We met in the late afternoon and launching was a cinch because Comox Valley Kayaks is located just steps from the Courtenay River.  Our canoe slipped through the water as the evening light painted the sky gold, and drifted along the calm current as the city faded behind us.
It didn’t take us long before reaching the estuary: a quiet wilderness of tall grasses and abundant birdlife. As we passed under wooden footbridges, we could hear the the rhythmic call of Great Blue Herons and see views of the Comox Glacier and Beaufort Mountain Range in the distance. We felt so secluded and yet were only minutes from downtown.
During our paddle, Adam shared with us that knowing the tides are crucial in these parts. Paddlers have to take to the estuary when the tide is above 2.5 metres because below that the area turns into a giant mudflat. The best timing is when the tide is between 2.5 and 3.5 metres because there’s easy access and a gentle current to help with the exploring.

After our paddle, hunger led us on a late-night search for food and we happily stumbled upon Dina Kurdish & Turkish Food. There we enjoyed warm service and dishes rich with spice and flavour, the kind of meal that stays with you long after you’ve finished.

That night we landed a sweet site at Kitty Coleman Beach Provincial Park, a peaceful oceanfront campground about 15 minutes north of Comox. There we walked the pebble beaches among sun-bleached driftwood and took in the breathtaking sunsets over the Salish Sea.

After our early start and morning paddle we were famished. Locals recommended we visit the Hen and Hog Café, which is renowned for their eggs benny. They weren’t wrong. I enjoyed an amazing meal, excellent service, local people watching, and reflecting on my return trip to the Comox Valley.