overview:
The Desolation Sound tour departs from Squirrel cove on
Cortes Island. It is advisable to stay the night on Quadra
Island the night before to avoid having to take an early ferry
to Quadra Island from Campbell River on the day of the tour.
See accommodation suggestions below.
Day Prior:
If you are
unable to check in at our office on Quadra Island, please
call us the day before to confirm that you have arrived and
to check if there is any last minute schedule changes.
Day 1:
Meet at the
Spirit of the West office at 8:15 am. Travel to our launch
site at Squirrel Cove via the Cortez Island ferry. We will
have a light snack on the 45 min scenic ferry ride. After
loading our kayaks we go over thorough kayak orientation as
well as safety procedures before our departure. Our route
takes us on a paddle towards the fjords of Desolation giving
us a stunning portrait mountain backdrop. We stop at the Martin
Islands for first nights camp. Keep your eyes open for Harbour
seals or Dall porpoises along the way.
Day 2:
Savour our
first hearty breakfast in the great outdoors before we pack
up and head off on our next days adventure. This day we cross
over to the enchanting islands of desolation Sound where we
scout out our desired camping sight for the night. In the
afternoon we will have plenty of time for exploring the intricate
network of islands, coves and bays of this beautiful Marine
Park.
Day 3 &
4: These
days we can choose between a paddle to Roscoe Bay Provincial
Park of West Redonda Island , or Tenedos Bay of the mainland,
where we hike to one of the lakes for a refreshing swim. Return
to island campsite.
Day 5:
We will journey
back to Cortes Island along the rugged shores of West Redonda.
A visit to Refuge Cove or the lovely protected lagoon of Squirrel
Cove will be our last stop of our 4 day kayak journey. A return
in the late afternoon will allow for time needed to return
to Quadra Island.
Getting
Here
The Desolation
Sound tour begins from the east side of Cortes Island. Spirit
of the West leaves on the morning of the tour from Quadra
Island on the 9 am ferry to Cortes Island - a 45-minute ferry
ride. If you need transportation from Quadra to Cortes, please
make sure this is arranged at the time of booking. To get
to Quadra Island see our getting here
page.
Please note:
For detailed
travel information, such as flights, ferries, buses, and car
rentals, go to our Getting Here page. You can also contact
our local travel agency, Uniglobe Travel if you need assistance
with your travel arrangements. They can be reached in North
America at 1 800 567-6511 or by email at wc.rivercity@uniglobe.com
Quadra Island
Ferry
Return ferry cost to Quadra is approximately $15.00 for driver
and vehicle. Additional person is $4.50. Ferries to Quadra
Island leave Campbell River every hour on the half our. Sun
- Thurs, 6:30am -10:30pm. Fri & Sat 6:30am-11:30pm. Exceptions
are 6:40am, 5:25pm, 6:15pm. Sunday there is no 7:30am ferry.
Note Tuesday there is no 10:30am ferry to Quadra and no 4:00pm
ferry to Campbell River due to dangerous cargo run. Ferries
back to Campbell River leave on or around the hour.
Meeting
Location - Departure day
If
you are staying on Cortes Island
Meeting
time:
10:15am
Where:
Squirrel
Cove Store and boat launch
Getting
there:
Follow signs to Squirrel Cove.
If
you are staying on Quadra Island
Meeting
time:
8:15am
Where:
Spirit of the West office
Getting
there:
Once on Quadra Island, you will see purple and yellow signs
(Kayak & Bike Rentals/Tours) en route to our location.
Also follow signs to Heriot Bay and Cortes Island ferry. Once
in Heriot Bay, turn R just past the Quadra Market onto Heriot
Bay Rd. We are located ¼ mile (.4 km) up on the left side.
If you are
staying in Campbell River
Be sure to be on the 7:30 ferry from Campbell River to Quadra
Island. You will arrive at our office at 8:05 am. If you need
a pick up off the Campbell River ferry let us know and we
can help make arrangements.
Accommodations
while on tour
We provide
high quality expedition style tents. Generally we have enough
tents to accommodate both singles and doubles with their own.
We will do our best to match you up with a suitable partner
if we need to.
Accommodations
before/after tour
Cortes Island
Hollyhock
Retreat
If you are lucky you can find a room at this ocean side retreat.
A variety of accommodation styles and excellent meals.
Website:
www.hollyhock.bc.ca
Phone:
1 800 933-6339
Picards
B&B
Mediterranean style villa in a spectacular ocean side setting
set on 3 acres of land. Set on a peninsula it has water on
all 3 sides. Private beach.
Email:
varvara@island.net
Phone:
250 935 6683.
Gorge
Harbour Marina Resort
Small clean guest lodge above store. Common Guest lounge and
kitchen facilities. Kayak rentals.
Phone:
1 250 935-6402
Quadra Island
- accommodations
April
Point Resort
The resort is situated
at the oceans edge with views over the town of Campbell River.
Website:
www.obmg.com
Phone:
1 800 663 7090
Tsa
Kwa Luten Lodge
Beautiful West Coast Native Style constructed lodge, overlooking
Vancouver Island and mountains. Very peaceful in secluded
location. Excellent value for first class accommodations.
Hot tub, fitness room, sauna and dining room. Bookings made
by Spirit of the West Note that the lodge is a 15-20 minute
drive south of our base operations. For joining the pre trip
meeting you will have to take a taxi to and from. Website:
www.capemudgeresort.bc.ca
Phone:
1 800 307-3982
Email:
spirit1@oberon.ark.com
Harbour
House B&B
Beautiful home above the ocean with the best island and Mountain
View around! Close to beach, park, amenities, and our Kayak
Shack. Hot tub. Hearty breakfast served. Accommodates up to
10. A great place to meet fellow kayakers.
Website:
www.harbourhouse.bc.ca
Phone:
1 800 435 2556
Email:
susan.wilson@sd72.bc.ca
Taku
Resort
Quiet ocean side
resort nestled in mature trees. Dramatic views of the Coast
Mountains. Self contained A-frame cabins or terrace view rooms.
Hot tub, tennis, basketball, bocci ball, stone house barbecue.
Conveniently located right next to Spirit of the West and
near restaurant.
Website:
www.takuresort.com
Phone:
1 877 285 8258 or
Email:
info@takuresort.com
Otter
House Beach Chalet
Beautiful 2 level luxury cabin, tucked amongst the cedars
as close to the beach as it gets. Awesome mountain views.
Private, sauna and minutes from amenities.
Phone:
1 250 285 3939
Email:
bicycle@oberon.ark.com
Heron
House B&B and Boat House
Self contained suite. Ocean views, quiet location. Boat house
is a simple rustic cabin right at the beach. Spectacular views
of Coast Mountains.
Website:
www.quadraislandretreats.com
Phone:1
250 285-3874
Email: theinrigs@connected.bc.ca
Campbell
River - accommodations
Coast
Hotels - Discovery Inn
Located right in the town centre across the street from marina,
and Quadra Island ferry terminal. Next to shopping. Restaurant,
Pub, Health Room.
Website:
www.coasthotels.com
Phone:
1 800 663 1144
Email:
coastd@vquest.com
Best
Western Austrian Chalet
Fully serviced
hotel across the road from the beach. Ocean and mountain views.
With or without kitchenette. Restaurant, Pub, indoor pool/hot
tub/sauna, small putting green, table tennis. 15 min. walking
to town.
Website:
www.vquest.com/austrian/
Phone:
1 800 667 7207
Email:
austrian@vquest.com
Super
8 Motel
Good value, clean,
friendly place located along the highway with ocean view..
Indoor pool and hot tub. 15 minutes walking to town.
Phone:
1 800 800 8000
Above
Tide Motel
Good value. Located on ocean side of highway . All ocean view
rooms. Kitchenettes. Walking distance from town.
Phone:
1 250 286 0290
Silkies
B&B
Fantastic setting on the ocean, overlooking world famous Seymour
Narrows - 15 minutes drive north of Campbell River. Beautiful
home that offers a relaxing ambiance and gourmet meals. The
perfect quiet getaway.
Website:
http://www.silky.bb.com/
Phone:
1 877 603 2942
Email:
stay@silky-bb.com
Pier
House B&B
Conveniently located downtown. Large charming antique filled
heritage home across the highway from ocean fishing pier and
marina.
Website:
www.island.net/pierhse/index.html
Phone:
1 250 287 2943
Haig
Brown House B&B
Restored heritage home of well known local writer/conservationist,
located in beautiful 9 acre gardens along the river. Educational
seminars offered. 25 minutes walk to town.
Phone:
1 250 286-6694
Email:
haig-brownhouse@haigbrown.bc.ca
River
Haven B&B
Friendly and nicely decorated B&B located high above the
river in quiet residential area.
Website:
www.riverhaven.bc.ca
Phone:
1 877 286 8370
Camping
Quadra
Island - Camping
We
Wai Kai Campsite
Spectacular setting and location. Situated at the edge of
Rebecca Spit Provincial Park this ocean side campground has
sites along the ocean or in the mature forest. Showers but
no hook ups. 25 minute walk to stores.
Phone:
1 250 285 3111
Taku
Resort
Quiet ocean side resort. Sites are nestled in mature trees
up behind main accommodations. Hook up, showers, laundry,
hot tub, tennis, basketball, bocci ball, stone house barbecue.
Conveniently located right next to Spirit of the West and
near restaurant.
Website:
www.takuresort.com
Phone:
1 877 285 8258
Email:
info@takuresort.com
Heriot
Bay Inn
Hook up, showers, laundry, restaurant, pub, gift shop, and
marina. Centrally located in the community of Heriot Bay.
Website:
www.heriotbayinn.com
Phone:
1 250 285-3322
Email:
info@heriotbayinn.com
Campbell
River - Camping
Salmon
Point RV Resort
Fully service RV sites or tenting in tranquil oceanfront setting.
Spectacular mountain views. Marina, store, laundry, showers,
playground, gamesroom, near restaurant and pub.
Website:
www.bctravel.com/salmonpoint
Phone:1
250 923 6605
Holiday
Shores RV Park
Full service RV sites along the oceanside. Sunny location-no
trees, near seaplane landing. Recreation room, laundry, showers,
washrooms, small store. Phone:
1 888 611 2142
Elk
Falls Provincial Park and Campground
Nestled in beautiful forest along the Quinsam River. Walking
trails, small playground, dry and flush toilets.
Website:
www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
Phone:
1 800 689 9025
