Guided Kayak Tours
Evening Tours
Sunset Tour
Departure Time: 7:30 PM | Season: May–July
Our guided evening kayak tours depart from Manson’s Lagoon at 7:30PM. Led by certified guides, this relaxed paddle explores the surrounding bays, lagoon, and nearby islets as the day transitions into evening.
As the sun sinks behind the mountains, the sky comes alive with the golden, pink, and orange hues of a summer sunset. Gliding along the coastline, we’ll watch and listen for the abundant wildlife that calls these islands home. Expect to see seabirds, seals, jellyfish, intertidal life, and more as the landscape settles into dusk.
Bioluminescence Tour
Departure Times:
8:00 PM | July–August
7:30 PM | Late August
7:00 PM | September
On our bioluminescence tours, after the sun falls, we will begin to see the first lights of the bioluminescent phytoplankton, which make the water beneath us glow. As we paddle into the night, the lights of these tiny organisms get brighter! We will paddle through the stars of the sea with the starry night above.
Additional Details
Sunset Tours operate from May through mid-July. As nights grow darker in mid-July, these tours transition into Bioluminescence Tours, which typically run from 8:00 - 10:30 PM for the remainder of the summer. In late August and September, start times shift earlier to accommodate earlier sunsets. Please check your reservation confirmation for your exact departure time.
Tour routes and itineraries are weather dependent. These tours are suitable for all levels of kayaking experience and are family-friendly; beginners are always welcome.
Day Tours
Desolation Sound
Discover the stunning beauty of Desolation Sound on this adventurous and immersive day tour. This guided paddle takes you through crystal-clear waters, rugged shorelines, and scenic islands.
Our certified guide will lead you through sheltered bays and open stretches, sharing insights into the diverse marine and coastal ecosystems of the region. Wildlife sightings may include seabirds, seals, and a variety of intertidal life along the shoreline.
Midway through the tour, we’ll stop at a sheltered beach for a snack break and time to relax or swim. This tour is suitable for all levels of kayaking experience and is a wonderful introduction to coastal paddling.
This tour is suitable for all levels of kayaking experience and offers a beautiful way to spend a summer afternoon exploring one of British Columbia’s most iconic paddling destinations.
Mansons Lagoon Pictograph Tour
Explore the calm, sheltered waters of Mansons Lagoon on this relaxed and scenic day paddle. Launching from Manson’s Landing Provincial Park, this guided tour is ideal for discovering the natural and cultural history of the area.
Led by certified naturalist guides, you’ll kayak through tranquil bays and along the shoreline while observing the rich intertidal ecosystem and abundant wildlife that call this lagoon home. Keep an eye out for seabirds, jellyfish, and other marine life in these protected waters.
As we paddle along the coastline of Cortes Island, there may be an opportunity to view ancient pictographs or petroglyphs created by Coast Salish Indigenous peoples, offering a meaningful glimpse into the area’s cultural heritage.
Weather permitting, this tour may include a paddle to a water-access lake followed by a short hike to a refreshing freshwater swim, an unforgettable highlight of the experience. Alternatively, partway through the tour we’ll pause at a quiet beach for a snack break and time to rest or swim.
This tour is suitable for all levels of kayaking experience.
Additional Details
Tour routes and itineraries are weather dependent. These tours are suitable for all levels of kayaking experience and are family-friendly; beginners are always welcome.
