Kayak Friendly Lodging is a free web map and directory of accommodations suitable for kayakers. All accommodations must have good access to the ocean and safe overnight storage for kayaks.
Our goal is to make BC’s beautiful coast accessible to more kayakers, including those who prefer not to camp.
We have identified about one hundred suitable accommodations in motels, hotels, lodges, cabins, and B&Bs throughout southern coastal British Columbia. You can browse our map for places to stay, knowing there will be a roof, bed, shower, and a place to eat at the end of your paddling day. Kagoagh Resort and Fishing Lodge in Quatsino Sound, pictured above, is a great example.
Some recent additions include:
- Sooke Harbour House is back in business and welcoming kayakers again to its great location.
- Osborne Bay Resort in Crofton has cabins ideal for kayakers wanting to explore the area or paddle over to Salt Spring.
- Annie Bay Schoolhouse Cottage in Frolander Bay, Sunshine Coast, is a great location for paddling. New owner Suzanne Smythe will tell you stories of the children who took lessons there a century ago.
- Sidney Waterfront Inn and Suites is perfect for paddling in the Sidney area and is a great jumping-off point for the Gulf Islands.
- Harbour House Hotel on Salt Spring Island offers a discount for kayakers.
- Kayaking in northern waters? Try Nootka Cabins in Nootka Sound, or the Sea Otter Lodge in Kyuquot.
How to use the website
Open the map and find an area that you’d like to explore, then click on one of the location markers. A link will take you to an information page designed for paddlers. Information includes accessibility to a launch site, safe overnight kayak storage, availability of a kitchen, food, or proximity to restaurants, and special features such as a hot tub or local walks. Contact information, pricing, and an indication of when information was updated also appears.
Contact the lodging directly to make a booking. Some paddlers may choose a route from one lodging to another. Others may prefer to stay at one place and use it as a base for day paddles.
We have done our best to provide accurate information. We expect you to be responsible for your own safety on the water. Be aware of local tides, currents and weather conditions. Some areas may be suitable only for skilled paddlers.
Help us expand and improve the website
The Kayak Friendly website is a work in progress. If your property could be included, or if information needs updating, please contact us. If you know of a place you think should be added to our map, let us know. We aim to add a paddler’s review of each lodging over the next couple of years. Contact Beth Haysom at bethhaysom@shaw.ca
NOTE: The Kayak Friendly Lodging website can also be accessed via the BCMT website. Go to bcmarinetrails.org/prepare and choose Helpful Links, then Other Resources.
