Best Kayaking

Please note: This section doesn't list all the options for each activity - just the best ones.  There's something for everyone, all ages, all physical abilities and all skill levels.

Thieves Bay to Roe Islet

Launch at Thieves Bay beach. 5 NM/2 hrs round trip paddling. Outhouses at Thieves Bay and Roesland. Best time of year: Spring, summer and fall. 

Follow the shoreline north through Shingle Bay, Irene Bay and Ella Bay to Roe Islet and Roesland. Harbour seal sightings are a certainty, Orca sightings a possibility. Watch for ferry wash and the wind around Mouat Pt.

Mortimer Spit to Saturna Island Family Estate Winery

Launch at Mortimer Spit. 5 NM/2 hrs round trip paddling. Fresh water at Saturna Island Family Estate Winery. Outhouses at Mortimer Spit and Thomson Community Park. Best time of year: Anytime, but June through mid-Sept if you’d like to visit the winery and have lunch. 

Spring winds can be strong from the southeast. Take a wide berth around Razor Pt to avoid the plentiful subsurface rock and turbulent seas, and then cross directly to Croker Pt on Saturna Island. Land at Thomson Community Park. Follow the winery signs for 1 km to the bistro which serves lunch and sells its own bottled wine.

Around South Pender Island

Launch at Mortimer Spit. 10 NM, 4-5 hrs round trip. Parking on Mortimer Spit. Fresh water at Poets Cove Resort & Spa. Camping/outhouses: Beaumont Marine Park (see Best Camping spots). Best time of year: Spring through fall. 

The current flow under the canal bridge can reach three knots. Beaumont Marine Park is a great spot to take a picnic break. Below the rock outcrop just past Tilley Pt are caves reaching 9 m below the sea surface, which attract SCUBA divers. Eddies and overfalls can present a challenge as you round Gowlland Pt, as can boat traffic coming and going through narrow Teece Passage. Watch for harbour seals swimming on or below the ocean surface around Blunden Islet, and Orcas transiting Boundary Pass. The shoreline from here to Camp Bay offers you a close look at some intriguing rock composition.

For guided kayak tours contact:

Pender Island Kayak Adventures 
Kayak tours, lessons and rentals
Port Browning Marina on North Pender 
250-629-6939

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