After a long day on the water, the sun sets behind the endless horizon while kicking back on a remote sandy island beach on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia. While Tofino is Canada’s most popular surfing spot, it could be held in equal regard for its quality of paddling opportunities. In Tofino, ocean paddling options vary from multi-day sea kayaking adventures to scenic day trips and bear-watching tours. On top of the fiesta of saltwater paddling, there is amazing freshwater paddling to be experienced on Vancouver Island’s largest lake. The best part is that the relatively warm coastal temperatures make this a destination to be enjoyed year-round. For some, the warm sunny days of summer are unbeatable, but for others, the moody weather, lush forests in the rainy season, and the allure of serenity that comes with visiting in the quiet season make a winter or spring trip to Tofino a no-brainer.
Meares Island
A great trip to take in the shoulder season is a short paddle from Tofino Harbour to Meares Island to view the towering old-growth cedar forest at its lushest in the rainy shoulder season. It is recommended to go on a guided tour for this excursion, not only because of the safety concerns of navigating harbour traffic, currents, and tides but because the knowledgeable guides will have a lot to share about the unique ecology and the history of the island. Once you have made the way to Meares Island, the guided trips will take you on a hike along a cedar boardwalk travelling through the ancient forest.
Bear Watching by Kayak
Perhaps hiking isn’t on the list for a paddle excursion, but viewing wildlife is. When the tide recedes from the shorelines of Clayoquot Sound, the black bears emerge from the forest to feed on the intertidal species that line the bare shore. Take a guided tour that will take you for a 30-minute ride on a motor boat with kayaks loaded on the roof to the remote Fortune Channel, where you set out on a kayak to view the bears feeding from a safe distance. While getting a sighting of bears hunting for rock crabs is the primary intention of this trip, other animals that have been viewed on these tours include sea and river otters, herons, bald eagles, wolves, porpoises and, on rare occasions, even orcas.
Hot Springs Cove
What could be better after a long day of paddling than soaking in a natural hot spring? Hot Springs Cove, located 27 nautical miles northwest of Tofino, is the perfect place to get your ocean-side soak on. While experienced paddlers can do this as a 7-day self-supported round trip, there are options available for guided trips, including a 5-day sea kayak trip that will take you to the springs for a warm soak before taking you back to Tofino the easy way – in a water taxi. While the springs at the end of the 5-day trip are sure to be the highlight, camping on white sand beaches under the lush rainforest along the way will make the daily hours of paddling well worth the effort.
Kennedy Lake
While tides, currents, and saltwater may all come to mind when thinking of kayaking in Tofino, it is not all the area has to offer paddlers. Just past Tofino is Kennedy Lake, the largest lake on Vancouver Island. Nestled in the mountains, providing epic views of the surrounding peaks, the lake is the perfect spot for experienced paddlers. (Note there aren’t any paddling outfitters on-site. You’ll have to stop in at Tofino to discover more info and rent gear if you need it. ) Launch out on a mellow day of paddleboarding from the sandy beach in Kennedy Lake Provincial Park, or go out for a day of kayak fishing to catch one of the elusive cutthroat trout known to inhabit the lake. The lake’s size also offers countless route options for multi-day canoe adventures. Launch your vessel from one of the two boat launches along Highway 4 and camp on one of the islands dotted throughout the lake. Paddlers looking for a longer expedition will want to make their way to the far end of the lake to explore the shoreline included within Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park, where you will find cedar-lined beaches and rare old-growth Sitka Spruce. The many coves, islets, and secret beaches make Kennedy Lake the perfect place for a self-guided trip. While paddling, keep your eyes out for seals known to swim into the lake to hunt for sockeye salmon. Paddlers should be aware of the westerly winds known to pick up on the lake in the afternoons.
Offering ocean-side hot springs, exploration of remote islands, bear-watching by kayak, pristine, old-growth forests, and multi-day freshwater canoe trips on Kennedy Lake, Tofino is not only a world-class destination for surf but also for paddling. Many of these paddling experiences, including Kennedy Lake, are just as well enjoyed during the winter months as they are in the peak of summer. As Tofino is a popular tourist destination, you can experience the remote wilderness surrounding and return to town to enjoy a variety of accommodation options, from four-season camping to cozy boutique cabin stays. For more info, visit https://tourismtofino.com/.
