Sea Kayak Tour in British Columbia: Journey by kayak to the Xwemahlkwu First Nation grizzly bears wildlife sanctuary.
Join us in a rare and exciting sea kayak expedition to the ancient Papknach village site in the traditional territory of the Xwemahlkwu (Homalco) First Nation. Each autumn grizzly bears congregate in the river estuary to feed on spawning salmon; the Xwemahlkwu have shared home with the bears for millennia.
This sea kayak tour offers an unforgettable British Columbia adventure -- an amazing opportunity to view grizzly bears in their natural habitat and to meet indigenous people working to maintain native culture and identity, while making a place in the modern world.
We admire the challenging and exciting vision being pursued by this coastal First Nation!
Our kayak expedition begins at Quadra Island (near Campbell River on Vancouver Island, BC)
with kayaking practice and trip preparations, safety protocols and first night at Discovery Islands Lodge our comfortable wilderness BC lodge accommodation.
Beginning our journey, we'll paddle through the Discovery Islands archipelago towards the dramatic skyline of Bute Inlet, magnificent Coast Mountain watershed of BC’s highest mountains. After 3 days kayaking in the British Columbia fjordland, paddling and camping in the wild, we'll arrive at the PapKnach River camp where we will be the guests of the Xwemahlkwu people. We'll have comfortable but simple bunkhouse accommodation and opportunities to view the grizzly bears from platform-blinds.
If conditions permit, we’ll paddle into the estuary and watch the bears from our kayaks. While at the First Nation’s camp, we will join the Xwemalhkwu for meals, visit the Xwemahlkwu salmon hatchery, and learn about First Nation history and culture.
Second morning we will depart PapKnach by kayak and begin the homeward journey. Our Coast Mountain Expeditions’ boat, Chico Mendes, will meet us in the inlet and return us to Discovery Islands Lodge on Quadra Island for our final evening together... another scrumptious dinner, more tall tales, and one last sleep in the back country.
• Trips start and finish at Discovery Island Lodge on Quadra Island
(near Campbell River on Vancouver Island BC Canada)
• First & final nights at Discovery Islands Lodge
• 2 nights kayak camping,
• 2 nights at Xwemahlkwu First Nation’s PapKnach river camp
• Maximum 10 participants, 2 sea kayak guides
Xwemahlkwu Grizzly Bear Sea Kayaking Expedition
Sea Kayaking in British Columbia: A journey to the Xwemahlkwu First Nation’s PapKnach grizzly bear sanctuary in Bute Inlet
TOUR DATES 2007:
• Sept. 2 - 8
• Sept. 9 - 15
• Sept. 15 - 21
COST: $1565 CDN plus GST (approx. $1422 US)
Payable by Mastercard, VISA or cheque
About this Kayak Trip
• Moderate to Strenuous: for fit and energetic people with a good sense
of adventure!
• Paddling: 4 to 6 hours of kayaking per day
• Single and double kayaks.
• Average distance: 9-18 km (6-12 mi) per day.
• Sea conditions: mostly calm but fjord may become locally windy
creating .3-1m (1-3 ft) manageable waves.
Fjord is glacial-fed; water is very cold.
• Beaches: low sloping sandy gravel or medium boulders;
may be slippery when wet.
• Weather conditions: usually sunny, sometimes hot.
Extended rain unlikely, but possible.
• Temperature: 12-30 C (50-85 F). Water 8-15 (50-60 F)
Getting to Discovery Islands Lodge on Quadra Island
Getting here is part of your vacation adventure! From Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, take the 10-minute BC Ferry to Quadra Island.
You’ll enjoy a beautiful drive through classic British Columbia wilderness and Quadra Island’s Main Lake one of BC Provincial Park.This winding road will take you through Quadra Island’s temperate rainforest, ending near Discovery Islands Lodge, our B&B kayak hostel. For detailed driving instructions, please click here.
