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Desolation Sound Kayak Expedition: Paddle, Hike & Swim

Itinerary
Desolation Sound Kayak Expedition: Paddle, Hike & Swim
Date and group size

Add-ons

You can rent a full set of rain gear (gore-tex paddling jacket and pants) from your guide here. The price is valid for the entire duration of the trip.

You can rent a gore-tex paddling jacket and pants from your guide here. The price is valid for the entire duration of the trip.

You can rent gore-tex paddling pants from your guide here. The price is valid for the entire duration of the trip.

You can rent a warm, high-quality synthetic mummy bag and liner bag from your guide here. The price is valid for the entire duration of the trip.

Please add this option to your booking if you require a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or nut-free diet. If you follow a vegetarian, no red meat, no fish, no seafood, or no pork diet, there’s no extra cost.

Select a cancellation policy

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options.
57hours flexibility options
Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Desolation Sound Kayak Expedition: Paddle, Hike & Swim
Itinerary
Desolation Sound Kayak Expedition: Paddle, Hike & Swim
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
5 day
Guide(s)
Spirit of the West Adventures
Reserve deposit (30%) $0
Second Payment Amount: $0

  • Embark on a five-day journey through BC's clearest waters and warmest fjords! Each morning in Desolation Sound brings new coves to paddle, trails to hike, and sheltered bays perfect for a refreshing swim. We'll share our days with local seals, make camp on forested islands, and wake up to mountain views that never get old. An expert guide with intimate knowledge of the area leads the way to all the best spots. All the details are taken care of—top-quality kayaks and safety gear, cozy camping equipment with proper sleeping setups, and fresh meals and snacks from first lunch to final paddle. Ready to discover why Desolation Sound keeps calling people back?

    • Your adventure starts either on Quadra Island or Cortes Island—let your guides know where you’ll be meeting them before the trip! If we’re meeting on Quadra, we will catch the 8:20am ferry to Cortes Island (45-minute ride) and then travel to our launch site at Squirrel Cove.

      After packing our kayaks, we’ll spend some time reviewing kayaking skills, tips for comfort, and of course safety procedures before our journey begins. Our route takes us on a paddle towards the fjords of Desolation Sound, providing us with a stunning mountain backdrop. There are a number of beautiful sites within an afternoon’s paddle. Keep your eyes open for harbor seals or Dall’s porpoises along the way!

      Meals: Lunch and dinner
      Accommodation: Camp

      Seals resting on the rocky shore of Desolation Cove

    • We’ll savor our first hearty breakfast in the great outdoors before we pack up and head off on today’s adventure. We continue on into the enchanting islands, kayaking Desolation Sound where we take our time exploring as we head towards our desired camping site for the evening.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Accommodation: Camp

      View of the Coast Mountains from a kayak in Desolation Sound

    • Each day in this area brings its own adventure, and we’ll let nature and our interests set our pace. We might paddle through the scattered islands, go on interpretive forest walks, swim in freshwater lakes, practice some on-water skills, or simply lounge at our island campsites.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Accommodation: Camp

      Calm cove at sunset in Desolation Sound

    • We will journey back to Cortes Island along the rugged shores of West Redonda Island. A visit to Refuge Cove or the lovely protected lagoon of Squirrel Cove will be our last stop of our 5-day kayak journey.

      We expect to return to Quadra Island between 3-5 pm, but since wilderness travel can be unpredictable, it’s best you plan to stay in the area for this night just in case of delays.

      Meals: Breakfast and lunch

      Kayaks parked at the end of the day in Desolation Sound

    • Included:

        • An experienced kayaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 5-day Desolation Sound kayak tour
        • All kayaking equipment (including kayaks, PFDs, paddles, pumps, ropes and sponges)
        • All meals and snacks from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5
        • Non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, teas, juices, water)
        • Camping equipment including tents, camp pillows, Therma-rest sleeping pads, tarps etc.
        • Park and land use permits
        • Sustainability fee

      Add-ons

        • Sleeping bags
        • Rain gear

      Not included:

        • Flights to the area
        • Airport transfers
        • Ferries
        • Taxis
        • Alcoholic or carbonated beverages
        • Guide gratuities — optional
        • Travel and medical insurance — optional

    • To enjoy this Desolation Sound kayak tour, you’ll need a moderate level of fitness and some outdoor experience. You’ll paddle at a relaxed pace for 4-6 hours daily, covering 6-8 nautical miles (11-15 km) per day.

      You’ll need to be comfortable carrying and lifting your personal gear, as well as navigating rocky and uneven shorelines. Since the terrain can be challenging, good mobility is required to handle steep or slippery beaches. Your guides will pace the adventure to the group’s needs and you’ll have plenty of breaks to stretch and explore the shoreline.

    • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      Clothing for paddling

        • A full set of rain gear (jacket and pants, rentals available with advance notice)
        • Two long-sleeved synthetic shirts
        • One long-sleeved fleece or mid-weight layer
        • One pair of quick-dry or synthetic pants
        • A pair of water shoes (gumboots, crocs, neoprene booties, or sandals with straps—no flip-flops)
        • One sun hat
        • A pair of sunglasses

      Clothing for camp

        • Two shirts
        • One fleece or sweatshirt
        • One pair of camp pants (yoga pants or synthetic/quick-dry)
        • Two long underwear or base layers (keep one pair for sleeping)
        • One pair of shorts
        • Four warm socks
        • Underwear (a mix of cotton and synthetic)
        • One bathing suit
        • One toque/beanie
        • A pair of camp shoes (runners, light hikers, or sturdy sandals)

      Other items

        • Sleeping bag: 3-season bag in a compression sack (rentals available with advance notice)
        • Headlamp and spare batteries
        • Personal toiletries (eco-friendly/biodegradable)
        • Quick-dry compact towel, face cloth, and wipes
        • Sunscreen and bug spray
        • Hand sanitizer and mask
        • Water bottle
        • A few Ziplocs and garbage bags (for extra waterproofing)

      Optional

        • Binoculars, camera, and spare batteries
        • Book, journal, cards, or small games
        • Phone charging battery bank
        • Paddling gloves
        • Spare eyeglasses and contact lenses
        • Medication (if flying, pack necessary medication in your carry-on luggage)
        • Carbonated or alcoholic beverages (no-alcohol-on-the-water policy; please wait until kayaking for the day is done)
        • Guide team gratuity (cash or credit card; note a 3% surcharge applies to credit card gratuities)

      Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season and activity.

    • Group sizes and pricing

        • For this Desolation Sound kayak tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
        • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.

      A Desolation Sound kayak tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

      Min. age requirements

        • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
        • Minors younger than 12 may be permitted to join this Desolation Sound kayak tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

      If your group has kayakers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • The starting point of your Desolation Sound kayak tour is either Quadra Island, BC, or Cortes Island, BC. To get there, most people fly into Campbell River Airport (YBL). From there, you can reach Quadra Island via a short ferry ride from Campbell River, followed by another ferry ride from Quadra Island to Cortes Island.

      You’ll meet your guides on Quadra Island at 7:30am or on Cortes Island at 9:30am on Day 1. From there, the group will travel to the first launch site at Squirrel Cove.

      Please let your guides know which island you’ll be meeting them on after booking.

    • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

      Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

      Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

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