We Are Pelagic - Vancouver West Coast
I organized all the posts from my 2026 Vancouver Island West Coast trip in one page
Tom Unger
vancouver2026
Day 27: Our Triumphant Return
At 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, we made our triumphant and glorious return at Washington Park in Anacortes. But before I describe this happy event, I’ll write a little about getting here. We reserved 2 nights on Discovery Island but then voted to leave after just
vancouver2026
Day 26: Sooke River Campground to Discovery Island
From Colin: With a planned 8 am start, alarms were set for 6 am. Nelson and I were up a little early, and complemented by Tom for their quiet industry when he woke to his alarm and found us mostly packed up. Since Tom's efficient at camp-breakdown,
vancouver2026
Day 25: Rest Day in Sooke
From Colin: We all slept a little longer than usual today. There was a discussion last night about heading in to town for breakfast, but we didn't come to a firm decision. And we were still here past breakfast time so Tom tried to boil some water, and
vancouver2026
Day 24: Sooke River Campground
Jorden River is one of the top surf spots in our area, the sign says. This is one of the gravel bars that create the reliable breaks. The breaks to the east is called “sewer pipes”. I’m not drawn to surf here. We launch and paddle close to the
vancouver2026
Day 23: River Jordan
From Tom: We repair Nelson’s boat overnight. Dragging it in and out of the water wore through the gel coat and glass of the keel at the bow. Yesterday it leaked through there, filling the front compartment. We repair with some JB weld marine, an epoxy. The repair holds
vancouver2026
Day 22: Providence Cove
From Tom: Up early..ish and on the water. We complete our transition of the West Coast Trail section of the Pacific Rim Park. A place that made no provision for sea kayakers and where we weren’t really wanted. So we moved through it quickly. After 22 nautical miles,
vancouver2026
Day 21: West Coast
13:00 launch so we might get some tail winds and sun. Morning on Keeha Bay is foggy. Outhouse is 1/4 mild down the beach and water questionable. Otherwise, great camp. Surf launch executed smoothly. We paddle through fog, crossing Pachena Bay to pick up the shoreline again. Staying
vancouver2026
Day 20: George Frazer Islands to Keeha Bay
From Colin: Our layover day on the George Frazer Islands was scenic, and necessary. We all needed a rest after the big effort getting there. Our camp was compact... ...and only a few, horizontal, feet above the high tide line. I was entertained for a while by a river otter,
vancouver2026
Day 18: Pacific Rim
A major day. This trip has always had a difficulty created by the following conditions. Lodging in Tofino is in high demand, expensive, and commonly booked well in advance. The Pacific Rim park makes no accommodations for kayakers. There is no camping for human powered travel with uncertain schedules. Thus
vancouver2026
Day 16: Ahous Bay to Tofino
From Colin: At about 9:30am, after a day of rest, we left Ahous Bay (on Vargas Island) and paddled the 7.2 Nm to the beach at our campground. It was a beautiful day. We covered almost as many miles walking from the beach to the campsite (not really,
vancouver2026
Day 14: Clayocot Sound
ue to rain and south wind, we plan a mid-day start. The rain lasts longer than expected. At noon, it is either pack and go or too late. We pack. And the rain has stopped. We do have a headwind paddling around the north and west sides of Flores