Okeover Inlet to Lund via Desolation Sound

Highlights
A 4-day solo loop through one of BC's most spectacular marine parks — from the sheltered Okeover Inlet to the wild Copeland Islands — with world-class campsites, dramatic tides, and a wind-hammered finale into Lund.
West Curme Island Cove
West Curme Island Cove
Unwin Lake stream hike
Unwin Lake stream hike
Sea lions off curme islands
Sea lions off curme islands
Oyster field at low tide
Oyster field at low tide
North Copeland Islands Cove
North Copeland Islands Cove
Copelands view at dusk
Copelands view at dusk
Paddling Region
Paddling Area
First Nations Territories
KlahooseTla’amin
BC Marine Trails Sites visited
Okeover Arm TuxwnechWest Curme IslandNorth Copeland KwukwutaysLund
Difficulty

Intermediate

Kilometers

40

Days

4

Group size

1

Tents

1

Launch Date

June 1, 2018

Difficulty

Intermediate

Kilometers

40

Days

4

Group Size

1

Tents

1

Launch Date

June 1, 2018

Considerations
Put-in/take-out: Kayak rental and shuttle logistics are key — Powell River Sea Kayak offers a one-way rental (Okeover Inlet pick-up, Lund drop-off) for a small surcharge. Sunshine Coast Shuttles + Pacific Coastal Airways from Vancouver is a fast and affordable access option without a car.Water: No drinking water from the ocean. Bring a 10L+ water bladder; freshwater can be found at the stream/campsite near Unwin Lake (short portage across the Sound from the Curme Islands).Tides: Tidal range of ~8 feet significantly affects launch/landing conditions. Razor-sharp oyster beds and slippery seaweed at low tide make entry/exit difficult. Consult Fisheries and Oceans Canada tide tables before each day.Route direction: Prevailing winds favour travelling north-to-south (Okeover to Curmes to Copelands to Lund). Doing it in reverse means paddling into the wind on the exposed final leg.Campfires: Not permitted in the marine park. Wood tent platforms are available at the Curme and Copeland Islands.
Conditions
June (shoulder season) — lighter boat traffic than summer. Mixed weather with intermittent rain throughout. Winds were calm on Days 1–2, building significantly by Day 4 with 3–4 foot waves and large swells on the open channel between Desolation Sound and Lund. Tidal range approximately 8 feet. No significant current concerns along the route.
Route Description

This is a 4-day solo circumnavigation through Desolation Sound Marine Park, launching from the Okeover Inlet and finishing in Lund — a classic point-to-point route made possible by Powell River Sea Kayak’s one-way rental.

Day 1 — Okeover Inlet to West Curme Island (~17 km)

After flying into Powell River and shuttling to the Okeover Inlet, I was on the water by noon. The paddle out of the Inlet and into the Sound was rainy and windy, but manageable. The Curme Islands offer over a dozen well-developed campsites with tent platforms, picnic tables, and outhouses. Campfires are not permitted.

[Photo: View from tent platform, West Curme Island]

Day 2 — Island Day / Unwin Lake Hike

I stayed a second night on the Curmes to explore and refill water. A paddle across the bay leads to a quiet cove and a short hike up to Unwin Lake, where an old log jam sits above a bubbling stream — an excellent freshwater source. In the afternoon a Spirit of the West group arrived, and we shared wine and desserts under the trees.

Unwin Lake stream hike

Day 3 — West Curme Island to North Copeland Island (~14 km)

Leaving the Sound meant confronting open water. Wind picked up quickly and I took 3–4 foot waves over the bow with large swells between them. The fiberglass sea kayak handled it well. I surfed into the North Copeland Islands and found a beautiful site in a sheltered cove. A short hike to the island’s high point rewarded me with stunning views.

North Copeland Islands Cove

 

[Photo: Log jam at Unwin Lake]

Day 4 — North Copeland Island to Lund (~8 km)

Broke camp early after catching a forecast of worsening wind and rain. Despite the early start, conditions deteriorated quickly. The 8km channel back to Lund was the most challenging paddle of the trip — sustained large wind waves, with multiple passing boats checking in to make sure I was okay. Landed safely in Lund in just over an hour.

Oyster field at low tide

 

See my blog post for more.  https://huntingheadwinds.com/blog/solo-kayaking-in-desolation-sound-bc

Submitted by: Andrew Godfrey
Solo paddler and adventure blogger based in Ontario. One solo wilderness trip per year — mostly freshwater lakes and rivers, now branching out to BC's coast. Read more at huntingheadwinds.com.

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