Canada - Quadra Island kayaking

I've always wanted to try sea kayaking, with romantic visions of heading off for a few days and camping on secluded beaches... so as this was our honeymoon we treated ourselves to a trip in reputedly one of the best areas in the world...

We chose a pretty remote starting point on the northern tip of Quadra Island, which is a long drive and short ferry from the main Victoria Island. The trip did not disappoint, my slight trepidation about capsizing and/or being swallowed up by tidal swells turned out to be pretty ill founded! Reassured by a crash course in paddling, safety and tide timetables, we spent 6 days on a circuit exploring the rugged islands around Quadra. We certainly got stunning scenery, secluded beaches and loads of wildlife! 

Ferry number one from Vancouver to Nanaimo. Started off a bit cloudy...

The tiny Ferry number two to Quadra Island - where the sun came out to greet us :-)

We spent the first day exploring the small but beautiful island. Walking along Rebecca Spit, a narrow peninsula and perfect picnic spot! 

Yoga on the driftwood at Rebecca Spit

The stunning Discovery Islands Lodge - an hour on dirt roads from the nearest town and not a neighbour in sight! The minute I saw pictures of this we booked the trip! 

Picnic on the deck - not bad views!

The lunch of choice: cinnamon and raisin bagels with bananas and peanut butter!

Our room with a view :-)

We spent the first afternoon sunbathing and reading on the deck, enjoying the stunning views and solar showers (no mains electricity here!). The building below is a wood fired sauna... bit hot for that though!

The cosy interior of the lodge 

Following a morning's crash course in kayaking, reading tide tables and route planning it was time to pack up!

It's only when you get out to sea that you see the lodge in all its glory! (Have I mentioned that I liked the place?)

Out in the sounds with snow capped peaks :-)

Our first campsite, complete with seating area and fire pit, on the Rendevouz Islands. All to ourselves.

Check out our hi-tech bagel toasting device

Dinner!!! Very Canadian sweet baked beans. They were very tasty! 

The campsite from the water 

More fire! 

The rocky shores of all the tiny islands were teeming with massive purple and orange starfish (or sea stars as they say here!)

The best campsite of the trip on Fransisco Island - we spent a few nights here on our own private island

Firewood was ample on the other side of the bay, so we put my kayak to good use! 

Delivery arrives...

Stocked up and sorted - it kept us going for a few days! 

The beautiful clear waters around our Island 

We were so pleased to be here and it wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of friends and family

Ali braves the cold seas to cool off

More maple syrup baked beans! 

A calm evening at the campsite... it's a different story when the tides turn though! 

Exploring the Octopus Islands, a marine park loads of tiny islands and marine life! 

Lunch stop! 

Lunch! 

I'm assured they don't bite or sting but they are very weird creatures... totally solid too, I'd always thought they were like jellyfish?!

Back to Quadra Island and Heriot Bay for some shopping and washing... though why use a tumble dryer when you have sun and driftwood?!

The beautiful and friendly Heriot Bay Inn. 

Heriot Bay Harbour

Swing!