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.
Kayaking / paddlesports / hiking
Best Coast Outfitters
Offering kayak instruction and tours.
Email: sales@bestcoastoutfitters.com
Website: www.bestcoastoutfitters.com
Coastal Bliss Adventures
Coastal Bliss Adventures Ltd. is a well-established adventure outfitter based on Vancouver Island. We offer a variety of guided tours including Kayaking tours in the Gulf Islands and from our Cowichan Bay Kayaking location close to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. We also run guided canoe trips, backpacking tours on the West Coast Trail, and kayaking tours in the Broken Group Islands in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
E-mail: coastalbliss@shaw.ca
Website:www.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 to 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: coastalcurrentadventures.com
Jericho Beach Kayak
Jericho Beach Kayak offers sea kayak lessons, tours, and rentals from our Jericho Beach location in Vancouver. We also run advanced Paddle Canada courses in select locations around B.C.
Email: info@jerichobeachkayak.com
Website: jerichobeachkayak.com
Mayneyaks
Mobile Kayak rentals and tours located on Mayne Island. Multiple launch and route options available.
E-mail: mayneyaks@gmail.com
Website: mayneyaks.ca
Pacifica Paddle
Kayak, Canoe and SUP rentals. Also offer kayaking day tours and kayak lessons.
E-mail: ej@pacificapaddle.com
Website: pacificapaddle.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
Salt Spring Adventure Co.
Guided Kayak Tours, day trips only.
Email: ssadventureco@gmail.com
Website: saltspringadventures.com
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: southislandsup.com
SKILS
Specializes in kayaking, canoeing, and kayak fishing courses as well as private instructional courses and guided trips. Based out of Ucluelet.
E-mail: info@skils.ca
Website: www.skils.ca
Tyak Sea Kayaking
Tyak Sea Kayaking provides sea kayaking adventures throughout many parts of the BC Coast for youth, adults, and families. From half-day to multi-day trips available.
E-mail: dougt@islandnet.com
Wilderness cruising / sailing adventures
Big Blue Sailing
Offers sailing instruction and wilderness charters. If you’ve dreamed about sailing then the lovely scenery, sheltered waters and convenient services of the Gulf Islands make it an ideal destination. They take you on a ‘Cruising’ sailboat and give you the experience of mastering your own vessel. Whether you want a course or you want to just have fun and explore, we’re here to provide a positive experience in the Gulf Islands.
E-mail: paul@bigbluesailing.ca
Website: bigbluesailing.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’ expedition sailing vessel, Ocean Wayfinder. Small groups of up to 10 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, sea kayaking, and cultural site visits.
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
Teens and young adults sail aboard the tall ships Pacific Grace and Pacific Swift and learn how to sail through hands-on lessons and experience, all while building confidence, responsibility, and life skills. School groups and other youth organizations participate in five-day sailing voyages to the Gulf Islands each spring and fall. Individual young people join in ten-day summer sailing voyages. People of all ages join in occasional one-day sails. SALTS was founded in 1974 and is a registered charity in both Canada and the United States. Young people from all socio-economic backgrounds participate, and a bursary program helps cover costs for those who require financial assistance.
E-mail: info@salts.ca
Website: https://www.salts.ca/
Sea Star EcoCruising
We offer nature tours within the Gulf Island National Park reserve waters and water taxi services to Russell Island and Portland Island. We can also be called for Sidney Island when the Sidney Spit Ferry is not in operation.
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
GICEL - 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
A Transport Canada certified vessel and water taxi service for up to 8 passengers. Based out of Sidney and servicing the Gulf Islands from Nanaimo to Victoria, year-round.
Email: miles@baytobay.ca
Website: www.baytobay.ca
Cedar Coast Marine
Water taxi service from Sidney to various locations in the Gulf Islands region. Service to Sidney Island outside the dates listed for ferry service by the Sidney Spit Ferry. Also offer sightseeing, photography tours.
Email: cedarcoastmarine@gmail.com
Website: cedarcoastmarine.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
Other
Enjoy the Journey
Travel agency specializing in Senior’s tours.
E-mail: info@enjoythejourney.ca
Website: enjoythejourney.ca
Mile Zero Tours
Travel agency specializing in Senior’s tours.
E-mail: info@milezerotours.com
Website: milezerotours.com
Windigo Aventure
Business to business destination management company, third party tour operator.
E-mail: operations@windigo.travel
Website: windigo.travel/en
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
