Month: August 2015

Copeland Islands (August 2015)

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We had an entire Island to ourselves to camp on and explore. We were surrounded by beautiful vistas and each evening ended with a gorgeous sunset. A pod of orcas put on an afternoon show. Seals were everywhere, including baby seals that made the girls squeal with delight and a returning curious seal the girls named “Silky” with the hopes that by naming him, we would be obligated to bring him home as our pet. Low tide day trips rewarded us with starfish, anemones, sea cucumbers and spider crabs we could reach out and touch.

The only downside to this dreamy location was getting there and back. The boat traffic between Lund and Desolation Sound made the crossing in a small canoe quite nerve wracking. Fast moving luxury yachts throw a serious wake (it felt like 4 feet at times) and despite the whoops of excitement from the kids, I can only remember feeling fear of capsizing.

Trip Notes: Copeland Island Marine Provincial Park

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General Description: Paddle north from the Lund Harbour to the Copeland Islands. Amongst the finest island camping we’ve seen, with sunsets over Cortez Islands, views of Savary Island and excellent rocks for diving and swimming into clear, warmish water.  A short paddle north from Lund dodging 4 foot wakes from luxury cruisers with no regard for canoes.  Rich tide pools for the kids (and you) to play in, colonies of seal pups and did we mention the sunsets visible through the fly of your tent on one of the many incredibly positioned tent pads?

Difficulty: Intermediate owing to the aforementioned wakes and the potential for winds and chop.

BC Parks Brochure with map

Route Distance: 15km + side trips through islands Portage Distance: 0km

Toilets: Yes

Trip Notes: Quadra Island

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General Description: A partial circumnavigation of Quadra Island starting a Granite Bay then paddling north and then east up the inlet directly across the island from the Octopus Islands Marine Park.  A 900m portage to the eastern side of the island leaves a very short paddle to the Octopus Islands.  There you will find warm water but you’re surrounded by sail boats while you rough camp.  From there we padded south along the eastern side of the island until we found a very rough 1.5 km trail to portage to Main Lake in the interior of the island.  Main Lakes Provincial Park consists of a handful of lakes which can reached by paddling / lining.  There is some excellent beach camping to be had and make sure to paddle up to Little Main just for the fun of the crossing.  To add a little more spice, it looks on Google Earth like you may be able to paddle to the southern end of Village Bay Lake then Portage back to the ocean and paddle somewhat sheltered waters back to Harriot Bay

Difficulty: Intermediate.  Rough portages and the winds and currents can be vicious on both sides of the island.

BC Parks Brochure Map for Main Lakes

BC Parks Octopus Islands Marine Provincial Park

Route Distance: 30 km

Total Portage Distance: 2.4km

Total Canoeing Distance: 27.6km

Canoe Rental: Comox Valley Kayaks and Canoes

Time Required: 2-4 days depending on how long you want to play on the islands or beaches.

Toilets: Yes in Main lakes. None on Octopus Islands