Paddling the Sea to Sky Marine Trail
About Sea to Sky Marine Trail
The Sea to Sky Marine Trail (STSMT) consists of two major trail networks in Canada: The Trans Canada Trail and the BC Marine Trails. The trail officially opened in June 2015, because of 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 became difficult. On the east side of Howe Sound you find mostly cliffs, a railway and highway. Additionally, the Howe Sound Crest Trail was determined to be too strenuous, so the obvious alternative was a water route.
Many members of BC Marine Trails and the Sea Kayak Association of BC (SKABC) worked on this project, surveying sites, clearing trails and preparing landings and camping areas. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, all recreation sites have been equipped with composting toilets. Futhermore, Apodaca Provincial Park became part of the STSMT and the Salish Sea Marine Trail. This site provides four tent platforms and an open pit/composting toilet.
Plan your Trip on the Sea to Sky Marine Trail
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 overnight parking and reasonable access to BC Parks and BCMT recreation sites exists. Locate a gateway or launch point where you wish to start and plan your trip by accessing our map.
Resources
- View the overall area on our main map first to get an idea of where you wish to paddle. Choose your location and route.
Our goal is to ensure safe travelling by canoe or kayak. We completed safety audits of all routes in the Gulf Islands and other stretches of the BC coast to determine where distances are not optimal or safe. For example, the outside of the Gulf Islands – Gabriola, Valdes and Galiano Islands – have stretches of coastline without ample campsites. That is, campsites optimally should be 8NM apart to a maximum of 12NM.
If you are new to paddling you have to decide whether you are ready for your first trip. Consider taking paddling lessons and join a local club. Be trained. Be prepared. Be connected.
- As a member you can access our trip resources page or easily find resources online at Sea Kayak Association of BC.
Launch Sites on the Sea to Sky Marine Trail
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 on the Sea to Sky Marine Trail
There are a number of campsites in Howe Sound for paddlers. There are six new recreational sites that have been established. 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. 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. Recently, Apodaca Provincal Park on Bowen Island was added to the marine trail.
Hazards & Risks
The British Columbia coastline can be described as an inherently dangerous location. 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.
Ferry Lane Crossings: Several busy ferry corridors must be crossed over the course of the Gulf Islands Marine Trail, Salish Sea MT or Sea to Sky Marine Trail. Risk can be minimized by monitoring the appropriate Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services broadcast channels and by calling in on that same channel to alert traffic to your presence. This is strongly recommended for groups crossing ferry lanes or in questionable conditions such as chop, darkness or fog that could make paddlecraft difficult to see.
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. The following links can help you with traffic:
Howe Sound Map | Sea to Sky Marine Trail Map
Check out our other Marine Trails
