Location - Getting To Kyuquot and our Spring Island Base Camp
Getting to and from our Wilderness Kayaking Retreat base camp on Spring Island, on the remote Northwest coast of Vancouver Island, is a fantastic scenic experience and part of the adventure! Simply drive "up island" to meet our water taxi for delivery to our camp, or enjoy a spectacular float plane flight directly to Kyuquot or our camp.Once with us, your west coast adventure continues to unfold with a refreshing Base Camp Kayaking or Expedition Kayaking experience that connects you with the area, or a less kayaking-oriented Wilderness Retreat with family, friends, or colleagues.
Overview
Once on scenic central Vancouver Island:
- We're a 4 hour drive North and West of Campbell River, or 5 hours from the Courtenay - Comox area to our water taxi boat shuttle meeting point in Fair Harbour - then a 45 min. boat ride (water taxi) to Spring Island.
- Alternately, join us by float plane or scenic coastal cruise from Gold River, a scenic 1.5 hour drive West of Campbell River that takes you through spectacular Strathcona Provincial Park. We'll book the transportation from Gold River as part of your package.
- You can easily start or end your West Coast Expeditions kayaking adventure with other self-guided or guided activities on Central and North Vancouver Island, including scenic day hikes, overnight hikes, river rafting, grizzly bear viewing, whale watching, mountain biking, golfing, caving, surfing, or relaxed lakeside camping. Ask us for suggestions!
Canadian & International Guests
- Fly into Vancouver International Airport, then connect with a quick scenic flight to the Comox Valley or Campbell River airports.
- Either rent a car (our guests receive preferred rates with Budget Car and Truck Rental - ask us!), or
- We can help to arrange a van shuttle to your trip meeting point in Fair Harbour or Gold River.
- Note: most arrival times will require an overnight stay in the Comox Valley or Campbell River the day before your trip starts with us. Consider spending additional time on Vancouver Island before or after your trip with us to experience more of what the island has to offer - we're happy to help with suggestions.
- Most of our guests enjoy and appreciate the traveling to get to our remote location. However, if time is of the essence, charter float plane flights can be arranged directly to Kyuquot from most places on the coast, including with Air Nootka (from Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Tofino, or Gold River), Harbour Air (Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo), Vancouver Island Air (Campbell River), Atleo Air (Tofino), or Kenmore Air (Seattle). This can be an efficient option for a group (family, friends, corporate) traveling from the same location with limited travel time.
Once on Central Vancouver Island
- Most of our packages begin at Fair Harbour with a 45 min. boat ride (water taxi) that departs midday. Fair Harbour is a 4 hour drive north from Campbell River on paved Highway 19 (approx. 2 h), then another 77 km on a well-traveled gravel road (approx. 2 h) via Zeballos; this allows driving time from the Comox Valley or Campbell River that morning. This is a great option if you have your own vehicle or a rental vehicle, especially if linking your West Coast Expeditions kayaking vacation with other activities on central or northern Vancouver Island.
- Some guests choose the "float plane upgrade" and begin with an early afternoon float plane flight to Kyuquot from Gold River with Air Nootka. The plane either lands directly at our camp, or in the nearby village of Kyuquot where guests are then transferred to our camp by boat. The Air Nootka terminal outside Gold River is 91 kilometers (57 miles) west of Campbell River (paved road all the way - approx. 1.5 h drive on scenic winding roads through the valleys of Strathcona Provincial Park and along the Gold River).
- Some of our 7 and 9 day trip packages include a scenic coastal cruise to Kyuqout from Gold River aboard the "MV Uchuck III". If traveling in on the Uchuck, guests need to arrange their own accommodation in Gold River the night before their early morning Uchuck departure (e.g., staying at the Gold River Chalet, or a local B&B). Once in Kyuquot that evening, a water taxi will meet you for the 10 minute boat ride to our camp on Spring Island. Return travel to Gold River is either on the Uchuck, or with an Air Nootka float plane.
- Whether coming by float plane or water taxi, you'll truly arrive when stepping into the shin-deep water lapping the cobblestone beach at our Coastal Retreat on Spring Island, your base for a spectacular west coast kayaking adventure!
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Additional travel information for getting to Northern Vancouver Island
Comox Valley - Courtenay, Comox, and CumberlandComox Valley International Airport is serviced by Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet. The Comox Valley is a 4.5 hour drive to Fair Harbour, or only a 2-hour drive to Gold River. For more information about the Comox Valley, visit AboutComoxValley.com
Campbell River
Campbell River Airport Airport is serviced by Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Pacific Coastal Airlines. Campbell River is a 4 hour drive to Fair Harbour, and only a 75 min drive to the Village of Gold River (1.5 hours to the Air Nootka or Uchuck terminal at the head of Muchalaht Inlet.
Victoria
Arriving in Victoria is a great way to make the most of visiting spectacular Vancouver Island and connecting with other holiday adventures. From Victoria, you can travel by bus, train, or car to the Comox Valley. From there, it's a 2-hour drive to Gold River, or 4.5-hour drive to Fair Harbour to begin your adventure with West Coast Expeditions.
Vancouver
Arriving in Vancouver is a great way to make the most of visiting British Columbia and connecting with other coastal or mountain adventures. From Vancouver, you can fly to Campbell River or the Comox Valley, and then drive to Gold River or Fair Harbour to begin your trip with us.