Community Sourced Paddle Routes

Submitted by Members for Members

Coulter Bay Return

Paddling Region
Paddling Area
First Nations Territories

Homalco, Klahoose, K'ómoks, Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai

4

Difficulty

Intermediate

Kilometers

42

Days

3

Group size

2

Tents

2

Launch Date

July 10, 2023

Highlights
The Discovery Islands are extraordinarily beautiful. I’ve visited either by kayak or on motorboat on a site maintenance crew fifteen or sixteen times now and I’m always in awe of the sheer beauty of the east coast of Quadra Island, Read Island, the Penn Islands Group, the Rendezvous Islands and the east coast of Cortes.
Considerations

Crossings may be subject to northwest or southeast winds.

Conditions

I lucked out on my trip to Penn Islands north and the Rendezvous Islands from Coulter Bay. On the return a southeast wind blew up with about 1 foot waves. It was easily manageable.

BC Marine Trails Sites visited on this route:

Coulter Bay, Penn Islands north, South Rendezvous Island south and north, Carrington Bay east

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Route Description

This is not a difficult paddle as there is protection within the Discovery Islands though there is exposure crossing from the Penn Islands to Cortes Island. It’s a casual paddle through the Penn Islands and along the east coast of Read Island. Look for whales. They can be heard often camping on Penn Islands north.

Download GPX file - researching if possible
Submitted by: Paul Grey
Paul has been a kayaker for over twenty years and has paddled a number of locations around Vancouver Island, Thailand and Hawaii. He has his Paddle Canada I and II and level 1 kayak guide training and certification. He has worked for the BC Marine Trails as a volunteer for approximately ten years in a number of capacities including being the president of the association. He is also the co-author of Easykayaker: A guide to laid-back paddling and Kayaking Vancouver Island. Paul is a fourth generation islander with his roots in the Nanaimo-Extension area. He also enjoys hiking, traveling and reading. He has received awards in 1993 and 1996 from the Prime Minister of Canada for his work in education; Paul is a recipient of a Royal Bank of Canada fellowship to Queen's University.
Paul has been a kayaker for over twenty years and has paddled a number of locations around Vancouver Island, Thailand and Hawaii. He has his Paddle Canada I and II and level 1 kayak guide training and certification. He has worked for the BC Marine Trails as a volunteer for approximately ten years in a number of capacities including being the president of the association. He is also the co-author of Easykayaker: A guide to laid-back paddling and Kayaking Vancouver Island. Paul is a fourth generation islander with his roots in the Nanaimo-Extension area. He also enjoys hiking, traveling and reading. He has received awards in 1993 and 1996 from the Prime Minister of Canada for his work in education; Paul is a recipient of a Royal Bank of Canada fellowship to Queen's University.
Paul is the past chair of the BC Marine Trails. He started with the association in 2012 rebuilding the association to its current level.

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