OAK BAY COAST & ISLANDS KAYAK TOUR

We meet at Haynes Bay, the beach beside Oak Bay Marina. We set you up with all your gear and you sign our waiver (your guide can function as the witness).
You should wear comfy clothing (fast drying athletic wear or merino wool is best but not required) and any kind of shoes (although water shoes would be preferable). You won’t get very wet but some drops may sprinkle on you from paddling.
You can provide dry bags for the things you would like to bring.
Now’s the time for a bathroom stop before we launch our boats.

We start with a mini lesson on the beach before we launch our boats. You will get an introduction to safety procedures and depending on your skill level basic kayaking strokes and handling.

We launch from the sheltered beach at Haynes Bay, right beside Oak Bay Marina. There are little rocky islets and sailboats anchored when we paddle out of the bay.

Lots of seals live in the shallow waters around this area. During the summer months the mothers can often be seen nursing their pups on one of the rocks. If they are there during our tour we will watch the seals and their pups up close without disturbing them. The seals are all locally born and raised along the coast and scattered islands and islets which make up Victoria’s coastal waters, and as such they are quite accustomed to kayakers and marine traffic. The babies are usually born in late June and July, and they stay nursing for approximately 8 weeks before weaning.

With majestic Mt. Baker as our backdrop we explore along the coastline past Mary Todd Island and the long sandy stretch of Willows Beach.
Watching out for different species of jellyfish keep everyone entertained, while listening to your guide talk about the cultural and natural history of Oak Bay’s coast. When we pass Cattle Point, Uplands Park’s coastal outpost, river otters can often be seen on the rocks.
We may decide to explore Cadboro Bay more closely or venture out to Jemmy Jones Island and Flower Island. Various hidden little beaches offer landing spots for a snack break before looping back towards Oak Bay Marina.