2000 Calendar of Wilderness Kayaking and Nature Tours2000 Calendar of Wilderness Kayaking and Nature Tours(No Previous Experience Necessary)
Clayoquot Wild (6 days)...
Beaches and Islands (5
days)...
Coastal Touring in the Wild
( 6 days)...
Wimmin Seeking Wild ( 6 days)...
Vargas Island Weekender (2
& 3 days)...
Vargas Discovery (3 days)...
Harbour Islands / Clayoquot
Island Sunrise & Sunset Tours (2 1/2 hours)...
Meares Island and the Big Tree
Trail or Meares Creek Estuary (4 hours)...
Lemmen's Inlet or Vargas Shoreline(6
hours)...
A Day in the Sound (Saturdays
9am - 5 pm)...
We provide the highest quality kayaking and camping gear and use stable, roomy double kayaks to ensure your safety and comfort. Single kayaks are available by arrangement and with approval of the guides. Our maximum group size is ten participants with two guides. We pride ourselves on the practice of minimum impact camping in wilderness setting. As good food adds to the enjoyment of our kayaking, we package delicious, nutritious meals, offering international cuisine adapted to west coast kayaking. We use fresh ingredients and organic foods whenever possible. Upon registration we will send a complete information kit. on what we provide and what we suggest you bring.
From exposed coast and white sand beaches to sheltered inlets under towering ancient rainforests, this is a nomadic journey of kayaking, camping and wildlife observation. Travel along varied shorelines and explore the estuaries of salmon-bearing rivers in the remotest region of the Sound. Viewing of marine wildlife and terrestrial fauna is ideal and your guides are enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge of forest and sea ecology. Paddling through traditional native territories often inspires discussions on cultural history; seeing this stunning wilderness inspires thoughts on environmental ethics and resourse use, subjects of tremendous importance in Clayoquot Sound. A visit to the soothing mineral waters of Hot Springs enhances this memorable journey. To maximize your time for exploration and relaxation in northern Clayoquot we use motor boat transport for the return 30 mile journey.
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| Second Trip (6 days) |
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$930 |
(all kayaking and camping equipment provided)
Beaches and Islands -- (5 days)
Over the years sea-kayakers, naturalists, photographers and writers have enthused about the extraordinary beauty of the outer coast of Clayoquot Sound. Surf swept beaches, wind formed dunes, rugged rock pinnacles and storm battered spruce are evidence of the sheer force and majesty of the elements. Yet summer high pressure systems hold this turbulent environment in a tranquility stirred occasionally by exuberant westerly winds. On the outer coast there is a broad spectrum of sea-conditions. Paddlers thrill to the sensation of skirting over swells in a following sea or moving in graceful rhythm on the gentle flow of the ocean current. On these waters one chances to see mammoth grey whales feeding throughout the summer. Seals, sealions and seabirds populate the coast near inhospitable rock islands. On shore you can delight in hours of beachcombing and relaxation. Your guides are ever watchful of sea and weather conditions to ensure that this experience, while full of adventure, is at all times safe and comfortable for all members of the kayaking group.
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| Second Trip (5 days) |
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$775 |
| Third Trip (5 days) | Sept 04 - 08 | $775 |
(all kayaking and camping equipment provided)
Coastal Touring in the Wild -- (6 days)
This exciting program combines the pleasures of a wilderness expedition with the opportinity to learn the skills necessary for safe paddling. Your guide/instructors will emphasize knowledge of the dynamic ocean environment and will guide you in the development of sound judgement and decision-making, responding to changing weather and sea conditions. Technical skills are taught progressively as you journey through this extraordinary coastal wilderness, learning paddling techniques, navigation, route-planning and camp selection. "In the Wild" will give you the skills required to independently enjoy the world of sea-kayak adventuring in safety and with appropriate skills and valued confidence.
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(all kayaking and camping equipment provided)
Wimmin Seeking Wild -- (6 days)
For women who have some experience in the outdoors and are excited by the idea of an expedition tour, this is an opportunity to have fun while learning or expanding technical paddling skills. This style of trip will allow women to have a hands-on learning experience, from basic strokes, navigation and chart reading to rescues, route finding and camp selection. Participants will share in the setting up and operation of wilderness camps, including some meal preparations and camp chores, while learning and applying minimum impact guidelines. The guidesses are women who know the empowering value of connection with nature through the medium of ocean kayaking and their expert assistance will make this a fun and deeply rewarding journey. This tour/course covers all the elements of 'In theWild.
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(all kayaking and camping equipment provided) [Prices are in Canadian dollars]
Vargas Island Weekender and Discovery (2 days)...
Paddling to Vargas Island combines the adventure of exploration by sea-kayak with the amenities of lodged accomodation. Launching from our beachfront location in Tofino, we kayak to Vargas Island via Meares Island. Vargas Inn is on a beachfront overlooking a scenic bay. It is the site of a small mill operation owned by the Buckle family, descendents of early settlers to the area. The warmth and hospitality of your hosts are just the beginning of a delightful experience. The food is sumptious, featuring freshly caught crab or local seafoods. A beach sauna can be fired up for deep relaxation and pleasure. The tour features hikes in old growth cedar forests, walks across unique bogs and on the expansive sand beaches of Vargas as well as the exhilaration of ocean kayaking. This is an excellent introductory kayak tour which also offers outstanding opportunities for nature interpretation, beachcombing discoveries and learning about the settlement history of the area. Tours depart every Tuesday and Saturday from May through October.Vargas Island Lodge-based tours are delightful trips that you can do time and again with renewed pleasure.
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(all kayaking equipment provided)
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(all kayaking equipment and lodging provided)
Harbour Islands / Clayoquot Island --Sunrise and Sunset Tours...
This short tour is an ideal introduction to sea-kayaking. After a brief instruction and once you are comforatable in the boat we launch into a delighful exploration of the islands that surround the Tofino Harbour.
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(all kayaking equipment provided)
Meares Island and the Big Tree Trail or Meares Creek Estuary... ...
Crossing the Tofino Harbour we island-hop the shorelines for intertidal exploration and cruise the shallow eelgrass flats for outstanding bird-watching opportunities. Before returning we will enjoy a short stroll on Meares Island where visitors feel awed by the power and beauty of this majestic ancient forest.
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(all kayaking equipment provided)
Lemmen's Inlet or Vargas Shoreline......
Often the shorter tours are just not long enough when there is so much to explore and enjoy. Depending on the tides, we head into Lemmen's Inlet on Meares Island or cross Father Charles channel to Vargas Island shorelines. In either direction there are myriad opportunities to observe eagles, waterfowl, marine mammals and intertidal life. This is a very satisfying 'get-away' tour.
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(all kayaking equipment provided)
Our guides will share with you the things they most like to do when they go paddling for the day; perhaps some fishing, maybe doing photography, birdwatching, exploring a stream or practising paddling strokes. The Saturday paddling group will set the days itinerary with the help of our very knowledgable guides and you will have a day mixed with fun, relaxation, learning and adventure.
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(all kayaking equipment provided)
Family Outings
Small children are tremendously excited by the outdoors and with kayaking they also have need for much personalized attention. For this reason we offer these outings for children ages six to twelve accompanied by adults. The paddle will be paced according to the needs of the children and will include sufficient breaks to ensure their comfort and enjoyment. Tours are either 3 or 5 hrs. which includes time for instruction. Prices vary according to the length of tour and size of group.
See also: 2000 Tofino Kayaking School Calendar of Courses
See also: Reservation and Booking Policies