Host: Al Lubkowski
When: Anytime from June through to September
Length of stay: Trips of three to seven days are proposed but other customized options are possible
Minimum number of guests: Four
Boat: A 47 foot cedar strip West Coast canoe designed to be sailed, paddled and motored. In addition, both single and double kayaks are offered to those who wish to paddle in the company of our Giant Canoe. (This Canoe serves in the dual role of a touring vessel for non-paddlers and as a support vessel for the kayakers.)
Fee: Cost for the 3-day Rainforest Kayaking & Hiking Adventure, $475. Can. per person, all inclusive.  Cost for the 4-day Southern Gulf Islands Marine Adventure, $640. Can. all inclusive. for paddlers; $500. for non-paddlers.
Price for each of the tours described above includes all food, kayaking and camping equipment, kayak instruction, use of Whaling Canoe and inflatable, fishing gear, guides, park fees, as well as all transfers. It excludes fishing licenses and travel to Victoria, B.C. . One nights' accommodation in Victoria, B.C. is also included when both tours are combined.
Program outlines: Two tours, designed to be taken either separately or back-to-back are described as follows:
- Rainforest Kayaking & Hiking Adventure (3 days): This trip to the West Coast of Vancouver Island features a kayak tour of the San Juan River and a hike of the famous Juan de Fuca Marine Trail . Our 7 passenger van transports us from Victoria to the village of Port Renfrew. Our campsite is on the edge of the ocean next to a broad expanse of beach that extends for over a mile and overlooks the world famous West Coast Trail. Our tour begins and ends in Victoria.
- Southern Gulf Islands Marine Adventure (4 days, expandable to 6): This portion of the tour will suit paddlers and non-paddlers alike. Our touring vessel will be a 47 foot Whaling canoe that we built. It will be used in the dual role of a kayak support vessel and touring vessel for those who choose not to paddle. Starting from Victoria, and heading in one large arc around the Gulf Islands, we will be camping on different islands every night.
RAINFOREST KAYAKING
& HIKING ADVENTURE (3 days)
There is a favourite spot of mine, where ocean meets rain forest and where you can still camp on the beach, close to the surf, and have a blazing campfire. I also like this place because the stars here are bright, and because there is a lazy river to kayak which will leave all traces of civilization behind in your wake.
With a backdrop of forested hillsides and thundering ocean, this place is as good as it gets. The jumping off spot for this magical place is Port Renfrew, a quaint village located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, on the edge of the wild, just a few hours drive from Victoria
Wildlife surprises abound: Huge Roosevelt Elk drinking at the water's edge, and in the fall, countless salmon using your kayak as marine slalom posts as they stream up the river to spawn. Victoria, soon feels like a thousand kilometers away!
Our Rainforest Itinerary is as follows:
Day One: depart from Victoria by van at 9 a.m. for Port Renfrew, stopping off at a number of interesting points along the way: Sooke Museum, Sooke Potholes (for a swim) and Sombrio Beach for a glimpse of the ocean-winding San Juan Trail.
We arrive at our beach campsite at Port Renfrew next to the San Juan River by noon. We kayak the San Juan River for the remainder of the day. If the water is not too rough there will be an opportunity to do some ocean surfing. In the evening we can have a campfire and sing-song on the beach. I can assure you that you will sleep soundly despite the sound of crashing breakers close by.
Day Two: We spend a good part of the day hiking a portion of the San Juan Trail and exploring the famous sandstone-carved tidal pools of Botanical Beach. A swim in one of the warm fresh water lakes nearby completes the day.
Day Three: This is a morning to beach-comb or body surf, and to explore/kayak on your own. After lunch we visit an area of the rain forest which is home to some of the largest trees on the coast (would you believe 100 meters high (300 feet). On our journey back to Victoria along the rugged and scenic West Coast road we stop off at the "50's style" Mom's Restaurant in Sooke - another very "special place".
SOUTHERN GULF ISLAND MARINE ADVENTURE (4 days, expandable to 6)
In the company of our support vessel, we paddle the protected waters of the many surrounding islands, making camp at Discovery Island, Sidney Spit and Princess Margaret marine parks - each offering great hikes and camp sites. Tour highlights will undoubtedly include the sea bird sanctuary of Mandarte Island, the forested trails of Discovery and Princess Margarite marine parks and the beaches of Sidney Spit. There is a good chance of seeing porpoises and whales on our trip.
You are transported from your accommodations in Victoria by van to Oak Bay Marina where we begin this kayak Mothership camping tour.
Non paddlers (or kayakers who wish to switch roles) will get to sail and to paddle the Big Canoe, and to take a few side trips to unusual areas of interest. An inflatable will be towed behind to access beaches and to set our crab pots. There will be opportunity to fish from the Canoe and inflatable. We will be in contact with the kayakers by VHF radio and cel phone, meeting up with them every evening when we camp.
Our Gulf Islands Itinerary is as follows:
Day One: depart Oak Bay Marina in the early morning and explore the Chain Islands Ecological Reserve for cormorants, seals, and the many sea birds who make their home here. Our destination is Discovery Island Marine Park. We hike the forests and beaches and kayak surrounding islands in the afternoon. We set up our first nights’ camp here.
Day Two: Cruise to Darcy Island in the Big Canoe, then launch our kayaks from the Canoe and explore the coastline of this island north. We camp at Sidney Spit Marine Park, an island noted for its beautiful sand beaches, island views and deer.
Day Three: Kayak surrounding islands, including Mandarte, home to large colonies of gulls and cormorants. Arrive in the late afternoon at Princess Margarite Marine Park, where we camp for the night. This island is noted for its beautiful campsites, rugged coastline and trails.
Day Four: Spend more time exploring Princess Margarite by kayak and by foot. There is a warm salt water bay which is great for swimming. Return to the mainland , Sidney for a farewell supper, and short ride back to Victoria or the ferries (whichever is the more convenient).
Experience Level: no kayaking experience is required (we instruct), but a moderate level of fitness is desired for those who wish to hike and to paddle (the San Juan Trail can be a strenuous hike if wet).
General: We like to start with the Rainforest tour and conclude with the Gulf Islands marine tour. But we are flexible and will do it in any order desired and anytime a group of 4 or more wish to do it. Best times to go are between June and the end of September.
 
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