Kayaking Vancouver Island

Until now, surprisingly little information has been available to those who want to paddle Vancouver Island's many waterways. Enter Gary Backlund and Paul Grey. Building on the success of their first book, Easykayaker: A Guide to Laid Back Vancouver Island Paddling, the authors have compiled a comprehensive reference book for paddlers of all skill levels. In Kayaking Vancouver Island, the paddling duo guide their readers through trips ranging from a lazy day excursion in Victoria's historic Gorge waterway to an exciting multi-day voyage around Meares Island in Clayoquot Sound. To research the book, the authors traveled from Sooke on the southern tip of the island to Port Hardy in the north, and from Zeballos on the west coast to Gabriola Island off the east coast. Along the way they interviewed local guides, outfitters and historians to get the most accurate information about their destinations. Combining a guidebook format with journal-like entries from their own travels, the authors cover everything from launch sites to lunch sites, which currents to avoid and which tides to ride. The book is also rich in local mythology, folklore and history. Writing with safety and (mostly) easy paddling in mind, Backlund and Grey rate paddling skills required for each area along with trip lengths and distances. They provide an insider's guide to local conditions and brief readers on tides, currents, charts, marine weather and coastal regulations.

Sea Kayaking Around Vancouver Island covers a full circumnavigation of Vancouver Island. If you are interested in a grand expedition, a week of summer touring, or a weekend excursion, this guidebook will give you the information you need. Each chapter covers a section of the island providing ample information on points of access, interesting sites, safe routes to travel, hazards to avoid, and comfortable campsites.

In their successful, internationally published book A Boat in Our Baggage, Maria Coffey and Dag Goering described their year-long, worldwide expedition by kayak. Since then, they have continued to travel many parts of the globe, including some of the last truly wild places of the British Columbia coast. Their latest adventure - a 1,000-plus kilometre journey circumnavigating Vancouver Island in its entirety - is detailed and illustrated in Visions of the Wild. Coffey and Goering set off from their home on Protection Island, BC, in July 1999. For three months they confronted some of the most exposed, storm-battered coastlines British Columbia has to offer: infamous places such as Cape Scott, Estevan Point and the imposing Brooks Peninsula, all of which have become the sites of shipwrecks and fatalities. The voyagers experienced deadly currents, whirlpools and enormous waves, were buffeted relentlessly by wind and rain and spent many a wet, miserable camping trip ashore. But they also explored the serene waters of Nootka Sound, the Gulf Islands and the Broken Group Islands, where they saw stands of ancient rainforests interspersed with raw clearcuts, and spectacular vistas of ocean and sky juxtaposed with intricate coves, rocks and reefs. They had encounters with whales, bears, wolves, sea lions and puffins; and as they stopped at different Native villages, fishing ports and old homesteads, they made friends with many of the diverse people who call the island home. Brimming with breathtaking colour photographs and compelling journal entries from all stages of their exciting kayaking journey, Visions of the Wild is at once an inspiring chronicle of the adventure of a lifetime, and a beautiful book of photographs that rejoices in the untamed spirit of Canada's west coast.

A one-stop resource for hiking backpackers in beautiful British Columbia. Planning your next backpacking adventure? This book covers all the essentials including: 40 overnight hiking trails: discover the many different routes that BC has to offer Packing tips: take only the most essential items with you (plus a few comforts) Permitting: find out what permits you’ll need, and where to get them Camp set-up: tips for where to pitch your tent and how to find water Environmental impact: learn how to Leave No Trace behind in the wilderness This book features backpacking routes from the North Shore up to Pemberton and Lytton and from the Sunshine Coast out to the Similkameen Valley. Beautiful photographs showcase what you’ll see along the way: mountain peaks, alpine meadows, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and more. Every backpacking route in the book includes bonus features: Trail maps and route descriptions Elevation, distance and time information Points of cultural and natural history Pre-planning hints about fees, permits, and reservations Suggested side trips and points of particular interest Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia also shares options for extending an overnight excursion to several nights or a week, and for selecting hikes that match your timeline/fitness level.

Rugged yet serene, the south and east coasts of Vancouver Island are unlike anywhere else. Wave-sculpted rocks, sea caves and fjords, old-growth forests, incredible wildlife, and white, sandy beaches make this an unbeatable destination. From a veteran kayaker and outdoors expert, who has explored the BC coastline himself, comes this must-have collection of full-colour maps, all from a paddler's perspective. This large-book format is easier to use and stow than bulky charts and unwieldy roll-up maps. Kimantas himself remarks that his life would have been much easier had one of these been available for his own kayak trips! The features and attractions included in these maps are numerous. You'll see all the campsites, rest areas, launch sites, anchorages, private marinas, government wharves, ferry terminals, and lighthouses, as well as the possible hazards of each area. Also included are the key places to see killer whales, grizzlies, sea lions, and birds and to explore heritage sites, ruins, sunken ships, trails, and parks. Colour photographs right on the maps provide visual clues and added beauty. Volume 1, South BC Coast and East Vancouver Island This volume provides an overview of British Columbia's south coast from Victoria to Port McNeill, and from Howe Sound to the Broughton Islands. Volume 2, West Vancouver Island This volume provides an overview of West Vancouver Island from Sooke to Port Hardy.

For the experienced and novice alike, this comprehensive guide leads paddlers through some of the best kayaking waters on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Twenty trips are outlined, covering prime paddling destinations within Barkley and Clayoquot sounds, including the Deer Group, the Broken Group Islands, and Vargas, Flores and Meares islands. Each trip is headed with important information on tides, currents, safety considerations and launching. Included in each route description is practical information on the different land jurisdictions, campsites, suitable landings and paddling conditions. Sidebars embellish the history of shipwrecks, examine the Nuu-chah-nulth people and introduce interesting characters like Salal Joe and Fred Tibbs. Others detail some of the natural history of the west coast with topics ranging from grey whales to barnacles. This edition also provides well-researched information on the parks in the area, including Pacific Rim National Park and several parks within the BC Parks system.

Located within a day's drive of Vancouver and Victoria, the Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit invites city-weary paddlers to crystal clear lakes, lively streams, and quiet ponds, all linked to each other by portages wide enough to accommodate canoe or kayak carts. The route is just right for beginners who want to experience the joy of canoe tripping. Intermediate paddlers will also enjoy the secluded places on the circuit. Ease of access, a choice of managed or unimproved campsites, and world class scenery reward both novices and old hands with a great wilderness experience. This guidebook provides maps, GPS waypoints, and detailed descriptions of every campsite and portage on the circuit.