Kayaking Gulf Islands, kayak tour British Columbia | Blue Planet Kayaking Adventures

GULF ISLANDS Gourmet Kayaking Weekend

photo by www.TaylorKennedyPhotography.com Gulf Islands June 1 2007

The white clamshell beaches and gentle, protected Mediterranean like waters of the Gulf Islands are inviting to the novice paddler or those simply seeking a more relaxed, casual paced sea kayak adventure. This weekend adventure not only explores the islands & beaches of the Gulf Islands but also the culinary highlights of Vancouver Islands emerging food scene interpreted by Chef/Guide James Bray.

Enjoy locally sourced organic vegetables, wild BC fish, pasture raised poultry, artisan cheeses and creative desserts paired with BC wines on this 3-day Gulf Islands Gourmet Kayaking Weekend sea kayak tour.

This sea kayak camping tour of the Gulf Islands visits some of the most spectacular spots in southwestern British Columbia including the historically colorful Pirates Cove on De’Courcy Island and Blackberry Point on Valdez Island.

Learn about Brother XII and the Aquarian Foundation 'cult' that was founded in the 1920's and the lore of buried gold, mystery & murder.

Towering cliffs of honey-combed sandstone host many plants that are at the northern extreme of their range and are not found elsewhere in Canada. Garry oaks & Arbutus trees, with their smooth red bark and evergreen leaves, are unique to this small area of British Columbia. The Garry oak ecosystem is one of Canada’s most endangered ecosystems.

Wildlife found in the Gulf Islands is very diverse and includes eagles, deer, porpoises, sea lions, seals and otters. Hundreds of thousands of seabirds, shorebirds and waterfowl thrive on the nutrient-rich ocean waters and intertidal marine life abounds.

3 Day Gulf Islands Kayaking Trip Itinerary

DAY 1

We meet our guests in Victoria at 6:15 a.m. We travel north to Departure Bay BC Ferries in Nanaimo before arriving at our launch site near Cedar-by-the-Sea. With helpful advice & instruction from your guides, you will soon be paddling with confidence en route to Pirates Cove provincial marine park. The Gulf Islands are home to a diverse array of wildlife including inquisitive river otters and harbor seals, and close encounters are not uncommon. After landing on one of the islands white clam shell beaches, you can sit back and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the guides. After lunch we'll establish our base camp where we’ll stay for the next 2 nights. After having a tour of the area and getting your tent site picked out, there will be free time to explore the maze of trails, go for a swim or just lie back with a book and enjoy some quality quiet time. Later, uncork a bottle of BC wine and watch as your guide prepares an Entrée of locally sourced ingredients.

DAY 2

After a delicious breakfast & locally roasted coffee, we’ll pack a lunch, gear & supplies for the day. We set out across Pylades Channel for another great day of paddling along the base of towering sandstone cliffs. We enjoy lunch on the sunny white clam shell beach of Blackberry Pt. on Valdez Island. After lunch we can explore the island, sun-tan or catch up on some reading under the shade of an Arbutus tree. Our route back weaves through some of the beautiful smaller islands. We return to our campsite later in the day with time to relax, swim, and sip a glass of wine before dinner.

DAY 3

Awake to the aromas a hot breakfast being prepared & enjoy a coffee on the beach in the early morning sun. After breakfast, we'll load the kayaks with our gear and bid adieu to our lovely camp site. Along the route back, we may be fortunate enough to view otters, seals along the sandstone cliffs of the island chain. We’ll stop on one of the beaches along the way for a delicious snack. We should arrive back at our initial launch site -Cedar by the Sea at approximately 1 pm, with enough time to make the 3 PM ferry.

3-DAY GULF ISLANDS
2008 Sea KayakTour Dates

Leaves	Returns	Leaves	Returns
June 13	sold out	Aug 1	sold out
June 27	sold out	Aug 22	sold out
July 11	sold out	Sept 5	sold out
July 25	sold out	Sept 19	3 seats

$749 CAD currency exchange site

The Gulf Islands Gourmet Kayaking Weekend is proudly offered in conjunction with culinary tourism experts Edible British Columbia.

Trip Facts & Overview
Duration:	3 days / 2nights
Price:	$749 CAD / $749 USD
Departs:	Nanaimo
Nearest Town:	Nanaimo
Accommodation:	2 nights base camping
Tour type:	novice multi-day sea kayaking tour
Inclusions:	Transportation from Nanaimo Departure Bay Ferry Terminal is available, kayaks & related equipment, camping equipment, dry bags, PFD’s, meals & wine, professional guides & paddling instruction
Exclusion:	personal sleeping bag, gratuities
Guest parking:	yes, free at launch site

Kayaking Gulf Islands, Kayak Tour British Columbia, Gourmet Weekend Sea Kayaking Tours

Local Knowledge

Intertidal marine life is rich on the wind and wave carved sandstone cliffs of Valdez. Kayakers paddle along the base of these cliffs enroute to the white clamshell beach on Blackberry Point, Valdez Island for a pic-nic style lunch and a refreshing swim.