Premier Listings for Surge Narrows Park
Surge Narrows Provincial Park is located on the south end of Maurelle Island, at the junction of Quadra Island, Maurelle Island, and Read Island, west of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. With its high tidal changes and many reefs, this park has ideal conditions for marine life. Sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sea stars and anemones flourish in these prime conditions.
A unique feature of the 488-hectare Surge Narrows Provincial Park is the phenomenon of tidal rapids caused by the convergence of two flood tides. This natural occurrence, located in the middle of the park, gives the park its name.
These tidal currents are also notorious for their strength, particularly at Surge Narrows on the east and Seymour Narrows on the west. Paddlers should avoid Seymour Narrows and only travel through Surge Narrows at slack tide. Paddlers and boaters should also be familiar with tidal current charts so they can safely explore the rich waters around Surge Narrows and the tightly-packed Quadra, Cortes, Maurelle, Read and Sonora Islands.
Only very experienced kayakers should attempt to paddle in the fast-flowing and treacherous tidal streams at Surge Narrows. Extreme currents can roar through Surge Narrows at 16 knots, and up to 14 knots on the ebb tide. Surge Narrows is one of the fastest-flowing and most dangerous tidal streams in the entire world, and is best left to the most experienced of kayakers only. The Surge Narrows area is also used for kayak training in the unusual and challenging tidal conditions that prevail.
[FAGP id=27797]
Random wilderness camping is permitted on the upland portions of the park (Maurelle Island), which is undeveloped and has no facilities. There is no fee for summer or winter camping. Saltwater fishing is possible for salmon and rock fish.
Surge Narrows Provincial Park is located east of Quadra Island off central Vancouver Island. Access is by boat only, from Heriot Bay and Hoskyn Channel Landing on Quadra Island, from Campbell River on Vancouver Island, or from Lund and Powell River on the BC Sunshine Coast. Access from the north is through Okisollo Channel, and through Hoskyn Channel from the South. Boaters can reference marine chart #3537 and #3539 from more information about the area.
Nearby Regions & Towns
Park Notices
Premier Listings
Biographical Info
In 1987 we built our off-grid kayaking lodge in the Discovery Islands with a dream of crafting life-changing multi-day sea kayaking experiences. We still live where we paddle, and our passion for exploring our remote corner of British Columbia has only grown stronger.
Guided trips combine skills instruction, wilderness adventure, and meals prepared from our own garden produce, local sea foods, and home baking. Our kayaking tours explore sheltered routes amid marine parks, abundant wildlife, and rainforest islands – all with spectacular views of the highest peaks of the rugged Coast Mountains.
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!
Biographical Info
The Flow Wilderness Retreat is located on the wilderness Maurelle Island, just east of Quadra Island in the Discovery Islands, surrounded by emerald green waters offering some of the finest kayaking in the world. Our central location allows us to explore three unique provincial marine parks and return to our luxury base camp each evening.
Enjoy a fresh shore lunch at a different scenic location each day. Relax after a day of adventure with our cedar-wood-fired hot tub, hot showers, hammocks and your private, cozy, cabin accommodation. Three-course gourmet meals with wine are served each evening on our seaside patio overlooking the islands of the Surge Narrows Marine Park.
Water-taxi pick up from Campbell River on Vancouver Island or Heriot Bay on Quadra Island can be arranged through our office with Discovery Launch Water Taxi. Kick back, relax and enjoy a scenic cruise through the enchanting archipelago that is the Discovery Islands.
