Destination Brooks - 9 Days

Overview

Surfer Beach, Jackobsen Point, Brooks Peninsula

This destination is one of the quintessential west coast kayaking adventures and was described in the May 2008 issue of Men's Journal as one of "10 Real Adventures for Mere Mortals" alongside other better-known destinations like climbing the Grand Teton, surfing the Maldives, hiking the Continental Divide, biking Bhutan, or diving the Galapagos. So, consider joining West Coast Expeditions for this trip-of-a-lifetime to the mighty Brooks Peninsula, an 800 m high and 14 km projection off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, the upper reaches of which escaped glaciation.

Assisted surf landing at the Brooks

This expedition is for "experienced paddlers" and campers who have done a reasonable amount of paddling and camping in a range of conditions.  Participants should know they are comfortable in a kayak for extended periods (up to 3 hours), and have the physical fitness and stamina to paddle a loaded kayak for several days in a row. 

Participants should be familiar and practiced with:

• basic strokes, including effective maneuvering in light to moderate winds (up to 20 knots or 35 km/h) and in moderate swell or wind waves;
• wet exits (getting out of the kayak in the event of an accidental capsize);
• re-entry techniques (assisted and solo techniques for getting back into the kayak after a capsize!); and

All guests are required to have cold water immersion gear (wetsuit or drysuit) available for some sections of the open water paddling, surf landings, or if warranted by the sea or weather conditions. Having the ability to do a surf landing would be an asset but is not essential for this trip as we will closely monitor and coach everyone through the surf.  We take safety seriously... which allows us to maximize what we can explore within the bounds of the guides' abilities, and participants' interests and abilities. Though designed for "experienced paddlers", this expedition is about much more than the kayaking - kayaks are our quiet vehicles through this remote marine area steeped in natural and cultural history.

Looking across Checleset Bay to the Bunsby Islands

This adventure typically begins and ends near Gold River, with the first and last days being the scenic cruise to and from Kyuquot aboard the "MV Uchuck III". If this travel logistic doesn't suit you, alternate arrangements can be made via Fair Harbour (surcharge for private water taxi) or with Air Nootka (surcharge for float plane charter flight including baggage allowance for camping gear).

The start and end of your time with West Coast Expeditions uses our base camp amenities on Spring Island as the perfect staging ground for this unparalleled west coast paddling adventure. The specific itinerary of the Destination Brooks trip varies with the interests and skills of the group, the moods of the ocean and weather, and the offerings of this spectacularly rugged coastline.

Date & Rates - if you are a group of 4 or more, 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, or to deliver this as a private trip!

What's Included?

Itinerary

Day 1

• Unless you've made alternate arrangements with us, your day begins near Gold River on Thursday with a 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.  

• Spring Island Bay sunset

  Appetizers and dinner... and of course our welcoming staff will greet you.
• Depending on how booked we are in camp, you may be able to use one of our waterfront tents with a bed and mattress (bonus!!) or you will be shown to a tent site where you can set up your own tent for this first night on Spring Island.
• After a brief orientation to our base camp facilities (where to find the outhouse, fresh drinking water, etc.), we will discuss, as a group, our best options and suitable timing for packing and departing for the Brooks Peninsula the next day.
• If time permits, we will can sometimes enjoy a dusk walk to the wild west side of Spring Island to get an after-sunset glimpse of our destination - the Brooks!
• The long day of travel and trip preparation, and the soothing sound of waves on the shore, should help you to sleep despite the excited anticipation of the adventure ahead!

Day 2

• Cormorants and west coast swell

  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 typically review kayak packing and safety procedures, assign boats for the week, and, if the weather is suitable to depart Spring Island, dive into getting all of the gear loaded!
• If the weather isn't appropriate for immediate travel over the exposed traverse to the Bunsby Islands, we can spend an extra night or two initially exploring closer to Spring Island and using the base camp. This can be a great opportunity to see even more of the area.
• Our guides will ensure that everyone is fully introduced to the kayaks and equipment, and related safety considerations for our travels.
• Enroute in our traverse across Checleset Bay toward the Bunsby Islands and Acous Peninsula, if the weather and sea gods are smiling on us, we'll paddle into a sea cave and maybe even under a waterfall. We are also likely to witness Black Bears foraging for food along the steep rocky shore!
• By the time we reach our first campsite, we will have traveled between 8 and 11 nautical miles (approx. 15 to 20 km).

Day 3 to 7

• Evening light and the Brooks Peninsula

  Weather permitting, and depending on where we camped the night before, we may then proceed to Surfer Beach at Jackobson Point on the Brooks Peninsula. Once there, this expansive beach will become home for the next few days as we explore the surrounding area by sea and land, absorbing all that the area offers.  After setting up camp and having lunch, the afternoon is typically less structured: kayak, body surf, swim in the creek, explore the shoreline, or just sit still - the choices are almost endless.
• We may see Tufted Puffins boldly swimming beside us (with their comical beak and cavalier head tufts!), curious teenage Stellar Sea Lions, or flocks of Cormorants sunning themselves on the numerous rocky islets. If we are really lucky, we will catch a glimpse of or hear a passing Harbour Porpoise ("puffing pig"!), Humpback Whale, or Minke Whale.
• If conditions remain favourable, we will remain camped on the Brooks Peninsula. While there, likely day paddles include: exploring the best kayaking rock gardens on the coast as part of our route to Clerke Point (the southwest corner of the Brooks); meandering into Nasparti Inlet (including the powerful tidal entrance to Johnson Lagoon)... or, well, not paddling at all, but instead wandering the beach and rocky shoreline in search of treasures or places to rest, reflect, and absorb the calm and wild-ness of this setting.
• Either before or after our camping time at the Brooks, we will have opportunities to also explore the Acous Peninsula, Battle Bay (and River), and the Bunsby Islands. Highlights include: paddling into the Battle River estuary, walking the beaches in Battle Bay, visiting Che:k:tles7et'h' (Checleset) First Nation friends and historic sites (with permission), sand and shell beaches, and prolific intertidal life through the shallows between islets - it's like paddling in an aquarium!

Day 8

• After packing up, we again traverse Checleset Bay back to Spring Island for the last night.
• Depending on our arrival time, there may be the chance for an afternoon paddle, or a unique forest walk to one of the great Redcedars on Spring Island.
• We recommend a final sunset walk to the exposed beaches on the west side of Spring Island, where you can look back at the Brooks Peninsula and reflect on experiences of the past week.

Day 9

• Sea Otter wake

  The day begins with an early morning water taxi from Spring Island back to Kyuquot to board the "MV Uchuck III" for an 8:00 a.m. departure. Don't forget to catch a last glimpse of the Sea Otters as you head out of Kyuquot!
• During this return cruise, continue to keep your eyes open for whales, especially on the outside waters between Kyuquot and Nootka Island.
• After this extended immersion in a remote marine wilderness setting, our guests often appreciate this gradual "return to civilization" in the homeward journey aboard the Uchuck, which allows ample time to reflect while still continuing the adventure!
• You will be back near Gold River by approximately 5:00 p.m. for the return drive to Campbell River, the Comox Valley, other Vancouver Island destinations, or even one of the last ferries back to the mainland.