The sun is shining, it’s the middle of summer and the Lower Puntledge River is calm enough for casual floats, inflatable kayaks, and even brave stand-up paddle boarders. But things change on this water body in the fall when heavy precipitation turns the Upper Puntledge into a whitewater kayaker’s playground. When rain and snowmelt accumulate in the valley, BC Hydro opens up the Comox Lake Dam upstream, which raises the volume of water from a mellow eight cubic metres per second to a raging flow of 15 cubic metres per second, creating world-class rapids. This ephemeral whitewater experience is one of the many ways to enjoy paddling in the Comox Valley. With an expansive coastline and multiple rivers and lakes, there is something for every paddler in the valley, and this article will tell you all about it.
Whitewater Kayaking on the Puntledge River
Roughly 20 days a year, during heavy rain or snow melt, BC Hydro opens the dam at Comox Lake, raising the Puntledge River by close to a metre. When the floodgates open, the upper sections of this 16km river turn into class 4 and 5 rapids with waterfalls, play waves, and other features to keep an expert kayaker’s blood pumping. Locals argue that when this river runs at full flow, it rivals other world-class white water destinations, such as the Clearwater River in the interior of BC. This is a perfect spot to hit in the fall, winter, or spring when those heavy water flows are likely to hit.
Paddle the K’ómoks Estuary
Downstream from the rapids, the freshwater of the Puntledge meets the salty K’ómoks Bay. This area is ideal for kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding. The estuary is rich with First Nations history, you can still see the remnants of old salmon fishing weirs that an undergraduate student claims to be the largest of its kind in North America. Along with its rich history, the estuary is a hotspot for biodiversity, with a wide range of birds, plants, fish, insects, and animals calling the area home. Paddle around the estuary or up the river, check out the abundance of sedges and other plant life, and keep your eyes peeled for seals, bald eagles, warblers, and more! This is the safest place in the area to dip your paddles into salt water for the first time, and there are great options for guided tours of the estuary that are fit for families!
Day Trip to Sandy Island
For those seeking a unique adventure beyond the sheltered waters of the bay, Sandy Island, affectionately known as Tree Island, beckons. This island, a part of Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Park, offers a must-experience day trip with its sandy beaches and abundant wildlife. Paddlers can anticipate sightings of sea lions, seals, and occasionally killer whales! Once on the island, you’ll find yourself in the perfect place to go birding, sun tan, swim, or go for a walk to gently explore the island’s sensitive ecosystem full of rare and fragile plants and animals. Inexperienced paddlers should consider making this trip with the assistance of a guide, as this route is more exposed to the less predictable waters of the Strait of Georgia, where winds can make paddling unsafe.
Multi-day Kayaking trip
If a day trip isn’t enough, paddlers can set out for multiple days and do some island hopping. Put in at the Union Bay Boat Launch, and keep your eyes open for sea lions and orcas as you paddle open waters to Fillongley Provincial Park on Denman Island. Fillongley Provincial Park has ten road-accessible waterfront campsites with basic amenities and a nice long beach perfect for relaxing for a day or two. The camping season in this park extends into the winter, but the services at the sites are only available for the summer season. So, winter paddlers will need to be self-sufficient. Those who want to paddle farther may wish to circumnavigate Hornby Island to see the unique rock cliffs surrounding Helliwell Provincial Park and visit the tropical-esque beaches in Whaling Station Bay and Tribune Bay. There is also a campground in Tribune Bay and another on the north-western end of Hornby Island where paddlers could plan to stay. All the campgrounds mentioned above require reservations, so make sure to plan ahead. This route is not facilitated by guides and should only be approached by kayakers with sufficient ocean paddling experience.
Paddling on Comox Lake
If ocean paddling isn’t for you, the Comox Valley still has you covered for your paddling needs. Comox Lake has a little something to offer every paddler, and Cumberland Lake Park is the perfect spot to get started. The park is home to a campground and boat launch and offers kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals. Take in the wooded shorelines and snow-capped mountains, or turn your attention downward and check out the forgotten forest of dead trees standing beneath the surface of the water from before the dam at the eastern end of the lake gave rise to the water body. There is so much to explore along the 41km of shoreline you may need more than one day to see it all!
Kayak Fishing on Maple Lake
Maple Lake is a small lake nestled between Cumberland and Courtenay. It offers excellent fishing opportunities for Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. This 20-hectare lake is exclusive to non-motorized watercraft and is surrounded by a green canopy of coniferous trees. This all makes it the perfect spot for a relaxing day of kayak fishing. Fishing this lake is most productive in cooler weather, and anglers are known to reel in 20-inch trout. Part of what makes this lake so special is its location. Situated 15km from downtown Comox, about 10km from Courtenay and roughly 2km from Cumberland, this is an angler’s sanctuary tucked within an urban area, allowing you to go for a morning paddle and be back in town for lunch.
While there is an abundance of ocean paddling opportunities in the Comox Valley, there is more than salty water to be paddled in the area. The Puntledge, Comox Lake, and Maple Lake are a few of the most popular options among many! Moreover, the Comox Valley is great for more than just paddling! The valley boasts a wide range of cultural and outdoor recreation experiences to be had on your days off the water. For more info, visit https://experiencecomoxvalley.ca/
