Paddling
Quadra Island Kayaks
Heriot Bay
THINGS TO DO · CAMPBELL RIVER
Drop a line in Discovery Passage to catch salmon, paddle quiet coastal bays, or charter a vessel for coastal cruising.
4 paddling outfitters · 6 marine shops & services · Updated October 2026Things To Do Guide · Campbell River Guide
Photo: Quadra Island Kayaks via Google
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
Marinas and public launches line the coast, giving you direct access to the tidal currents of Discovery Passage and nearby inland lakes. You can rent kayaks for shore excursions or charter heavy-duty vessels for deep-water fishing. Motorized craft require a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) before leaving the dock.
- Boating Season
- May to October
- PCOC Required
- For all motorized boats
- Waterway
- Discovery Passage
- Local Legend
- The Tyee Club
02THE STORY
Get out on the water.
Paddle quiet bays, launch a boat for salmon, or rent a kayak on Quadra. The currents here are strong, so local gear and advice matter.
For paddling, Creek2Coast Paddlesports in town rents kayaks and boards, Quadra Island Kayaks in Heriot Bay rents and guides on the island, and Island Life Expeditions launches from Black Creek.
If you bring your own boat, Ocean Pacific Marine Supply & Boatyard, Limitless Marine & PowerSports and CR Marine Tech keep engines running.
Discovery Passage has some of the fastest tidal currents on the coast. Check the current tables before you head out.
01ON-THE-WATER GUIDE
Paddle with a local outfitter
Kayak and paddleboard outfitters around Campbell River and Quadra Island.
Paddling
Creek2Coast Paddlesports
Campbell River
Paddling
Island Life Expeditions
Black Creek
Paddling
Kayak Tours Campbell River
Black Creek
Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.
•THE GUIDE
Reading the Local Tides and Currents
Review equipment rentals, marine safety rules, and the best launch points along the eastern coast of Vancouver Island.
The short answer
Charter a high-performance vessel from Advanced Marine Power Ltd to tackle the coastal swell. For a slower pace, pick up a paddleboard from Creek2Coast Paddlesports or rent gear directly at Heriot Bay from Quadra Island Kayaks.
01Power Up
Rentals and Charters
Discovery Passage draws anglers looking to hook Pacific salmon. Local companies supply vessels ranging from sporty runabouts to heavy-duty fishing boats built for coastal swells. You can rent a boat for a small group or hire a captain to handle the steering while you focus on the catch.
For fully equipped vessels, look up Limitless Marine & PowerSports or Advanced Marine Power Ltd. They supply the necessary gear and safety instruction.
Peak season runs from May through October, making advance bookings essential for summer weekends and the fall salmon run. Anyone driving a motorized vessel must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Most rental agencies will check this before handing over the keys.
Local tips
- Book summer and fall rentals well ahead of time.
- Ask about multi-day discounts and fishing gear packages.
- Hire a captain if you lack coastal boating experience.
- Carry your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) at all times.
02Human-Powered
Kayaks and Paddleboards
Paddling lets you approach the shoreline quietly to watch for seals and eagles. The coastal bays and inland lakes give you plenty of calm nooks to paddle through at your own pace. Many rental shops sit right on the beach.
Pick up your gear in town at Creek2Coast Paddlesports. A 10-minute ferry ride takes you to Heriot Bay, where Quadra Island Kayaks sits ready for trips around Rebecca Spit. Further south in Black Creek, Island Life Expeditions and Kayak Tours Campbell River give you direct access to the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island.
You can stick to the ocean or head inland to the freshwater of McIvor Lake. Rental fleets stock everything from single sea kayaks to wide, stable paddleboards.
Local tips
- Launch early in the morning to catch the lightest winds.
- Always wear a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD on the ocean.
- Review the local tide tables before leaving the beach.
- Catch the ferry to paddle the sheltered waters around Rebecca Spit.
03Getting In
Marinas and Launches
Pulling your own boat means you need a reliable place to launch. Discovery Harbour Marina sits right downtown, giving you quick access to the main passage. Other public ramps sit just north and south of the city centre, placing you closer to specific fishing grounds.
Several docks have moorage, fuel, and repair services. Ocean Pacific Marine Supply & Boatyard stands out on the waterfront with extensive supplies. You can also rely on CR Marine Tech, Mid Island Power & Marine, and Passage Marine for mechanical help and parts. Call ahead for overnight moorage during the busy summer fishing season.
Clean boating practices protect the marine ecosystem and help sustain the salmon runs. Check for invasive species on inland lakes and carefully manage your fuel on the ocean.
Local tips
- Arrive at public ramps early on weekends to beat the wait.
- Keep cash or a credit card handy for parking and launch fees.
- Maintain your engine to prevent fuel spills in the passage.
- Phone marinas in advance to confirm fuel hours and moorage space.
04Boating Smart
Rules and Safety
Transport Canada requires anyone operating a motorized vessel to carry proof of competency. A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) fulfills this requirement and remains valid for life. You can complete the course and test online, but you must keep the physical card on board to avoid fines.
Every boat must carry specific safety gear. You need a Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD for each passenger, a buoyant heaving line, a bailer, a sound-signalling device, and a watertight flashlight. A VHF radio is strongly advised for coastal waters. Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and carries severe penalties.
Watch your speed and wake near the shore. Speed limits protect property and wildlife near marinas. Large wakes easily swamp paddlers and small rowboats, such as those used by the Tyee Club.
Local tips
- Complete your online Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) exam before arriving.
- Verify your rental vessel has all mandatory safety equipment.
- Designate a sober driver, as impaired boating laws are strictly enforced.
- Reduce your speed near shorelines, docks, and small rowboats.
05Reading the Passage
Tides and Currents
Marine conditions shift rapidly in this region. Tides dictate the currents, which run exceptionally fast near Seymour Narrows, the site where engineers blasted Ripple Rock in 1958. Mornings generally bring the calmest weather for paddling or motoring out to the fishing grounds.
Seek out sheltered bays or inland lakes for flat water. McIvor Lake has calm freshwater for waterskiing just minutes from downtown. Further inland, Buttle Lake sits inside Strathcona Provincial Park, established in 1911 as the oldest park in the province, surrounded by mountain peaks. On the saltwater side, the shoreline of Rebecca Spit often acts as a windbreak.
Review the marine forecast, wind direction, and tide tables before leaving the dock. Know your limits in a small boat or on a paddleboard. If the wind picks up, steer toward the nearest sheltered cove.
Local tips
- Plan your trip for early morning to catch the calmest conditions.
- Check the local marine forecast and tide tables before launching.
- Drive inland to McIvor Lake or Buttle Lake for reliable flat water.
- Steer toward a safe harbour immediately if the weather shifts.
06Local Legend
The Tyee Club
Anglers have chased massive Chinook salmon here for a century. The Tyee Club formed in 1924 to celebrate the region's heavy salmon runs. The club still operates every late summer and fall, testing the skills of fishers right in the passage.
Membership requires catching a Chinook, or Tyee, weighing 30 pounds or more. The rules are strict: you must fish from a traditional, unmotorized rowboat using light tackle and a single barbless hook. The angler brings the fish in using only their rod skills while the rower manoeuvres the boat.
Walk along the Discovery Fishing Pier, built in 1987 as the first saltwater fishing pier in Canada, to watch the rowboats bobbing in the tide. It is a quiet, methodical style of fishing that requires immense patience.
Local tips
- Observe the traditional rowboats from the Discovery Fishing Pier.
- Walk down to the club's spit during the late summer run.
- Hire a local guide to try your hand at catching Pacific salmon.
- Talk to the locals at the pier about their recent catches.
•SHOPS & SERVICES
Marine shops & services
Moorage, fuel and dockside patios.
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•Insider Access
Let a local take you there.
Tours, rentals, shops and stays run by Campbell River locals, all bookable from their profiles.
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•THE FULL LIST
All 4 paddling outfitters.
Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.
See them on the map4 places
PaddlingQuadra Island KayaksQuadra Island Kayaks offers guided paddleboarding and kayaking adventures for all skill levels, exploring the scenic waters of Heriot Bay and beyond.Heriot BayPaddlingCreek2Coast PaddlesportsThis shop on South Island Highway rents paddleboards and kayaks and guides local water tours.Campbell RiverPaddlingIsland Life ExpeditionsRent paddleboards and kayaks at this Clarkson Avenue Marina operator in Black Creek.Black CreekPaddlingKayak Tours Campbell RiverLaunch from Surgenor Road South in Black Creek for guided kayaking and paddleboarding tours of the coastal waters.Black Creek•STORIES
Read more from the Campbell River Guide
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•FAQ
Good to know
Operating any motorized vessel in Canada requires proof of competency, usually a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Rental companies can issue a temporary licence after you complete a safety checklist on the dock.
