Multi-Day Kayak Tours

Immersive sea kayak vacation tours explore Desolation Sound and remote sea kayak expeditions adventure into the mountains beyond

All-Inclusive Multi-Day Kayak Tours into Desolation Sound, Toba Inlet & the Discovery Islands of British Columbia – close to Vancouver and Vancouver Island!

Why Paddle With Us?

Unbeatable Access, Passion & Knowledge for Desolation Sound and coastal British Columbia since 1995

Unrivalled Access to Stunning Scenery

Powell River Sea Kayak is located on Okeover Inlet – 30 kilometres north of Powell River, 120 kilometres north of Vancouver, and just a short ferry from Vancouver Island.

No need for travelling to and from the launch site with minivans and kayak trailers – we are located at the end of the road and adjacent to Desolation Sound Marine Park, perfect for launching kayak trips into Desolation Sound and beyond!

This historic waterfront site – once home to the Cougar Queen of Okeover Inlet – is our private stage for multi-day kayak tours into Desolation Sound.

From Vancouver, Powell River is a relatively easy 5 hour trip via car and ferry north along British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Make the scenic and leisurely drive the day before your tour and relax in Powell River’s coastal ambiance, or fly directly into Powell River from Vancouver and be on the ground within 30 minutes of leaving the city!

Whether you are drawn to the colossal fjords of the Coast Mountains, the warm waters and idyllic islands of Desolation Sound, or the unbeatable sunsets over Vancouver Island, we welcome you to join us for a well organized, thoughtful and wonderful experience.

If you’re looking for a sea kayaking adventure near Vancouver or Vancouver Island, we’re perfectly located to access British Columbia’s beautiful west coast!

Quality & Thoughtful Details

Our equipment is of the highest quality: fibreglass Nimbus, Seaward and Current Designs touring kayaks, fibreglass paddles, comfortable tents, Thermarest sleeping pads, Kokatat PFDs, 20L and 10L dry-bags, even paddling jackets in case of rain.

We aim to make your tour with us as comfortable and convenient at possible, and provide all the added details so you don’t have to. All group equipment, food and kitchen gear, and paddling necessities are included on all our multi-day camping tours.

For those things you do need to bring yourself – such as clothing and a sleeping bag – we even provide a detailed packing list that will have you covered in all conditions, yet still ensure you’ll have enough room in the hatches of your kayak!

Touring into Desolation Sound since 1995, you can trust us to ensure that your sea kayaking vacation or expedition is well planned and executed from start to finish.

Inspiring, Fresh & Creative Meals

We understand the importance of healthy, appetizing food (and good coffee) on active vacations, and we take pride in our ability to create fresh, appealing and hearty meals from local ingredients, even from our remote wilderness camps.

Our guides operate from set menus for all our kayaking trips, and for many the unexpected delight of freshly harvested seafood, a hearty breakfast to start the day, or just one more bite of dessert, becomes a stand-out feature of a truly memorable experience.

Our experience allows us to cater for some common dietary restrictions within our menu planning and still deliver top quality meals for all our guests. Surcharges apply for some dietary restrictions.

Using seasonal and locally produced fruits, meats and vegetables on our tours ensures our menus are fresh, healthy and creative. It also helps us to fulfill our guiding principles of resource conservation, support for our local businesses and fostering community in the Powell River region.

We Take Care of Logistics

Our guides are all fully certified and experienced expedition leaders; let them take care of all the hassles and fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Planning and preparing food, choosing routes and camps, reading tides and currents, assessing weather hazards and natural and historical interpretation, we do it all – and more – with confidence, professionalism, experience, and a great sense of humour as well. Foremost, our guides are trained to ensure your safety and to increase your confidence paddling in a multi-day environment, removing much of the stress associated with wilderness kayak trips.

Additionally, Powell River Sea Kayak has exclusive access to private tenured sites throughout Desolation Sound and its surrounding areas for all group sizes, guaranteeing comfortable campsites in picture-perfect locations, exclusively for you.

Finally, our support team in the office are just a phone call or email away if you need any assistance with anything, from packing lists to travel advice from Vancouver or Vancouver Island. Furthermore, you’ll no doubt find that any questions you may have can be found in our detailed pre-trip information document, to ensure that you are completely prepared for the adventure ahead!

Local Knowledge

Not only are our guides safe, excellent route planners and great wilderness chefs … we live here, and are all deeply knowledgable and passionate about all diverse facets of this beautiful part of the world.

Desolation Sound – just 120 km north of Vancouver – has an immense historical and geographical past, from the carving of the landscape, to its Native people and their culture, through to European exploration and the present day. Each cove and bay has a story to tell, as well as a whole world of marine and terrestrial wildlife to discover, from the microscopic to the very, very large.

Yet this is far more than general interpretation, there is a far greater and deeper story to tell. From a forestry dependant mill town to a hub of forward thinking entrepreneurs creating a diverse and unique economy. From failed hippie communes in Desolation Sound to a burgeoning present-day recreational and cultural community. Our personal and professional roots in this community allows us to relate stories and histories that no other company can offer, providing a far deeper understanding of this unique and special part of the British Columbia coast than any one else.

Passionate Members of the Community

Since 1995 Powell River Sea Kayak and our staff have been – and continue to be – the kayak company for Desolation Sound. From the humble beginnings of eco-tourism in the wild-west of coastal British Columbia to today, we have a long and proud history of environmental stewardship, sustainability planning, and community association as a business, as owners, and as individual staff.

Our multi-day kayak tours follow strict leave-no-trace principles regarding both waste and our physical impact on the delicate ecosystems found in the Desolation area, ranging from moist rainforest to delicate dune ecology and everything in between. We also place a strong emphasis on natural and historical interpretation of the Desolation Sound area, bringing our guests ever deeper into the fascinating environment in which we paddle and explore.

Many present and past members of our staff continue to live in the Powell River area, spearheading local initiatives as varied as sustainable waste management, trail building and maintaining, outdoor education, and the development of further recreational activities for the region.

Our Tours

Select from an immersive kayak vacation or an adventurous kayak expedition!

  • 4 & 5 day sea kayak tours into Desolation Sound and the Strait of Georgia

  • Warm ocean waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling & exploration

  • Local, fresh, creative & inspiring meals

  • Certified, professional guides to ensure group safety and cohesion

  • Private campsites in out-of-the-way locations for maximum seclusion and relaxation

  • Approximately 3-4 hours of paddling each day, with plenty of time to relax and immerse in the stunning scenery and warm waters of Desolation Sound

  • 6 & 7 day guided sea kayak expeditions into Desolation Sound, Toba Inlet and the Discovery Islands

  • 2 unique options: Classic 6-day Redonda Island Loop & an Epic 7-day deep Toba Inlet exploration with a water-taxi return.

  • Expedition-style kayaking includes breaking camp most days and paddling deep into the towering Coast Mountains of British Columbia

  • Creative and delicious camp meals in remote & inspiring surroundings

  • Experienced, professional guides look after all logistics and create a safe environment for exploration

  • Approximately 4-6 hours of paddling each day allows us to access remote & untouched private campsites