Spring Island Explorer: 7 Days

Overview

Peter keeps coming back for more... since 1992!

A week-long holiday adventure from Spring Island has been our flagship package for 20 years.  Once you've made the journey to Kyuquot's remote marine wilderness, this allows the optimal time to truly "arrive" and absorb some of what the area has to offer. Guests typically leave feeling rejuvenated and satiated with a new appreciation for the coast.

As with the 4 or 5 day Spring Island Explorer packages, this 7-Day adventure has daily activities that are tailored to the mix of guests' interests, abilities, and the opportunities presented by the tides, weather, and wildlife. Throughout the week, you will appreciate the rustic luxuries of our base camp that quickly feels like a second home.

With this longer trip, we have more opportunity for a progression and variety of outings and activities that build on the skills and experiences of the previous day. Some of the highlight destinations include:

• Black Bears in the estuary

  an islet viewpoint for studying one of the largest Sea Otter rafts on the coast - 30 to 70 male otters resting together on their backs;
• being enveloped in the serenity of the Clanninick Creek estuary and salmon forest trail - sharing the foraging ground of Vancouver Island's Black Bears;

• navigating the open ocean swells to view a sea lion haul out and walk the enchanted Sitka Spruce forests and mudstone shores of Lookout Island - a premiere location to view Sea Otters or search for beachcombing treasures like Japanese glass balls (fishing floats);

• Bivalve fossils

  paddling the serene current swept channels that feed tranquil McKay Cove, then visiting the remote settlement of Kyuquot, including a walk on the picturesque boardwalk in search of ice cream or local gifts;
• traversing rugged surf-pounded coastline in search of caves and sea arches along Spring Island and Vancouver Island shores, many of which can be paddled in/through during suitable sea conditions - coastal exploration at its finest;

• going back in time on Amos Island with fossilized bivalves and dramatic examples of tectonic activity with layered, tilted, uplifted, and folded sedimentary formations; and of course...

• ...treasure hunting on Pirates Island - curiosities for all ages!

Amos Island geology

Depending on group size and interests, weather, and available guides, we often have the option to offer a mix each day of a shorter paddling distance for those wanting more personal time to explore or relax on shore, or longer, more challenging kayaking outings that will ensure that all dinner calories are earned before a good nights sleep!

Date & Rates - please contact us if you have specific dates that you don't see available on our schedule. We may be able to adjust our schedule to suit yours!

What's Included?

Itinerary

Day 1

• Spring Island sunset

  Unless you've made alternate arrangements with us, your day begins near Gold River with 7 a.m. departure on the "MV Uchuck III" scenic coastal cruise to the remote village of Kyuquot. This is aboard a working freight vessel that services remote coastal communities, lodges, and industry sites (logging and aquaculture) on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island. You will witness the Uchuck's crew in action as the ship plies its way northward along our beautiful coast, with a slightly different route each week. Arriving in Kyuquot around 6:00 p.m., you transfer to a water taxi for a ten minute ride to the comforts of our base camp on Spring Island.
• Appetizers and dinner...and of course our welcoming staff will greet you.
• Once settled into your private waterfront tent site, this first night also includes an orientation to our facilities.
• There is often the opportunity for a relaxing sunset or dusk walk to view the spectacularly wild west side of Spring Island.
• Our thick mattresses and the fresh ocean air will lure you to sleep.

Day 2

• You might be woken by the caress of waves on the cobblestone beach, the morning mew of a sea otter pup in the bay, the call of a bald eagle overhead,... or the simply the need to stumble out of the comforts of your tent to find a coffee to say hello to the day.
• After a satisfying breakfast, we'll learn more about everyone's interests and paddling experiences, and create a rough plan for the day and week.
• Our guides will ensure that everyone is fully introduced to the kayaks and equipment, and related safety considerations.
• Once launched, there is initial time for a short introduction or refresher session on strokes for safe and comfortable handling of the kayaks.
• Your water and land-based explorations begin!  On this first day, we generally meander through clusters of islets to find an inviting shell beach for a lunch break and some tide pool marine life interpretation before an afternoon return paddle to camp.

• Pelagic Goose Barnacles

  Each day is different, full of mysteries and surprises that present themselves only once we're out there - nothing is scripted in nature!

• Arriving back in the quiet bay of our camp around 4:00 p.m., there may be the opportunity to practice specific kayak skills (strokes, or for the hardy, re-entry techniques or the basics of rolling a kayak). 
• After some evening appetizers, you may choose to go for a refreshing swim, wander the trails, settle onto the warm beach stones with a drink in hand, enjoy a hot shower, or visit by the fire (or if it's cooler and raining, by the warmth of the woodstove in our kitchen shelter). 
• With a scrumptious dinner in belly, evenings are often enjoyed around the campfire, or with a sunset walk to the exposed west side of Spring Island.
• Evening activities are usually less structured, providing you with time to fully experience what you need - social time or time alone.

• Fresh out of the waterfall

  We can also offer the options of unparalleled sunset paddling, full moon paddling, or night-time paddling in the darkness lit up with the magical underwater glow of bioluminescence swirling off each paddle stroke.
• Your 3-4" foam mattress and bed will eventually lure you for another rejuvenate sleep.

Day 3 onward

• After a tasty wholesome breakfast, we typically head out mid-morning to continue with new adventures, building on the activities of previous days.
• Each day we'll decide what island, beach, forest trail, or nearby estuary to explore.  We are surrounded by a myriad of route options, most offering perfect sand and crushed shell beaches for breaks, lunch stops, beach combing, exploring tide pools and rocky outcrops, or "savage lounging" (the paradise of a rejuvenating afternoon nap on an island in the pacific!).
• You may choose to take the day off from paddling and just relax or explore Spring Island by foot while the rest of us paddle.  Either is fine with us because this trip can be an adventure that includes kayaking, or a kayaking adventure!  Our base camp setting is ideal for those who have never paddled before, up to experienced paddlers who are looking for a more relaxed pace...or more challenging paddling.

• Paddling through the village of Kyuquot, Walters Cove

  On the water, we are likely to encounter sea otters while paddling near the calm waters of prolific kelp beds.  And we are frequently greeted by jumping salmon, snorting sea lions, or squadrons of black oyster catchers.
• Our kayaking options include a variety of routes, distance, shoreline types, and sea conditions to satisfy the range of guest interests and comforts.
• Our daily guided activities often return to camp by 4 or 5 p.m., ready to enjoy appetizers, dinner, and the range of evening options described above (Day 2).
• Ahhhhhh. Mmmmmm. Satisfied. Zzzzzzzzz.

Last Day

• Spring Island and the Mission Group of islands

  As per previous days, we have the morning to explore a little closer to camp:  possibly a sunrise paddle (optional for early birds!), or a circumnavigation of Spring Island or nearby Aktis Island if the conditions are suitable.
• If not yet done, we can also enjoy a morning walk through a moss-laden old-growth forest trail to visit ancient Redcedar trees - this feels like you're stepping into another world on Spring Island.
• After our last lunch together and goodbyes, you will find that a little of your spirit will stay on Spring Island...or more importantly, that the spirit of Spring Island and your West Coast Expeditions experience will leave as part of you.  This is commonly a good time to start scheming and planning your next visit - many of our guests have returned over 6 times, and some as many as 20 times!
• Departure from Spring Island is in the early afternoon, and unless arranged otherwise, involves a spectacular float plane ride that gets you back to your original departure point near Gold River by the middle of the afternoon.  This scenic flight is a wonderful finale to the most varied and comprehensive west coast week-long kayaking vacation that we know of!