Our Philosophy

Sea kayaking British Columbia with Coast Mountain Expeditions - An Original Vancouver Island Sea Kayaking Company

Living 25 years in the outer Discovery Islands and sea kayaking the waters around Vancouver Island, we have watched a lot of changes in the British Columbia environment. As one of the original British Columbia sea kayak tour companies, we have tried to show people the beauty and importance of nature and wilderness ecosystems and we try to demonstrate economic and social benefits that support preserving wilderness.

We are glad to provide opportunities for people from around the world to access one of Earth’s most remarkable wild places. Wilderness travel can be an empowering experience that offers an important holistic view of nature -- along with time for personal reflection and spiritual renewal.

Modern urban lifestyles often include a serious disconnect from the beauty of nature and the importance of Earth’s natural systems. At Coast Mountain, we try to understand and appreciate the importance of all living things and to recognize that we are all equally involved in the struggle and miracle of life.

Coast Mountain has been more than just our way to make a living. Since founding the company in 1987, we have been active participants in various initiatives leading to establishment of over 20,000 hectares of parkland on Vancouver Island and the Discovery Islands of BC.

Some significant economic arguments we delivered were only possible because of more than 3,000 Coast Mountain customers who have enjoyed sea kayaking in the Vancouver Island wilderness we seek to protect.

In addition to promoting the establishment of protected areas, we also support public social systems and careful use of resources that people need. Awareness of global issues inspires us to be politically active in our local community, with special concerns for sustainable environmental practices in local forest management and development of renewable energy sources. Last provincial election, Coast Mountain's founding director (aka owner/operator/guide, Ralph) was our local candidate. He loved the “soapbox” - and captured a 52% Green Party vote in the Discovery Islands!

In our lives and business practice we try to live lightly on the planet. We are careful consumers and avid recyclers proud of the small volume we deliver to the landfill. We use low impact and energy efficient technologies and use renewable energy as much as possible. We conserve power and ask our guests to do the same (It’s easy!).

Please join us for a Vancouver Island sea kayaking vacation and let us show you the ultimate way to relax and get away from it all!

We proudly support the following non-profit organizations:

Dogwood Initiative

www.dogwoodinitiative.org

A Victoria based non-profit working to empower local communities, and the power behind the 'No Tankers' Loonie Campaign.

Living Oceans Society

www.livingoceans.org

Advocates responsible harvesting and conservation of Canada's marine life.

Western Canada Wilderness Committee

This organization is very active in identifying endangered eco-systems and lobbying for their protection.

Sierra Club

Is the largest advocate for protecting wild places in North America.

Georgia Strait Alliance

www.GeorgiaStrait.org

An environmental organization bringing public attention to the protection of the Georgia Strait marine environment.

Watershed Sentinel

www.watershedsentinel.ca

Somebody always lives down stream from someone else. Award winning environmental News from the Pacific Northwest.

World Watch Institute

www.worldwatch.org

A research team publishing a magazine and annual almanac of world trends. A very reliable source of environmental data.

Wilderness Tourism Association of BC

www.wilderness-tourism.bc.ca

An organization of professional tour operators devoted to conservation of the land base in British Columbia.

Green Party of BC

www.greenparty.bc.ca

A political party in British Columbia which sees no difference between fiscal debt and ecological debt. It garnered 12% of the popular vote in the BC provincial election.

Council of Canadians

www.canadians.org

An organization of progressive citizens working to preserve Canadian social justice and community economic values through local action and anti-globalization positions.

Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC

www.skgabc.com

The leading governing body of sea kayak guides in Canada setting guiding and safety standards for the kayak touring industry.

Surge Narrows Community Association

(no website) The community association of outer islanders Discovery Islands

Chamber of Commerce

(no website)

The association of Discovery Island businesses.

With our British Columbia kayak tours we take joy in sharing this place we call home and offering you the pleasure of that pace we call 'island time'...