Best Kayaking Tours-the Broken Group Islands

The Broken Group Islands are great for kayak touring. This group of about 100 small islands and islets has very diverse paddling terrain, beautiful campsites, and abundance of wildlife, and relatively easy access for west coast kayaking.

Getting There

On Vancouver Island, take Highway 1 to the Tofino turnoff and head toward Tofino. A few kilometers before the Tofino/Ucluelet junction, turn off to the left onto the gravel road to Toquart Bay. Take this road into the campsite at Toquart Bay. The beach at this campsite and parking lot gives the most protected access to the Broken Group. An alternative is to take the MV Lady Rose from Port Alberni to the Sechart Lodge.

The Islands

Hand Island is the first island encountered with a campsite out of either Toquart Bay or Sechart Lodge. Camping is on a strip beach connecting a small islet to the island, the islet itself, and beach on Hand. The shoreline of this island is full of little coves and pocket beaches to explore.

Gibralter Island

Gibralter Island is on the southeastern corner of this rectangular group of islands. It has an large exposed area open to Imperial Eagle Channel, but the inside by Jaques Island is protected. The campsite is at the northern end and is a similar configuration to the camp at Hand Island. This is a great exploration area. Day paddles can be taken to explore the shores and islets of Nettle Island, the lagoon at Jaques and Jarvis Islands, and the group around Dempster Island. Together, these islands encircle a protected area called the Island Harbour.

Dodd, Willis, Turtle, Walsh, and Chalk Islands also form a protected harbour and can be explored on day paddles. Going from Gibralter takes you by the Tiny Group on the way to Chalk Island. Dodd has a campsite on the northeasterrn side across from Chalk Island, with camping along a narrow spit among the trees. Willis camping is on its northwestern side, nested into a small bay between it and Dodd Island. This is a very popular campsite and can often get crowded.

Turret Island is closer to the open Pacific, so has more swell and more of the wild Pacific feel. The group of islets and islands on its western end string out toward Lovett Island and are great places to explore. The campsite on Turret is tucked into a small narrow cove and pocket beach o the southwest end of the island. The is minimal camping area on the beach, but more up in the trees. It is a kind of on-the-way-to place, but actually makes a great base camp for exploring the chain out to Lovett and the Clarke Island group.

Clarke and Benson Islands are the western edge of the Broken Group. The campsite on Clarke is exquisite. It has a beautiful white sand beach on both sides of a point. This point is protected by islets on all sides, providing a nice little play area. Clarke has a nice trail going over the island, so land exploration is possible here is stuck. Benson Island is a short hop away and has a lot of history. The camp at Benson has been decommissioned due to archaeological activity and the need to protect some important sites there, but it can be explored by day.

Effingham Island

Effingham Island has some of the most interesting features. It is open to the Pacific from the south into Imperial Eagle Channel. The group of island to its southwest are also incredibly beautiful. These islands are really exposed and can be the domain of expert paddlers only on rough days. Getting there is worth it, however. A sea lion haul out between Wouwer and Howell is worth a distant visit. Travelling inside the group keeps paddlers fairly protected, but going outside these islands presents the raw Pacific in whatever mood she is in on the day. The campsite on Gibert Island, just next to Effingham in Effingham Bay is on Gilberts northeast side. This is the least beautiful campsite in the group, but as a base, it gives access to all the islands in the Effingham area.

For sea kayak touring, the Broken Group Islands are ideal for any type of paddler, from beginner to expert. Family kayaking trips are common here. Near the open Pacific, the real ocean experience is right there, while being in a compact enough group to provide good protection for easier paddling. The camps are well developed and beautiful. Being part of a national park, they are maintained, cared for, and looked after on a daily basis. The Broken Group Islands are one of the best kayaking tours anyone could ever take.