Estero Expedition

Our new sea kayaking tour route!

The Estero sea kayak expedition is a high energy paddling trip to a beautiful and fascinating geological feature in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Nestled at the base of a three thousand metre peak is a beautiful hidden lake, connected to the ocean by a tidal river.

Mount Estero is the sacred mountain of the Xwemalkwu Nation, whose legends tell of a great flood and a wise chief. At the height of the flood the people tied their canoes to a mountain summit and waited; Estero Basin is the lake formed as the waters receded. Its now a British Columbia protected area, and Coast Mountain offers the first and only kayak expedition to this amazing place.

Our sea kayak trip starts at Discovery Islands Lodge on Quadra Island, where we'll spend the first afternoon preparing for the journey. We learn, review and practice kayak skills, and enjoy a little paddling in the Surge Narrows Marine Park – followed by a mellow evening at the lodge.

The Estero Expedition takes us north towards the Coast Mountains towering on the horizon. Our kayak path along forested shores is punctuated by islets, channel crossings and tidal passages – we’ll also be on the lookout for marine mammals and other wildlife. Wilderness beach camp sites, scenic vistas and good meals round out each day of paddling. On day four we time our kayaking through rapids at ‘slack’ and arrive at Estero Basin. At high tide, we can paddle right into the basin; at low tide, we’ll wade up the shallow river pulling our boats.

Surrounded by high mountains, the summer sunlight reaches Estero’s tidal lake for only a few hours each day. We’ll explore the glacier-carved shoreline and picnic on one of several tiny islands. Our campsite at the point assures us a good start on our last paddling day when we rendezvous with Coast Mountain’s boat, the Chico Mendes. Final evening of outer islands hospitality at Coast Mountain’s homestead lodge on Read Island. We return you to the busy world – via Discovery Islands Lodge, about noon on the last day.

• Trips start at Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island
• First & final nights accommodation at Discovery Islands Lodge
• Pre-trip skills instruction & practice
• Maximum 10 participants with 2 kayak guides

Estero Expedition

Our new BC sea kayak tour route!

2010 TOUR DATES:

• July 15-21

• Aug. 23-29

COST: $1195 Cdn plus tax
Payable by Mastercard, VISA, or cheque

About this Kayak Trip
• Moderate to Strenuous: for healthy energetic people with a good sense of adventure!
• Paddling: 4 to 6 hours of kayaking per day
• Single and double kayaks
• Average distance: 9-18 km (6-12 mi) per day
• Sea conditions: mostly calm but some areas may become locally windy creating .3-1m (1-3 ft) manageable waves. Water is very cold, except in the basin itself.
• Beaches: low sloping sandy gravel or medium boulders; may be slippery when wet, especially in the basin.
• Weather conditions: usually sunny, sometimes hot. Extended rain unlikely, but possible • Temperature: 12-30 C (50-85 F). Water 8-15 (50-60 F)

Getting to Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada
Please select "How to Get Here" in the navigation bar.

Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you’ll come to British Columbia for a sea kayaking island adventure in British Columbia, Canada!

Coast Mountain Expeditions offers sea kayaking BC trips and remote eco lodge accommodation near Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Our kayak camping wilderness eco tours and lodge based nature vacations start in BC’s Discovery Islands east of Campbell River, B.C. Guided kayaking trips include kayak instruction, rainforest lodge accommodation & kayak camping in spectacular island locations. We are one of British Columbia’s original sea kayaking companies – offering natural adventures since 1987!