Gulf Islands Kayaking
In our hearts, we all live on the land. That is the real world. We take away the obstacles to experience what is real, to experience your bliss. We show you the way. That's Coastal Bliss Adventures.
Look For Your Bliss Now
We Take Care Of You
We do the planning, logistics, and support. You do the experience and the fun.
All-inclusive Tour
From pickup to return, we cover everything you need, except your personal items. We take you to and from the trip start, and feed you well along the way. We can't guarantee weight loss on our tours.
Knowledgable Guides
Our guides get out into our areas. They know the ins and outs of the trip and provide exceptional interpretation of flora, fauna and history. You'll know more after you leave.
Supportive Preparation
We give you an entire packet of information on how to prepare, what to bring, how to pack, and a plan for training so you can fully enjoy the trip. Our care for you starts before you even arrive.
Gulf Islands
3, 4, 5 & 6-Day Kayaking Tours
The Southern Gulf Islands are partly situated in the Gulf Island National Park Reserve, partly privately owned, partly First Nations Reserve, and partly provincial park. The diversity of experience possible in the Gulf Islands is very broad. In the rain shadow of the Vancouver Island mountains, the east side of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands enjoy a much drier climate than most of the rest of the province.
The landscape is a mixture of sandstone and arbutus, both of which give a rich experience of shapes and colors. Interesting currents flow between some of the islands, providing a little rush of excitement to those who are up to it.
The southern group of islands (from Victoria, northward) has more current areas and more boat traffic. The landscape here is very beautiful and dynamic. The northern group of islands (from south of Nanaimo and Dodd's Passage) has calmer waters and less traffic. Both areas are full of wildlife and beautiful land and seascapes.
- KAYAKING DAYS: 3 to 6
- TRAVEL DAYS: 0
- RATING: BEGINNER to EXPERT
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Dates And
AvailabilityBook Your Tour Now
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Itinerary
Itinerary
This is our typical itinerary for this tour. Because we are travelling in wilderness, itineraries can change. There are many factors that can affect how a tour actually runs. We confirm pickup times by phone, email or SMS at least 12 hours before.
This trip begins in Nanaimo, Victoria, or Cowichan Bay, where we will arrange your pickup to drive to the location where we begin the activity.
The Southern Gulf Islands tours depend on conditions, length of the tour, and use by others in the areas. The following itinerary synopses are subject to change for these reasons. Our selection of trip dates and lengths also depends on other tour commitments we have. We typically run 3, 4, or 5 day tours.-
Day One
Meet, drive to put in location. Orient to kayaking, launch and paddel. We will stop for lunch along the way, arriving at our camp early afternoon, as the winds build. Afternoon in camp or exploring on foot.
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Day Two and/or Three and/or Four
Depending on trip length, we may establish a base camp and kayak around the area, returing to camp before any winds appear; or we paddle to a new camping location, exploring along the way.
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Day Three or Four or Five (last day)
After breakfast, we pack up and begin our journey back to the put-in location, exploring along the way. Once we reach the put-in, we are unloading, packing up, and then leaving for hotels ferries, or vehicles.
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Northern Area Gulf Islands Itineraries
Our Northern trips leave from Cedar-by-the-Sea or Yellow Point, both of which are located off the Island Highway between Nanaimo and Ladysmith, or Salt Spring Island. Depending on the number of days and conditions, we explore the bays, channels, and islands mainly to the north of Salt Spring Island. There is a wealth of paddling opportunities in this area. Most of the paddling here is very calm and protected, with little interaction with currents. Some of the possible stops include Pirate's Cove, Dionisio Point, Wallace Island, Tent Island, and Montague Harbour. Our trips end from where we start.
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Southern Area Gulf Islands Itineraries
Our Southern trips leave from Sidney, Swartz Bay, or Oak Bay near Victoria. The Southern trips explore the islands south and east of Salt Spring Island. Some of the stops we may make are Portland Island, Fulford Harbour, Prevost Island, Montague Harbour, Mayne Island, the Penders, and Saturna Island. Most of the paddling here is calm and protected, but we have more considerations with currents, and certainly more considerations with large vessels, like ferries. Our trips end from where we started.
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Day Trips
Our Day Trips range from two to six hours and usually leave from our dock location, Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre in Cowichan Bay near Duncan. We paddle to one of the local "spots" that has something special, stop for a bit of light lunch, provided by Coastal Bliss, and head back to the put-in to finish the day, exploring the shores and sea life along the way. (All kayak trips are weather dependent.)
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What's Included
Included Not Included Transportation from and to the departure location (pick up and drop off) Your transportation to the departure location (from your home) All kayaking gear Water Boots or shoes Dry bags to keep your things dry Sleeping bags or mats (available for rent) All backcountry park fees and camping fees National Park entry fees (may change as Parks alters their policies) All meals (except on any travel days) Some food (on travel days) Professional guides Gratuities are not included. Recognizing your guide for their hard work and care is always appreciated; $10-20/day per guide is recommended. Tent (shared) A substantial preparation guide Gear rental options -
Getting There And
Where To StayGetting There
If you are travelling into the Vancouver, Victoria, or Nanaimo area from afar, you should arrive at the departure location for your trip the day/evening prior to the trip start date and plan to leave the day following trip return. Try the following Canadian online travel booker: flightnetwork.com.
You can fly to Vancouver (airport code YVR) or Seattle (airport code SEA) then connect to Vancouver Island using ferry, bus, or air, or arrange flights directly to Vancouver Island.
Flying to Victoria (Airport code YYJ)
Flying to Nanaimo (Airport code YCD)
Nanaimo Airporter shuttle service.
Servicing all of Vancouver Island from airports to ferrys to cruise ship terminals. Tel: 1 250 758-2133BC Ferries 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779)
We will let you know the ferry to take for travelling to Vancouver Island, but if you want to check out times, you can go the the BC Ferries website at:
www.bcferries.com/schedules/Where to Stay
Victoria Pick up & Airport Hotels
Pick up: Schwartz Bay Ferry Terminal, or the following Accommodations near the ferry or airport:Travelodge Sydney Airport Hotel
Travelodge may offer Coastal Bliss Guests a lower rate per night (ask us for the discount code before you book) and is an easy place for us to pick you up/drop you off before and after your tour with us.
2280 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC, CA, V8L 1X1
Phone:1 250 656 1176
Fax: 1-250-656-7344
Reservation: 1-866-656-1176
info@airporttravelodge.com
https://www.airporttravelodge.com/Hotel Zed
Hotel Zed is near downtown Victoria, but not right downtown. It has built up a very good reputation and has reasonable rates. Ask for Coastal Bliss Adventures Special Room Rate when making your reservation.
3110 Douglas Ave. Victoria, BC, CA, V8Z 3K4
Phone:1 250 388 4345 Or 1 800 997 6797
victoria@hotelzed.com
https://www.hotelzed.comVancouver Hotels
If you are arriving in Vancouver and staying there before getting to a pick up location on Vancouver Island, the Accent Inn is close to the aiport.
Accent Inn, Vancouver Airport
10551 St. Edwards Dr. (off Hwy #99)
Richmond B.C. V6X 3L8
Ph: 604-273-3311 Fx: 604-273-9522
email: accent@accentinns.com(Our guests may be able to receive a discount at Accent Inn, contact us for details.)
If you are staying in Victoria after the tour, consider these near downtown Victoria accommodations:
The Strathcona Hotel
Address: 919 Douglas Street, Victoria B.C.
Phone: 250.383.7137
Website: #
Ocean Island Inn
Address: 791 Pandora Ave. Victoria BC, Canada
Phone: Toll Free 1.888.888.4180
Website: https://oceanisland.comTravelodge Victoria
229 Gorge Road East
Victoria, BC V9A 1L1
(250) 388-6611
Toll-Free Reservations: 1-800-565-3777
travelodge.comGetting There
If you are travelling into the Vancouver, Victoria, or Nanaimo area from afar, you should arrive at the departure location (in Nanaimo) for your trip the day/evening prior to the trip start date and plan to leave the day following trip return.
You can fly to Vancouver (airport code YVR) or Seattle (airport code SEA) then connect to Vancouver Island using ferry, bus, or air, or arrange flights directly to Vancouver Island.
Flying to Victoria (Airport code YYJ)
Flying to Nanaimo (Airport code YCD)
Nanaimo Airporter shuttle service.
Servicing all of Vancouver Island from airports to ferrys to cruise ship terminals. Tel: 1 250 758-2133BC Ferries 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779)
We will let you know the ferry to take for travelling to Vancouver Island, but if you want to check out times, you can go the the BC Ferries website at:
www.bcferries.com/schedules/Where to Stay
Naniamo Pick up & Hotels
Pick up: Departure Bay, Duke Point Ferry Terminal, or the following Accommodations:
Days Inn Harbour View Nanaimo
Address: 809 Island Hwy South, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, V9R 5K1
Phone (250) 754-8171
Website: www.nanaimohotel.com
Best Western Dorchester Hotel
Address: 70 Church, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, V9R 5H4
Phone: (250) 754-6835
Website: www.dorchesternanaimo.com
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Address: 121 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia CANADA, V9R 3A2
Toll Free: 1-866-309-4432
Phone: (250) 753-4432 -
Preparing
Preparing For Your Trip
How you prepare for your adventure is important. Being well prepared will enhance the quality of your experience. Because we are travelling in wilderness, it is very important for you and for the rest of your adventure group that you are fit enough to handle the level of difficulty and demand with no problems. Our guides know how to minimize the impact of these demands as much as possible, but they cannot remove them. The depth of your experience can only increase if you have made sure that you have prepared well.
Your preparation will be different for different activities. Preparing for a kayak trip is different from preparing for a hiking trip. We have provided some basic information that can be downloaded through the following links to pdf documents.
Use the links below to download some of the preparation files for this hiking or kayaking tour. When you book your tour, we will send you a complete preparation packet to help you get ready.Please take this seriously. Most people are unaware of the demands of a coastal environment, particularly with keeping dry and warm. Your preparation will really help make your coastal hiking or kayaking tour a great experience. -
Gear Rental
Need Gear?
We have gear available to rent if you don't want to buy a particular piece of equipment, or need to travel without it.
Look over the following list to help you decide whether you want to rent. If you decide to rent gear, you can tell us on the phone or book it online with your tour.
Item Price (per day) Sleeping Bag Rental $6.50 Thermarest Rental $2.25 Water Booties Rental $2.25 Wetsuit Rental $6.50 Helmet Rental $2.25