Broken Group Islands: 4 & 5 Days
Paddle among the hundred islands in the Pacific Rim National Park ReserveDates: 4 & 5 Days
June 14-17, June 25-28, June 30-July 4, July 14-17, July 21-25, Sept 6-9
*July 7-11, *July 29- Aug 1 *LGBTQ specific
Meeting Place:
Ucluelet
Suitability:
All Experience Levels
Cost:
$1495-1795
Broken Group Islands: 4 & 5 Day Kayak Journey
The Broken Group Islands are a part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, located off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The area is made up of a hundred small islands with sand and shell beaches and lush temperate rainforests. Marine and land mammals to watch for include Orcas, Humpbacks and Grey Whales, sea otters, sea lions, wolves, deer, and eagles. A fairly sheltered group of islands, this multi-day trip is great for all experience levels!
This is the traditional territory of the Tseshaht First Nations. We are honored to be invited to paddle here and often have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the culture, including the present and historical use of the area.
We are excited to celebrate the LGBTQ2S community and will again be running two multi-day trips to bring community together in nature. Please join us for one of our journeys to connect with great people in such a potent wild space. One of these will be a 5-day trip to explore more of the park reserve. Read our contribution in the News 1130: Pride Outside and What’s On Queer BC articles.
Read also an article from the Globe and Mail featuring Wild Root Journeys in their Hidden Canada addition for the company to paddle with!
Where We Paddle
Day 1
Day 1 will start at Secret Beach which is a 45 minute drive from Ucluelet. After packing our kayaks a short paddle instructional will be shared. We will then travel through the Stopper Islands and make our way into the Broken Group Islands for lunch. We will have a chance to swim, relax, get to know each other a bit before making our way to our first camp. Guides will prepare a hearty and delicious meal and help in demonstrating camp practices like setting up tents, finding outhouses and explaining the basics of camp culture in the park.
Day 2 and 3
These will be full paddling days unless the weather tells us otherwise. This will include 2-3 hours of paddling before lunch and again 2-3 hours of paddling post lunch. The routes will vary on the group, weather, and water conditions and guide decisions. We will likely switch camps once to give the group a greater chance to see more of the islands. We will also share with the group each day ideas we have on routes and what highlights may accompany our different choices.
Day 4
Day 4 will include a full morning paddle, lunch and a short afternoon paddle back to Secret Beach. The trip will have us packed up by 4 pm. We often like to gather once more for dinner in Ucluelet for those staying another night.
Day 5
Day 5 For those joining our 5-day paddle, the final day will look the same as mentioned above with an extra day in between that will allow us to see further sections of the Broken Group.
When & Where We Meet
We will meet at in Ucluelet the night before at 7pm at a given location. This meeting will take about 1 hour.
At this time we will review all pre-trip information, distribute dry bags for personal packing and sign waivers.
We find it very beneficial to the organization of the trip for all to be present.
What is Included
- Your certified guides
- All kayaking gear and safety equipment
- Paddling jacket
- Camp chair
- Four dry-bags for your personal belongings
- Tent
- All meals and snacks
- Park and camp passes
- Tsheshaht Beachkeeper fee
- Possible Water Taxi if needed due to weather
Please ask about any extra rentals if needed
What to Bring
Clothing should include:
- 1 pair of water shoes - can get wet and most importantly have grip. They need to have ankle straps. I recommend runners, water shoes, Keen or Croc sandals. Closed toed shoes help against stubbing toes on rocks.
- A pair of rubber boots are optional. Perks include your feet staying dry entering and exiting the kayaks. Downside they can flood if a wave fills them. They can also be bulky to wear in a kayak or to store.
- 1 pair of land shoes – runners or another light weight shoe is great.
- 2-4 warm socks
- 2 shorts
- 1-2 pants
- Underwear
- 1 thermal underwear – like the underlays you might wear skiing.
- 3-4 shirts - a mix of short and long sleeve
- 1 sweater – a light/medium weight sweater while on water
- Evening sweater or puffy coat
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants – not necessary but nice to have
- Paddling gloves and on land mitts for those with generally cold hands.
- Buff - for neck warmth and sun protection
- Warm hat/beanie/toque – whatever you know it as! Wool or fleece ideally.
- Sun hat
- Swimsuit – optional
Check out MEC for some good options
No cotton or jeans. These materials can cause rapid transfer of heat away from the body, and do not dry easily.
Wool, or synthetics such as fleece or polyester are better options.
Other Items may Include:
- Sun glasses
- Glasses/Contacts and Solution - consider a back-up if one becomes lost or broken
- Small towel
- Toiletries and menstrual products– biodegradable soaps please
- Baby wipes - for personal cleaning
- A few Band-Aids
- Sunscreen/insect repellent - please spray away from others, not on materials like tents, life jackets and paddle jackets as it leaves stains and ruins the material over time.
- Lip balm – ideally with 15 SPF or more.
- Personal medications - bring extra doses of medication if is critical to you. Separate and duplicate, keeping one set with a partner or guide. A trip can be cut short if there is not enough medication to keep a client safe.
- Wide mouthed water bottle – plastic 1L Nalgene is ideal. They float and do not scratch kayaks. It’s nice to have a carabiner clip attached.
- Electrolyte tablets – these have added vitamins and minerals which can be nice while exercising in the sun especially.
- Book - keep in a Ziplock bag
- Spirits - alcohol may be consumed after the days kayaking only. No glass bottles please.
- Camera - small waterproof cameras are great. If you have a larger camera a hard case is a great way to keep it protected. Alternatively, a camera can be wrapped in a sweater and kept in a dry bag for protection.
- Battery pack/cables
- Ziplock bags
- Headlamp/extra batteries
- Ear plugs - if others are sleeping deeply nearby.
- Camp pillow
- Small pair of binoculars
- Sleeping bag and a 15L max compression stuff sack – Rental option available upon booking. Includes a -10º sleeping bag and liner for 5$ a day.
- Sleeping pad - Rental option available upon booking. Includes a comfortable sleeping mat for 5$ a day.
Please contact us with any further questions at info@nullwildrootjourneys.com
