Trip Notes: Copeland Island Marine Provincial Park

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

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

Trip Notes: Sayward Forest Canoe Loop

General Description: A loop consisting of 13 lakes linked together by lining creeks, wading through hip deep mud and a couple long road portages.  Be prepared to schlep (load / unload / carry / drag canoes and gear) many, many times at low water.  Beautiful campsites with water access only scattered along the route.  We packed canoe carts for the longer portages which was really useful.

Level: Beginner with reasonable fitness

BC Parks Sayward Canoe Route brochure

Guidebook: A guide to the Sayward Forest Canoe Loop by Michael Gauthier

Total Route Length: 47.4km

Total Canoeing Length: 39.3km

Total Portage Length: 8.1km

Required time: 4-5 days unless you want to hoof it

Canoe Rental: Comox Valley Kayaks and Canoes


Trip Notes: Broken Group Islands

General Description: Paradise. Either paddle from Toquaht Bay or get a shuttle from one of the local transport companies. Generally short crossings between the may islands in the archipelago. Paddle with dolphins, porpoise, seals, sea lions and even humpbacks. Experience the feeling of canoeing through long period swell if conditions are glassy on the outside of Clarke and Benson Islands. See the water around your boat boil with herring balls. Camp on sandy beaches and perhaps see the stunted island deer or local wolves. Currently camping during the high season must now be booked on the Parks Canada website.

Official Maps and Information

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/visit4c/activ4

https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/76-paddle-experiences/2414-broken-group-islands-paddling

Difficulty: Intermediate if departing from Toquaht Bay, Beginner if boat shuttle to Broken Group

Canoeing Distance: choose your own adventure

Portaging Distance: 0km

Transport:

https://ladyrosemarine.com/

http://gpocharters.com/watertaxi.html

Time: Plan on at least 5 days to enjoy relax and enjoy the area.

Toilets: Yes.