Island Escapades || Kayak Expedition || Kayaking Expeditions & Adventures || Salt Spring Island and 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.

Expedition Brochure (pdf - 3.5MB)

Expedition Information (pdf)

Registration form (pdf)

"Dear Jack, family and staff, thank you very much Jack for your suggestion to circumnavigate Prevost Island. I really enjoyed all 32.2 km with sightings of seals, bald eagles and star fish. It would not have been possible were it not for the help of your great staff. Here's a photo taken north of Kingston last weekend where I was demonstrating some paddling skills to a friend. I wish you all a great conclusion to the paddling season and hope to see you again on my next visit westward." Best regards, Don

Jack's Alaska expedition photos 2010 2011.

Sea kayak adventures

2012 EXPEDITION DATES

Total Salt Spring Experience ~ Kayak / Yoga/ Massage/ Nutritious Wholesome Vegetarian Foods

Kayak through the Gulf Islands viewing the spectacular bounty of intertidal life, marine mammals and bird life. You’ll enjoy two daily sessions of Yoga with Kayak guide and Yoga instructor Mikaela Heydemann. Our group will enjoy an evening paddle with the moonlight and watching the magical phosphorescence dance off the blades or your paddle. You have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing message in the message tent and tantalize your taste buds with a vegetarian feast. This healthy weekend is bound to get you motivated to continue on with this lifestyle. Two certified Kayak guides make this a Gulf Island experience you won’t soon forget. We camp on several of the Gulf Island Marine Park sites like Prevost Island, Wallace and Dionisio. The route is dependent on the weather but we have many options with the abundance or parks within close proximity.

Options for B&B stay prior to the Expedition & a Stroke and Rescue Clinic in the afternoon prior to the trip – additional costs. Evening Massages available but not included in the price.

All inclusive with food, Yoga sessions and gear just bring your own sleeping bag and personal clothing.

May 18th - 20th $625/person + taxes
June 8th – 10th $625/person + taxes

Expedition Planning I & II

In Expedition Planning I, we teach the essentials of kayaking so that participants will learn to confidently organize and lead their own recreational expeditions. This course will be instructed by a Level 3 guide certified through the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of B.C. Included in the 3 day course, will be various kayak rescues and strokes along with the fundamentals of kayaking. The newly-acquired skills will allow participants to navigate using charts and compass and calculate tides and currents to always be moving with the flow. The course is fun, educational and utilizes the outdoors as the best classroom possible. There is ample opportunity to view abundant marine and intertidal life as the guides offer their knowledge of how these species interact with the surrounding ecosystem.

To further this newly acquired passion of paddling, the next step is Expedition Planning II. Here the experienced paddler learns the finer points of navigation, route finding, judgment and leadership plus weather interpretation. The highly trained guides will reinforce strokes and rescue skills plus work on camp craft and low impact camping techniques. The guides will mentor and enhance skills in a safe and nurturing environment. It is recommended to take Expedition Planning I first but with significant previous kayaking experience and a love of the outdoors, this may not be necessary.

Options for B&B stay the night prior to your session -extra fees apply.

July 2nd - 4th Expedition Planning I $625 + tax
Aug. 3th - 6th Expedition Planning II $825 + tax

Northern Gulf Island Expedition “The pocket book saver”

This expedition allows participants to be creative with their own meals. Each paddler is given a few meals to prepare for the rest of the group. It’s always a fabulous experience as we get to taste the rewards of so many budding chiefs. All gear and equipment is provided for you but meals are co-operatively shared with assistance being offerred by your guides. The guides help make your paddling day enjoyable, interesting and educational as they point our wildlife, marine mammals and intertidal life along our route. The Northern Gulf islands Expedition allows participants to see ancient Native midden sites and view some of the Gulf Island’s largest seal pull out locations. There is always a chance to see “J” or “K” Pod-- our local Orcas but you will regularly be treated to an abundance of marine and bird life in this area with opportunity to view porpoise, seals, sea lions, river otter, mink, bald eagles, falcons, osprey… We’ll stop at Wallace Island, Dionisio Marine Park and Blackberry Point on Valdez Island. We are shuttled to our take off point on Salt Spring and picked up on our last day at Southey Point on the northern most tip of Salt Spring.

Options for B&B stays the night prior and Stroke and Rescue clinics – extra fees apply.

June 28th - July 1st $650/person + taxes
Aug. 27th - 30th $650/person + taxes
Sep. 17th - 20th $650/person + taxes

Equinox Expedition “Yak Round Salt Spring Island”

The expedition is for those intermediate & advanced paddlers who want to kayak a bit further each day. This program will attempt to circumnavigate Salt Spring Island camping at various marine parks that fringe the coastline. This is an all inclusive trip were you just bring your personal gear and a positive attitude. Island Escapades provides all the gear, food and knowledgeable guides. We’ll plan the agenda so the current and tides are in our favour and point out the wildlife hot spots as they pilot the group round Salt Spring. Guides are always happy to teach you the skills they are utilizing to implement the trip.

This paddle will leave from Fulford harbour and land back at our beach in Ganges four days later! Celebrate the Equinox and enjoy the Harvest Full Moon on this fun filled adventure packed challenge. Please come with your personal gear packed and ready to launch on day 1 as our agenda is action packed. We paddle out at 9:00 am to catch the tide on the first day!

Options for B&B stays the night prior to the expedition & the night of our return-extra costs apply

Sept. 21st - 24th $825/person + taxes

Womens only “Kayaking” Weekend

Enjoy a pleasant stress free, testosterone free weekend. This is a fabulous way to escape the worries of parenthood or the stress of city life. You will be spoiled by great gourmet camp cooking, abundant intertidal and marine life, and pampered by your guides. You’ll start out at Hudson’s point load your kayaks and head to Dionisio Park at the North end of Galiano. Enjoy the rugged west coast terrain and beautiful sandstone formations and beaches that will make you think you’re in Mexico! The following day we’ll head to Blackberry Point and enjoy the white shell beaches and secret treasures of Blackberry Point on Valdez. We return via Southey Point on the northern tip of Salt Spring. There will be some time for Yoga and relaxation on this special retreat weekend.

Options for B&B stays the night prior to the expedition and the night after- extra charges apply. Clinic available the afternoon prior to the expedition- extra charges apply

June 15th - 17th $625/person + taxes
Sept. 14th - 16th $625/person + taxes

A Taste of the Gulf Islands

This is a two day expedition out to Prevost National Park from our location in Ganges. It is a fabulous way to get out on the water, enjoy the spectacular scenery and to see the abundance of intertidal and marine mammals in the Gulf Islands. We camp on one of the newest addition to the Gul Islands National Parks, Prevost Island. Here we have a chance to view fabulous white shell middens, see a large seal colony and play in the waters of Captains Passage, where we often view porpoise! We need a minimum of 4 persons to organize this trip and we can work out dates that also work best for your group or family. An additional day and evening can be added upon request.

Cost: Adults $375+ taxes all inclusive. Youth rates are available.

Suggested dates:

June16-17th
July 7th -8th
July 21st-22nd
July 28th -29th
Aug. 4th -5th
Aug. 11th -12th
Aug. 25th -26th
Sept. 1st - 2nd Large Moon
Sept 29th -30th Full Moon
Oct. 13th -14th

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.