6/4/2023 0 Comments Kayaking nootka soundKyuquot has a bed and breakfast, a coffee shop, a motel and restaurant, a general store, a Red Cross medical clinic, phone service, boat charters and a water taxi service. While it was once primarily a fishing village, in recent years, tourism has become a more viable alternative for many residents. Kyuquot is home to a population of around 300 First Nations people and others. Leaving Gold River at 7am in the morning, we tied up at the dock in the village of Kyuquot around 5 pm having made stops a a fish farm, a logging camp and to drop some fellow kayakers in Esperanza Inlet. The only Spanish settlement ever established in Canada, was maintained near here between 17 and Bligh Island, the largest island in the sound, is named after the much maligned British Naval Captain who was here with Captain Cook in 1778. This is where Captain James Cook became the first European to set foot on British Columbia soil in March of 1778. There is a lot of history in this part of Nootka Sound. In the past, as a summer home of Muchalat people, it housed approximately 1500 natives in 20 traditional longhouses. Thirdly, you get to ride a very cool and historic coastal freighter on a working route through some incredible west coast scenery.Īt the other end of the trip is Friendly Cove or Yuquot with a population of about 25 people. Rain is a strong possibility so make sure you have the right wet gear. Clean all camping or landing sites of any meat, fish or food. When going ashore, make sure you make plenty of noise to alert bears of your presence. Secondly, you avoid the long and not so interesting paddle up the inlet from Fair Harbour to Kyuquot and the very long run from Friendly Cove, up Muchalat Inlet, to Gold River. Kayaking the outer part of Nootka Sound is for experienced kayakers or kayakers with guides. This has a three-fold advantage first, you eliminate a daunting two car shuttle, leaving one vehicle in Gold River and the other one in Fair Harbour, almost 5 hours away. This makes it a one way paddling trip with your vehicle left behind in Gold River. What makes this trip particularly unique and special is using the Uchuck III to access and depart the coast. What makes a destination like this so special is its remoteness. One of my favourite Vancouver Island kayaking trips is from the tiny fishing village of Kyuquot, nestled in a protected harbour in Kyuquot Sound, down the coast to Friendly Cove (Yuquot) in Nootka Sound. From Cougar Creek, cross Tlupana Inlet, and paddle southwest to the point opposite Argonaut Point.
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