Quadra Island Kayaking

Quadra Island, covering 27,600 hectares (68,200 acres) with a full-time population of around 3,800 residents, was named after the 18th-century explorer Don Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra. Notably, Captain George Vancouver once referred to Vancouver Island as “the Island of Vancouver and Quadra” in recognition of their meeting. Until 1903, Quadra Island and two adjacent islands were known as the Valdez Islands—a name later changed to avoid confusion with Valdes Island near Ladysmith. Today, Quadra Island not only offers excellent hiking trails and interesting local stores but also provides a range of sheltered paddling places for self-guided expeditions as well as guided trips around its uninhabited north end.

Transportation to Quadra Island

Ferry Access: Quadra Island is accessible via a 3-km (1.9-mi) ferry ride from Campbell River. The island is approximately 270 km (168 mi) north of Victoria and 160 km (100 mi) north of Nanaimo.

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Launch Sites and Directions

General Launching: Depending on your planned paddling area, launch sites may vary. Local accommodations such as lodges, resorts, and B&Bs are available, and for further information, contact the Campbell River Visitor Information Centre at 866-830-1113 or visit www.quadraisland.ca.
Specific Launch Sites: For Granite Bay, Small Inlet, Kanish Bay, and Gowlland Harbour: Use the Campbell River tidal reference. For Heriot Bay, Hyacinthe Bay, Open Bay, Rebecca Spit, Breton Islands, and Village Bay: Follow guidelines based on Point Atkinson’s tidal tables.

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Tidal Reference Ports:

Campbell River is used for Granite Bay, Small Inlet, Kanish Bay, and Gowlland Harbour.
Point Atkinson is the reference for the southeast side (including Heriot Bay, Hyacinthe Bay, Open Bay, Rebecca Spit, Breton Islands, and Village Bay).

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Currents

Over 75 percent of Quadra Island’s shoreline is affected by strong tidal currents. As the tides rise in the Pacific, currents flood and flow in around both ends of Vancouver Island. The Discovery Islands receive daily tidal flows from both the Strait of Georgia and Johnstone Strait, creating dynamic—and sometimes deadly—conditions.
Sutil Channel (between Quadra Island and Cortes Island) floods north and ebbs south with currents up to 2 knots and may have large, wind-generated waves.
Discovery Passage (between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island) floods south and ebbs north; flows can reach up to 4 knots north of Seymour Narrows, where currents below can reach 8 knots and, in Seymour Narrows itself, up to 16 knots.
Hoskyn Channel (between Quadra Island and Read Island) floods south and ebbs north with flows up to 2 knots; at its north end, Beazley Narrows (also called Surge Narrows) experiences currents up to 11.5 knots.
Okisollo Channel (between Quadra Island and Sonora Island) floods southeast and ebbs northwest with typical flows up to 2 knots; however, north of the Octopus Islands, flows increase dramatically, and at the Lower and Upper Rapids (where the channel is restricted at Quadra’s northeast corner), currents can reach 11 knots.
Very strong currents are present in most channels surrounding Quadra Island and near Cape Mudge, with whirlpools and rapids in the narrows reaching flows of up to 16 knots. Heriot Bay, Hyacinthe Bay, Open Bay, and Sutil Channel are exposed to southeast winds and wind-waves.

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Vancouver Island Activities

Clayoquot Sound Kayaking

Welcoming kayakers from everywhere, Clayoquot Sound is a wild network of offshore islands, including alpine valleys, forests, rivers, lakes, and laidback beach towns. Rocky oceanfront coastlines with endangered and rare species living there have made this place a popular destination for paddlers who are not only satisfied by paddling and seek to experience other adventures.

Zeballos Kayaking and Canoeing

Although the city is known for its gold mining, Zeballos is a fantastic destination for paddling activities. Great hiking trail within the rainforest in which various wildlife is observable. Kayakers and canoeing followers may have the chance to explore a place with several underground caves and spelunking places. Not to mention that other outdoor activities can add to your joy in Zeballos.

Hiking on Elk Falls Viewing Platform Trail

With a five-kilometre distance from the city, hiking on the Elk Falls Viewing Platform is an opportunity. It is among several hiking trails you can follow and explore in Elk Falls Provincial Park. This easy trail forest walk is age-friendly and features a waterfall and Suspension Bridge with a great view from the point.

Camping in Cumberland Lake Park Campground

By camping in Cumberland Lake Park Campground, the freedom you feel is seductive. The sandy beaches are perfect for spending some time walking or lounging on enjoying the lake's beautiful view and forest. So, do not miss another day of your vacation and head to the Camping in Cumberland Lake Park Campground to fulfil your desires for adventure.

Camping in the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park Campground

Looking for a place you can camp within the area of a forest? You can find nowhere better than the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park Campground. The beautiful campsite is well maintained with tall trees and lovely views that you can hike while appreciating the incredible scenery. Camp lovers are provided with ample facilities and several outdoor activities.

Breakwater Island Diving

Make immortal memories of diving in the Breakwater Island Diving zone. This famous diving location has a lot to offer. Whether on land or in water, a variety of creatures inhabit the area you cannot get enough and fantastic scenery which can multiply the amazement of your stay in this region.

Camping in the Alder Bay RV Park & Marina

While exploring the northern parts of Vancouver Island, why not relax a day or two in a fantastic campground? Alder Bay RV Park & Marina offers undeniable RV camping with ocean views that can touch your soul. The great ocean-atmosphere, incredible marine life and gorgeous sunsets add up to the reasons why you should camp in this campground.

Sooke Whale Watching

Among all the adventures in Sooke, which leave you speechless by the wat, whale watching opportunities are undeniable. The chances of observing the world's largest Mammals vary season by season, but it is best to come during May-October. Sooke will bring you the opportunity to experience a whale-watching trip to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. So, let your journey take you to the destined places.

Ucluelet Whale Watching

Make your Whale watching experience memorable enough to remember it even with closed eyes. in Ucluelet, you will have ample opportunities to encounter these gigantic marine creatures, and you may be lucky to observe other wildlife too. Those whale watching enthusiasts have the chance to attend the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival happening at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet and Tofino on Vancouver Island's west coast.

Sombrio Beach Storm Watching

Sombrio Beach is the place you can both find comfort and excitement. This V is a hot spot for storm watching for its harsh waves. Another attraction of Sombrio Beach is that you can enjoy storm watching on a rocky beach where the majestic waves break into, and the sound of it will comfort your mind. Due to the powerful winds and robust waves, Sombrio Beach is a paradise for surfers and storm watchers.

Detailed Paddling Areas on Quadra Island

Gowlland Harbour

Description and Dimensions: Gowlland Harbour is approximately 4.5 km (2.8 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide at its widest point, with over 14 km (8.7 mi) of shoreline available for exploration.
Difficulty: Rated as a novice paddling area; however, outside the harbour in Discovery Passage, conditions become advanced.
Travel Time: Paddling here typically takes a half day or longer.
Warnings: Despite being sheltered, wild water exists just outside the harbour. High levels of small boat traffic are common in the southern portion.
Launching: Launch from April Point Lodge is possible for a fee, or rent kayaks from the lodge. To get there from the ferry terminal at Quathiaski Cove, take Harper Road to the shopping area, then turn left at the stop sign onto Pidcock Road. Follow Pidcock Road to April Point Road; the lodge is at the end.

Granite Bay to Small Inlet

Granite Bay Overview: Located near the northwest corner of Quadra Island, Granite Bay opens into the larger Kanish Bay, where paddlers can explore the Chained Islands, view an eagle’s nest on an island, and listen to the distant roar of a hidden waterfall.
Hiking Connections: At the head of Small Inlet, an 800-m (0.5-mi) hike leads to Waiatt Bay on the eastern side of Quadra Island, providing a great view of the Octopus Islands.
A secondary trail forks toward Newton Lake—a 1.6-km (1-mi), fairly steep hike—reputed to be beautiful and offering an excellent swimming hole. Another trail connects Newton Lake back to Granite Bay.
Trip Details: Distance and Duration: The round-trip distance from Granite Bay to Small Inlet is approximately 13 km (8.1 mi), typically requiring a full day.
Launch Directions: From the ferry, travel up the hill past the shopping plaza; turn left on West Road (by the RCMP station) and follow it to the junction with Cramer (or Hyacinthe) Road. Continue for about 9.8 km (6.1 mi) along these roads to reach Granite Bay Road. Recommended launch is from the Village Bay Road turnoff: follow Granite Bay Road for 11 km (6.8 mi) and park along the road’s edge.
Alternate Launch: A side road on the right leads to a parking lot, small wharf, and launch site; note that this road is severely rutted and not recommended for vehicles.
Travel Notes : The journey by truck to Granite Bay sets the mood for an extraordinary day. Paul recounts an unusual encounter with a seagull that mimicked a Howard Hughes aircraft before flying off. After launching, the group paddled into Small Inlet and discovered an immense number of moon jellyfish at the entrance—initially dozens, later estimated in the hundreds of thousands. These jellyfish, 7 to 15 cm in diameter, have short tentacles that produce an ineffective sting on humans. The paddlers also encountered a wind-torn tree with an eagle’s nest and a distant waterfall. After exploring, the group made their way toward a small sandy beach and later to the Lucky Jim Mine.

Lucky Jim Mine Exploration:

Breton Islands from Rebecca Spit

Rebecca Spit, Drew Harbour, and Sutil Channel

Main Lakes Chain Provincial Park

Overview and Scope: Main Lakes Chain Provincial Park, created in 1996, encompasses over 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of land and 466 hectares (1,150 acres) of fresh water, making it the largest freshwater waterway in the Gulf Islands.
Paddling Itinerary: The paddle begins near the south end of Village Bay Lake. Paddlers traverse the length of Village Bay Lake, pass through a long, narrow canal replete with abundant plant life, and then navigate among Main Lake islands (many of which are privately owned).
The journey continues into the lower part of Main Lake, also known as Mine Lake. Main Lake narrows then widens, and, if salmon are not spawning, paddlers can proceed from the west end into Little Main Lake. A clearly marked spawning channel is present and can be avoided. Trails and Points of Interest: From the northeast corner of Main Lake, a 1.2-km (0.7-mi) downhill trail leads to Yeatman Beach and the road to Surge Narrows—an excursion worth the hike.
Logistics: Difficulty Level: Novice.
Travel Time: Ranges from a full day to multiple days, depending on the chosen route.
Distances: From the Village Bay Lake launch site to the Yeatman trailhead campsite is approximately 6.4 km (4 mi); the distance from the launch to the far end of Little Main Lake is around 7 km (4.3 mi).
Warnings and Considerations: There is no fire protection available in the park. Use only BC Parks fire enclosures or avoid open fires. Some islands within the park are privately owned, and the east end of Little Main Lake is also private. Scouts maintain a camp on Mine Lake. Getting There: The Village Bay Lake launch site is approximately 16 km (10 mi) from Heriot Bay via Hyacinthe Bay Road (which becomes Village Bay Road at the Granite Bay junction).
Recommended Launch: Launch from either side of the Village Bay Road bridge near the south end of Village Bay Lake.
Alternate Launch: The Mine Lake picnic area on Surge Narrows Road (east end of Mine Lake) serves as another access point. After crossing a bridge past the Village Bay Lake launch, the road forks; choose the left fork (Surge Narrows Road) and proceed for about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) to reach the launch.
Travel Notes : Gary notes the refreshing change of a freshwater paddle compared to saltwater adventures. He recalls the abundance of aluminum skiffs at the launch site—these skiffs are essential for reaching the many cabins on Village Bay Lake. A sign at the launch site indicates a maximum 10-horsepower motor, though exceptions exist for long-standing landowners. Village Bay Lake itself is about 2 km (1.2 mi) long and narrow. As paddlers approach the north end, they pass the last cabin and enter the provincial park, marked only by a solitary sign for the salmon-spawning channel into Little Main Lake.
A shallow channel, known locally as “The Gut,” connects Village Bay Lake to Mine Lake. Originally dug out for logging, this channel is about a foot deep and filled with bullrushes, requiring single-file navigation.
After exploring the narrows and several camping sites (where families often share meals and experiences), Gary recalls the pristine conditions and vows to return to Main Lakes Chain for another freshwater paddling adventure.

Accommodations and Camping on Quadra Island

Lodging Options:

Quadra Island offers a variety of lodges, resorts, and B&Bs. For instance, the Heriot Bay Inn & Marina is located 8 km (5 mi) from Quathiaski Cove and offers cottages, RV and tent sites, and full hookups (contact: 250-285-3322).

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We Wai Kai Campsite:

A waterfront campground on the south end of Drew Harbour, renowned for its excellent management (phone: 250-285-3111).

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Main Lakes Chain Provincial Park:

This park provides multiple user-defined wooded campsites, some with outhouses, primarily located north of Heriot Bay on Cramer Road.

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What you Can Expect to See Near Quadra Island

Tahsis

Tahsis is an accessway to many hiking trails. This village municipality is situated at the top of the steep-sided Tahsis Inlet and is surrounded by breathtaking wilderness and abundant wildlife. Some of the best water activities like ocean kayaking, surfing, windsurfing, recreational fishing or sport fishing, scuba diving, and kiteboarding are popular.

Sutton Range

The Sutton Range is a group of mountains and a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges that form the greater Insular Mountains. The amazing rock formation and alpine scale make the mountains within the range perfect for climbing. While you're atop Sutton Peak, Victoria Peak, Warden Peak, and mainland coast mountains are within your sight.

Sophia Range

The Sophia Range is a low small group of mountains on Nootka Island. Visiting the range would be fascinating overlooking inlets. The spectacular sights of the hills wrapped in trees ornamented with beautiful wildlife and birds are amazing while ascending. The range and the nearby park are a wealth of outdoor activities as paddling, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Artlish Caves

As it is said, "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." Did you know it takes a long process for a cave to be created? Artlish Caves is no exception. It is the largest active river cave in Canada, and the running water is why these series of caves were carved out from the ground, which is still happening. While you are inside the caves, sharpen your eyes to find bats, spiders, and other creatures in the darkness.

Coral Cave

If you desire to search for hidden parts of nature to discover exciting facts, Coral Cave is a suitable option. Before stepping into it, you need to have caving skills. The beauty of the cave is doubled by the stunning rainforest that surrounded the entrance. While you are inside, you may see the flooded parts of the cave. Let's get into it to find more and realize the time effect for thousands or millions of years.

Thanksgiving Cave

Devote more time, get a challenging goal for yourself, and pack your equipment. It is time to face the longest and deepest cave on Vancouver Island, Thanksgiving Cave. Caving inside this mostly tight and beautiful cave is not a beginner's suitable exploration, but for an expert caver, the adventurers' rush worth any trouble. If you are a beginner, don't worry. Tahsis is the caving capital of Canada, so you have different chances nearby.

Upana Caves

Going deep into the forest is worthy enough to visit the stunning Upana Caves. Listen to the sound of a river passing by and detect several entrances with the famous one behind the spectacular Upana Caves Waterfall. Inside entrances, you may find birds' nests. Watch the evidence of years of existence by holes like the one in cheese. The stunning galleries and passages you'll explore while going down would be incredible.

Genevieve Range

The Genevieve Range offers a fascinating tour within Nootka Island with spectacular sights for mountaineers. The range's area is a remote paradise for those seeking peace and seclusion. While ascending peaks, the range allows breath-taking sights of the ocean, enormous trees below your feet covering hills along with lakes and creeks dotted the area and plenty of wildlife.

Haihte Range

The Haihte Range overlooking Tahsis and Zeballos is home to some of the largest remaining glaciers on Vancouver Island. It experiences many cloudy days due to being close to the coast. The high terrain, including long aesthetic lines, is perfect for skiing at the lower glacier shelves, and visitors would enjoy excellent alpine climbing at jagged spires along the main ridge.

Best Time to Kayak Quadra Island on Vancouver Island

This table is designed to help you plan your kayaking adventure around Quadra Island by considering seasonal weather patterns, water accessibility, and local tidal influences for a safe and memorable paddling experience.

Month	Weather Conditions	Trail Accessibility	Considerations
May	Variable weather; cooler temperatures with increasing rainfall.	Sheltered bays such as Heriot Bay and Hyacinthe Bay are generally accessible, but exposed channels may be rough due to strong tidal currents.	Fewer paddlers on the water; monitor tidal charts closely and be prepared for variable winds and gusts.
June	Mild temperatures with moderate rainfall.	Inlets offer relatively calm waters while major channels (e.g., Discovery Passage, Sutil Channel) still feature strong flows.	Ideal for paddlers planning route segments that favor sheltered conditions; longer daylight aids planning.
July	Warm and dry conditions.	Optimal water levels in sheltered inlets; however, exposed channels can have very strong currents and dynamic tidal flows.	Peak season with increased paddler traffic; advanced skills recommended for open water; plan for high demand.
August	Warm with minimal rainfall.	Consistent water levels in protected areas; open channels remain challenging due to strong tidal flows from both the Strait of Georgia and Johnstone Strait.	High demand season; advanced route planning is essential; book permits and accommodations well in advance.
September	Cooling temperatures with occasional rain.	Water levels begin to fluctuate; sheltered bays remain generally accessible, but open channels become more unpredictable.	Less crowded overall; extra care is needed to monitor changing tides and weather patterns; plan for variable conditions.

Month

Weather Conditions

Trail Accessibility

Considerations

May

Variable weather; cooler temperatures with increasing rainfall.

Sheltered bays such as Heriot Bay and Hyacinthe Bay are generally accessible, but exposed channels may be rough due to strong tidal currents.

Fewer paddlers on the water; monitor tidal charts closely and be prepared for variable winds and gusts.

June

Mild temperatures with moderate rainfall.

Inlets offer relatively calm waters while major channels (e.g., Discovery Passage, Sutil Channel) still feature strong flows.

Ideal for paddlers planning route segments that favor sheltered conditions; longer daylight aids planning.

July

Warm and dry conditions.

Optimal water levels in sheltered inlets; however, exposed channels can have very strong currents and dynamic tidal flows.

Peak season with increased paddler traffic; advanced skills recommended for open water; plan for high demand.

August

Warm with minimal rainfall.

Consistent water levels in protected areas; open channels remain challenging due to strong tidal flows from both the Strait of Georgia and Johnstone Strait.

High demand season; advanced route planning is essential; book permits and accommodations well in advance.

September

Cooling temperatures with occasional rain.

Water levels begin to fluctuate; sheltered bays remain generally accessible, but open channels become more unpredictable.

Less crowded overall; extra care is needed to monitor changing tides and weather patterns; plan for variable conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to kayak around Quadra Island?

The ideal months are from June through August when the weather is warm and dry, and water conditions in sheltered bays are optimal. However, May and September can also offer good conditions if you’re prepared for variable weather and stronger tidal currents in the open channels.