Island Escapades - Kayaking Expeditions in the Gulf Islands, BC

The sheltered waters of the Gulf Islands are teeming with inter tidal and marine life. The call of the wild is everywhere and the seascape is no less than magnificent. We traverse the shorelines and paddle into small coves and shallow inlets not accessible to most other water craft. Porpoises, seals, river otters and mink are commonly seen; sea lions and orcas may also be spotted. Many species of birds grace our islands eagles, osprey, herons, oyster catchers, buffleheads, widgeons, wood ducks.

With 4 or more people we can create kayaking and camping expedition dates that suit your group's needs and there are discounted prices for youth.

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Sea kayak adventures

2009 EXPEDITION DATES
(with four or more persons we can create expedition dates that suit your group needs)

July 28th -31st This is a mid week family expedition which will start in Ganges and head to Prevost Island. We will circumnavigate Prevost on Day 2 which is a fabulous paddle where we view lots of seals, sea lions and intertidal life, plus get to stop at the secluded beaches that make this Island one of the Gems of the National Park system. The lasts night is spent on Wallace Island, and we paddle along the length Salt Springs Eastern seaboard, stopped at the longest white shell Beach (midden) in the Gulf Islands. The last day we paddle around the Secretary Group and come out at the northern tip of Salt Spring.

Aug. 1st - 3rd B&B or Cabin based adventure weekend. Two nights at one of Salt Spring's classic accommodations mixed with great paddles to Marine parks with Picnic Lunches and Gourmet Dinners served on sheltered beaches. Enjoy live entertainment in the evenings in Ganges while you view wildlife and taste the west coast wilderness during the daytime.

August 24th to 27th - Kayaking 101 Want to learn how to kayak and start doing your own expeditions? If so this is the perfect course for you! This course will be instructed by a level 3 guide certified through the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC). You will learn different kayak rescues and strokes along with the fundamentals of kayaking. You will also learn how to properly navigate using a chart and compass, calculate tides and currents and the basics of weather interpretation by listening to the marine weather forecasts. This is a perfect course to get you feeling confident in your kayak and planning and coordinating your personal expeditions.

This course is going to be fun, educational, in the best outdoor classroom around and will offer fabulous wildlife viewing and interpretation. No experience necessary just a positive attitude and a love for the outdoors. Price is $780.00 Canadian for 4 days includes all food and kayaking equipment.

If you want to further your skills and knowledge look at taking Kayaking 201 offered from September 12th to 14th

Aug. 25th -28th National & Provincial Parks Expedition Northern Loop. This is an epic trip taking you all the way up to Gabriola from Salt Spring Island. We serve gourmet foods and treat you to some of the most interesting coastal waters on the inside Passage. Camping, Wildlife, Sunsets, Scenery and Fitness, Relaxation and the Pontiki. This trip is escorted by the Pontiki—the ultimate mother ship that aids the group and makes this excursion fun but offers everyone versatility on weather they will paddle early or sleep in and enjoy a coffee on the Pontiki as you relax and are taken to our lunch location. The pontiki awaits us at our next campsite with Appetizers, music and drinks ready. Pontiki escorted trips are great for couples who want to be together on a wilderness trip but don’t always have the same energy levels.

Aug. 30th –Sept 2nd Wild Women’s Escapades (Women Only!) Enjoy this expedition through the Islands, learn the finer skills of Kayak navigation, route planning and paddling in currents while you share stories and enjoy wine with gourmet camp side meals. We’ll paddle in the moonlight on the evening of the 31st, watching the phosphorescence howling at the moon! (This is close to a New Moon, so bring those headlamps! )

September 12th to 14th - Kayaking 201 Now that you know the basics of kayaking why not improve skills. Come out on this 3 day kayaking course with Island Escapades. You will learn the finer points of Navigating, Route planning, tides and currents, strokes, rescues, weather interpretation and camp craft including low impact camping. Level 3 certified guides certified through the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC) will teach you all of these skills while keeping you safe on the water. Once you have finished this course you will be ready to set out on your own expedition. This course is going to be fun, educational, in the best outdoor classroom around and will offer fabulous wildlife viewing and interpretation. Some Kayaking experience is required and a love for the outdoors.

Price is $585.00 Canadian for 3 days includes all food and kayaking equipment.

Pon Tiki Tours: The cost is $239/person per day (Canadian). Pon Tiki escorted tours include “the ultimate mother ship" that aids the group and makes an excursion fun but offers everyone versatility on whether they paddle early or sleep in and enjoy the calmness of the campground. Enjoy a coffee & pancakes on the Pon Tiki as you relax and are taken to our lunch location. The Pon Tiki awaits us at our next campsite with appetizers, dinner music and drinks ready. “Pon Tiki” escorted trips are great for couples who want to be together on a wilderness trip but don’t always have the same energy levels.

Unless specified, the expedition cost is $190/person per day (Canadian). Price for youth under 12 is $140 and for youth 12 to 15 is $155/person. That includes all your equipment, food, camping fees, and of course guides.

If possible, we usually like to offer an introductory paddle on the lake the afternoon/evening prior to your trip. This helps individuals get reacquainted with paddling, introduces or re-introduces strokes and shows what a rescue situation looks like. We have a sauna right by the dock so if you want to try a rescue or roll, this is a perfect time. Those who do not want to go in the water can watch the rescue demonstrations. We charge a fee of $60 for these clinics; they are an excellent way to get confidence levels up and get you used to the boats.

For those wanting more pampered comforts, we offer accommodation packages where you may still enjoy the unique wilderness experience yet have comfortable lodging. Please see Adventure Packages for more details.

These southern Gulf Islands are home to us and we have come to know them intimately. Every day we stop at a different island, each with a cultural history and intrigue of its own. There will be ample time for beach-combing, forest walks, and simply laying back and enjoying the beauty and peacefulness.

All tours include quality equipment and delicious wholesome cuisine. They are offered year round and can be anywhere from 2 to 7 days. Group size is limited to a maximum of ten and a minimum of four participants. Routes and departure times vary according to weather and tides.

Coastal British Columbia ranks as one of the premier kayaking destinations in the world. The intertidal zone here encompass nearly 27,000 km (16,900 mi) of coastline and includes islands and islets, rocky shores and headlands, reefs, inlets, sandy beaches, estuaries, and tidal lagoons. Over 3,800 species of invertebrates inhabit these coastal waters.

Our friends Kris and Kim operate Steller Sea Kayaking Ltd. which offers all-inclusive, natural & cultural history tours around Vancouver Island. Kris is a Lead Guide and has a research and teaching background in archaeology. He loves to share information about the archaeology and history of the Northwest Coast while guiding his guests among islands abundant with ancient First Nations villages, stone fish traps, petroglyphs, culturally modified trees and other cultural treasures.

Kim has been exploring the beaches and trails of Vancouver Island since she was a child. She went on her first kayaking expedition with her family at the age of six and hiked the West Coast Trail when she was eleven. Kim has many years of experience researching and teaching archaeology in the Northwest. When she’s not introducing people to the archaeology of BC or working on her photography, Kim may be found teaching online courses in archaeology, cultural anthropology, human evolution, regional history, and Northwest Coast cultures from her home on Salt Spring.

Steller’s guides are all certified by the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC and hold certificates in Coastal Adventure Tourism and Advanced Wilderness First Aid. All Steller Sea Kayaking tours include quality equipment and healthy, gourmet meals with organic vegetables and other fresh ingredients, along with delicious home-baked desserts and snacks.
If you would like more information about Steller’s all-inclusive natural and cultural history tours on Vancouver Island, please email Kris and Kim directly at info@stellerseakayaking.com or visit their web site at http://www.stellerseakayaking.com.