Desolation Sound

The 5-day Desolation Sound tour is our most relaxed expedition-style tour in terms of the distance covered and conditions encountered.* The area typically offers calm and sheltered paddling conditions with the exception of a few small crossings between islands. This tour also often incorporates other activities, such as hiking and swimming at nearby lakes. Enjoy sweeping views of the remarkable Coast Mountain range as you paddle amongst scattered islands and dramatic shorelines. 

An added perk: this region is known for having some of the warmest waters north of Baja in the Pacific.

*Most of the shorelines on this tour are rocky and occasionally steep, so good mobility is necessary for landings and boat carries. Guests should be able to navigate slippery and sharp, rocky beaches without assistance, able to lift/carry personal items and walk up occasional short, steep beaches to our tent sites. 

All of our sites are in wilderness settings and our shelter each night is provided by the tents and tarps we carry with us on expedition tours. The sites in Desolation Sound most often have wooden platforms in the forest or on grassy bluffs overlooking the ocean. There may be times (on occasion) when we are camping next to another group of kayakers. Campsite choice will be based on group size, route options, and weather conditions. 

The shorelines in Desolation Sound plunge steeply into the ocean. There are very few ‘proper’ beaches – landings are small, rocky and uneven underfoot. Some boat carries are steep and some landings require you to move quickly. Your guides will assist where they can, but good mobility is required. These rocky beaches are also often covered in sharp mussels and oysters. We highly recommend protective closed-toe footwear such as water shoes, Keen-style sandals or crocs for paddling shoes on this tour. 

In Desolation Sound, we tend to paddle at a relaxed pace. We typically paddle for 4-6 hours and cover 6-8 nautical miles per day. The water here is much warmer due to reduced tidal flow with the open ocean. Between the warm ocean and several freshwater lakes that are a short walk from the ocean’s edge, we usually get in some good swimming. We carry all our gear and food in the kayaks, but will often spend a couple of days at the same campsite so we don’t have to take down tents and pack the kayak every day. One key aspect to note is that the landings and boat carries on this tour can be tricky due to the nature of the rocky shorelines – good mobility is necessary. Guests should be able to navigate slippery and sharp, rocky beaches without assistance, able to lift/carry personal items and walk up occasional short, steep beaches to our tent sites. 

The Desolation Sound area offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of route, distance covered, campsites and daily activities. We try to get a sense of what the desires of the group are and plan our route based on the group’s needs. We always paddle at a pace dictated by the group and take lots of breaks to stretch and explore the shoreline.

Our Desolation Sound expedition is our only trip where there is fairly reliable access to freshwater lakes and swimming spots. Therefore, there is the occasional opportunity for washing up in these spots. Otherwise, salt water works just fine! We ask that you use environmentally-conscious and biodegradable shampoos and soap. 

Because much of Desolation Sound is a well-trafficked designated marine park, there are pit toilets at most of the campsites. We also carry a portable toilet system as a backup for group use. Your guides will always designate an area that works best for ensuring your privacy. We are very accustomed to making sure all of our guests feel comfortable and informed – please feel free to ask us any questions you might have, before or during your tour.

Our tours in Desolation Sound do not regularly encounter orca or humpbacks, although sightings do happen from time to time. It is known for being an incredibly rich and diverse area – sightings of dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, bears, deer and many bird species are common and always special to experience.

We like to be upfront about wildlife and potential sightings as all wildlife is just that— wild. We choose our direction of travel carefully, monitor wildlife activity on our VHF radios, and plan our days accordingly to try and maximize sightings of all wildlife varieties. We do our best to allow the group a chance to encounter these amazing creatures in their natural habitat, however, we cannot predict specifically where they will be at any given time.

Tour meeting location: Quadra Island, 7:30 am or Cortes Island, 9:30 am (Day 1)

You can meet either on Quadra Island or on Cortes Island at the Squirrel Cove Store & boat launch. If meeting us on Cortes Island, please let our office know.

Spirit of the West Adventures is based on Quadra Island (a 10-minute ferry ride from Campbell River) and this is where our tour starts. Free parking will be available at our office on Quadra for your vehicle while on tour with us. Many of the accommodations on Quadra Island also have free parking included with your stay. Parking is also available at Squirrel Cove for a daily fee. 

We highly recommend making Quadra Island a part of your vacation plans. Our beautiful island has a whole different and laid-back feel to it, complete with endless opportunities for outdoor activities, beaches to relax, amazing accommodations and great local artisans.

Head to our main FAQ page for more Frequently Asked Questions.