Blue Dog kayaking offers you an amazing and challenging sea kayaking adventure around Cape Scott. This is a truly magnificent area of rugged coastal wilderness that is located at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, 563 kilometres from Victoria. Cape Scott is characterized by more than 60 nautical miles of scenic ocean coastline, including incredible sea stacks and about 15 nautical miles of pristine sandy beaches. The area remains one of the most beautiful relatively untouched parts of our coast.
This twelve day unsupported expedition will start at Port Hardy and finish at Cole Harbor. Over the first eight to ten days we will paddle around the cape exploring the rocky promontories and jagged headlands punctuated by the fine-textured, white-sand beaches. Some of these beaches will serve as our rest stops and camping sites; including but not limited to, Nels Bight, San Josef Bay, Guise Bay, Experiment Bight, Lowrie Bay and Nissen Bight. The final two days are reserved for the paddle back through Quatsino Sound from Winter Harbor to Cole Harbor where we will pick up our shuttle back to the cars at Port Hardy.
Skill Level Required
This is a challenging unsupported expedition, the group will carry all the expedition kit, food and water.
Participants should have a minimum of Paddle Canada L2 skills and ideally L3 skills or equivalent paddling experience. Previous multi-day trips in a sea kayak is the first firm prerequisite for joining this trip. This is an exposed rugged coastline so paddling in waves, swell and wind should be expected. Surf landings are a distinct possibility so participants should have previous experience of landing in tricky situations.
The ability to paddle for up to 15 nautical miles in one day, and maybe more, at a reasonable speed (3 Knots) is the second firm prerequisite for joining this trip.
Changing weather may dictate some very long days with early starts; the leadership philosophy is to paddle early and bag the miles while conditions permit. Often a long day will be followed by a rest day.
One very challenging day comes towards the end of the trip when we will need to navigate a 13 nautical mile stretch of rugged coastline with few if any good landing places. This may result in a 5 hour paddle with breaks taken on the water.
The final two days are reserved for the paddle back to Coal Harbour through Quatsino Sound. Paddlers can expect strong outflow winds and strong currents. The ability to power up to make ground again the wind/current and deploy an effective forward stroke is third firm prerequisite for joining this trip.
Expedition Fees
$2640 + 5% GST
Whats Included
Experienced sea kayak instructors with at least one instructor having previous experience of running expeditions to this location. Group gear for the expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc) - Good wholesome simple meals three times a day plus snacks while on trip. First aid and kayak repair kits - Communication devices (VHF Radios and Garmin Inreach) - 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.
What's NOT included
Transportation to and camping at Port Hardy. Any shuttle costs.
Lunch, personal snacks and drinks.
High quality fiberglass sea kayak, safety gear, dry suit, carbon paddle, personal camping gear can be rented upon check out
Cape Scott Sea Kayaking Adventure 2024
July 12 - 23