Sea Kayak - Broken Group Islands

A multi day kayak camping excursion to the west side of Vancouver Island including five days of paddling in the beautiful Broken Group of islands with four nights back country camping on Dodd Island. Plan to travel from Seattle on or before July 6th, with a return on or after July 12. 

The daily paddle trips will be out and back from our Dodd island campsite, exploring the islands and waterways with opportunities to navigate and trip plan. Throughout the trip we may have chances to practice rescues and tows to improve and practice our skills in a variety of water and wind conditions.

Expect to bring all the water you will need while camping  and plan on protecting your food, garbage and other items that have any fragrance (toothpaste etc) from critters by using bear bins or hanging your food, etc. This is  a backcountry camping expedition.

Daily routes around the islands will depend on conditions and will average 10 nm per day, approximately.

We may be able to increase the number of participants if people have larger tents and are willing to share. We are limited to a total of 6 tents, and eight or nine participants.

Miles – varies. Approximately 50 + nm total / 10 per paddling day

Rating SK III +

Requirements:

Leader permission required

Back country kayak camping experience and gear

Drysuit required

Basic navigation skills, chart of the area and compass on each deck

Tow belt

Charts

Expected costs:

$40 payable upon registration to Co-lead Brad Mitchell for four nights camping on Dodd Island

$20 kayak launch fee payable to launch location at Secret Beach

$10 per day to park at Secret Beach x 5 days/4 nights. Let us know if you will be carpooling and the trip leaders will make parking reservations for the number of vehicles we expect. 

Assume $150 to $200 approximately for round trip ferry from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo). Carpooling recommended.

Variable costs for your accommodation in the Ucluelet/Secret Beach area the nights of July 6^th and July 11. Camping, hotel, B&B etc. Once you are approved for this trip you should reserve soon as this is a popular summer destination and accommodations fill fast. 

Each participant must read the "Broken Group Islands: Paddler's Preparation Guide" at https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/visit/brochures

Plan to carry all the water that you will use, approximately 20-30 liters.

Participants must feel comfortable paddling in wind, waves, ocean swells, fog and current.

Be prepared for 1-2 nm open water crossings in wind.

All campsites have composting outhouses.

Registration will open on Saturday February 14 at noon.

Leader permission required. Check with Trip Leader Michele Rushworth prior to registration for approval.

Proposed itinerary:

July 6^th – Drive to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal near Vancouver, British Columbia. Reservations strongly recommended with BC Ferries. Stay overnight near Ucluelet. Travelers should make their own arrangements for an overnight stay. Options include camping at Secret Beach and various hotel and B&B options in the town of Ucluelet.

July 7th – Official Mountaineers trip begins. Allow one hour drive on partially gravel road to Secret Beach from Ucluelet. Pay launch fee of $20 and $10 daily parking fee at office located near launch point. It is not recommended to leave any food in cars at this location due to bears in the area. Meet at Secret Beach at 7:30 to pay fees and load and launch kayaks. Be ready to launch at 9 am. Paddle approx 8 nm to our Dodd island back country campsite.

July 8th - Paddle in the Broken Group of islands. Route will depend on conditions. Stay at Dodd island campsite

July 9th – Paddle in the Broken Group of islands. Route will depend on conditions. Stay at Dodd island campsite

July 10th - Paddle in the Broken Group of islands. Route will depend on conditions. Stay at Dodd island campsite

July 11th – paddle to Secret Beach launch/landing. End of official Mountaineers trip portion. Stay overnight in Ucluelet area. Travelers should make their own plans for accommodation as soon as possible.

July 12th – Drive to Nanaimo, take ferry back to Vancouver, drive to Seattle

Secret Beach, Toquart Bay, near Ucluelet, British Columbia, meet at 7:30 am July 7th.