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7-Day Bunsby Islands Expedition (140.230)
| Location: | Nuchatlitz |
| Price: | $2599.00 |
| Duration: | 7 days/6 nights |
| Departs from/arrives at: | Comox Valley or Campbell River/Spring Island, Kyuquot |
| Accomodations: | Combination |
| Tour Type: | Leisure Tour |
| Activity Level: | Intermediate |
| Nearest Town/Village: | Zeballos, Port McNeill, Campbell River |
| Inclusions: |
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| Exclusions: | staff gratuities; personal tent & sleeping bag/pad (can rent); wetsuit (can rent) or drysuit; alcohol |
| Guest Parking: | Yes Details: long-term parking available, including at recommended gateway accommodation |
| First Nations: | Historic site visits; local community interactions; co-owned by Kyuquot First Nations woman |
| Additional Information: Designed for kayakers with some experience, these Bunsby Islands expeditions offer the sublime combination of adventure, First Nation culture, awe-inspiring natural wonder. You’ll appreciate the unmatched local knowledge and support systems for this remote wilderness kayaking location that begins and ends at our comfortable coastal retreat on Spring Island. Here, you’ll traverse exposed and sheltered waters through the rugged territory of the Checleset people and experience the wild riches of the Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve. The options for this expedition itinerary are very flexible for weather and group interests. The Bunsby Islands are within Checleset Bay Marine Ecological Reserve and enroute to the spectacular Muquin/Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park. Wildlife sighting opportunities (sea otters, humpback whales, tufted puffins) and incredible paddling seascapes. |
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Itinerary
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Day
1Early morning van transportation from Comox Valley or Campbell River to meet water taxi (boat transfer) from Fair Harbour for early afternoon arrival at wilderness retreat on Spring Island.
Welcome orientation and tour of base camp facilities with time to settle into established waterfront tent accommodations.
Relaxing forest walk or initial kayaking to introduce spectacular and rugged exposed west coast shoreline and scenery.
Dinner and evening activities, including packing and preparation for next day's expedition departure.
Possible evening paddle or sunset walk, then enjoy a great sleep after a full day!Meals: Dinner
Accomodation: Camping
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Day
2You might be woken by the caress of waves on the cobblestone beach, the morning mew of a sea otter pup in the bay, the call of a bald eagle overhead, or the simply the need to stumble out of the comforts of your tent, empty your bladder, and find a coffee to say hello to the day!
After a satisfying breakfast, if the weather isn't appropriate for immediate travel over the exposed traverse to the Bunsby Islands, we can spend an extra night initially exploring closer to Spring Island and using the base camp. This can be a great opportunity to see even more of the area.
Our guides will ensure that everyone is fully introduced to the kayaks and equipment, and related safety considerations for our travels.
Enroute through Checleset Bay toward the Bunsby Islands and Acous Peninsula, if the weather and sea gods are smiling on us, we'll paddle into a sea cave and maybe even under a waterfall. We are also likely to witness black bears foraging for food along the steep rocky shore!
By the time we reach our first campsite, we will have traveled approximately 7 to 8 nautical miles (about 13 to 15 km).Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Camping
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Day
3Weather permitting, and depending on where we camped the night before, we will likely proceed closer to the Acous Peninsula to allow for a possible day outing to Columbia Cove or Surfer Beach at Jackobson Point on the Brooks Peninsula. A day visit to the Brooks could include time for forest walk, beach combing, body surfing, and creek exploration up to a secluded waterfall and pool.
On the water, we are likely to encounter tufted puffins, Stellar sea lions, sea otters, and possibly even a harbour porpoise, humpback whale, or Minke whale.
Nearby day-paddling options allow us to visit, with permission, the fallen totems in the long-abandoned Che:k:tles7et'h' (Checleset) village site at the Acous Peninsula, Battle Bay (and River), and an old Che:k:tles7et'h' (Checleset) defensive site currently inhabited by long-time friend, elder, and master weaver, Lucy Paivio.
The Bunsby Islands have many idyllic shell beaches, and inviting passages cloaked in marine life.
We generally camp in 2 or 3 different locations during the expedition.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Camping
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Day
4As per day 3.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Camping
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Day
5As per day 3.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Camping
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Day
6If the weather permits, we may choose to stay an extra night in the Bunsbies before returning to Spring Island on the morning of day 7.
Otherwise, after an early rise and pack-up, we again traverse Checleset Bay back to Spring Island for the last night.
Once back at our Base Camp and unpacked from the expedition, you may find the lure of the propane heated waterfront shower to be, well, irresistible!
At Spring Island, there are again a variety of options group and personal activities depending on available time, interests, weather, and energy. It may be best to simply relax and reflect, fully absorbing the last part of this west coast expedition.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Camping
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Day
7After breakfast, if you arrived back on Spring Island on Day 6, we recommend exploring the nearby waters around Spring Island, or starting the day with an adventurous beach and forest walk that circumnavigates the island. During your morning paddle or walk, you can enjoy the views and memories of where you've just traveled.
Departure from Spring Island is in the early afternoon by water taxi for return van transportation to Campbell River and the Comox Valley by evening.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accomodation: Accommodation by Customer
