Powell River Sea Kayak
Powell River Sea Kayak
5
Multi-day Tours • Scuba & Snorkelling • Eco Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing
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Specializing in Desolation Sound, British Columbia - where warm Pacific waters teem with marine wildlife and the majestic coast mountains tower over idyllic islands. Join us on an all-inclusive multi-day camping tour, or at our uniquely wonderful eco-resort on an uninhabited island in the heart of Desolation Sound, enjoying locally sourced foods, cozy comforts and a perfectly tranquil setting. Kayak rentals and day tours are further options to experience Desolation Sound and whet your appetite for longer adventures. Snorkel with the STARS! in the unusually warm waters and experience colourful sea stars, sea cucumbers, spiny urchins and much more. Experience the adventure and explore Desolation!
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
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Powell River Sea Kayak
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
125 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Colin N
Bowden, Canada2 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
This is an amazing tour. The company and communications were well organized and booking was easy. They use excellent equipment and have fantastic guides who are knowledgeable, skillful and take the best care of you and your kayaking experience. The food is absolutely amazing, above and beyond what I had expected. The camping spots are gorgeous as well, with good tent sites and jaw-dropping views. Daily paddling excursions are a reasonable length of time and not terribly challenging. I am a beginner kayaker and had no trouble at all. Extra exploration is an option on some days which was nice. We enjoyed our tour of Desolation Sound very much, gorgeous scenery and lots of marine life sightings. A wonderful balance of paddling and relaxing.
Written September 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francoise D
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Friends
Beautiful kayak trip, I felt safe the whole time. All the islands we camped at were beautiful, différent from one another with amazing views and sunsets. Above all, our two guides were wonderful : knowledgeable about wildlife and the environnent, super attentive at all times, and also preparing tasty meals!
Written September 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anaest
Vancouver, Canada1,529 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
We did the four days three nights lodge based guided kayak tour with Powell River at Cabana Desolation Sound. We did a similar tour by Wild Coast Adventures at Orca Camp two years ago. Instead of posting only positive remarks, which there were plenty, I would like to present a balanced review to help travellers.
Food and lodging 5/5: the cabin is really comfortable and super clean. Each cabin has a queen bed, a sitting area, dresser and bedside table. All cabins have sea view. There is a mud room next to a shower area with on demand hot shower which is a luxury while “camping” in the wild. There are three flush toilets at the compound so it is a good ratio for the total number of cabins. We never had to wait to use the washrooms. At Orca Camp there was only one shower and two sinks for brushing teeth and two eco toilets for the whole group. The platform bed in the tent at Orca Camp were not of the same comfort level as the cabana cabin. The food is also of a very high quality at Cabana. It is prepared by chefs. Great job Ben and Julie! At Orca Camp the food were prepared by the guides though plentiful and delicious it wasn’t of the same standard. The Cabana site has paddle boards and Orca Camp has hot tub and rock painting for down times. Both sites have books, games and hammock. There isn’t a stove fire to dry our clothes compared to at Orca Camp. But Cabana has great wifi connection and charging stations for those who can’t live without wifi or have the need to connect with the outside world. Cabana is definitely the more luxurious version of glamping. We were very happy with it.
Location 4/5: Desolation Sound though beautiful doesn’t have as much wildlife. We did see one humpback whale, plenty of seals and a pair of porpoise, lucky us! At Orca Camp we saw many pods of orca, whales, dolphin etc. The tidal pool is also much more interesting at Orca Camp. This is more of a paddling experience and Orca Camp more for whale watching while kayaking.
Kayaking experience 2/5: This was a slight let down. Our guides did their best with a smile. But there was only two of them for a group of ten guests and it was the end of the season so they were understandably exhausted. It was a lot of effort to carry the kayaks to launch and to bring them back on the rugged shore, pivoting here and there twice each day. Most of the time it was just one guide to carry the kayaks with all the guests helping as the second guide needed to be in the water for safety reason. So we have had to do a lot of heavy lifting over difficult shores. We were fortunate that there were a few younger guests in the group who helped a lot. This is where Cabana loses out to our experience at Orca Camp where the guides get the kayaks all set up and ready to launch for the guests, while we were having breakfast and getting ready, although we often try to help a little. We were treated like guests on a real relaxing vacation. There were three guides at Orca Camp instead of two, both had ten guests.
Four days of lifting heavy kayaks twice a day were a bit much for me if I am being honest. The paddling was easy but the heavy lifting was a chore. I don’t recommend this tour to people with back problems or looking for a more leisurely vacation. I chose the lodge based kayak tour because i am not fit enough for expedition tour but I didn’t expect to have to lift heavy kayaks twice a day. I guess that was why they emphasize “a good attitude” is required!!!! It will be better to do a day tour where the guides usually lay out the kayaks all ready to go at launch sites. Or perhaps just a one or two nights tour for first timers looking for glamping with kayaking experience.
Also worth noting that the guests would have to kayak to and from the cabana cabin at Kinghorn island on the first and last days. This is clearly stated on the website. While at Orca Camp the journey to and from the camp site is by a motor boat which also doubled up as a whale watching trips that was super fun.
Sent from my iPhone
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah K
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Family
This was one of the best guided tours I have ever been on. Our guides Alex and Yuan were awesome!! The food was fabulous and we saw so much wildlife. Everything was well organized and it was fun. Highly recommend!
Written September 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikki S
Salmon Arm, Canada2 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Friends
I can not say enough about this trip!! I could go on and on and gush but I’ll just say that Luke and Gabby were beyond the best guides I’ve ever encountered. They were both very knowledgeable and great chefs! I would follow them into any kayaking adventure!
The trip was well planned and the best thing in the world!
Have already recommended PRSK to everyone I know!
The trip was well planned and the best thing in the world!
Have already recommended PRSK to everyone I know!
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denison L
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Couples
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the 7 day Desolation Sound/Toba Inlet kayaking expedition we just did. Our two guides were outstanding, with great knowledge of kayaking and the spectacular natural setting, as well as persistently high energy and patience. I would happily go on another expedition with either one of our guides. The food on the trip was also incredible - varied and delicious.
I appreciated the excellent communication of Powell River Sea Kayak. The trip description was very clear as to the level of fitness required and the importance of a good attitude. We noticed that our guides were observing the whole group's ability and tailored our adventure accordingly. We got to see remote, beautiful areas with a really great group. I would highly recommend this trip and company without hesitation - in fact, I already have!
I appreciated the excellent communication of Powell River Sea Kayak. The trip description was very clear as to the level of fitness required and the importance of a good attitude. We noticed that our guides were observing the whole group's ability and tailored our adventure accordingly. We got to see remote, beautiful areas with a really great group. I would highly recommend this trip and company without hesitation - in fact, I already have!
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosie S
North Vancouver, Canada21 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Friends
We would highly recommend the 4-Day Desolation Sound Vacation Camping Tour. The guides (Keegan and Marco) were fabulous - very personable, friendly, knowledgeable about the area, and excellent chefs.
The meals were freshly prepared. Who knew we would be having appies and dessert every night for dinner!
Our group of 9 included two kids (11 and 13). They loved it but appreciated their older cousins helping them with the paddling.
The scenery was spectacular and we loved seeing humpback whales, porpoises, seals, sea stars, etc. Swimming in the warm water was a highlight. The terrain is very rugged so tidal pools were limited. The islands require navigating the terrain to get to your camp site or to the 'thunder box'.
The meals were freshly prepared. Who knew we would be having appies and dessert every night for dinner!
Our group of 9 included two kids (11 and 13). They loved it but appreciated their older cousins helping them with the paddling.
The scenery was spectacular and we loved seeing humpback whales, porpoises, seals, sea stars, etc. Swimming in the warm water was a highlight. The terrain is very rugged so tidal pools were limited. The islands require navigating the terrain to get to your camp site or to the 'thunder box'.
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Departure673504
1 contribution
Jul. 2023 • Family
Desolation Sound and Toba Inlet 7 day kayaking trip was incredible with magnificent scenery and amazing wildlife. Powell River Sea Kayaking was terrific to work with. Our guides, Luke and Camille, were engaging, funny, helpful, knowledgeable and great cooks. There was time to appreciate the surroundings, ask questions, take pictures, chat with others and swim. The food was delicious and everyone in the group happily pitched in with packing up kayaks, carrying gear and washing dishes. Truly a wonderful trip.
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cityNeil
Victoria BC55 contributions
Jul. 2023
Just completed 7-Day Epic Toba & Waterfalls Expedition. Can't recommend enough. Luke and Camille were expert guides, advising what was a fairly experienced group of kayakers just enough to ensure safety, but at the same time acknowledging that people's thresholds varied. The food and cooking was without fault. The group enjoyed plentiful, good quality and healthy meals throughout the trip.
The actual trip was amazing. The scenery was at times literally breathtaking, and we actually spent the last two nights deep into the Toba Inlet.
The general trip was helped by the fact that the group gelled well and everyone did there bit, chipping in where necessary.
One thing to bare in mind is that a degree of fitness is required, there is a lot of kayak lifting, packing up, and moving gear. This did not hamper my enjoyment, but needs to be understood.
The actual trip was amazing. The scenery was at times literally breathtaking, and we actually spent the last two nights deep into the Toba Inlet.
The general trip was helped by the fact that the group gelled well and everyone did there bit, chipping in where necessary.
One thing to bare in mind is that a degree of fitness is required, there is a lot of kayak lifting, packing up, and moving gear. This did not hamper my enjoyment, but needs to be understood.
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Experience416010
1 contribution
Jul. 2023 • Family
We had an amazing time with our family. My two boys aged 13 and 16 also loved it. Even though the older boy is a metro man. He came down to earth and agreed it was brilliant! Lucas and Gabby were absolutely fabulous. Can't say enough about all their amazing efforts. Food was spectacular. Scenery amazing. Equipment excellent. All in all I would say impossible to beat! Thanks so much
Written July 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience