Sea Kayak Camping: Sechelt Inlet, B.C.

July 1-4, 2019

4:30 am wake up in Whistler to drive S on HWY 99 and catch our reservation on the first ferry to Langdale. Timing putting in on the tale end of Canada Day holiday worked great.

Arrival at Langdale yielded a curious seal and a doe on the shore near the ferry terminal. Dusk and Dawn are superb for wildlife viewing.

We took the direct route to Sechelt as we wanted to maximize time on the water. At Half-moon Sea Kayak Rentals we were greeted with awesome service and information. A familiar face remembered us from a trip after my previous surgery for a day paddle when still on crutches. Much assistance getting into the kayak must have left a mark. A few questions to gain further local knowledge and we were on our way.

A short stop to adjust our set-up showcased an eagle trying to pluck a rather large goose chick just meters away. The geese parents teamed up to guard against the attack successfully. Eagles really are a terror of the sky.

Crossing Porpoise bay towards the E coast of Sechelt Inlet we passed Poise Island and then rounded 4 mile Pt. A quick stop for a swim before pushing off into a totally immense swarm of jellyfish N of 4 mile Pt. This is where the landscape starts to have less signs of development and the journey feels like it begins.

Tuwanek Pt. was our next stop with great beach access, outhouse, and a solid creek for water. We had a snack and filled up our bottles above the outhouse. We generally pump surface water for filtration.

Oyster Beach campground is next but we did not stop and carried on to 9 mile Pt. campsite where we planned to stay the night. Another solid water source and quality spot to stay. There were signs regarding a cougar sighting in the area so we were conflicted weather to stay or not. A group of only 2, one of them limping around, and solid intel regarding great views at Kunechin Pt. across Salmon Inlet were the deciding factors. We did not refill our water and that was a mistake as there is no water at Kunechin Pt.

We had not employed our skirts yet as conditions did not merit. We had been cautioned, however, reg winds crossing Salmon Inlet so Gen put her skirt on at 9 mile and I decided not to. This was a mistake and I arrived at Kunechin Pt. wetter than I needed to be.

Great camping here for our first night. It is not on the islands and there is a washroom but we hung our food as we saw no signs of a cache. Seals were using the protection of the channel for fishing which made for good viewing to compliment that looking down Salmon Inlet.

The next day we broke camp and ate a fruit each for wet before starting the search for water continuing N on the E shore of Sechelt Inlet. There is no water here but around Cawley Pt. we stopped for a snack and to admire the scenery. A woodpecker was freaking out with the presence of an Eagle right near her nest and there were many, many, schools of fish we watched for some time.

A detour down Storm Bay to a dried up creek was still well worthy of our time. Perhaps rain would make this an option still at this time of year.

Entering Narrows Inlet we forgot about thirst when met by a calm S shoreline. Many urchins, starfish, and sea cucumbers cling to the rocky coast. We were lucky enough to see an otter catch lunch here as well.

There is a flagged creek a few hundred m E of Sockeye Pt. which was running! We drank our fill and topped up our bottles before heading for Tzoonie Narrows. This, and the Skookumchuck narrows require research and knowledge of slack tide for safe crossing.

Narrows Inlet has a steeper, more dramatic coastline and less traffic still. We passed a lounging seal and some Herrons before arriving at Tzoonie camp where we spent the night and pitched the tent a few feet from the water. There is an outhouse and bear cache here as well as lovely forest to explore.

The following morning we broke camp slower and walked around the mossy forest before heading N across the Inlet to check out the narrows and see the other coastline. We planned to cross back for more water but did so earlier to see the seal again. He did not disappoint.

Passing Sockeye Pt. at the confluence of Sechelt and Narrows Inlets’ the water was almost glass so we drifted aimlessly before heading back into Storm Bays’ W shore to meander the island before stopping at Cawley point. Marine life again co-operated with a show.

After lunch we crossed Sechelt Inlet heading for the W coast we’d follow back S to Halfway Beach Campsite. N of the campsite we passed close to a large rock and were surprised when roughly 50 seals nearly jumped on our lap. This was a highlight although one smaller seal was bloody and limped into the water. I assume he or she could have used some extra rest. The seal activity on this coastline would later prove to follow suit.

N of Halfway campsite there is a quaint bay with a sketchy looking hut we couldn’t resist. We were again on the hunt for water and our map showed a creek in this vicinity. The hut turned out to be unlocked with a guest book and a kind, welcoming note from the owners. There was an old sink outside plumbed with a hose from the creek which was operational! It appeared to be some time since anyone other than spiders or mice were here so we opted to sweep and take some photo’s before pushing off.

Halfway campsite further S has a long beach of good quality, much room for tents, a bear cache, outhouse, and a creek. It also has a sweet driftwood fort on the S end. Notable are the numbers of mice here which become very active at dusk. Put all your gear in the cache or in your tent.

The following day was our last, and hard to leave camp. We did not put in until around 11 am but seemed to arrive to Sechelt in no time. The amount of seal activity was very entertaining. They really do follow you.

Another highlight was on open water witnessing 2 eagles collide about 50m in the air and then spiral to the water fighting over a fish. Neither were graceful returning to flight but one seemed worse for the wear so we assumed this was not the thief. Total savages.

We arrived back at Half-moon rentals and had time to visit the Lighthouse Pub for some seafood and an IPA before taking the scenic route back to the Ferry.

This was roughly 60km return including some detours. We would certainly do this again but ideally for longer as is usually the case.

Keep stoking the fire.