A 6-day guided sea kayak camping expedition circumnavigating Cortes Island from Lund, BC. Paddle rugged coastlines, explore remote beaches and sheltered channels, and enjoy fully supported coastal camping with expert local guides along the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
6 Days/6 Nights - Includes pre-trip night at SunLund / $2085
Circumnavigating Cortes offers the paddler a unique juxtaposition between the towering Coastal Mountains, and the low-lying gulf islands with their lagoons and sandy beaches.
This unique trip has been crafted by Terracentric after guiding in and around Desolation Sound for over 26 years. This is one of the only commercially guided circumnavigations of Cortes Island—a rare opportunity to explore remote lagoons, hidden coves, and wild shorelines few paddlers ever see. We have carefully selected our route, and a variety of our favorite campsites to make this an experience you won’t forget.
Together with your guides and group, you will experience the warm waters of Desolation Sound, epic sunsets of the Gulf Islands, and unique seaside lagoons of Cortes Island
Cortes is a paddler’s paradise adjacent to Desolation Sound, offering warm-water swimming, rugged and sandy shorelines, four hidden lagoons, and island-dotted channels, all perfect for exploration by sea kayak. We’ll glide past Whaletown and through Whale Passage—and those names exist for a reason! Other wildlife abound as well, from marbled murrelets who nest high in the branches of old growth trees, to seals and sea-lions who spend their days thermoregulating on the endless rocky out-crops. On Cortes island, every shoreline offers new discoveries.
This beginner friendly nomadic expedition allows us the opportunity to experience new campsites and areas each day. We will paddle 14-22km each day. 4-6 hours on the water (including lunch) make this the perfect balance between having time to relax, and making the most of our days. Most of the paddling will be in relatively sheltered waters, however, we will also experience a few open water crossings. Guides will provide training and assistance to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable.
No previous sea kayaking experience is required. Guests should be comfortable being active outdoors for several hours a day and moving across uneven shorelines and campsites. Guests should feel comfortable assisting in moving kayaks and gear across rocky shorelines. Your guides will teach all necessary paddling skills.
With local guides, and over 25 years of experience guiding in the area, Terracentric is your ultimate choice for experiencing Desolation Sound. Our guides pride themselves on being able to provide interpretation on a broad range of topics from Indigenous history and European explorer history to flora and fauna. Whether you’re 8 or 80, expand your knowledge and gain a new appreciation for this area.
Each day your multi-talented guides will craft a variety of delicious and healthy meals with ingredients sourced from local farms whenever possible. Also able to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, we ensure nobody will go hungry! Wake up to the smell of aromatic coffee from the local roaster, followed shortly by a nourishing breakfast to start your day. At lunch time we will stop at one of the stunning beaches along the shore, and enjoy a nutritious picnic while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Conclude the day with a hearty dinner and a decadent sweet treat beneath the stars.
Meals are served with a view; from sunset dinners on rocky points to lunches enjoyed on warm, sheltered beaches.
We will set up our tents at a variety of unique sites ranging from idyllic rocky islets, to shady sites nestled within the coastal temperate rainforest. Our guides are experts in leave-no-trace principles and will happily instruct on best practices in order to preserve these unique sites. The campsites we use are mainly backcountry sites, with very limited facilities.
Landings around Cortes can be a little rugged—part of the fun of exploring such an untamed coastline. Guests should be comfortable with moving around rocky shores, moving relatively quickly to steady the kayaks, and lending a hand to one another. It’s all part of the adventure, and our guides are there every step of the way to keep things smooth and enjoyable.
Feel safe and secure throughout your adventure. With over 25 years of guiding experience in Desolation Sound, we’ve developed robust policies and safety management systems to ensure your well-being. Our guides are friendly, highly trained, and certified to the latest standards—so you can relax, explore, and enjoy the experience
Your guides are experts in the awe-inspiring intertidal world revealed twice each day. Experience this unique world full of sea stars, urchins, sea snails, jellies and more. On this trip we may even be able to explore the unique world of salt-water lagoons, which produce a plethora of colorful intertidal life in their nutrient-rich tidal flows!
During the trip we will have many opportunities to view a variety of marine mammals. While we can never guarantee sightings, we often see harbour seals, sea lions, river otters and porpoises. More rarely we are able to see orca, humpback whales and dolphins. Each trip is unique in this aspect.
This trip offers an increased chance of seeing whales compared to Desolation Sound trips!
Sea kayaking is the perfect way to view birds in their wild habitat. From bald eagles and herons, to marbled murrelets and mergansers, Cortes Island is home to a variety of bird species.
*A detailed packing list will be provided upon booking to help you prepare easily.
6Terracentric Coastal Adventures is located in Lund, a 30-minute drive north of Powell River. Your adventure begins with a relaxed pre-trip arrival evening at our partner campground, SunLund. After meeting your guides at 4:30 pm at the TCA launch site for introductions, skills orientation, and gear organization, we walk to SunLund for dinner (included!) and our first night camping together.
This evening is designed to make the following morning smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable as well as providing guests with a place to stay on the upper sunshine coast before the trip!
After packing up, eating an energizing breakfast and heading back to the launch site, we will quickly be on our way. Our journey takes us north into Desolation Sound where we will spend our first night surrounded by the warmest ocean waters north of Mexico.
Most days during the trip we will spend 4-6 hours paddling with an intermission mid-day for a lunch break. We continue heading towards our goal of circumnavigating Cortes island, taking in the breathtaking scenery and watching the wildlife. Built-in to the trip plan is some flexibility in route, allowing for the possibility of an additional hike or on-water exploring, or some additional time at camp swimming or soaking up the sun.
Our last day will be spent completing our circumnavigation and weaving our way through the Copeland Islands back to the place where it all began, Lund.
Every circumnavigation is shaped by the weather, tides, wildlife, and the unique group that comes together — ensuring no two Cortes expeditions are ever the same.
Guests should expect to return to Lund around 3-5PM, however due to the number of variables in wilderness travel, we suggest guests stay in the Lund/Powell River area on the final night to reduce stress. A stay at ‘SunLund’ can be included for the last night of the trip as well.
From the moment your tour begins, there are no additional costs. All kayaking and camping gear is included, along with all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests only need to bring personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and a sleeping bag (which are available for rent if needed).
We are happy to accommodate many common dietary restrictions. However, special dietary requests add complexity and additional costs to meal planning and preparation for multi-day
tours. Please review the options below for details on what we can accommodate and any associated fees.
$25/Day dietary accommodation fee:
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, nut-free, and other special dietary requests
No additional fees:
Vegetarian, no red meat, no fish, no seafood, no pork
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies not listed above, please contact us at kayaking@terracentricadventures.com to discuss whether we are able to accommodate your needs and if any additional charges may apply.
Average guest ages range from 30-85. We have had guests of all ages on our tours!
Minimum age requirements are listed on our individual tour offerings pages.
We commonly have guests of all ages. Kayaking is a sport which many enjoy well into their later years. Usually the limitation is physical ability to move gear around on beaches.
For those in their older years, feel free to contact us and we can discuss your physical abilities with you and decide which tour is right for you.
Our trips are suitable for beginners with a reasonable level of fitness and comfort around water. No previous sea kayaking experience is required. Our guides provide instruction at the start of the trip and ongoing coaching throughout, covering paddling technique, safety skills, and efficient travel and much more.
If you’re brand new to kayaking, our 3 and 5 Day Desolation Sound tours are great options. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, check out our 6 day Cortes Circumnavigation tour!
Our tours are active, multi-day adventures. Guests should be prepared to paddle several hours per day, assist with camp setup, and spend extended time outdoors in changing weather conditions.
Both single and double kayaks are great options, and the best choice depends on your experience level, comfort, and what you want from the trip.
Single kayaks offer more independence and are ideal for guests with some paddling experience, those who enjoy a more active role, or anyone who prefers having full control of their kayak. We have a variety of singles to suit preference, ranging from more stable singles, to ‘sporty’ singles.
Double kayaks are a popular choice for beginners, couples, friends, or families. They are very stable, efficient, and a great option if you’d like to share the workload or paddle with a more experienced partner. Doubles are also an excellent choice if you’re new to sea kayaking or prefer a more relaxed paddling experience. Double kayaks are extremely stable on the water.
For our guided tours we are happy to discuss options when it comes to kayak choice. Note that each trip requires at least 1 double for safety and group management purposes.
In most cases, yes! Our kayaks come in a range of sizes and are designed to accommodate a wide variety of body shapes and heights. When properly fitted, a sea kayak should feel snug but not tight. This helps with comfort, control, and stability on the water.
We take time before your trip to match each guest with an appropriately sized kayak and adjust the seat, foot pegs, and back support for a comfortable fit. Our fleet includes kayaks suited for smaller paddlers as well as larger and taller guests.
If you have specific concerns about fit such as height, weight, mobility, or previous comfort issues in kayaks, please let us know in advance. We’re happy to talk through options and make sure you’re set up in the best possible boat for an enjoyable paddling experience.
The majority of our trips are not overly strenuous and do not require a high level of fitness. Guests should be comfortable with a few hours of moderate activity each day, navigating uneven, rocky, or slippery terrain in a wilderness setting, and assisting with lifting and carrying trip equipment when needed. Good general health will go a long way toward maximizing your enjoyment. Most important is a positive attitude and a sense of adventure!
Terracentric aims to provide an inclusive outdoors experience. We have accommodated various guests of all different skill and physical ability over our 25+ years. Feel free to get in touch to discuss any personal needs or concerns.
Camp life is one of the highlights of the trip. Evenings are relaxed and social, with time to unwind, enjoy a hearty meal, watch the sunset, and fall asleep to the sounds of nature. Camps vary by tour with our 3 Day tour mainly at Desolation Sound Marine Park sites with various amenities, to our 6 Day Cortes Circumnavigation which mainly uses backcountry sites. Depending on time of year, we are usually the only campers at wilderness sites. Parks sites are used more often by others but even in the peak of summer we may still be alone!
We provide guests with premium Thermarest LuxuryMap sleeping pads designed for comfort and durability. They’re 3 inches thick! They offer excellent cushioning and insulation from the ground and are well suited for multi-day trips. Camping will always feel different from sleeping at home, but most guests are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the pads are after a full day of paddling.
If you have specific comfort needs such as being a side sleeper, having back or joint concerns, or preferring extra padding you’re welcome to bring an additional lightweight pad or let us know in advance so we can help you prepare.
We use PFDs at all times when on the water. You are not required to be a strong swimmer to join us on a tour. We just ask that you disclose to us your swimming ability before the trip on your waivers.
Guests are encouraged, when possible, to share a tent with those that are in their group on the trip. Some campsites have limited tent sites. Single travellers will always be provided with their own tent.
On our multi-day tours we have a minimum of 4 guests, and a maximum of 10 guests. 4-5 guests will be accompanied by 1 guide, 6-10 guests will be accompanied by 2 guides.
We have a minimum 4 guest policy for our multi-day trips. See our Policies page for more information. However if you are a solo, couple, or triple group (which is very common), you are more than welcome to join a tour! We will combine your group with others.
We find that ‘mixing’ groups together on a trip can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip, with guests commonly keeping in touch after the trip!
Our guides are always fully-certified by relevant authorities including the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC and Canadian Red Cross. Many of our guides are locals to the area and experts in local history, flora and fauna, and much more. Best of all, they are great cooks! We are proud of our guides and confident they provide the ultimate sea kayak guiding experience.
Visit our “Getting Here” page for more information.
The weather in Desolation Sound is typically quite pleasant during our season from May-September. The temperature can vary a bit depending on when you visit. Typically June, July and August are very dry and hot with daytime temperatures ranging from 20 C to 30C. Our shoulder seasons can vary quite a lot with temperatures similar to peak season, or can have cooler temperatures. Unlike other areas on the BC Coast, fog is extremely uncommon. Though it is usually quite dry, iIt can rain in the summer so come prepared with rain gear.
Historical weather averages for Lund can be viewed here.
Be prepared for any type of weather. Layering is the key, as it allows you to put on and take off layers as needed. Proper rain gear is recommended for our trips.
Before the trip we will send a detailed packing list and be available to answer any related questions!
Our tours take place in the Coastal Temperate Rainforest of Desolation Sound. Weather can be quite variable but rain is possible at any time of the season. Our packing list will be able to assist you with any packing concerns regarding rain.
The other aspect is travelling in a salt-water environment. Sea kayaking means that our sleeves and pants/shorts may get wet when entering/exiting the kayaks and while paddling. Salt hangs onto moisture, and can even absorb it from the air, sometimes preventing fabric from drying.
We recommend having multiple sets of clothing for each activity. 1-2 Sets specifically for paddling, 1-2 sets for camp, and 1-2 sets for sleeping.
Our top tip: wear it dry! Our own body heat can be a great tool to help dry things out. Rather than shedding damp clothing immediately back at camp, try to wear it for an extra 20-30 minutes.
We have a wide variety of sea kayaks to fit each individual's comfort and skill level. The likelihood of capsize is small and is very rare when conditions are rough, when perceived risk is high. Our guides are trained in procedures on how to get you back in your kayak, it’s actually a lot easier than you’d think! Additionally, in Desolation Sound we are blessed with some of the warmest ocean waters in BC. Sometimes in the summer guests choose to dunk themselves on purpose!
If you are nervous or unsure about your stability on the water, a double can be a good choice. Double kayaks are fairly wide and extremely stable on the water. We always use the best double kayaks on the market for our mutli-day tours.
Most of Desolation Sound has good cell reception. A cell coverage map can be viewed here. On our 6 Day Cortes Circumnavigation guests can expect to have no cell coverage for 1-2 days of the trip.
Footwear is extremely important when it comes to sea kayaking. Desolation Sound is famous for its rocky, oyster covered beaches which can be a hazard if proper footwear is not worn. Oysters can be extremely sharp.
Optimal paddling footwear would be wetsuit booties with a treaded sole, Close-toed sandals (Keens), or paddling specific boots. Some guests may choose to wear an old pair of running shoes and wool socks and these can be great as well but some may find them uncomfortable.
Please do not wear flip flops, Birkenstocks or any other footwear that cannot be secured to your feet.
Gumboots, hiking boots or running shoes are great options to have around camp and for day hikes.
Our 3 and 5 Day Desolation Sound tours primarily stay at BC Parks sites which all have basic facilities including outhouses.
Our 6 Day Cortes Circumnavigation stays primarily at backcountry wilderness sites with no permanent facilities. In this case, our guides are experts in leave-no-trace principles and will designate a system that ensures everyone's privacy and comfort. We are very accustomed to making sure all of our guests feel as comfortable and informed as possible in this regard – please feel free to ask us any questions you might have, before or during your tour.
Fishing can be great in the areas where we paddle and camp. There are however large Rockfish Conservation Areas in which no fishing is allowed. A map can be viewed here. Depending on the group, fishing opportunities can be very limited during the day until we arrive at camp. If guests choose to fish it is usually done off the rocks at camp.
Guides are not always experts in fishing and guests should be able to be self-sufficient when it comes to this.
To be able to fish, guests will need a Saltwater Fishing License.
We recommend leaving luggage locked in your vehicle out of sight- we have never had any problems leaving things in cars. For all tours we may be able to store your unneeded items. Please ensure that your luggage is clearly labeled with your name, tour, and trip date, and leave it with us on the first day of your tour.
We do not have laundry facilities at our kayak base however there is laundry available at the Hotel in Lund.
You are welcome to bring your drone on tour, just discuss with your guides appropriate places and times to fly it.
Flying in BC Parks is strictly prohibited however. On our 3 and 5 Day tours, flying opportunities will be extremely limited. Also, under the Canadian federal Marine Mammal Regulations, it is illegal to approach marine mammals with an aerial drone at an altitude below 1000 feet (about 304 metres) within a half nautical mile (about 926 metres). Given the restrictions on recreational drones for flying heights in Canada, this means without a specialized research permit, you can not film marine mammals with a drone.
Many more opportunities exist on our 6 Day Cortes Circumnavigation.
The wildlife in the Pacific Northwest is abundant and beautiful. Desolation Sound is home to a variety of animals including intertidal life (Sea Stars, shellfish, nudibranchs, sponges, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, etc.), marine mammals (river otters, mink, marten, harbour seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises and whales), sea birds (Oyster catchers, murrelets, pigeon guillemots, gulls, loons, cormorants, etc.) and land mammals (deer, raccoons and bears).
While not specifically known for whale sightings, humpback whales have made an amazing recovery in the area and sightings are common. We also see Orca from time to time.
We understand that everyone’s comfort in the wilderness will vary. Our knowledgeable guides will ensure all guests are informed of appropriate wildlife precautions. While black bears inhabit Desolation Sound, encounters are very rare. If camping at one of the island campsites, chances are almost zero. That said, our safety and comfort is our top priority and we take bear safety very seriously.
Our guides always carry an array of emergency equipment such as bear spray and bear bangers. These are only to be used if necessary. If we encounter wildlife, including bears, it is typically quite wary of humans and is easily deterred by yelling or loudly clapping.
If you would feel more comfortable having your own bear safety equipment you are welcome to bring it. We just ask that you know how to use it, and it is carefully packed to prevent accidental discharge.
Forest fires are rare in the Desolation Sound area and when they occur, are often quite small. Though occasionally we experience smoke drifting from other areas, most of our weather comes from the Pacific Ocean.
If forest fires are in the area we take that risk very seriously and emergency protocols are in place to keep everyone safe in the very unlikely event of an evacuation.
We recommend that all guests ensure they have appropriate insurance coverage for unforeseen circumstances. Trip cancellation insurance may be available through a travel agent, insurance provider, or your credit card company if the trip is paid for using the card.
In addition to cancellation insurance, be sure your personal insurance is adequate to cover expenses caused by accidents in remote locations. Any costs arising from an unscheduled evacuation will be the responsibility of the client.
A minimum of four (4) guests total is required for our tours to operate.
If a tour does not reach the minimum number of participants, Terracentric may still choose to operate the tour and offer guests the option to proceed.
Weather-related decisions are based on the Marine Forecast for the Strait of Georgia – North of Nanaimo.
Preparing meals for camping tours means planning and cooking for up to 12 people over 4–7 days! To keep things manageable, we work from a set menu with limited flexibility. Unfortunately, we’re not able to create fully customized meals for each individual guest.
We ask guests to be as flexible as possible with dietary requests. When accommodations are required, the following dietary omissions are available and will incur a $25/day surcharge per request:
For food safety and logistics reasons, guests are not permitted to bring their own food on tour.
Guests are welcome to bring their personal kayaks and kayaking equipment on our multi-day kayak tours, however due to packing and quality concerns the following must be adhered to:
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"I loved everything about this experience! We hired Terracentric to take us to Sarah Point, the start of the Sunshine Coast Trail. Christine was hilarious, professional and very friendly from start to finish. She expertly guided us to the drop off point and wished us well. She managed to find a spot where we could disembark without getting wet (without a dock!). I highly recommend Terracentric and would use them again in a heartbeat."
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