Go on an adventure with the experts
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Going out with one of our licensed operators is a great way to experience the park. Whether you are looking for a guided tour to discover the unique history and natural beauty of the park reserve or want to take a kayak adventure in the many sheltered bays and coves around the islands, you will benefit from a local operator’s expertise and knowledge on your visit to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Note:The service descriptions below are provided by the operators, and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve does not endorse any of these services. See here for information on obtaining a business licence.
Kayaking / paddlesports / hikingBest Coast Outfitters
Offering kayak instruction and tours.
Email: lee@bestcoastoutfitters.com
Website: www.bestcoastoutfitters.com
Blue Dog Kayaking
Blue Dog Kayaking are committed to bringing you the best that sea kayaking can offer, paddling along some of the most beautiful, unspoiled coastlines in the world – and offers the entire Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking program along with guided trips in the beautiful Gulf Islands.
Email: paddle@bluedogkayaking.com
Website: www.bluedogkayaking.com
Coastal Bliss Adventures
Coastal Bliss Adventures Ltd. offers guided single and multi-day hiking, and kayaking tours to wilderness locations on and around Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal regions. Coastal Bliss Adventures also offers single & multi-day instructional kayak programs accredited by Paddle Canada.
E-mail: coastalbliss@shaw.ca
Website:https://coastalbliss.ca/
Coastal Current Adventures
The Snow Rosen family and Coastal Current Adventures have a heartfelt mandate to adventure but tread lightly; to create opportunities for others to learn about and be captivated by nature. We protect what we love and it is imperative that we contribute t a more sustainable future for the earth and all of its inhabitants. We have operated for 33 years initially as Island Escapades and now reincarnated at Coastal Current Adventures – kayak courses, outdoor education for schools, kayak expeditions and youth adventure camps.
Email: coastalcurrentadventures@gmail.com
Website: www.coastalcurrentadventures.com
Kayak Salt Spring
Kayak Salt Spring is a small guiding company with a mission to provide family oriented, educational, and environmentally friendly kayaking adventures. Tours are available from Salt Spring Island to Russell, Portland and Prevost Islands. Your guide, John, has a background in natural history and over 200 commercial kayaking days. We offer customized, private kayak tours for up to 6 people.
Email: kayaksaltspring@gmail.com
Website: www.kayaksaltspring.ca
Ocean River Sports
Ocean River Adventures offers premium paddlesport facilities on Vancouver Island. Offers guided kayak experiences supported by a 36’ landing craft. Tours highlight the area’s spectacular scenery of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, while inspiring a passion for paddling.
E-mail: adventure@oceanriver.com
Website: www.oceanriver.com
Power To Be
Power To Be provides inclusive adventure programs designed to support people facing significant life barriers. Through collaboration, they connect individuals with nature. The Adaptive Recreation program is a positive community response for people living with a disability to gain access to outdoor programs, while their Wilderness School fosters positive social development and life skills in youth, which encourage leadership and success in other areas of life.
E-mail: info@powertobe.ca
Website: www.powertobe.ca
South Island SUP
South Island SUP offers single and multi-day stand up paddleboarding experiences on southern Vancouver Island and within the nearby Gulf Islands. Tours are led by a Paddle Canada guides with years of local ocean SUP adventure experience. Custom experiences to meet your budget and time available.
E-mail: brian@southislandsup.com
Website: www.southislandsup.com
SKILS
SKILS offers kayaking, canoeing, SUP and kayak fishing courses as well as private customized instructional courses and guided trips.
E-mail: info@skils.ca
Website: www.skils.ca
Tyak Sea Kayaking
Tyak Sea Kayaking offers day and multi-day sea kayak adventures for youth and adults. Experienced and certified sea kayak guides ensure excellent instruction and fun memorable experiences. Provide a focus on safety.
E-mail: dougt@islandnet.com
Wilderness cruising / sailing adventures
Bluewater Adventures Ltd.
Offers multi-day wilderness, wildlife and cultural tours. They provide learning journeys for students and adults along coastal B.C. and into southeast Alaska. Their crew lead small group tours along the BC coast on a liveaboard 68” motor-sailors–the Island Odyssey and the Island Roamer.
E-mail: info@bluewateradventures.ca
Website: www.bluewateradventures.ca
Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Specializes in cruises along the BC Coast aboard the 1943 wooden-hull and interiors Pacific Yellowfin. Offers culinary cruises through the calm waters of picturesque Gulf Islands. Offers trips further afield outside the park to discover the spectacular fjords of Desolation Sound or venture into the majestic Great Bear Rainforest, home to grizzly, black and the most elusive Spirit Bear.
E-mail: adventure@pacificyellowfin.com
Website: www.pacificyellowfin.com
Maple Leaf Adventures
Explore the natural and cultural worlds of the Salish Sea on a 5-day expedition cruise aboard either a 92-foot classic schooner, a 90-foot classic tugboat, or a 138-foot expedition catamaran. Local guides take you on frequent shore trips to islands off the beaten track for walks, wildlife viewing and cultural experiences. Some trips include visits with Indigenous teachers and optional kayaking.
Website: www.mapleleafadventures.com
Wilderness cruising / sailing adventures (educational excursions)
Faro Sailing
Faro Sailing Offers multi-day instructional sailing trips in the Gulf Islands, combining hands-on learning with breathtaking coastal exploration. Our Approach is rooted in experiential education – clients actively sail, navigate, and refine their seamanship skills while living aboard. Each trip blends adventure, skill building, and appreciation for the marine environment, crating an immersive and unforgettable learning experience.
E-mail: info@farosailing.com
Website: farosailing.com
Outer Shores Expeditions
Outer Shores Expeditions operates multi-day sailing and wildlife tours aboard their 70’ classic wooden schooner Passing Cloud. Small groups of up to 6 guests, along with an expert crew of mariners and interpreters explore the wilderness and wildlife of the Southern Gulf Islands and Salish Sea. Activities include sailing, wildlife viewing, photography, interpretive walks, and sea kayaking.
E-mail: info@outershores.ca
Website: outershores.ca
Providence 1903 Charters Ltd.
Providence is a historical tall ship with stories to share from its journey around the world. Built in 1903, it is the oldest working vessel in BC. Providence is available for charters in the southwest coast of British Columbia and is Transport Canada certified to carry 24 day-passengers and 12 overnight passengers
Website: www.providence1903.com
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Raincoast Conservation Foundation is a group of scientists and conservationists dedicated to protecting the land, water, and wildlife in coastal British Columbia. Science based research and community engagement are used to further conservation efforts. Environmental education programs are offered to local indigenous and at risk youths on the research vessel, Achiever.
E-mail: greatbear@raincoast.org
Website: www.raincoast.org
SALTS Sail and Life Training Society
Groups participate in five-day voyages to the Gulf Islands each spring and fall. Individual young people join in ten-day summer voyages. Trainees aboard the tall ships Pacific Grace and Pacific Swift are exposed to technical, personal, critical thinking and decision skills required for life and are given opportunities to practice, and learn these skills in a dynamic and genuine environment throughout a sail training voyage.
E-mail: martinpepper999@gmail.com
Sea Star EcoCruising
We offer tours in and around our beautiful Gulf Islands Marine Parks and water taxi service to Portland Island and Russell Island. Go for a day hike or camp on Portland. We also service Sidney Island when the Sidney Spit Ferry is not operational.
E-mail: info@seastarecocruising.ca
Website: http://www.seastarecocruising.com/
S.E.A. Programs Inc
S.E.A Programs is a sail training educational company offering five day onboard experiences to high school aged students. Our primary purpose is to train students in sailing and we spend the majority of our daylight time at sea. Other activities such as kayaking, inter-tidal interpretive beach walks, and hikes are also a part of our activities.
E-mail: martinpepper999@gmail.com
Wilderness learning opportunities for youth
Gulf Islands Centre for Ecological Learning
GICEL has been offering nature-based summer day programs within the Southern Gulf Islands since 2001. We focus on large ecosystems such as forests and marine to provide participants with varied experiences. We use natural history, science, games, art, and music to convey information. We also strive to provide and demonstrate a comfort in nature that will last a lifetime.
E-mail: gicel@gicel.ca
Website: www.gicel.ca
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
The centre offers Salish Sea School Summer Camps at various locations in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Children will enjoy learning about the natural history of the creatures and plants of the Salish Sea with a focus on instilling respect for natural spaces, wildlife and First Nations knowledge.
E-mail: oceaneer1@oceandiscovery.ca
Website: www.salishseacentre.org
Western Educational Adventures Inc.
Provides outdoor educational adventures primarily for youth with the aim of teaching valuable outdoor, academic, life and health skills.
Website: www.westernadventures.ca
Water taxi / eco tours
Bay to Bay Charters
Bay to Bay Charters offers a water taxi service to many bays and harbours from Nanaimo to Victoria and a private charter service to showcase the beautiful and prestigious Gulf Islands. Complimentary ground transportation for Victoria Airport, BC Ferries Swartz Bay and the greater Sidney area.
Email: miles@baytobay.ca
Website: www.baytobay.ca
Wet Coast Marine
Wet Coast Marine operates a 32-foot landing craft in the sheltered waters of the southern gulf Islands form our Base in Port Browning on Pender Island. They can customize eco tours, transfers, and charters for groups up to 12 people. Their large open deck is suitable for transferring groups of kayakers, campers, and cyclists between Islands. They specialize in beach landings, remote access, and dive charters.
E-mail: info@wetcoastmarine.com
Website: www.wetcoastmarine.com
Museums
Pender Island Museum
Situated at Roesland in the beautiful Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, this great little museum serves the island community and its many visitors by telling stories that connect past and present. The museum preserves and interprets an historic farm-resort building and a collection of local artifacts and archives. Open every weekend from Easter to Thanksgiving.
E-mail: pendermuseum@shaw.ca
Website: www.penderislandsmuseum.ca
Other
Mile Zero Tours
E-mail: info@milezerotours.com
Website: www.milezerotours.com
Saturna Island Marine Research & Education Society (SIMRES)
Saturna Island Marine Research & Education Society / SIMRES is a community based, non-profit organization that builds awareness of marine life and ecosystems in the Salish Sea. SIMRES organizes sea talks, a series of educational programs for the public. We promote scientific, evidence based research, providing support and facilities for marine research and education on Saturna Island. Many programs are ‘walk and talk’ presentations in the parks. The organization also assists marine scientists in their research based on Saturna Island.
Website: www.simres.ca
Saturna Recreation & Cultural Centre
The Saturna Recreation and Cultural Centre is committed to providing individuals, families and the community with quality leisure, cultural and recreational experiences and opportunities in an accessible and affordable manner.
E-mail: info@saturnarec.org
Website: www.saturnarec.org
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