Kyuquot Instructional Expedition

Join Jeremy on a West Coast Wilderness Expedition

There’s something special about travelling by kayak along the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Remote beaches, towering headlands, sea stacks rising from the ocean, and the ever-changing rhythm of the Pacific make this a place that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.

Our Kyuquot and Bunsby Islands expedition is an opportunity to experience this coastline the way it’s meant to be explored: under your own power, carrying what you need, and settling into the rhythm of life on the water. This is a self-supported wilderness journey for paddlers who are ready to venture beyond sheltered waters and experience the beauty, challenge and freedom of west coast sea kayaking.

We begin at Fair Harbour, paddling through sheltered inlets before making our way towards Rugged Point, where the coastline opens to the Pacific. From here, we follow the coast north, weaving past rocky headlands, sea stacks and surf-swept channels as we make our way towards Spring Island and Kyuquot Sound. Our journey takes us into the Bunsby Islands, a remarkable archipelago of white sand beaches, protected passages and wild campsites tucked between rainforest and open ocean.

Days are shaped by the conditions, the route ahead and the places we discover along the way. Some days will mean covering distance; others will offer more time to explore, enjoy camp and take in the surroundings. Evenings are for shared meals, stories around camp and the simple pleasure of watching the light change over the ocean.

This expedition is about more than the places we visit. It’s about learning to travel with the coast, developing confidence in your own abilities and experiencing the satisfaction that comes from carrying your home on your kayak. It’s a chance to spend meaningful time outdoors, connect with the people you’re travelling alongside and experience a part of Vancouver Island that remains wonderfully wild.

Who is this trip for?

This is a remote, self-supported expedition for paddlers with established sea kayaking skills who are ready for the demands of multi-day travel along an exposed coastline. You should be comfortable paddling in dynamic coastal conditions, including wind, waves and swell, and confident performing both self-rescues and assisted rescues.

We recommend Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayak Skills or equivalent experience.

You should also be comfortable with:

• Maintaining a strong, sustainable forward stroke, with the ability to travel at approximately 3 nautical miles per hour in suitable conditions.
• Completing longer travel days, including days of 12 nautical miles or more.
• Managing your personal equipment and contributing to the shared responsibilities of wilderness camping.
• Adapting to changing weather and sea conditions, including the possibility of adjusting our plans when needed.

Previous multi-day sea kayaking and backcountry camping experience will help you get the most out of this trip. Most importantly, come prepared to be an active member of the group, learn along the way and embrace the realities of travelling on a wild coast.

What’s included?

Our goal is to make the expedition feel manageable and welcoming while ensuring we have the equipment and support needed for remote coastal travel.

Your expedition includes:

• Experienced sea kayak instructors familiar with the Kyuquot and Bunsby Islands.
• Shared group camping and cooking equipment, including a tarp, Dragonfly stoves, cookware and cooking utensils.
• Group breakfasts and dinners
• Group first-aid supplies.
• Kayak repair kits and essential repair equipment.
• A group water filtration system.
• Communication equipment, including a VHF radio and Garmin inReach.
• 1:4 Ratio

Come for the coastline. Leave with the memories.
Kyuquot and the Bunsby Islands offer the kind of adventure that reminds us why we paddle: the feeling of moving through a wild landscape, the satisfaction of a day well travelled and the joy of sharing an experience that can’t quite be recreated anywhere else.

If you’re ready to spend a week immersed in the west coast wilderness, challenge yourself on the water and discover the rewards of self-supported sea kayaking, we’d love to have you along.