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Education ~
Motivation Inspiration
Since 1974
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Sea kayak vacations and adventures in British Columbia Canada. Ocean touring west coast Vancouver Island, paddle Brooks Peninsula, Bunsby's, Kyuquot Sound, Rugged Point, Mission Group. Guided kayak tours and kayak instruction courses. |
Kayaking with West Coast Expeditions
Your sea kayaking vacation with West Coast Expeditions is carefully designed to provide just the right mix of paddling, land exploration, fun, educational opportunities, inspiration, motivation, and relaxing.
There are many highlights to be savoured around every turn. At the end of the day our guests feel that the wonderful sensation of having experienced something special without having been too rushed to enjoy the moment. |
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Late afternoon on Spring Island |
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Looking south towards Thornton Island |
We have kayak programs suitable for all ages, and
abilities of groups and families as well as individual
adventurers.
We guide and instruct novice paddlers who have never been in a kayak before through to more experienced kayakers who are seeking the challenge of a west coast adventure.
At our Spring Island base camp we have kayaks and camp facilities for rent to independent kayakers and adventurers on an availability basis. Prior reservation is very strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. Contact us for more details. |
2008 Trips
Discounts:
People from whom we receive a 50% deposit prior to 31 March 2008 receive a 10% discount
People from whom we receive a 50% deposit prior to 30 April 2008 receive a 5% discount
People 65 years and older receive a 10% discount. (Proof of age may be requested)
Children 10 years and younger receive a 10% discount. (Proof of age may be requested)
Group bookings of 8 or more receive a 10% discount.
Note: Only 1 discount item applies per person, group, or trip
Failure to pay the balance due, on or before 30 days prior to the trip voids the discount and the full trip price will apply.
Getting To Spring Island:
Getting to and from our Kyuquot Sound base camp on Spring Island is a fantastic experience in itself.
All journeys with West Coast Expeditions begin and end in Gold River, 91 kms (57 miles) west of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. (British Columbia, Canada) Unlike many of the more remote west coast kayak destinations, this port of departure provides paved road all the way.
For trips commencing with a voyage on the MV Uchuck, (www.mvuchuck.com) a hotel room (www.goldriverchalet.com) on the Wednesday evening prior to your departure is included in your all inclusive trip package. Thursday morning sees a 7:00a.m. departure on a picturesque ten-hour voyage northwest along the rugged west coast. The Uchuck, a converted WW II mine sweeper, now a working coastal freighter, makes several stops delivering all manner of supplies and people to various remote coastal communities.
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This journey also offered ample opportunity to watch an Orca "Luna" interact with boats and people. While this unusual interaction was problematic on many levels for a myriad of reasons, it was interesting to witness "Luna's" behavior and to speculate as to whom was actually watching whom. Please visit www.reuniteluna.com for more information.
Sadly Luna died in a boat accident on March 10th. His accident was a foregone conclusion to the risky relationship he had developed with people and boats. Many of us will miss him. |
Luna visiting the Uchuck on September 23, 2005 |
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If you are on a Destination Brooks or Rugged Point and Beyond paddling expedition, the return to the Uchuck dock near Gold River is by the Uchuck the following Friday. You will normally arrive back at the dock near Gold River by 5:00p.m.
| For most Mission Group trips the return to Gold River is the following Wednesday afternoon by Air Nootka float plane. (www.airnootka.com) You will normally arrive back at the dock near Gold River by 5:00p.m. This very scenic flight affords yet another magnificent view of a Vancouver Island coast line most people never get to experience. For kayakers with less vacation time, we also offer a variety of alternate Mission Group trip packages, with our guests flying via Air Nootka in both directions. The departure time from near Gold River varies (due to tide heights) however it is usually in the early to mid afternoon. Departure times will be confirmed with your trip registration. You will normally arrive back at the dock near Gold River by 5:00p.m. on the last day of your trip. |
Mission Group - Novice to
Intermediate:
Base Camp Supported Day Trips
7 days
Your seven day adventure begins with a ten-hour trip on the MV Uchuck III (www.mvuchuck.com). Departing from near Gold River at 7:00a.m., this coastal freighter is a working vessel servicing coastal communities on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island. You will witness the Uchuck crew in action as the ship works its way northward along our beautiful coast. Arriving in Kyuquot around 5:00p.m., you transfer to a water taxi (www.voyagerwatertaxi.com) for a ten minute ride to our base camp on Spring Island. On the last day of this trip you will fly back to your point of departure, near gold river, via Air Nootka float plane (www.airnootka.com).
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The Sea
Arch on Spring Island |
These trips center around our base camp on Spring Island. The
advantages of a established base camp are; no tents to setup or tear
down; no daily packing and unpacking of kayaks; less gear for you to
bring; and hours more of potential relaxation time each day. We
spend the week exploring the Mission Group of islands surrounding
our camp.
A typical day starts with a tasty wholesome breakfast followed by a
late morning paddle heading for an island to explore. During the
paddle, the guides will explain the geological, biological, and
cultural significance of the wonders you are seeing. Many of these
islands have perfect sand and crushed shell beaches where we stop
for lunch. Before getting back in our boats we explore the tide
pools, beaches, and rocky outcrops, or, if you prefer, enjoy a good
old fashioned relax. At West Coast Expeditions, we call this “savage
lounging”. During the week we try to visit some of the elders of the
First Nations village of Kyuquot. They are often willing to sit down
for some story telling or may even give a demonstration of cedar carving or cedar bark and grass weaving. |
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Arriving back at the quiet bay of our camp around 4:00 p.m., one of
the guides will usually offer to help those who are interested in
improving paddle or other kayak skills. The other guide will soon
have some delicious appetizers out for everyone to enjoy until
dinner is served. Some people use this time for reading from our
extensive library or for a walk to the beautiful beaches on the
exposed west side of Spring Island.
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Our Open
Air Library |
Evenings are spent around the campfire sharing stories and telling
jokes. Another advantage of base camp living is, that on occasion,
some of our guests prefer 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 is designed for those who
have never paddled before, up to experienced paddlers who are
looking for a more relaxed pace.
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 Sunrise paddle |
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West Coast Expeditions Spring Island Base Camp is a perfect setting
for families, groups of friends, co-workers, or individuals. We
always custom fit the trip itinerary to suit the needs and desires
of the guests we are hosting. When you register for a trip, we will
ensure that we have a full understanding of your abilities and
expectations. Our aim is to create a memorable and rewarding experience. |
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Tide pooling at its best on Big Pirates Island |
Mission Group Trip Schedule and Fees
7 Days Wednesday (evening) to Wednesday
(Uchuck in, Air Nootka out)
CDN$2,499.00 + GST
from Gold River (all-inclusive)
Base Camp supported day trips for the novice to experienced paddler:
2 - 09 July
09 - 16 July
16 - 23 July
30 July - 6 August
6 - 13 August
13 - 20 August
20 - 27 August
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This nine-day adventure beginning and ending near Gold River is a
fantastic experience for West Coast Expeditions guests. This is a
trip for experienced paddlers. Due to the ruggedness of the
coastline, and exposure to ocean swells and wind, we cannot
guarantee that each trip will follow the itinerary exactly as
stated.
First Evening - Wednesday
We meet at the Gold River Chalet (www.goldriverchalet.com) at 8:00p.m. for introductions
and any last minute "house keeping" items. Your room here is included in the all inclusive
trip package.
Day 1 – Thursday:
Your adventure begins with a ten-hour trip on the MV Uchuck III (www.mvuchuck.com).
Departing from the Uchuck dock near Gold River at 7:00a.m., this coastal freighter is a
working vessel servicing coastal communities on the west coast of
northern Vancouver
Island. You
will witness the Uchuck’s crew in action as the ship works its way
northward
along our beautiful coast. Arriving in Kyuquot around 5:00p.m., you will transfer to a water
taxi (www.voyagerwatertaxi.com)
for a ten minute ride to our Base Camp on
Spring Island.
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The sea cave and waterfall |
Day 2 - Friday:
After breakfast, we load our kayaks and head Northwest towards
Checleset Bay. En-route, if the weather and sea gods are smiling on
us, we’ll paddle into a sea-cave and maybe even under a
waterfall. This will be our first of many enjoyable
opportunities to watch sea otters care for their young,
groom and eat. It is also very likely that we will
see several black bears foraging for food along the
shore! We will also see and hear eagles soaring high
overhead and sometimes swooping down to snatch an unwary
fish from the water. Our lunch stop is on the Bunsby
Islands, and then we’ll carry on to a beautiful island
near the Acous Peninsula to camp for the night.
The distance traveled will have been about 11 nautical
miles (13 statute miles, 20 km). |
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Day 3 Saturday:
A five nautical mile (6 statute, 9 km) paddle brings us to Surfer Beach at Jackobson Point on the Brooks Peninsula. This incredible beach will be home for the next few days as we explore the surrounding area by sea and land. After setting up camp and having lunch, we spend the afternoon doing whatever the group chooses (kayaking, body surfing, swimming in the river, exploring the shoreline) the choices are almost endless. |
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| Exploring the canopy of a kelp "forest" before heading off to the Cuttle Islets near the Acous |
Enjoying the ocean swell off the Brooks. Can you see the top of Solander Island hiding behind the swell? |
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This may be the day we see flocks of cormorants sunning themselves on the numerous rocky islets. And perhaps if we are really lucky we will catch a glimpse of and hear a gray whale as it glides by on its northward migration!! |
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Day 4 Sunday:
We leave our camp set up and day paddle to Clerke Point on the
southwest end of the
Brooks. This point was named after one of
Captain Cook’s Lieutenants from his 3rd voyage
in 1786. You will be
one of a select few kayakers who have made it to this point of the
island. During the day we might see Tufted Puffins. With their
comical beak and cavalier
head tufts, they are one of the most
popular but elusive birds. As we return to Surfer
Beach, we may get a chance to explore and paddle in the best rock
gardens on
Vancouver Island’s west coast.
Paddle distance for the day is approximately 10 nautical miles (12
statute miles, 19 km).
Explorations and fun on the Brooks
Day 5 Monday:
We’ll have the choice of either a day paddle into the Nasparti
Inlet, or taking the day off
from paddling and hiking along the
shore in search for Glass Balls. The Japanese fishery
uses these
treasured objects to hold up their nets. During storms they break
free and are carried by the ocean currents on a seven-year journey
to their resting places scattered
along this coast.
Day 6 Tuesday:
After packing up camp, we head back towards the Bunsby Islands.
We’ll be stopping along the way to visit the site of a past
Nu’chal’Nuth village. There we can see the remains of fallen totem
and great-house poles and get a sense of the rich history of the
Nu’chal’Nuth First Nations People. This is a rare opportunity, as
prior permission is required to visit this site. Also with advance
permission, we stop for lunch on the beautiful
beach |
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at Battle Bay.
After lunch a short paddle brings us to our camp for two
nights on one of the delightful islands in the Bunsby’s.
Approximate paddle distance for this day is 10 nautical miles (12
statute miles, 19 km). |
Day 7 Wednesday:
From our camp on the Bunsby’s, we’ll day trip around and among the
Bunsby islands with a stop to visit our friend Lucy. At this time
she is the only First Nations person still living in the Checleset
people’s traditional territory. Our guides and Lucy will enjoy
discussing the fascinating history of the Checleset with you.
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Morning Coffee at Spring Island |
Day 8 Thursday:
After packing up we paddle back to Spring Island for the last night.
Depending on our arrival time, you’ll have the choice of either an
afternoon paddle or experiencing a unique forest walk to one of the
great cedars of Spring Island. The exposed beaches on the west side
of Spring Island are also worthy of exploration and are a perfect
place from which to watch the sunset over the mighty Brooks Peninsula. This may also be a good time to reflect on your amazing experiences of the
past week. |
Day 9 Friday:
The day begins with a morning water taxi from Spring Island back to Kyuquot to board the Uchuck for an 8:00a.m. departure. Don’t forget to catch a last glimpse of the Sea Otters as you head out of Kyuquot! If you missed seeing various species of whales, including "Luna" on your first journey, this is another opportunity. Sadly, the trip is complete when we get back into Gold River around 5:00 p.m. On the positive side, you’ll have some wonderful memories and we anticipate this expedition will have been and inspirational journey. |
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The Bunsbys
9 Days Wednesday (evening) to the following Friday
(Uchuck in and out)
CDN$2,499.00 + GST
from Gold River (all-inclusive)
Expedition kayaking for the experienced paddler:
30 July - 08 August
Additional dates available by request for groups of 4 or more
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Rugged Point and Beyond - Experienced:
Expedition Paddling
9 Days
This nine-day adventure beginning and ending near Gold River is a fantastic experience for West Coast Expeditions guests. Beautiful beaches and idyllic basaltic islands are just two of the reasons to embark on this amazing kayak expedition.
You will have the opportunity to see bears, cougars, wolves, sea otters, sea lions, a variety of whales and other mammals that live on this isolated section of the west coast. In addition, the exposed nature of this rugged coast, and the open ocean sea conditions make the paddling on this trip a thrilling challenge. It is for this reason that we rate this trip for experienced paddlers only.
We have designed your itinerary so that we don't have to take down and setup camp every day. This allows us more time to explore the unique land and sea-scapes that each stop on our journey offers.
(The nature of marine weather is such that we cannot guarantee the itinerary exactly as stated.)
First Evening - Wednesday
We meet at the Gold River Chalet (www.goldriverchalet.com) at 8:00p.m. for introductions and any last minute "house keeping" items. Your room here is included in the all inclusive trip package.
Day 1 – Thursday:
Your adventure begins with a ten-hour trip on the MV Uchuck III (www.mvuchuck.com). Departing from the Uchuck dock near Gold River at 7:00a.m., this coastal freighter is a working vessel servicing coastal communities on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island. You will witness the Uchuck's crew in action as the ship works its way northward along our beautiful coast. Arriving in Kyuquot around 5:00p.m., you will transfer to a water taxi (www.voyagerwatertaxi.com) for a ten minute ride to our Base Camp on Spring Island.
Day 2 - Friday
After a good breakfast it's time for you to choose kayak boat from our brand new fleet. As the Kyuquot area is just too lovely to rush away from, we will spend the day circumnavigating Spring Island and paddling to Clanninick Creek. This will give us ample opportunity to shake out the cob webs and warm up our paddling muscles for the upcoming week. We will spend this second night on Spring Island at our base camp and ensure every one has ample time to get their gear organized for the next morning's departure
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Day 3 - Saturday
After breakfast, we load our kayaks and head southeast for Amos Island. En-route we will paddle though Barter cove where your guide will give you a brief but fascinating over view of the local First Nations history and that of European first contact. Our lunch stop is at fossil beach on Amos Island. Here you will be able to see numerous fossils from the Jurassic period 210 –140 million years ago. We continue on a southwesterly heading into the more open ocean to the stunningly beautiful Thornton Islands to camp for the next two nights. The sandy beaches are lovely, and the cliff tops offer visitors amazing unobstructed views of the setting sun over the Pacific Ocean
The distance traveled will have been about seven nautical miles (8 statute miles, 13km)
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Day 4 - Sunday
With no packing up today,
we enjoy a morning paddle along the north shore of Rugged Point heading into Kyuquot Sound. Our lunch stop can include a short hike for a fresh water swim. We may even be able to catch a fish for dinner. Returning to Thornton for another night will give us the perfect amount of paddling, hiking, and relaxation time.
The distance traveled will have been about seven nautical miles (8 statute miles, 13 km) |
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Day 5 - Monday
Back on the water with all our gear we'll be heading to Rugged Point Provincial Park for lunch. When we're ready to go again, it's off to Grassy Island where we'll be camping for the next two nights. Grassy is home to a large example of a fossil known as a “Nautilus”. This seldom visited island is also a beautiful spot to spend a couple of days.
The distance traveled will have been about seven nautical miles (8 statute miles, 13 km) |
Day 6 - Tuesday
We'll be day paddling again back towards the Vancouver Island coast. A delightful paddle up Kapoose Creek will offer another opportunity for a fresh water swim. This paddle can be followed by some savage lounging on one of the most beautiful beaches of the west coast. Another popular way to enjoy the afternoon is to practice kayak surfing (helmets provided and mandatory) if the swell permits. Later, back on Grassy Island we can take time to ponder what wonders and excitement lie ahead. |
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Day 7 - Wednesday
An early morning pack up and departure will see us heading south on a route around the reefs at Tatchu Point. This was the great fishing place of the Ehattisat Indians and it's name is derived from the word “Tatchtatcha” meaning "to chew." According to stories, much local feasting happened on the nearby sandy beaches. Due to the exposed nature of this area of the coast, getting around Tatchu can be both challenging and exciting. Once around we head to nearby beach at Yellow Bluff Bay. After a well deserved break and lunch we continue to either Catala or Rosa Island for the next couple of nights.
The distance traveled will have been about 12 nautical miles (14 statute miles, 22 km) |
Day 8 - Thursday
Opportunities abound for this our last full day of paddling. We make the choices based on weather, sea conditions and the group's desires and return to our camp spot for another night.
The Nuchatlitz area offers fabulous visas at every turn so there is more than enough paddling and exploring opportunity to keep us as busy as we wish to be. |
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Picture Coming Soon! |
Day 9 - Friday
One last pack up and on to the water we go. We position ourselves in a sheltered area to prepare to meet the MV Uchuck for the ride home. As the crew hoists us up onto the boat we might recall how visiting First Nations chiefs were welcomed into a village by being carried up the beach while still sitting proudly in their canoes. You too have every right to feel pride in your recent accomplishments. |
9 Days Wednesday (evening) to the following Friday
(Uchuck in and out)
CDN$2,499.00 + GST
from Gold River (all-inclusive)
Expedition kayaking for the experienced paddler:
By request for groups of 4 or more
Who is an experienced paddler?
Why do we rate this trip for experienced paddlers?
An experienced paddler is someone who has a “reasonable” amount of
paddling experience. They should feel comfortable doing a wet exit
and assisted re-entry. The experienced kayaker is able to paddle and
maneuver their kayak effectively in light through moderate winds and
in moderate swell or wind waves. Having an ability to do a surf
landing would be an asset but is not essential for this trip.
This trip demands a moderate level of physical fitness and stamina
and you should have some camping experience. This is a wilderness
marine adventure and in some weather conditions it can be more of a
challenge than in others. Our guides always keep safety as their top
priority, and ensure the group stays with in the bounds of its
ability.
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Customized Trips
Wilderness Women:
Novice, Intermediate, or Experienced
9 or 7 Days
Wilderness Women trips are fun and motivational expeditions designed for
women and facilitated by women. In the context of fun and safety,
the program focus is on experiencing personal limits in the
wilderness and learning all aspects of sea kayaking, navigation,
camping and discovering the fragile beauty of this unforgettable
place.
With sufficient enrollment (maximum 20) any of our scheduled trips can be reserved as a wilderness women expedition. If you are a group of women friends or co-workers looking for adventure, and a paddling experience on the west coast is one of your dreams, contact us for more information.
Private Trips
Novice, Intermediate, or Experienced
Our Customized trips are fun and motivational expeditions designed for you with the aim of assisting the achievement of your group's goals. In the context of adventure, safety, and ecological awareness we work with you to plan the type of trip best suited to your group's interests and abilities.
With sufficient enrollment (maximum 20) any of our scheduled trips can be reserved as a private group expedition. If you are a group of friends or co-workers looking for adventure, and a paddling experience on the west coast is one of your dreams, contact us for more information.
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Kayak
Courses
This Season's Courses
Base Camp Supported:
Instructional Weeks:
7 Days
Wednesday to Wednesday
CDN $2499.00 + GST
Available by request for groups of 4 or more
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We will teach
you how to pack your kayak for
expedition paddling |
Novice Instructional Week
Our Base Camp supported introduction to kayaking for the
novice kayaker is
geared towards enabling the novice paddler
gain confidence and competence in planning their own sea
kayaking vacations and adventures.
The course is divided between the water and class room, and
fosters a supportive learning environment. Some of the topics
covered are:
- Wet exits with assisted re-entry, and simple
rescue techniques
- Paddle stroke development
- Leave No Trace camping skills
- Safety - flares, radio use, staying out of trouble, what
to do if trouble finds you
- Understanding the weather you see
and the marine weather forecast
- Marine navigation
- Day trip planning
- The essentials to bring on every kayak outing
Intermediate Instructional Week
Our Base Camp supported introduction to expedition kayaking for the intermediate kayak adventurer is geared towards enabling the intermediate paddler gain confidence and competence in planning their own sea kayaking vacations and expeditions.
The course is divided between the water and class room, and fosters a supportive learning environment. Some of the topics covered are:
- Wet exits with assisted and solo re-entry, and more complex rescue techniques
- Paddle stroke and brace development
- Leave No Trace camping skills
- Safety - flares, radio use, staying out of trouble, what to do if trouble finds you , making sound go/no go decisions.
- Interpretation of the weather you see, trend in the weather and the marine weather forecast
- Marine navigation
- Multi-day/expedition trip planning
- How to pack for a sea kayaking expedition (what to bring, not to bring, how to make the most of the least, and where to put it all).
 Contact us for more information or to register for this
innovative "user friendly" kayaking course.
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 View the 2008 Schedule Online!
* Prices do not include GST (tax) & gratuities. Prices subject
to change.
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Toll free Canada and USA:
1-800-665-3040 |
West Coast Expeditions
310-2202 Lambert Dr.,
Courtenay, BC
Canada V9N 1Z8
westcoastexpeditions@shaw.ca
1-800-665-3040
(250) 338-2511 (Canada)
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