Cape Scott Marine Trail
- 46
- 96 NM
- ~14 days
- Class 4
This Marine Trail consists of complex Class 4 waters — knowledge of sea state, weather forecasting, and extensive paddling experience on exposed coast are highly recommended before considering this route.
The Cape Scott Marine Trail (view below) offers a rugged and exhilarating adventure for experienced kayakers, stretching from Port Hardy to Coal Harbour at the end of Quatsino Sound. Situated at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, where Queen Charlotte Sound meets the open Pacific Ocean, the Cape Scott Marine Trail immerses paddlers in some of the most untamed and breathtaking landscapes.
Given the trail’s complexity, big waves, strong winds, and extensive distances thorough planning is essential. However, those who undertake this journey will be rewarded with pristine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a diverse array of wildlife both in the sea and on land.
Recent developments along the trail include the creation of several new marine campsites and significant infrastructure improvements, achieved through collaboration with the Quatsino First Nation. These enhancements are aimed at increasing safety and accessibility, though some gaps in site availability still need to be addressed. The northern section of the trail shares campsites with the land-based North Coast Trail offering a chance to meet up with hikers along the way.
Getting there
North Vancouver Island is approximately a 5-hour drive from Nanaimo or the ferry at Departure Bay. You can launch at several locations depending on whether you are completing the whole Cape Scott Marine Trail or accessing a part of it.
The trail can be accessed from any of the 10 launch sites along the trail. Find all launch sites on the BC Marine Trails map.
Port Hardy
The counter-clockwise route from Port Hardy is the most popular to take advantage of prevailing Northwesterly winds on the Pacific side. Launch at one of the three nearby launch sites or hire a water taxi to take you further up the east shoreline to shorten the route.
Carrot Park: This is the main access to the beach within the town of Port Hardy.
Bear Cove: This is a boat ramp and launch located across Hardy Bay from Port Hardy. Parking can be an issue.
Storey’s Beach, Fort Rupert: This is a beach access at a local park slightly more distant than options within Port Hardy and Hardy Bay.
Coal Harbour
If travelling from west to east, Coal Harbour is the recommended put in.
The beauty of this trail is that Coal Harbour and Port Hardy are a short 20 minute drive from one another. Due to the unique geography of Northern Vancouver Island, the full loop can be accomplished by shuttling cars from your launch site to your destination (two car minimum required for this strategy).
The Cape Scott Marine Trail boasts approximately 46 campsites to choose from — depending on how far you are willing to stray from the direct route. Check out the BC Marine Trails map for a comprehensive overview of sites to choose from.
Shuttleworth Bight: Big Beaches & Surf Conditions
As you approach Shuttleworth Bight, the landscape shifts to expansive, stunning white sand beaches. Despite the seemingly gentle low-gradient sand, don’t be fooled: wind and waves can quickly generate surf conditions even within the more sheltered areas and rocks are prevalent beyond the shoreline. Exercise caution and remain vigilant to ensure a safe and pleasant experience as you navigate these picturesque yet potentially challenging beaches.
The West Coast
Upon reaching the west coast, the real adventure begins. This section is known for its dynamic conditions, including rips and rogue waves, there are few emergency pull-outs so stay alert. Lowrie Bay offers a fantastic opportunity for rest and some fun surfing practice.
If you wish to shorten your trip, you can pull into San Josef Bay and arrange a ride back to Port Hardy with the hikers, making this option a practical solution for retrieving your vehicle. Note that the bus service does not accommodate kayaks.
San Josef Bay to Quatsino Sound
The stretch between San Josef Bay and Quatsino Sound is marked by dramatic cliffs and powerful waves, with limited emergency pull-out options. Despite the rugged conditions, several well-situated campsites offer safe access points and protection from the surf. These sites provide a crucial respite and are essential for managing the challenging coastal environment.
The Final Stretch
As you approach the entrance to Quatsino Sound, you’ll encounter another lighthouse, marking a key point in your journey. The final challenge involves navigating Quatsino Narrows, which requires careful timing and is best tackled at slack tide for a safe passage. There are several campsites within the Sound to allow you to wait for the right time.
To complete your trip efficiently, consider leaving a vehicle at Coal Harbour before heading to Port Hardy. It’s a straightforward 20-minute drive back from Coal Harbour to Port Hardy, where you can retrieve your car from the launch point.
This Marine Trail consists of complex Class 4 waters — knowledge of sea state, weather forecasting, and extensive paddling experience on exposed coast are highly recommended before considering this route.
The cape is connected to Vancouver Island by a tombolo, positioning the campsites at Experiment Bight and Guise Bay approximately 500 meters apart by land but nearly 4 nautical miles by sea.
To safely navigate around the cape, plan your passage for slack tide and, if possible, high tide when most rocks are submerged. Spotting the lighthouse from the water can be challenging as it sits high on a hill on the east side. A large standing wave often forms off the point below the lighthouse, and numerous submerged shoals and rocks are around the entire cape so it’s advisable to navigate near slack tide and in favorable wind conditions. For a breathtaking view and a closer look at the lighthouse, consider hiking the trail from Guise Bay.
If you are looking to extend your adventure — or go on an alternate route from the standard Cape Scott Marine Trail — the Brooks Extension is a great option.
Without the commitment and weather window required to make it around the Brooks Peninsula, this trail extension offers a taste of the rugged, wild Brooks coast.
As a BCMT member you can access our trip resources page or easily find resources online at Sea Kayak Association of BC.
Hazards & Risks
The British Columbia coastline is an inherently dangerous location, and marine trail users assume the risk of navigating the BC coast. The BC Marine Trails Network has pinpointed some key locations where risks are increased due to pre-existing known conditions or possibility of risk. However, marine trail users are cautioned that risk can occur at any time at any location, and proper equipment, clothing, rescue gear, preparation and training are recommended to ensure optimal safety. Recurring safety considerations include:
Currents and rips: Conditions will be lessened if not eliminated at slack times, so check the Tides and Currents Tables to find the safest time to cross or transit difficult locations.
Shipping lanes: Be sure to know where shipping lanes are located on your charts and monitor Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services broadcast channels to track shipping movement.
Check out our other Marine Trails
