Coulter Bay Return
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.
Paddling Region
Paddling Area
First Nations Territories
Homalco, Klahoose, K’ómoks, Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai
BC Marine Trails Sites visited
Coulter Bay, Penn Islands north, South Rendezvous Island south and north, Carrington Bay east
4
Difficulty
Intermediate
Kilometers
41
Days
3
Group size
2
Tents
2
Launch Date
July 10, 2023
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.
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. Depart from Coulter Bay, traveling north along Cortes and cross over to the Penn Islands. The first night can be on Penn Islands north, which also has a toilet maintained by the BC Marine Trails. The second night can be on South Rendezvous Island (south and north campsites). This is an unmaintained BC Park. On the third day return to Coulter Bau.