image
CBA logo


Nootka Sound 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
Background

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.
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound campfire on the beach
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound lighthouse at Friendly Cove
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound sandy pocket beach
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound looking out
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound paddling in the sunshine
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound beach stop for lunch
  • Kayaking Vancouver Island Nootka Sound totem pole

Nootka Sound
6-day Kayaking Tour

from $2125

Nootka Sound and Nootka Island are the foundation of history of the meeting between Europeans and First Nations on the west coast of Canada. Captain Cook encountered the aboriginal peoples living on Nootka Island and established first contact with them. The entire west coast of Vancouver Island played a big role in European politics at the time. This is one of the most important Vancouver Island kayaking destinations. Paddling around th island groups among sea otters is an incredible experience, topped off with the visit to historic Friendly Cove.

As a kayaking adventure, this area is a little more challenging than some others, but the island camps are remote and wild, making this BC kayak tour well worth it.

  • KAYAKING DAYS: 4.5
  • TRAVEL DAYS: 1.5
  • RATING: Begnner to Intermediate

  • Dates And
    Availability

     

    Book Your Tour Now         

    Searching Availability...

  • 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, where we will arrange your pickup to drive to the location where we begin the activity.

    • Day One

      Meet at designated location in Nanaimo. Drive to Cougar Creek where we will spend the night and prepare ourselves and the kayaks for launching on day 2.

    • Day Two

      Load kayaks and launch. Time will be devoted to developing paddle strokes where necessary before and during our journey to our beautiful half-moon shaped campsite on Bligh Island, in the Spanish Pilot Group.

    • Day Three

      We will embark on a day trip from our camp to visit Resolution Cove, where Captain Cook mounted a commemorative plaque on the rocks following his anchorage in Nootka Sound. We will also paddle through the Spanish Pilot group before returning to our camp.

    • Day Four

      We will paddle across Cook Channel to Friendly Cove, known as Yuqout by the local Mowachaht peoples. This is where Captain Cook first landed on the west coast in 1778. Here we will visit the chapel with its stained glass windows depicting Captain Cook and Quadra signing a treaty between Spain and England.

    • Day Five

      We will explore Santa Gertrudis Cove and the Saavedra Islands before crossing back over Cook Channel to camp again on Bligh Island.

    • Day Six

      We will journey back to our put-in at Cougar Creek. Load the kayaks back onto the trailer and drive back to Gold River for lunch then continue our journey back to Nanaimo, arriving sometime in the late afternoon /early evening.

    • Notes

      For those who like to fish Nootka Sound is an exceptional salmon fishing location, so be sure to purchase a fishing licence with salmon stamp and bring a rod (Fishing equipment can be rented from us or bought on route).

  • 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 Stay

    Getting 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: 1 250 758-2133

    BC 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.


    Kayaking Preparation package

  • 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