, ,

Why a Sea Kayak Expedition is the Perfect Christmas Gift for an Adventurous Soul

We all have loved ones that are impossible to buy for, even if we know them better than anyone else. Maybe they already have all the essentials for their outdoor lifestyle—rain jackets, hiking backpacks, and more thick woollen socks than one person could ever need. The truth is, there’s only so much gear a person can have. 

This year, consider giving something more meaningful, memorable, and aligned with a sustainable mindset. Why not instead gift an experience they’ll cherish forever, like a fully guided, week-long sea kayak expedition into awe-inspiring Toba Inlet with Powell River Sea Kayak?!

Here’s why this unforgettable adventure is the perfect gift for the outdoors-loving adventurer in your life.

Guides and guests looking at charts in Desolation Sound

1. Go with the Pros: Safe Adventure for Peace of Mind

Sending a loved one on a do-it-yourself kayaking trip might sound a bit nerve-wracking, but this expedition is led by expert guides who know the area, the water, and the best practices for safety inside and out. 

Our guides are professionals, and fully certified with the Sea Kayak Guide’s Alliance of British COlumbia. You can rest assured that your loved one will be safe, whether they’re making long open water crossings or paddling along the shore beneath towering forests and mountains. 

Our guides don’t just prioritise safety; they add immeasurable depth to the experience.Their knowledge of these waters and connection to this part of the world makes us ideal hosts, offering insights into local wildlife, geography, and ecology, and sharing stories about Desolation Sound and Toba Inlet’s culture, flora, and fauna. 

Just as importantly, we possess an encyclopaedic knowledge of lesser-known spots to explore and to camp in this impossible terrain, which plummets over 7500 feet from the icy peaks above sheer into the turquoise blue waters of Toba Inlet below. 

With us, you can gift with confidence, knowing your loved one is in excellent hands while they immerse themselves in one of the most epic landscapes in the world.

Calm and protected waters inside Vancouver Island make visiting Desolation Sound one of the best kayak trips in BC

2. Skills for Life: Develop and Enhance Their Kayaking Abilities

For someone who already loves the outdoors, an expedition like this offers an invaluable chance to build on their skills. 

Guided tours are more than just scenic paddles; they’re opportunities to learn advanced techniques in a supportive environment. Whether new to kayaking or intermediate paddlers looking to get on more remote adventures, they’ll get the chance to sharpen their skills with guidance from our professional guides. 

Our guides love to instruct and teach, and beyond paddling techniques there are opportunities to learn about tides and currents, reading weather patterns and forecasts, and kayak specific camping. This trip can be as much about personal growth as it is about scenic enjoyment.

From here, these skills and knowledge can be applied to future adventures, whether they’re planning to paddle self-guided or on more remote guided adventures. A gift that keeps giving well after the tour guests have said their goodbyes.

A group of kayakers taking a break on a kayak tour

3. This Won’t Get Forgotten in a Drawer

How many gifts have we all received over the years that eventually get stashed away, never to be thought of again? Even a well-intentioned gift card often ends up lost, forgotten or unused, making the company money for no service at all. 

A sea kayak expedition is different. It’s not something they can easily tuck away and forget about, it’s an experience they’ll look forward to from the moment they receive it. The anticipation alone is enough to make it memorable, but once they set out on the water, it becomes an adventure they’ll remember for years to come.

In Toba Inlet, they’ll be surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, crashing waterfalls, and vibrant wildlife. Imagine their feelings as they spot seals, eagles, and maybe even orcas from their kayak while paddling through these remote fjords and passages. This is an adventure that promises memories that will linger long after the trip ends, and every photo, story, and journal entry will remind them of the unique experience you gifted them.

4. Use What They Already Have: Minimal Gear, Maximum Impact

One of the best parts about a guided kayaking trip is that it doesn’t require a bunch of new gear, especially if your loved one already enjoys the outdoors. Instead of adding more “stuff” to their life, this experience lets them put their existing outdoor gear to good use, while we take care of the paddling specific equipment that they might not possess.

By giving experience, rather than an item, you’re choosing an ecologically friendly gift that doesn’t contribute to our consumerist waste – which should be especially fitting for the environmentally conscious adventurer in your life.

They’ll be thrilled that you considered both their love for the outdoors and their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. And with the trip being fully catered with unbelievable backcountry meals, all they have to do is simply show up ready for adventure, knowing all essentials are taken care of by the professionals!

A group of kayakers posing with kayaks and mountains in the background

5. A Memory to Relive, Over and Over

A sea kayak expedition into Toba Inlet isn’t just a one-time thrill – it’s the type of experience they’ll talk about and reminisce on for years. 

They’ll remember the silence of the still mornings and the roar of the wind as it funnels down the inlet in the afternoon, the thunder and spray of the waterfalls falling into the fjord from hundreds of feet above, the eagles calling across the inlet and the slap and snort of the seal in the bay as they lie in their tent after a full day of work, and the satisfaction that comes from being immersed in such remote and unspoiled nature. 

They will be eager to tell the story again and again, and your gift will be what made it all possible.

And even better, if you join them on this trip, you’ll be able to share in these memories together! Memories far more impactful and meaningful than any store-bought gift they could think of, and ones that will last for years to come.

To learn more about our Toba Inlet expeditions, please visit the expeditions page on our website, or to look at available dates and make a reservation visit our bookings page.

We also sell gift certificates of various denominations here.

/by
, ,

Navigating the Rugged Beauty of Toba Inlet on Our 7-Day Expedition

Beyond the familiar shores of Desolation Sound lies a world of untamed wilderness and awe-inspiring landscapes — the heart of our 7-day expedition tours into Toba Inlet. 

Join us as we take a closer look at these remote destinations: the logistical considerations, the challenges and difficulties, and the natural wonders that define this epic adventure – and determine whether this trip is right for you!

The Epic Landscapes & Features of Toba Inlet:

Colossal Coast Mountains: Toba Inlet is a rugged environment where towering Coast Mountains meet the pristine waters of the Pacific. The peaks surrounding this iconic fjord, sculpted by tectonic and glacial movements over millions of years, create a dramatic backdrop as we paddle deeper into the mountains. High above, retreating glaciers have left behind immense amphitheatre-like cirques in the alpine, while closer to sea-level the cliffs of these mountains plunge sheer and direct into the ocean. 

Thundering Waterfalls: All the snow and ice stored on these peaks in the winter comes crashing down into the inlet throughout the spring and summer, and the steep cliffs of Toba create spectacular torrents into the fjord from high above. While the early and mid summer trips will naturally have greater volumes of water at these falls as you tour deeper into Toba, even in late summer there are a number of places with spectacular and forceful displays.

Hidden Camps: As you journey further, and the terrain becomes more and more unforgiving, you will start to wonder where you will possibly be able to stop for a break – let alone a camp to spend the night. Rest assured, however, we know the best – and at times only – hidden camps and bays along the route. These remote places allow our guests to connect with nature in its purest form, and the untouched beauty that defines this inspiring corner of the British Columbia coast.

Rich Biodiversity: Toba Inlet and its surroundings boast rich flora and fauna – both on land and in the sea. Ancient forests provide habitat for wildlife ranging from bald eagles to black bears, deer and otters. Seals, sea lions, and intertidal invertebrates are constantly encountered, and our guides are always on hand with eagle eyes to spot wildlife that would otherwise potentially be missed, as well as explain how each cog in the ecosystem relates to the whole (with a whole lot of cool facts thrown in as well).

And if you’re lucky, your group may cross paths with humpback whales or a pod of orcas as they forage in these rich waters; while the deep, inaccessible valleys of Toba itself (such as at Brem Bay) sometimes offer glimpses of Grizzly Bears living their lives as far from civilization as they can be.

Logistical Considerations Amidst this Remote Wilderness:

Navigating through such remote and rugged terrain requires meticulous planning and attention to detail. The logistics of our Toba Inlet kayak tours are a marvel in themselves.

Camp Setup and Take-Down: Moving camp every day is a process. Setting up and taking down camp is a part of the daily routine; but it is a team effort, and guests need to be aware that hauling gear and kayaks, setting up and taking down tents, and pitching in to help with the dishes after another amazing meal is part of the adventure. Each campsite has its unique attributes – its advantages and challenges. However, you can be rest assured that all come with unbeatable views that frequently take your breath away.

Maintaining Quality Cuisine in the Wilderness: We’ve been known for more than 20 years for our unbelievable camping menu, and despite the remote setting, our expedition tours boast the same quality of gourmet meals made from locally sourced ingredients. To do this, however, we need to bring a lot of food, fuel, and kitchen equipment along for the ride. This means landing and launching at camp entails a period of hauling of gear – the payoff, of course, is plentiful and nourishing meals that fuel your adventure and keep you energised day after day. 

Mountain Winds and Unpredictable Weather: As in all wilderness trips, weather is unpredictable. This is doubly so when we leave Desolation Sound and travel further into the coast mountains. Anabatic and katabatic winds, no cell reception, and unpredictable mountain weather make our guides’ decisions and trip planning especially important to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the entire group. Guests need to be aware of this, and specifically that the best laid plans in these environments are always up for revision and alteration. Enjoyment of the process, instead of a fixation on a final goal, is especially important on these tours.

Getting Home: The conclusion of our 7-day adventure involves a water taxi pickup in Toba Inlet, allowing us to travel much farther than ever before. This arrangement not only ensures a smooth return but also offers a final opportunity to absorb the breathtaking views of Toba Inlet from a unique vantage point! 

Challenges and Setting Expectations:

Some have been mentioned above, but we need to reiterate that pulling off an all-inclusive, self-sufficient guided tour for 7-days in this part of the coast naturally presents challenges that all participants – both guides and guests – need to overcome.

Physical Challenges: The rugged terrain demands a good level of physical fitness from our guests. While paddling distances and times are typically a little longer than our vacation tours (and obviously over a week-long period of time) it is more often the land-based portion of the trip – particularly carrying kayaks and gear from the through the intertidal zone from the waterline to camp – that provides guests with the biggest challenges day after day. 

Assistance Is Sometimes Required: Guests on these trips must appreciate that this trip is a group effort. While our incredible guides will facilitate the adventure, all guests are expected to help where they can – from carrying gear, to setting up their personal camp, to taking the lead with another round of dishes while your guides make dessert after another wonderful meal.

Weather Considerations: As always, coastal weather can be unpredictable, and guests must be prepared for a range of conditions, from blue-bird sun to rainy days with headwinds and choppy seas. Our guides provide essential information, make decisions, and equip guests with the knowledge to adapt to changing weather patterns, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience; but as mentioned above, weather is always changing in the mountains, and guests should always expect that conditions may change quickly and not only provide some discomfort, but also potentially change routes and plans. Following our packing list to the letter is also always a good idea, just in case!

Remote Camps: As we paddle further from civilization our camps become more spectacular but also increasingly less furnished. Camps in Desolation Sound are  – relatively – well-used compared to those up Homfray Channel and Toba Inlet. While we have made improvements over the years to key sites within our control, at its heart this is a wilderness camping excursion and guests need to be prepared to do without some regular luxuries. Tent sites may not always be on completely even ground, bathrooms may be non-existent, and access up and down the ‘beach’ will become rocky and treacherous without the right footwear. 

Our 7-day expedition tour into Toba Inlet is not merely a kayak trip; it’s a journey into the heart of British Columbia’s wilderness. From the Coast Mountains to the secluded fjords and the logistics that make it all possible, our expeditions are a celebration of this part of the world – we hope you can join us!

Learn more about our expeditions here.

 

/by