Instructional Expeditions

Exploring the coastal waters through skill building, adventure and challenge.

Not your average guided excursion.

Nuchatlitz

Experience unspoiled sandy beaches, an abundance of marine, bird & intertidal life, paddle around sea stacks & sea caves, camp on a secluded beach surrounded by dense coastal bush, and witness amazing sunsets. Nuchatlitz Provincial Park encompasses the very northwest tip of Nootka Island and a large number of small island groups.

We start the expedition by water taxi transportation from Zeballos to the Islands on the north tip of Nootka Island. From here, we paddle amongst the maze of islets and reefs, explore the intertidal life. Our expedition takes us into the beautiful Nuchatlitz Inlet of Mary’s Basin, a protected water way with sandy camping beaches and wonderful waterfalls. These remote islands offer both exposed coast and protected waters for paddling so provides an excellent location for this instructional expedition.

Skill Level:
This is a remote location, so previous paddling experience in a sea kayak is definitely a requirement for this expedition. Participants are to be proficient but not highly-skilled paddlers, you should be familiar with the core paddling strokes and able to perform a wet exit and rescues if required, Paddle Canada L2 skills or similar skill level would be a good place to start. Previous experience camping in the back-country is helpful. We could be exposed to wind and waves and open swell on this trip. A good forward stroke is an asset, and an ability to paddle 3nm/ hour is preferred.

What’s Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location.
- Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with)
- Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit.
- First aid for the group
- Kayak repair kits
- Water Filter
- Communication devices (VHF Radio and Garmin Inreach)
- Water taxi transportation to Rosa Island
- 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

"Bear Bones" Expedition - participants provide their own meals, stoves and cooking equipment. We provide one group tarp, water filter and expedition First Aid Kit.

What’s Not Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Transportation to Zeballos
- Camping ($10 cash) the night before the trip starts in Zeballos
- Parking fees in Zeballos ($35)
- Lunches, personal snacks and drinks.

Available for Rent:

- Fiberglass, skegged Nigel Denis Kayak (NDK), and safety gear
- Drysuit
- Carbon Paddle (Euro or Greenland)
- Helmet
- Camping Equipment (tent, mat, sleeping bag)
* If these aren’t selected at checkout we cannot guarantee availability and need a minimum of 4 weeks notice of any rentals.

This is a 6 day expedition that includes Paddle Canada L2 Certification. Please select if you would like certification at checkout.

$1650 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms
The bare bones expeditions are ones where Blue Dog provides, water taxi transport, the coaching team, group tarp and First Aid Kit. Participants provide their own meals, stoves and cooking equipment.

$1300 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms

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Kyuquot & The Bunsby’s

This unsupported kayaking expedition offers a blend of adventure, nature, culture, and exploration that's sure to create lasting memories. One of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful and remote kayaking destinations. We start with a water taxi ride to the south coast of the majestic Brooks Peninsula where we will spend a few days exploring the area including Battle Bay and the Cuttle Islands.

With a stop at the magical Bunsby Islands; a kayakers paradise of hidden islands and calm crystal clear waters teaming with wildlife. The area is steeped in history and culture. Next we paddle to the mission group and camp on Spring Island, another Island paradise with wonderful beaches, reefs and islets. Whether its a relaxing day paddle, or a dynamic rock gardening play this area offers one of the best playgrounds for all types of kayakers. Our final destination is Rugged Point Provincial Park which can boast some of the best beaches on Vancouver Island before paddling back to Fair Harbour.

*Note: campsites and route may change due to dynamic conditions and weather in this area.

Skill Level:
This is a remote location, so previous paddling experience in a sea kayak is definitely a requirement for this expedition. Participants are to be proficient but not highly-skilled paddlers, you should be familiar with the core paddling strokes and able to perform a wet exit and rescues if required, Paddle Canada L2 skills or similar skill level would be a good place to start. Previous experience camping in the back-country is helpful. We could be exposed to wind and waves and open swell on this trip. A good forward stroke is an asset, and an ability to paddle 3nm/ hour is preferred. At least two longer move days an ability to paddle a minimum of 12 nm/ day is required.

What’s Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location.
- Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with)
- Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit.
- First aid for the group
- Kayak repair kits
- Water Filter
- Communication devices (VHF Radio and Garmin Inreach)
- Water taxi transportation to location.
- 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

"Bear Bones" Expedition - participants provide their own meals, stoves and cooking equipment. We provide one group tarp, water filter and expedition First Aid Kit.

What’s Not Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Transportation to Fair Harbour
- Camping ($20 cash) the night before the trip starts in Fair Harbour (we will book it).
- Parking fees in Fair Harbour ($55)
- Lunches, personal snacks and drinks.

Available for Rent:

Expedition only.
NO CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

$1850 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms
Expedition Only.
NO CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

(4 spaces available)

$1850 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms
Expedition Only.

NO CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

$1500 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms

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Bare Bones

Cape Scott

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 (non-negotiable):
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 17 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

What’s Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location.
- Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with)
- Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit.
- First aid for the group
- Kayak repair kits
- Water Filter
- Communication devices (VHF Radio and Garmin Inreach)
- 3:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

"Bear Bones" Expedition - participants provide their own meals, stoves and cooking equipment. We provide one group tarp, water filter and expedition First Aid Kit.

What’s Not Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Transportation to Port Hardy
- Camping the night before the trip starts (we will book it).
- Parking fees while on Expedition.
- Lunches, personal snacks and drinks.
- Water Taxi Evacuation (if needed)

Available for Rent:

Expedition only.
NO CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

$2640 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms

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Broken Group of Islands, Barkley Sound

The Broken Group of Islands consists of over 100 islands, islets and rocky outcrops scattered in the centre of Barkley Sound, between Loudoun Channel and Imperial Eagle Channel, and totals 10,607 hectares, of which only 1,350 hectares is land. This maze of islands protected by the Pacific Rim National Park is a paddlers paradise offering one of the top kayaking destinations on the planet with unprecedented paddling opportunities for experienced and new paddlers. At times you’ll definitely feel the motion of the ocean swells, but the better part of our paddling journey through Barkley Sound is not exposed.

We begin our exploration by launching at Secret Beach and paddling to Gibraltar Island which is our first campsite; after a few night there, we make our way through the chain of islands, stopping at one of the outer Islands that makes for our second campsite. From here we embark on day trips visiting some of the surrounding islands.

Skill Level (non-negotiable):
The Broken Group is not very exposed and new paddlers will enjoy the experience. A Paddle Canada L1 skills or equivalent is quite adequate to join one of our Broken Group Expeditions, a wet exit and knowledge of both assisted and unassisted rescues is a non negotiable requirement.

What’s Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location.
- Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with)
- Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit.
- First aid for the group
- Kayak repair kits for rental kayaks
- Water Filter
- Communication devices (VHF Radio)
- 4:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

"Bear Bones" Expedition - participants provide their own meals, stoves and cooking equipment. We provide one group tarp, water filter and expedition First Aid Kit.

What’s Not Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Transportation to Secret Beach
- Camping the night before the trip starts (Book Here -any site near kayak launch)
- Parking fees while on Expedition (Book Here)
- Tseshaht Beach Keeper Guardian Fee ($15 applied at checkout)
- Lunches, personal snacks and drinks.
- Water Taxi Evacuation (if needed)

Available for Rent:

All Women’s Paddle Canada L2/L3 program with Amber Champion, and Carmen Hawkins as lead instructors

$1150 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms
Date dependant and group size, we can offer a private program to this location.

Booking Terms

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Deer Group, Barkley Sound

The Deer Group is located in Barkley Sound, along with the Broken Group. Being less well known, this area offers a mixture of private, crown and First Nation land. Wild and unregulated camping on some of the most beautiful islands in the area. Orca and Humpback whales are often seen crossing Trevor Channel before reaching our first campsite. From here our expedition explores the rugged complex shorelines of Tzartus and Fleming Islands. Edward King Island offers the paddler exploration of some of the most magnificent sea caves and arches on the Island and hopefully, weather permitting, we can visit the Sea Lion colony on Folger Island at the far southerly end of the chain which can bear the brunt of Barkley Sound’s storms.

Skill Level (non-negotiable):
The Deer Group is a little more exposed than the Broken Group, however, there is plenty of sheltered paddling so less experienced paddlers will enjoy the experience. A Paddle Canada L1 skills or equivalent is quite adequate to join one of our Deer Group Expeditions. A wet exit and knowledge of both assisted and unassisted rescues is a non negotiable requirement.

What’s Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Experienced sea kayak instructors/ coaches with previous experience of running expeditions to this location.
- Group gear for the expedition (tarp, dragonfly stovers, cooking utensils, pots to cook with)
- Breakfast and Dinner, as well as a spice kit.
- First aid for the group
- Kayak repair kits for rental kayaks
- Water Filter
- Communication devices (VHF Radio)
- 4:1 minimum participant to Instructor ratio.

"Bear Bones" Expedition - participants provide their own meals, stoves and cooking equipment. We provide one group tarp, water filter and expedition First Aid Kit.

What’s Not Included:

Standard Expedition-
- Transportation to Poet Nook Marina or Bamfield.
- Camping the night before the trip starts.
- Parking fees while on Expedition.
- Lunches, personal snacks and drinks.
- Water Taxi Evacuation (if needed)

Available for Rent:

$950 (plus tax & service fee)
Booking Terms
Date dependant and group size, we can offer a private program to this location.

Booking Terms

Book Now

“I just completed this expedition with Amber and Dave in the Broken Group Islands (Aug 2017). To say that my expectations were exceeded would be an understatement. This is not a recreational, guided tour - this program is an empowering, challenging, fun, personalized opportunity to focus on improving your strokes, navigation, weather & tide interpretation, leadership skills, rescues and camp life. Amber and Dave are highly skilled kayakers and incredibly committed instructors. They observed my baseline abilities and were able to see where I was going wrong and make easily understandable suggestions for improvement. They give 120% and inspire you to up your game to make the most of their expertise. They are also wonderful folks and made the trip a whole heckuva lotta fun. I also achieved my L2 skills. I was looking forward to my next Blue Dog course before this one was even over!"

                                                   - Carrie McKellar

Private Programming

Our company thrives on providing the best sea kayak instruction, and coaching. Safety, creating challenging environments, fun and adventure are at the forefront of our programs. Meeting paddlers where they’re at and faciliatting learning to get them to where they would like to be, filling in the learning gaps along the way. Our private programming includes anything from skills refreshers to extended expeditions (certification or not). This programming requires a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum of 8.

Learn more