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No Paddler Is An Island. But This Region Is. Here’s How to Best Experience It.

The largest island on the west coast of the Americas, Vancouver Island is a destination that’s usually associated with ocean paddling, but it also offers excellent freshwater opportunities, including one of BC’s best canoe circuits located in a pristine forest northwest of Campbell River. The surf scene in Tofino is legendary here, as is the old-school British charm of the provincial capital of Victoria, but this region also includes the smaller Gulf and Discovery Islands where you’ll find remote beaches, secluded bays, and vibrant artistic communities.

Participating communities from Vancouver Island

Explore pockets of this region by way of specific communities. Get info on the waterways in or near them and meet local paddling professionals.

Comox Valley

Paddle calm bays, explore rivers, or challenge the Strait. Whales, wildlife & endless options await.

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Cowichan

Bordered by Nanaimo and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Districts, Cowichan is located at the southern part of Vancouver Island. It’s a waterfront community perfect for those who love the ocean. Cowichan is also home to many lakes and rivers making it a perfect spot to fit every paddlers needs.

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Nanaimo

Located on Vancouver Island Nanaimo is a great place for paddlers to explore different bays, inlets, and the Pacific Ocean.
A bustling harbour city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo gets its name from the Coast Salish word “Sney-Ny-Mous,” which means “meeting place.” Appropriate because you’ll definitely want to connect with friends here and go paddling.

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Southern Gulf Islands

There are over 300 islands located off the shores of south-eastern Vancouver Island that can be explored by sea kayak, canoe, and paddleboard including the main ones of Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Gabriola, and Salt Spring. Go ahead, take your time.

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Jeremy Koreski

Tofino

Tofino beckons paddlers with adventure. Kayak exposed coastlines, witness migrating whales, or explore the calm inlets teeming with marine life. From exhilarating currents to serene passages, Tofino offers unforgettable paddling for all skill levels.

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Ucluelet

Dreams come to life along our wild, rocky coastline, where the spirit of adventure was born and imagination takes flight. Here on Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nations traditional territories, awe meets wonder, and forever memories are forged. Visit a place beyond your wildest dreams.

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Vancouver Island North

Paddle glacial fjords, island chains & wild coastlines. Whales, wildlife & adventure await.

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Meet the specialists Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series

From guides and instructors to marina owners and sales reps, here are the people who will ensure you’re not sent up the creek without a, well, you know. 

I want to go

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Tours
Alder Bay Kayak

Alder Bay Resort offers sea kayaking excursions with North Island Kayaks in Johnstone Strait. Explore local islands, remote beaches, and marine wildlife.

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Tours
ALERT BAY 360 ECO PADDLE

Join the Alert Bay 360 event for a chance to win prizes and cash rewards. Limited spots available!

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Tours, Rentals & Lessons
AT THE WATER’S EDGE ADVENTURES

Explore breathtaking kayak tours in Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife habitats with At the Water’s Edge Adventures.

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Lessons
BC Marine Trails

BC Marine Trails is a non-profit organization promoting public access to BC’s coastline through marine trails.

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Tours
Black Bear Kayaking

Experience the thrill of kayaking among black bears in Clayoquot Sound with expert guides.

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Proud to offer paddling tours and instruction accessible and enjoyable for people of all levels.
Tours, Rentals & Lessons
Blue Dog Kayaking

Book a kayaking or SUP tour or lesson with Blue Dog Kayaking. Amber specializes in safety training before going out to explore.

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Tours
BROUGHTON ARCHIPELAGO PADDLER’S INN

Paddle paradise awaits! Explore Broughton’s islands & inlets at Paddler’s Inn.

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Tours
CANADA SEA KAYAK

Sea Kayak Adventures offers world-renowned orca and humpback watching in British Columbia. Enjoy exceptional sea kayaking, hiking, and cultural exploration on basecamp, lodge-based, and expeditionary trips from June to September.

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Lessons, Tours & Rentals
Coastal Bliss Adventures Ltd.

Experience amazing sea kayaking tours with Coastal Bliss Adventures.

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Lessons, Rentals & Tours
Coastal Expression

If you’re looking for a canoe or kayak rental, lesson or guided tour Coastal Expression offers them all!

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Retail, Rentals, Lessons & Tours
Coast Surf Shop

Coast Surf Shop is a family-owned store in Comox and Cumberland, B.C., offering surf, paddle boards, rentals, lessons, and tours since 2012.

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Tours, Lessons, Retail & Rentals
Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes

Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes offers top-quality kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, along with rentals, lessons, and guided tours for all skill levels.

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Tours
Comox Valley Paddlers Club

Comox Valley Paddlers Club offers paddling trips, education, resources, and memberships for all levels.

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Retail, Rentals, Lessons & Tours
Compass Adventure

Compass Adventure offers a variety of ocean activities, rentals, lessons, and programs for all ages.

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Rentals, Tours & Lessons
Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre

Choose from different kayaking tours or check out their other watersports rental options at Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre.

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Tours
Destination Desolation

Destination Desolation offers custom tours and shuttle services to explore Desolation Sound & surrounding islands.

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Tours and Rentals
Discovery Kayaking Ltd.

Embark on guided kayaking tours in Telegraph Cove, BC. Encounter orcas, explore Sophie Island, and create lifelong memories in the wild.

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Lessons, Rentals & Tours
Dog Mermaid Eco Excursions, Kayak Rentals & Retreats

Providing eco-excursions via guided kayaking and paddle board tours, Dog Mermaid Eco Excursions is a great place to reconnect with nature.

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Tours
ECOSUMMER EXPEDITIONS

Experience eco-friendly sea kayaking adventures in Telegraph Cove, BC. Encounter orcas and wildlife up close.

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Tours
Expedition Engineering

Designing unique expeditions to remote destinations, specializing in ski touring, kayaking, surfing, and adventure sailing.

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Tours
Fairway Gorge Paddling Club

Join Fairway Gorge Paddling Club in Victoria for exciting paddling programs, events, and expert advice.

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Tours
Farewell Harbour Lodge

Escape to a west-coast lodge in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. Experience wildlife, nature, and indigenous culture.

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Rentals and Tours
Gulf Island Kayaking

Rent or book a kayak tour with Gulf Island Kayaking.

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Rentals and Tours
Hello Nature Adventure Tours

Hello Nature Adventure Tours are passionate about the outdoors and the land we operate on. We look forward to meeting you and hosting you on an unforgettable kayaking experience. TIP: No before you go – check the weather and tides.

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Tours and Lessons
Island Römer Adventures

Explore the ocean on a guided kayaking tour with Island Römer Adventures.

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Rentals
Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals

Rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards with Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals.

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Rentals and Tours
Kaatza Adventures

With tour and rental options Kaatza Adventures is a great way to explore Cowichan Lake.

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Tours
KARIBU ADVENTURES

Karibu Adventures offers curated trips for active adventurers seeking raw and real experiences.

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Rentals and Tours
Kayaking Gulf Islands

Explore Mayne Island at our own pace with kayak and paddle board rentals or booked a guided kayak tour to explore the beautiful waters.

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Lessons, Rentals & Tours
Kayaking Skills Saturna Island

Book a kayak tour, lesson, or rental with Kayaking Skills and explore the Southern Gulf Islands.

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Tours
King Fisher

King Fisher offers guided sea kayaking tours along the Great Bear Rainforest, Haida Gwaii, and Northern Vancouver Island.

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Tours
Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures – Sea Kayaking Tours

Experience fully guided kayak tours in British Columbia’s stunning wilderness since 1999. Small group sizes, eco-conscious practices, and passionate guides.

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Tours
North Island Kayak

North Island Kayak offers unforgettable sea kayaking tours in Telegraph Cove, BC since 1991.

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Rentals, Lessons & Tours
Paddle & Go Victoria SUP Co

Paddle’n’Go offers top-notch paddle board and kayak rentals, guided tours, lessons, and group paddle events in Victoria, BC. Experience the beauty of Vancouver Island’s waterways!

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Tours, Rentals & Accomodation
Paddler’s Inn

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Rentals and Tours
Paddle West Kayaking

Experience unforgettable kayak tours in Tofino and Ucluelet, Vancouver Island. Rentals and custom tours available.

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Tours and Rentals
Paddle West Kayaking

Paddle West Kayaking offers guided tours and rentals in Tofino and Ucluelet for a memorable kayaking experience on Vancouver Island’s west coast.

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Rentals and Tours
Page’s Resort and Marina

Secluded cottages, marina & island adventures await at Page’s Resort. Kayak, hike, relax – it’s your island time.

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Rentals, Tours & Lessons
Palli Palli Mobile Ebike & Paddle Board Rentals

Rent a paddle board with Palli Palli Mobile Ebike & Paddle Board Rentals.

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Retail, Lessons, Rentals & Tours
Pender Island Kayak Adventures

Pender Island Kayak Adventures is a perfect place to try anything from kayaking to canoeing and even paddle boarding.

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Tours and Rentals
Pristine Paddleboard Adventures

Located on Cowichan Lake Pristine Paddleboard Adventures is the perfect place to rent a paddleboard and explore the lake at your own pace.

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Tours and Lessons
Quatsino Lodge

Quatsino Lodge in Vancouver Island offers top-notch fishing, kayaking, and hospitality in a remote setting.

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Retail, Rentals & Lessons
Relic Surf Shop and Surf School

Your go-to spot for surf and skateboard gear in Tofino – Ucluelet area.

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Tours
Remote Passages Marine Excursions

Discover breathtaking wildlife adventures in Tofino with Remote Passages. Enjoy whale watching, bear watching, and more.

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Rentals and Tours
Salt Spring Adventures

Salt Spring Adventures has many tour and rental options available.

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Tours
Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC

Join the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC for top-notch professional sea kayaking experiences. Certification, guides for hire, and industry news.

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Tours
Sea Kayak Haida Gwaii Butterfly Tours

Butterfly Tours offers immersive multi-day sea kayaking expeditions in the pristine wilderness of Haida Gwaii, led by experienced guides passionate about nature and culture.

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Retail, Lessons, Rentals & Tours
Sealegs Kayaking Adventures

With many kayak and paddleboard rental and tour options Sealegs Kayaking Adventures has something for everyone!

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Tours
Sea to Sky Expeditions

Book an unforgettable guided kayaking tour with Sea to Sky Expeditions.

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Rentals
Shawnigan Surf & Board co

Create your own adventure with paddleboard rentals from Shawnigan Surf & Board Co.

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Tours and Lessons
South Island Sea Kayaking Association

SISKA is a vibrant sea kayaking community in Victoria, BC, promoting safety, skills, and camaraderie on the water.

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Tours
Spirit of the West Adventures

Bring a sense of adventure and be ready to have an experience of a lifetime! No kayaking experience is required for nearly all of our tours. Our trips are thoughtfully designed to ensure a great vacation for all levels of experience and abilities.

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Retail
Surfside Paddle Sports

Surfside Paddlesports offers top-quality kayaks and surf skis for paddling enthusiasts. Book a demo now!

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Retail, Rentals & Lessons
Swell Tofino

Swell Tofino offers surf lessons, rentals, and a passion for ocean learning in Tofino.

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Rentals, Tours & Lessons
Tofino Paddle Surf

Tofino Paddle Surf offers private surf lessons, SUP tours, and quality beach rentals.

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Tours
Tofino Resort + Marina

Embark on guided remote kayaking tours through Tofino Inlet’s calm waters to explore wildlife and stunning coastline beauty.

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Tours and Rentals
Tofino Sea Kayaking

Discover Tofino Sea Kayaking, offering guided tours and rentals for exploring Clayoquot Sound.

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Tours
UKEE BACKCOUNTRY

Experience Ucluelet’s natural beauty with UKEE BackCountry’s guided SUP and UTV tours.

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Tours
West Coast Expeditions Kayaking Tours

Experience kayak-fishing and more with West Coast Expeditions.

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Tours
West Coast Water Sports

Rent kayaks, canoes, or SUP boards from West Coast Water Sports. Fun for all skill levels!

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Lessons, Rentals & Tours
West Coast Wild Adventures

West Coast Wild Adventures offers thrilling zipline, kayaking, and floatplane tours in an eco-educational setting.

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Tours
Wildcoast Adventures

Wildcoast Adventures offers unforgettable sea kayak tours with gourmet meals and top-notch service.

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Rentals, Tours & Lessons
Wilderness Kayaking Co

Wilderness Kayaking Co offers many different kayaking tours, lessons, and has many rental options for kayaks and paddleboards.

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Learn more about paddling in Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series

Oar-ganize Your Year

Whatever type of paddling you prefer, here are the events you’ll want to take part in around the province.

Kayaking with Orcas at Vancouver Island

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Instructional Expeditions – Nuchatlitz

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Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series

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Two canoes resting on the sandy shore of Murtle Lake, British Columbia, with majestic mountains as a backdrop.
The Search For BC’s Best Lake

Which body of water will win CBC’s Best Lake in BC Contest? We have some suggestions of what to vote for.

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Kayak fishing in BC, people showing caught fish
How to Start Kayak Fishing in BC

Here are 16 ways to slightly alter our paddling practices and improve our experiences at all of the wild places in BC. 

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