British Columbia Sea Kayaking
Clayoquot Sound

Sea kayaking in Clayoquot Sound provides kayaking adventurers with isolated paddling conditions, miles of water to explore and sandy beaches to camp upon. Clayoquot Sound is blessed with islands covered with dense rainforests of towering old-growth cedars (some growing over 15 feet in diameter and as old as 1,500 years), migrating grey whales, sea lions, porpoises, a wonderful (multi-day but reachable) paddling destination called "hot springs cove", and a temperate climate.

Sea Kayaking Clayoquot Sound British Columbia photo by GoNorthwest.com. Sheltered passages within Clayoquot Sound make it an ideal paddling destination. Go Northwest! photo by Dave Dean.

Sound is located off the west coast of Vancouver Island, northwest of the town of Tofino and west of Meares Island (just north of the Broken Group Islands). Sea kayakers heading into Clayoquot Sound flock to the small town of Tofino to load up on groceries and supplies and then embark on expeditions into the sound (click for Tofino area Google map).

Clayoquot Sound is the largest area of ancient temperate rainforest left on British Columbia's Vancouver Island. First Nations people have depended on this rich area of biodiversity for survival for many thousands of years.

Flores Island Provincial Park and Vargas Island Provincial Park, located within this portion of the west coast preserve, together offer over 30,000 acres (roughly 20,000 hectar) of magnificently preserved coastal landscape and protected ecosystems.

In January 2000, after a coordinated effort by local First Nations people, local communities, and each of the local, provincial, and federal governments, Clayoquot Sound became designated as the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere Reserves are in essence global laboratories for sustainable development.

For experienced sea kayakers who want to kayak in vast, seemingly unexplored lands (and seas), Clayoquot Sound is a "must explore" destination!

Sea Kayaking Guides and Outfitters

Pacific Rim Paddling Company. PO Box 5247, Squamish, BC V8B 0C2. Phone: 604-815-8843; Toll-free: 1-888-384-6103. E-mail

Tofino Sea Kayaking Company.  320 Main Street, PO Box 620, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0. Phone: 250-725-4222; Toll-free: 1-800-863-4664; Fax: 250-725-2070.

WeGo Kayaking Expeditions. PO Box 337, Port McNeill, BC V0N 2R0. Phone: 250-748-5400; Toll-free: 1-800-434-9346. E-mail

Links to Related Web Sites

Clayoquot Sound

From wolves to whales, from rain forests to tidal flats - Vancouver Island's Clayoquot Sound has them all.

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