Kayak Trip - Southern Gulf Islands

Kayak Trip Saturday 8 - Tuesday 11 August: Southern Gulf Islands. Three nights. 

• Kayak tour through the Southern Gulf Islands, starting at Village Bay, Mayne Island and ending at Swartz Bay

• Touch as many islands as we can along the way (camp, eat, pee). 

• Most likely stops: Prevost, Pender & Portland Islands

• This is an exploration trip, exploring coast lines and hand-railing whenever possible

• Moving camp sites each night to cover as much ground as we can OR spending two nights at one location and doing a day paddle through other islands

Probably Level 2 for at least part of the trip.

Somewhat exposed waters, some short crossings (approx 3km), some swell possible, some tidal flows
Required: Experience in Level 1 trips, some experience paddling in moving water, ability to paddle at 3-4 km/h for 5-6 hours per day for four consecutive days (with breaks), competent in self-rescues and rescue of others in moderate wind and waves

Roll-on roll-off the ferry with the kayaks and launch at Mayne Island (Village Bay) & return from Swartz Bay (have to carry the kayak carts)

Tentative itinerary:

• Friday evening: pickup kayaks and gear
• Saturday: Roll on BC Ferries at Tsawwassen , launch at Mayne Island (Village Bay). Paddle to James Bay, Prevost Island 8-15km. 
• Sunday: Paddle to Shingle Bay, North Pender Island 11-20km
• Monday: Paddle to Portland Island 8-20km
• Tuesday: return paddle to Swartz Bay 5km

Distances depending on weather and amount of 'exploration' group wants to undertake

Expenses
Depending on campsites, a nightly fee of $15 per person to $20 per group
Ferry (passenger + kayak) $22 per person each way
Tsawwasen Parking (TBD, shared)
Gas (TBD, shared)

Trip Leader: Stefanie Chapman

Contact Stefanie through #kayak-trip-southern-gulf-islands message on Club Locarno Slack 

We encourage all kayak campers to participate in the BC Marine Trails Coastal Caretakers program for site cleaning and reporting.