Wild Sea Lions up-close
Join us for an unforgettable kayak tour off the coast of Oak Bay, and experience the annual visit of over 100 California sea lions! Along with these magnificent sea lions, you'll also encounter more than 100 seals on the islands. The sea lions, weighing up to 1,000 pounds and reaching lengths of 8 feet, are here until February or March. You can hear their distinctive calls from the shore and even get up close to observe their playful antics. A knowledgeable guide will lead the way, providing insights into the area's history and ensuring your safety.
Amazing Scenery
Enjoy a south coast kayaking experience meandering around Oak Bay's iconic Trial Islands. Awe inspiring views of the Olympic mountains combined with the marine wildlife that makes Victoria famous, this tour is sure to leave you breathless!
Professional Service
Our tour guides are Paddle Canada certified sea kayak guides. Choose between Necky Eliza and Current Design Storm single kayaks or Current Design double kayaks. Novice kayaks are encouraged to use our safe, stable and fast double kayaks. We include a snack on each kayaking tour. Private washroom amenities available.
See Wildlife
California Sea Lions are here for the winter. See them up-close on this tour. Visit the island's local seal colony, spot herons, cormorants, oyster catchers and eagles as we paddles along the amazing intertidal coastline. Past hidden beaches, sea stars and floating jellyfish, this is a trip to remember!
Easy Access
We begin this trip at the highly photogenic Kitty Islet (with the red and yellow chairs!). There is free parking available here, and we have toilets located at our office which is directly across the street on Beach drive.
Pricing
2-8 people per tour, 2 hrs
Trip Details
Total trip distance is between 5-6 km (depending on speed of the group). Due to strong currents and winds around the Trials Islands they can only be accessed at certain times of the day. Tour times may have to be adjusted to correlate with slack tide. If winds are exceeding 20 km/h your guide will contact you before the tour to reschedule/cancel the tour.
We meet at Kitty Islet across from our office on Beach drive. We set you up with all your gear and you sign our waiver (If you have not already viewed and signed it online).
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 or neoprene booties would be preferable) You won’t get very wet but some drops may sprinkle on you from paddling.
Valuables may be left with us to take to the office, locked in your car or taken in drybags on the trip.
We start with a brief review of safety signals on Kitty Beach before launching our kayaks. Here in the sheltered waters of McNeill Bay we will have a mini refresher lesson of basic kayaking strokes and emergency procedures before heading off on our adventure.
We will begin by following the shoreline around McNeill bay and making sure that everyone is comfortable and confident. Once our guide is convinced that everyone is safe on the water and can turn and paddle sufficently, we will continue with the tour and make our crossing to the Trial Islands.You will learn a bit of Victoria’s and McNeill Bay’s history as you paddle out on the beginning of our journey!
After a snack and a drink, it’s time to retrace our steps and return to Kitty Islet. If you’re not in a rush after your tour, take a map and do a short walking tour over to the hidden gems of McMicking Park and Anderson Hill Park only minutes away!
