About the trail
About the Sea to Sky Marine Trail
The Sea to Sky Marine Trail is part of two major trails networks in BC and Canada: The TransCanada Trail and the BC Marine Trails Network. In June 2015 the new trail was officially opened. This included six new campsites. There are also several access points to the trail and new signage to encourage paddlers to experience this increasingly popular outdoor recreational area. Three existing provincial parks and a regional park are also part of the trail system.
Many members of BC Marine Trails Network Association and Sea Kayak Association of BC have worked on this project, surveying sites and clearing and preparing the landings and camping areas. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers from Sea Kayak Association of BC and BC Marine Trails composting toilets have now been installed on the six recreation sites.
The concept of the Sea to Sky Marine Trail network started with the need to connect the Sea to Sky Trail land route’s southern terminus in Squamish with the Trans Canada Trail in West Vancouver. Developing a connecting land route to Sea to Sky Trail standards was too hard as the east side of Howe Sound is mostly cliffs over water with the railway and Highway 99 dominating the lowest elevations. The Howe Sound Crest Trail was felt to be too strenuous,being almost mountaineering. The obvious alternative was a water route.
As the concept evolved it became apparent that this was much more than just a solution of convenience. For many years recreational use of Howe Sound waterways has been much less than other local bodies of water. The pollution from some specific sources such as the Britannia mine site, the Woodfibre pulp mill and the chemical plant in Squamish had contaminated the waters to a serious extent. As these sources have been largely addressed, the ecosystem began to rebound. The presence of pods of dolphins, grey whales and orcas highlight the recovering health of the marine environment.
This created the opportunity to develop a major new recreational amenity right in Vancouver’s back yard.
A Marine Trail is not a single linear route but rather a network of options. Canoe and kayak travel is slow and Howe Sound is very big. With paddling speeds of four to eight kilometres per hour (or slower with strong headwinds) the journey the length of the Sound is a multi-day event, so a paddler needs somewhere secure to spend a few nights. For years, there were only three water-accessible official public camping sites: Halkett Bay Marine Provincial Park on Gambier Island, Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park on Keats Island and Porteau Cove Provincial Park on the eastern shoreline.The most crucial task was to create new water accessible campsites located within a reasonable distance of each other. Months of field research, supported by the SLRD, Recreation Sites & Trails BC and the BC Marine Trails Network Association, identified several potential sites. Following the checking and inventory of the campsites, Recreation Sites and Trails BC took the lead on securing them with official Recreation Siie status.
The Sea to Sky Marine Trail is a multi-jurisdictional project. There are at least ten significant stakeholders, mostly provincial, regional or local governments and many other interests throughout the network.
The major Stakeholders include:
• Recreation Sites and Trails BC – six new Recreation Sites
• BC Parks – Halkett Bay, Porteau Cove and Plumper Cove Provincial Parks
• Squamish Nation
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District – Area D – Two Recreation Sites along the northwestern shore of Howe Sound
• Sunshine Cost Regional District – Area F – Five Recreation Sites along the western shore
of Howe Sound and Gambier Island and one major park - Sir Thomas Lipton at the hed of Gambier Island's West Bay, also McNair Creek access point
• District of West Vancouver– Horseshoe Bay access point
• District of Squamish– Oceanfront access point
• Town of Gibsons– access point
• Bowen Island – Snug Harbour access point
• Trans Canada Trail Foundation– this Marine Trail is part of their national project. Read more about the Sea to Sky Trail on a BCMTNA blog article.
• Sea to Sky Marine Trail 2020 update.
• BC Marine Trail Network Association and Sea Kayak Association of BC - this Marine Trail is part of the BCMT/SKABC coast-wide project. BCMTNA & SKABC volunteers/directors have contributed significantly towards surveying, ground checking all parts of Howe Sound's coastlines, including the seven recreational sites. They are also involved with site deveoplment and stewardship (i.e. clearing of boat runs, levelling of tent of sites, signage, etc.) of the six sites. They have agreed to host Sea to Sky Trail information on their website.
Map
Map & Video
The BC Marine Trails map is the main repository of information for campsites, day use sites and launch sites. Steve, the Sea to Sky Marine Trail site steward, created this video to give readers a great on-site view of Howe Sound, launch sites, and campsites. Steve is a director of the BC Marine Trails and a member of the Sea Kayak Association of BC. The map below shows several possible routes on the Sea to Sky Marine Trail including the TransCanada Trail section from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish.
Plan your trip
Plan your trip
The Sea to Sky Marine Trail is not a 'true' linear trail connecting Horseshoe Bay to Squamish. Generally, paddlers access the trail from a few key locations where there is overnight parking and reasonable access to BC Parks and BCMT recreation sites. It's best that you choose a gateway or launch point where you wish to start and plan your trip by accessing our BC Marine Trails map.
Our main map & Howe Sound Map
It's a good idea to view the overall Howe Sound area on our main map first to get an idea of where you wish to paddle. Our goal is to ensure safe traveling by canoe or kayak. We completed safety audits within Howe Sound to determine where distances are not optimal or safe and continue to examine the area for places for people to camp, launch or spend the day. Currently, we are working on Apodaca Provincial Park (recent archaeological impact assessment and installing stairs). We are waiting for BC Parks to announce camping at this location.
Arriving by car
The Sea to Sky Marine Trail has several entry points including Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Maple Bay and Mill Bay or you can travel to one of the main Gulf Islands.
Nanaimo to Horsehoe Bay: A BC ferry travels on this route taking a little over one and half hours. You can launch at Horseshoe Bay. See our Walk-on, Paddle-off program.
Helpful tips to leave the car behind
You can launch from a multitude of locations within the Sea to Sky Marine Trail to start your trip, but general problem is going to be you'll have to return to your car somehow. The solution is to leave your car behind! Here are a few options to help you on your way.
BC Ferries Walk-on, Paddle-off program: BC Marine Trails has put together a program in cooperation with BC Ferries to get you on your way without a car. Simply walk your kayak onto a ferry, then walk it off on the other side to your launch location. We've highlighted all the suitable terminals to make planning your trip easy.
Launch sites & Campsites
Launch Sites
There are a number of ways to access the Sea to Sky Marine Trail. To find launch sites please access our map and locate the Howe Sound area.
Campsites
There are a number of campsites in Howe Sound for paddlers.There are six new recreational sites that have been established in Howe Sound. Our BC Marine Trails map will provide similar or more information on each site. The six recreation sites are:
- Tantalus Landing Recreation Site
- Zorro Bay Recreation Site
- Islet View Recreation Site
- Thornbrough Recreatin Site
- Bain Creek Recreation Site
- Ramillies Channel Recreation Site
Additionally, there are three provincial campsites on the Sea to Sky Trail, currently. The three provincial sites are Halkett Bay Marine Provincial Park, Plumper Cove Marine Provincial Park and Porteau Cove Provincial Park. The parks can be viewed on our BC Marine Trails map.
Hazards & Risks
Getting started - covering the basics
Be prepared. The BC Marine Trails has a full selection of resources, information and links here.
Specific hazards of the Sea to Sky Marine Trail
The winds through the main and easternmost channel of Howe Sound are mostly southerly or northerly. During November through to February approximately 80% of all reported winds at Pam Rock are from the northwest, north or northeast. In the summer the frequency of northerly winds drops to about 35%. Winds typically from the east or west are short lived and usually light.
Northerly winds - the strongest northerly winds occur with outflow events with a ridge of high pressure over the Interior of BC. These are often called "Squamish" winds or 'Squamishes'. Similar outflow winds from Indian Arm and Jervis Inlet are sometimes called Squamishes.
Winds can become dangerous in Howe Sound so please check the winds and weather beforing heading out and prepare for the eventuality of a change in conditions by wearing appropriate clothing for cold water. Rips and turbulent conditions are common where the water from Howe Sound clashes with the Strait of Georgia near the southern mouth of the sound. These conditions can be unpredictable and worsen considerably when mixed with wind waves. Additionally, rips and turbulent water are common in the northern legs of the sound where wind and currents funnel through narrowing and twisting channels.
