The Gwaii Hanaas National Park in Haida Gwaii is a paradise for sea kayaking. It's very remote and…read morequiet, has good beaches, fresh water and lots of wildlife. I've taken four trips with Gord in Haida Gwaii; two trips to Cape Freeman and two trips on the Outer Coast. On one Cape Freeman trip a pod of Orcas closely followed us for 30 minutes and on one Outer Coast trip a juvenile humpback surfaced with an outstretched mouth directly in front of us - about 20 yards distant. Another highlight of these trips is the visit to Sgang Gwaay, a Haida village that still has totem poles that are still standing after the village was abandoned in the 1860's. Gord is an outstanding guide who holds to the highest standard of safety and providing opportunities for guests to have genuinely meaningful experiences in a remarkable place. Gord's philosophy of attending to the present, particularly the quietude (there can be hours and hours without any noise pollution) helps to settle a busy mind. Gord is renowned for his cooking and his skillful use of his spice pantry. When he taught a kayak guiding course I attended last year, Gord emphasized that it is much easier to make rational decisions if one is relatively comfortable and that good food is a great source of comfort. The kayak fleet and gear are first-rate. Unlike, most kayak guided trips which require 1 or 2 large double kayaks, all of Gord's guests can use single kayaks - a double kayak is also available. There is a world of difference paddling a single and double kayak. Gord has different types of trips. For those with little or no experience sea kayaking, the Waters of Sgang Gwaay trip stays in calmer waters and has shorter trips between campsites. Experienced paddlers can take the Cape Freeman trip which can get out to the West Coast of Moresby Island. A trip with Gord is not for those who need an agenda. Gord always complies with the conditions of winds and waves - which may mean that you stay and continue to enjoy the same campsite. This is a great lesson for life! Nor are Gord's trips good for those who want to kayak independently of the group. But if you want to safely kayak and camp in a remote, beautiful and dynamic setting, Gord can't be beat.

Gord's attention to detail in virtually every aspect of his tour - from the thorough packing list,…read moreto the delicious campfire-cooked meals, to his diligence with safety on the water - combined to make a truly memorable experience for me during my recent 7 day 'SGang Gwaay Adventurer' tour. For those adventurers who are looking for an intimate wilderness experience with a well-seasoned guide who will help you make the most of your time in Gwaii Haanas, this is the trip for you. I highly recommend Butterfly Tours and, as someone who has self-guided many outdoor excursions before, I think the experience was well worth the investment to do this trip with a professional guide.

We came here for camping and also to check out the caves here. It cost $30 to $50 a night to camp…read more The campsite was busy on the weekend and not so much on the weekdays. The campground is quite big. The outhouse was not bad. We also explored the caves. The tours take 2 hours approx. You can do a self-guided tour but if you do than you don't get to go inside past the gates in the caves Note that in the areas there are lots of dangerous wild animals. We heard that there was a deer that got taken out by a cayote.

This was my first time cave exploring and I had such a wonderful and memorable experience! This is…read moredefinitely one of the best highlights of the entire trip! We went on the guided 3 hour "Ice Age Adventure" tour. Our tour guide was amazing!! She was very educational with the history, facts, and preservation efforts. She was experienced, attentive and overall fun to be with. We explored a series of marble passages and crystal caverns created by the power of "The Ice Age". The experience was amazing! We were crawling and schootching through tight passage ways. We even climbed an underground waterfall!! Wow, the amazing crystals formations were breathtaking. My pictures do not do them justice; you simply just have to see it for yourself!! Dress warm, as it does get a little chilly inside the cave, wear boots or sturdy shoes and know you are going to get a little wet! Take a waterproof durable camera! Also, if possible some gloves can be very helpful. They provide the helmets with a light. Hydrate and have a balanced meal, you will be hiking to the cave as well as climbing and crawling inside. They offer an education center featuring geology information, a small museum and fossil display. They have a small theater, so visitors can learn more about this unique environment without having to enter the caves. Snacks and souvenirs can also be purchased. Other above-ground opportunities include a self-guided walk through the amazing surface geology on the new "Phil Whitfield Interpretive Trail" that highlights interesting surface features explained in a self-guiding brochure. The drive to Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park takes you on an unpaved road for a few miles; don't be worried, it is part of the adventure!! Great price for the experience, this is a MUST DO when visiting Beautiful Vancouver Island!!

Stressful & unsafe two weeks. Minimal and unhelpful response from Nanaimo Yacht Charters (NYC)…read more This was our 2nd time chartering from NYC and decided to charter the same boat (52 foot power boat - Rock n Rye). Previous year had small issues on the boat but overall positive experience. This year was drastically different. Boat had not been maintained and we were sent out on a very unsafe boat. Night 1: Windlass stopped operating and lost generator power. This began two weeks of major power issues, the inability to anchor due to slow response and service, and incurring unexpected costs. We were forced to stay at marina's the entire time. At one point, the anchor came dislodged in the middle of Johnston strait banging against the boat. We were stressed and exhausted after week 1. We spent two days in Port McNeill waiting for the windless to be fixed. Going in to week 2, the windshield exploded above the galley - yes- while sitting at the marina on a calm evening. We then had a broken windshield, continued power issues (not enough power to operate much of anything while not on shore power). The first night we attempted to anchor after the windlass was supposedly fixed, there was not enough power to drop or pull up anchor without re-setting the fuse every 10 seconds. After two very expensive and stressful weeks we met with Andrew, the owner, who assured us he would 'make it right' and 'cover our costs'. It's been three months and we have been trying to reach him and he has not responded. We hope you don't make the same choice we did . Go with a different, reliable, safe and responsive charter company.

We just returned from our 4th year of chartering with Nanaimo Yacht Charters. As usual, the boat…read morewas well-prepared (we've used a different boat each time), Ian was as generous with his time as he needed to be, and the equipment was all present and worked (we didn't ever use the anchor windlass, though). We sail early in the season, when the wind is best, but also know that wind usually is a bit variable in this area, and very light as summer whams up. We've always found Ian, Sherry and Lorraine to have plenty of suggestions and advice about where to sail and stop, different activities, and they want to see us have fun (without breaking the boat, preferably). When we've had problems, Ian has been quick to answer the phone and offer suggestions. And it's worth the price of admission to watch them bring the boat back into the slip at the return. Nanaimo is also a great location for going to Princess Louisa Inlet, Desolation Sound, or the Gulf Islands, better than Vancouver or Sidney if you're interested in those destinations. Dodd Narrows is a great introduction to navigating BC waters.

5 Star Service to compliment the 5 star Scenery…read more Everything about the setting is idealic and beautiful. Provide a company could provide the essentials, the experience is already going to be great. However, Pedals and Paddles don't simple rest on the fact that they're situated at a great spot. They provided excellent service by quickly replying to my phone call, providing flexibility, offering things at no extra cost such as crocks (so as not to get your own footwear wet), among other things. Lots of equipment available and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We had limited time in our day to return to the ferry and they even charged a half hour rate rather than a full hour which I don't think many others would do.

Awesome fun rental area in Sechelt . The place to go if your wanting to do some kayaking in Sechelt…read moreinlet . Pristine and Beautiful scenery . The staff were humble , knowledgeable and kind . Prices very reasonable . I recommend doing at least 2 hrs as it's only $15 more for the 2nd hour

We actually booked their Deep Cove 3 hour tour in Vancouver and our guide was fantastic! Such a…read moretrooper in the cold rain, she made sure we had an easy, comfortable kayak. Although I had prior experience, my guests did not and they still had an amazing time. The instructions were quick and painless and we were in the water in minutes. Our guide spent some time pointing out some interesting native paintings we would have missed otherwise and kept our spirits up when it got a bit soggy and chilly. Overall a fun experience and definitely worth the price for 3 hours. Looking forward to booking with them again!

Such a great find! Small well run family company that has…read morelots of important info to share about the Coast Salish! One of our highlights in staying in the area! Andy is a terrific "Talking Trees Guide"! They also introduced us to Tyrone- At the Sechelt Museum! If you're like us and you love Native Culture, this is the place to go! By the way, it's extremely inexpensive! Comparable tours from hotel cost a lot more.

Nice easy hike that is safe for dogs. However, this hike does have some rocky sections. There's…read morelots of wide open spaces, bodies of water, and some wild life.

Beautiful waters here! Short hike, easy access, be prepared to swim…read more PARKING It's a small parking lot, maybe 10 spots, with overflow on the road around it. I've been here in the afternoon on a weekday in July and midday in a weekday in August. Both times we were lucky and one spot was open. Generally there's turnover since it's a short hike and you can get a spot. AMENITIES There is a bathroom at the trailhead, no water. There are tons of educational signage about the wildlife and plants in the area. DIFFICULTY & TIME Short hike, very little elevation change. You can get to the actual Smuggler Cove in about 30-40 minutes with a 4 and a 6 year old in tow (this is right before the loop starts). I've done the entire full lollipop loop in exactly one hour with only adults. SHADE The hike is 95% shaded. RECEPTION I had 5G reception for most of the hike (T-mobile). CROWDS It was busy but not too crowded both times I went. It was more empty when I went in the afternoon (July 2023). There were many more swimmers during my midday visit in August 2024, but still easy to get your own little private small cove to swim in. SWIMMING In August, we went swimming in the cove. It's not tropical, but it's not nearly as cold as other parts of the ocean. Lots of people were swimming, and a lot of people brought inflatable stand up paddleboards or kayaks.

Amazing little jewel hidden in this not too well known park - there are upper falls and lower…read morefalls. We came to the upper falls on a cold winter day after a storm and were surprised by the beauty! Search for Englishman River Falls (Upper Falls) on google and you'll find the directions. The best part about this destination is it's very easy to get to, a very easy hike and the water falls are right there - just a few minutes from the parking lot. Even if you parked outside and walk into the park, it's pretty easy. When you are close, you can hear the sound of the water getting louder - a very cool feeling. Once you see the falls it's breathtaking! There's a small bridge where you can take great photos. It's a good spot for selfies, too. Great destination for a short and easy outing if you're in the Nanaimo/Parksvile area. Suitable for kids and dogs.

There are many great hike/walks with water falls in the Northwest. This one is worth the trip…read more The hike is easy for most. If you are particularly mobility challenged walk out to the upper falls back to the parking lot then down to the lower falls. Bring a bathing suit. The water is brisk but clear.

About 15 min drive from Qualicum. We spent an hour walking…read morein a loop on the trail around the falls Watch your step Wear good shoes Did not see a bathroom ! Don't leave valuable in your car Very beautiful place Kids liked it too Nice place for a picnic

Nice, easy outdoor activity with beautiful scenery. The lower falls are only a few flights of…read morestairs down from the parking lot. There's a nice bridge to cross and you can go further down stream for a better look at the area. The higher falls are a further walk but are worth it! The walk isn't tough and the trail well kept. There's a series of falls and different look out points along the way. Very beautiful!