2010 Overnight Tours

Interested in getting away for more than a day?

Just add water!

• Escape! The Gulf Island NPR
• Kyuquot Sound
• Bunsby Islands and Brooks Peninsula
• Sea Kayaking Johnstone Strait
• Sea Kayaking Gods Pocket
• Mothership Kayak Instruction Tour
• Custom Tours

---

Escape! The Gulf Islands NPR

(3 days) Recharge your batteries!

Located near Victoria, the beautiful Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a kayaker’s dream! This newly formed national park has been set aside as a representation of the fast-vanishing unique Gulf Islands marine ecosystem. Kayaking is the best way, and one of the only ways, to visit this area, which features sandy spits, arbutus-studded coastlines, and numerous islands and islets. Enjoy a quick and relaxing three-day getaway – it’s just what the doctor ordered!

2010 Dates: Jul 19-21, Aug 18-20

Location: Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Sidney, BC

Cost: $635      Kayak & Paddling Gear Rental: Included

Escape Gulf Islands NPR Itinerary
Waiver Form
Medical Form

---

Kyuquot Sound

(7 days/6 nights) The best place on Earth!

Join this custom kayaking adventure if you are interested in kayaking Vancouver Island's remote West coast! Ocean River Sports has arranged this together with veteran sea kayak guide and ORS Adventure Centre founder, Dave Pinel, owner of West Coast Expeditions. WCE and ORS are natural partners, both offering a passion for getting you out there and connecting with the coast. WCE’s sea kayaking wilderness retreat on Spring Island offers one-of-a-kind camping comforts and world-class sea kayaking in remote and spectacular Kyuquot Sound on the Northwest coast of Vancouver Island. Be assured that this program is unique.

2010 Dates: Aug 19th to 25th.

Location: Spring Island, Kyuquot Sound area, Northwest coast of Vancouver Island (from Gold River)

Cost: $2469, includes coastal scenic cruise from Gold River and return float plane flight.  Early bookings discount of 10% wioth deposit by February 28, or 5% savings by March 31.

Kayak & Paddling Gear: Included

---

Bunsby Islands and Brooks Penninsula

(8 days) A kayaking expedition!

Join this custom kayaking adventure for some of the best kayaking that Vancouver Island offers! Ocean River Sportsʼ Brian Henry will be teaming up again with veteran sea kayak guide and ORS Adventure Centre founder, Dave Pinel, owner of West Coast Expeditions. WCE and ORS are natural partners, both offering a passion
for getting you out there and connecting with the coast. WCEʼs idyllic wilderness sea kayaking retreat on Spring Island will be your spring board into the Checleset Bay area for a multi-day exploration of the Bunsby Islands and Brooks Peninsula areas—one of the worldʼs most enchanting, diverse, and rugged kayaking destinations on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island.

2010 Dates: July 2-9.

Location: Kyuquot Sound area, Northwest coast of Vancouver Island (from Fair Harbour)

Cost: $2199, includes water taxi transfers from Fair Harbour.  Early bookings discount of 10% wioth deposit by February 28, or 5% savings by March 31.

Kayak & Paddling Gear: Included

Bunsby Islands and Brooks Penninsula Itinerary

---

Sea Kayaking Johnstone Strait

(6 days) Paddle with the Orcas

Sea kayaking in the rich waters of Johnstone Strait is an experience to remember. This nomadic tour has everything; it starts in the protected waters of the Broughton Archipelago, where you’ll explore the many hidden waterways and discover ancient village sites where the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations culture thrived.

Onward to Johnstone Strait proper, where we’ll spend our time here traveling the main channels of Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait. These waters are the most consistent for wildlife, and as we paddle we’ll keep our eyes on the horizon for the blows from orca, humpback, or Minke whales. With approximately 200 Orca Residents in the area, our chances of spotting them are excellent.

But there is much more to this area; from the snow-capped peaks of the coastal mountains, to the verdant rolling hills of Vancouver Island, bears strolling the shoreline, eagles fishing in front of our campsite, a campfire at dusk – these are the beautiful subtleties of the area. This is a classic tour, and reputation of Johnstone Strait speaks for itself.

All boats, food and guides are supplied. A special Ocean River experience.

Dates: Aug 22 – 27, Sept 5 – 10

Location: Broughton Archipelago, B.C.

Cost: $1600       Kayak & Paddling Gear: Included

Johnstone Strait Itinerary

---

Sea Kayaking God's Pocket

(5 days) Sea Kayaking Queen Charlotte Strait

God’s Pocket Provincial Park is comprised of a peaceful chain of islands off the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. Few kayakers are seen here; most head further south to Johnstone Strait, so there is a distinct feeling of isolation in this area.

Jacques Cousteau considered this area to be one of the best cold-water diving destinations in the world, and at low tide, you’ll agree. The famous ‘Browning Wall’ in particular, is covered with fantastic inter-tidal life, and anything from sea stars, urchins, plumose anemones, and giant barnacles can be seen right from our kayaks.

But this area offers much more; deer are often seen so close they seem tame, Bald Eagles line the trees, and Sea Lions, Humpbacks, and Minke whales often pass by our campsites.

God’s Pocket Marine Provincial Park is located on the north side of Goletas Channel approximately 10 km northwest of Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island. The park can be accessed by boat or float plane (to a lodge nearby) from Port Hardy. Boaters can reference marine chart #3549 (Queen Charlotte Strait western section).

A unique Vancouver Island experience with Ocean River Sports

Dates: July 12 – 16

Location: God’s Pocket Provincial Park

Cost: $1500       Kayak & Paddling Gear: Included

God's Pocket Itinerary

---

Mothership Kayaking Instructional Tour

(5 days)

In collaboration with Mothership Adventures, this is unique program combines paddling instruction with mothership luxury in the beautiful Discovery Islands / Desolation Sound. Hone your sea kayaking techniques while explorin thi sea kayakerʼs paradise.

Surrounded by vibrant evergreen slopes and back dropped by the snowy peaks of the Coast Mountains, the diverse Discovery Islands / Desolation Sound area is a paddlerʼs dream. The calm coves and bays, mazes of islands, rocky shorelines and open channels are also home to abundant marine life. From the sea bird nesting colonies of Mitlenatch Island, to the tranquil waters of the Octopus Islands Marine Park, to the steep cliffs of tidal Hole in the Wall, the paddling options are infinite.

In daily kayaking instruction sessions, weʼll practice a wide range of skills including strokes, rescues, and towing. Weʼll learn to read current tables and to navigate through channels and passageways with tidal current. In the tidal areas of Surge Narrows and the Okisollo (with the comfort of your guides close by) we will practice ferrying, eddy turns, maneuvering in fast moving water, and current safety. Thekayaking each day will combine scenic exploring and skill building, with your instructors always close at hand to offer tips and answer questions. Our daily routine will be flexible with opportunities for focused learning on the water, relaxed paddling through the islands and the enjoyment of mothership comfort.

Back on board the Columbia III, as we travel to a new paddling destination or anchor for the night in a quiet cove, weʼll enjoy hot showers, gourmet food and wine, and cozy staterooms. Evenings will combine on board chart work lessons, route planning, and relaxation with new friends.

This tour starts and ends in Campbell River.

Dates: June 8 - 12

Location: Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound, Surge Narrows (from Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada)

Cost: $1449       Kayak & Paddling Gear Rental: $80

Prerequisites & Equipment List
Itinerary
Waiver Form
Medical Form

---

Custom Tours

Still undecided?

We can arrange a custom tour for you or your group. Call us for details.

250-381-4233 or toll free 1-800-909-4233