Waves splash against the hull as the kayak slides through the sand to find a place to rest beyond the driftwood above the high tide line. The rugged shoreline in the remote Broken Islands glows in gold and pink hues as the sun sets behind the infinite horizon of the Pacific Ocean. The Broken Group Islands consist of over 100 islands, islets, and rocky outcrops south of Ucluelet in the middle of Barkley Sound. This group of islands is located within Pacific Rim National Park. It has gained popularity for paddlers primarily because it is one of the few places to get an authentic West Coast paddling experience while staying in sheltered, typically calm waters inside the channels that separate the islands. While kayaking the Broken Group Islands is a bucket-list destination on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, it is only one of many epic adventures to be had near Ucluelet.
Guided Trips in the Broken Group Islands
While this is a reasonably safe location for self-guided trips thanks to the typically calm waters, there are also some great options for guided tours in the areas that can take away the burden of planning while providing an extra cushion of safety for lesser experienced ocean paddlers. Hello Nature is a Ucluelet-based company that offers several options for guided tours in the Broken Group Islands to cater to different levels of challenge and luxury. Those looking for a more rugged trip will want to join a 3- or 5-day kayak expedition that includes a sea taxi over the exposed stretches of Barkley Sound into the sheltered channels of the Broken Group Islands, where your group will spend days paddling and camping on the beaches of the remote islands. There will be plenty of time to take in the scenery of the rugged coastline while watching for wildlife that inhabits the area, such as porpoises, river otters, sea lions, Grey whales, and over 200 species of seabirds. For those who want to paddle these remote islands without sacrificing the luxury of a proper bed, Hello Nature offers lodge-based trips where a sea taxi will shuttle you to the islands each morning for your paddling adventures and pick you up to return you to the comfort of a lodge where you can enjoy a gourmet meal and a hot tub to get you ready for the next day of paddling.
Day Trips from Ucluelet Harbour
Ucluelet is a Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) word meaning, ‘People of the Safe Harbour.’ One can assume that this sense of safety comes from how sheltered the harbour is from the open ocean, which bashes against the other side of the Ucluth peninsula. These sheltered waters have been paddled for thousands of years by the Yuu-tluth-aht people and are still being paddled today. The sheltered nature of this harbour makes it a great place for renting a kayak and going out on your own to explore the area. That being said, there are still great options for guided trips straight from the Ucluelet Harbour, where paddlers can anticipate seeing seals, sea lions, eagles, and black bears searching the beach for food at low tide. Guided trips from the harbour range from a 2.5-hour beginner trip that explores the sheltered waters inside the harbour to an adventurous intermediate 6-hour tour that ventures into the coastline of Northern Barkley Sound to feel the thrill of open ocean swells and explore some reefs and islands that can only be accessed by small watercraft such as a kayak. Lucky paddlers may have the opportunity to see gray, humpback, or orca whales on these intermediate tours.
Kayak Fishing in Barkley Sound
The waters around Ucluelet are home to many fish species, including Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod, and Rockfish. While many are accustomed to fishing these waters from a larger vessel, those on larger motorized boats miss out on accessing all the small shallow nooks and crannies where fish love to hide and kayaks thrive. Not only does kayaking give you access to more fishing spots, but it is also a great way to slow the pace and take in the coastline and the temperate coastal rainforest that stands above the shoreline in between bites. If you are new to kayak fishing or want an expert’s insight on the best spots to cast your line, there are local options for guided day trips.
Stand up Paddle Surfing
When many people think about Ucluelet, they think about surfing, but have they considered throwing a paddle into the surf? Stand up paddle (SUP) surfing takes inspiration from traditional surfing while offering a unique way to catch a wave. Unlike traditional surfing, SUP surfing starts in a standing position and relies on the paddle to gain momentum and maintain balance. Interested in the sport but don’t know where to start? Take a 2-day SUP surf course and learn how to anticipate surf, read the surf zone, and control your SUP in the surf on the sandy beaches of the Esowista Peninsula situated north of Ucluelet.
Kennedy Lake
While saltwater may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of paddling in Ucluelet, there are also opportunities to forget about tide charts and stroke your paddle through some fresh water. The area is home to the largest lake on Vancouver Island. Nestled in the mountains, providing epic views of the surrounding peaks, Kennedy Lake is the perfect spot for various paddling adventures. Launch out on a mellow day of Stand-up Paddle Boarding 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. It is important to note that there is no camping infrastructure on these islands, and paddlers should take the time to familiarize themselves with Leave No Trace principles before venturing into these places. Paddlers looking for a longer expedition will want to go to the lake’s far end 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, which can make for a potentially difficult or even dangerous paddle.
Ucluelet is a mecca for adventure, where you can experience just about any type of paddling while basing yourself in a laidback fishing village that prides itself on its unpolished authenticity. With the 150,000-acre Pacific Rim National Park Reserve next door, the Broken Group Islands to the South and Kennedy Lake to the North, there is nearly endless potential to explore. For more info on visiting Ucluelet, including places to stay and eat, visit https://www.discoverucluelet.com/
