Re: [Paddlewise] Quatsino, Vancouver Harbour

alex stated in reply to:
>>A friend and I are thinking of a trip to Quatsino Marine Park on northern
Vancouver Island, starting and finishing at Coal Harbour. Has anyone paddled
those waters?  How is the camping?  Any nasty bits to watch for?<<

>Coal Harbor is located right in downtown, I don't even know where you will
launch the boat. Paddling under the Lions Gate bridge<

I think Dan meant commencing his trip from Coal Harbour at the end of
Quatsino Sound, Vancouver Island, which is a popular launching spot near the
intersection of Quatsino Sound, Holberg Inlet, and Rupert Inlet.

I've not personally been down that far, as the Mahatta River campsite many
miles west is the farthest inland I have ventured (no open sea, then - I
can't get noooohh, sat - is - faction...).

If one looks at a map of Vancouver Island. Quatsino Sound almost bisects the
top portion of Vancouver Island.

As with all long inlets and destinations thereof, afternoon funnel winds and
tidal currents are some of the safety concerns - next to wildlife. Quatsino
Sound terminates in a two mile long, 500 foot wide, steep cliffed section
called Quatsino Narrows. Tidal streams can run up to 6 to 8 knots, so plan
ahead if you want to head west out of Holberg Inlet, down Quatsino Sound.

You can use local water taxi services in Coal Harbour to get you further
afield faster, or arrange for a pickup back to town. Also, give Pat Kirvin a
call in Port Hardy. He runs kayakers out to Coal Harbour (for a fee of
course). He may also want to give you some free advise if you tell him Doug
"sent you." He has an unsurpassed knowledge of the North Island and those
"secret spots."

http://www.island.net/~odyssey/

Our own Kirby Stevens also has a recreational map you can purchase of the
Quatsino Sound area, which indicates the most likely usable camping areas,
and other points of interest.

http://www.coastalwatersrec.com/

I'd also recommend getting a local map of logging roads of the area:

MacMillan Bloedel Ltd, 925 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3L2, 604
661-8671

Another good map/visitor guide is the Western Forest Products Ltd brochure.
Info maybe at:

http://www.westernforest.com


Have fun and hope for sun.


Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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