether you’re new to the sport, looking for an exciting adventure getaway, or simply out to improve your paddling skills. The kayaking season is mid-May to September.

Sea Kayaks ashore in British Columbia, Canada.

Vancouver Island & the BC Gulf Islands

Vancouver Island’s vast number of lakes, rivers and ocean inlets are a pleasure to explore by canoe or kayak. The large, relatively isolated lakes of the north and central portion of Vancouver Island are enclaves of solitude. Kayakers glide through marine parks into scenic bays and lagoons and go ashore on secluded sandy beaches and uninhabited islands.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

Exquisite kayaking adventures await paddlers in the crystal-clear waters of Desolation Sound and Sechelt Inlet, and the Powell Forest Canoe Route on the BC Sunshine Coast is considered one of the more significant paddle routes in the province. Closer to Vancouver, kayakers can explore Bowen Island, Burrard Inlet, Deep Cove, Howe Sound, and the numerous rivers and lakes of the Fraser Valley.

Thompson Okanagan

The BC interior offers unlimited paddling and kayaking delights, including the challenging Thompson River, while Shuswap Lake, and its many arms, is one of the most popular canoeing locations in the Southern Interior. Peaceful paddling can be enjoyed on Kinbasket Lake, Murtle Lake in Wells Gray Park, Clearwater and Azure Lakes, and the various lakes around Lac Le Jeune.

Kootenay Rockies

The region boasts some huge lakes with endless paddling excursions, including Slocan Lake, Upper and Lower Arrow Lake, and Kootenay Lake in the heart of the B.C. Rocky Mountains of the West Kootenays. Paddling down the Fraser and Columbia Rivers in the Rocky Mountain trench, flanked by the Canadian Rockies, is an inspiring near-wilderness experience.

Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast

The wild and remote Central Coast offers spectacular kayaking opportunities, with coves, lagoons, sandy beaches, and rugged coastline. Kayakers explore the Fjordland Recreation Area and Princess Royal Island, home to the famous white Kermode (spirit) bear. Paddlers seeking a challenge can tackle the Bowron Lakes Chain, one of British Columbia’s most popular canoe routes.

Northern BC and Haida Gwaii

The lure of kayaking around Haida Gwaii is strong, with every place as magical as the next. The former Queen Charlotte Islands offer prime paddling, with the tiny islands, secluded coves, and sheltered coastline of the southeast being the most popular kayaking destination. The north coast of BC is wild, with wonderfully varied shores – an exceptional destination for kayakers.

Premier Listings

Spirit of the West Kayaking

P.O. Box 569 Heriot Bay Quadra Island BC V0P 1H0 Home Phone: 250-285-2121Home Fax: 1-888-389-5736Work Phone: 1-800-307-3982Website: Visit Website
Photo of Spirit of the West Kayaking

Biographical Info

Kayaking British Columbia is the ultimate way to view BC’s abundant wildlife.

We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. Choose among several professionally-guided 4-8 day trips for all experience levels around Vancouver Island. ‘Glamping’ basecamp-style with wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or expedition-style paddling from camp to camp and paddling between 100s of islands through the Broughton Archipelago, famous Desolation Sound and the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast. Savouring a fresh salmon BBQ in the open air, explore and view fascinating wildlife and wilderness and wake up on remote islands with the sound of the whales. Unique and breathtaking.

Our adventures are for everyone and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Our groups are small, ranging from 8 to 13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. We provide high-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.

Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, prepare delicious, organic and local meals, and have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.

During the Northern Hemisphere winter, we also offer kayaking trips to the glacier-fed South American wildlife paradise, the Chilean Patagonia Archipelago, and multi-day escapes to sun, sand, remote beaches and the warm crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Please contact us for all details of these amazing winter getaways!

Categories: Bella Bella, Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park, Blackfish Sound, Bligh Island Marine Provincial Park, Brooks Peninsula / Muquin Provincial Park, Broughton Archipelago, Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park, Campbell River, Camping Trips, Canoeing & Kayaking, Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast, Catala Island Marine Provincial Park, Central Island, Copeland Islands Marine Provincial Park, Desolation Sound, Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, Discovery Coast, Discovery Islands, Discovery Passage, Echo Bay Marine Provincial Park, Esperanza Inlet, Great Bear Rainforest, Gulf Islands & Discovery Islands, Haida Gwaii, Hakai Luxvbalis Conservancy Area, Johnstone Strait, Lawn Point Provincial Park, Mansons Landing Provincial Park, Nootka Island, Nootka Sound, North Island, Northern BC & Haida Gwaii, Northern Gulf Islands, Nuchatlitz Inlet, Nuchatlitz Provincial Park, Octopus Islands Provincial Park, Quadra Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, Read Island Provincial Park, Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park, Recreation, Rendezvous Island South Provincial Park, Robson Bight (Michael Biggs) Ecological Reserve, Roscoe Bay Provincial Park, Santa Gertrudis-Boca del Infierno Marine Park, Sayward Forest Canoe Route, Small Inlet Marine Provincial Park, Smelt Bay Provincial Park, Sunshine Coast, Surge Narrows Provincial Park, Teakerne Arm Provincial Park, Telegraph Cove, Thurston Bay Marine Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island & BC Islands, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains, Walsh Cove Provincial Park, Whale Watching, Yuquot (Friendly Cove), Zeballos