Bute Inlet Expedition

A true adventure into a rugged, stunningly beautiful & seldom visited corner of British Columbia.

Cost

7 day trip: $2095 cdn*

(* Subject to 5% gst and $25 Environmental protection & Indigenous land use fee)

Why We Love This Trip

A guide favourite, Bute Inlet is a high energy foray into a seldom visited and spectacular place. Rocky shorelines interspersed with gentle pebble beaches and rugged scenery make Bute Inlet a paddler’s paradise. We’ve paddled it many times, and always come back humbled and awed. New for 2023 is a special “extended edition” 8 day trip that allows for more exploration of the Discovery Islands.

About the Area

Revered by locals and steeped in history, Bute Inlet is an immense and dramatically magnificent geological feature of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains. Three thousand metre peaks rise from the glacial turquoise water of the inlet which is home to healthy and abundant wildlife. Bute Inlet boats beautiful camping opportunities and some of the nicest beaches around!

The marine ecology of Bute Inlet differs from that of the Discovery Islands, and we’ll share the waters with a variety of sea birds, seals, dolphins, and porpoises. We’ll also keep a sharp lookout for black bears and humpback whales during portions of this trip.

During this trip, we paddle mostly in the traditional territory of the Xwemahlkwe band of the Coast Salish First Nation peoples. Although most of their traditional village sites have been abandoned, the Xwemahlkwe maintain a permanent camp at the Mouth of the Orford River in Bute Inlet.

Trip Itinerary

The Bute Inlet Expedition begins with a boat ride to Coast Mountain Lodge on Read Island. After settling into sleeping cabins, we’ll get started with a comprehensive kayak skills lesson and pre-trip briefing. We’ll follow up the exercise with a soak in our wood-fired hot tub or creekside sauna, and a gourmet dinner featuring locally-sourced foods.

Next day, we’ll depart on our expedition! For five days and four night we’ll travel self-supported in our kayaks, and visit a wide variety of naturally beautiful camping spots. We’ll cover distance, but will base camp and day-paddle on our final two nights to fully experience the heart of the Inlet. Along the way, we’ll be well fed with healthy and delicious lodge-packed food and Lannie’s famous cookies. We’ll also have the opportunity to feed ourselves with fish and forage local shellfish.

Day six will be ours to explore the inlet before being picked up by boat in the afternoon and transported back to Coast Mountain Lodge for a relaxing final evening. Day seven we’ll enjoy for one last morning together at the lodge before a relaxing boat trip Back to Quadra Island.

Those partaking in the 8 day Bute Inlet Expedition will have an extra day to paddle and explore the Discovery Islands en-route to Bute Inlet.

Trip Details

• Trip begins 1:00pm first day, drop-off noon last day.

• Maximum 10 participants with 2 kayak guides.

• Single and double kayaks.

• Moderate to Strenuous: for healthy energetic people with a good sense of adventure!

• Paddling: 4 to 6 hours of kayaking per day (9-18 km (6-12 mi)).

• Sea conditions: mostly sheltered but the inlet is subject to inflow (anabatic) winds.

• Beaches: low sloping sandy gravel or medium boulders; may be slippery when wet.

What’s Included

• All kayaking equipment

• Group camping gear and shelter

• Tent (you choose single or double)

• Therm-a-Rest inflatable sleeping pad

• Dry bags for personal gear

• All meals & snacks

• Professional skills training & guiding

• Boat transportation to & from CME Lodge

• Boat pickup from Bute Inlet

You Provide

• Personal clothing and accessories (see our packing list)

• Sleeping bag (available to rent)

• Sense of adventure!

Ready to make a Reservation?

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More Information

We’d love to answer any more questions you might have about this tour, and are also happy to chat if you’d just like to get to know us. We’re looking forward to sharing our island home with you!

(250) 285-2823
kayak@coastmtn.com