Discovery Islands - Women's Only

The adventure begins when you board a 10-minute ferry from Campbell River to Quadra Island, the outermost of British Columbia’s Discovery Islands. An hour's drive through tiny communities and coastal rainforest brings you to Discovery Islands Lodge, your rustically refined paddling oasis perched on the edge of the Salish Sea. 

Plan to arrive at 3:00 pm when you will meet your guides and other guests eager to settle into this accommodation which lends itself to small group adventures. Once unpacked and refreshed, we will meet on the docks out front to launch an easy, scenic paddle near the lodge. Paddling tips in a positive, relaxed atmosphere will get us ready for the next day’s outings. Healthy nibbles will await you on your return before everyone makes their own dinners and dine together at the immense wooden communal table. Sharing of food, laughter and stories seem to flow naturally in this setting.

After dinner, we convene in the largely windowed living room with views of the ocean and chart our plans for tomorrow's on water adventures. Sunset on the deck let the reset begin.

When to Arrive/ Depart

• Our program begins at 3:00pm on Day 1 (July 10) at Discovery Islands Lodge
• Our program ends at 10:00am on Day 5 (July 14) from Discovery Islands Lodge

Planning Your Travel

Discovery Islands Lodge is at the end of Surge Narrows Road on Quadra Island, about 30 km from the ferry. Quadra Island is a 10-minute ferry from the city of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. You can get here by air, or overland by driving or bus. 

By Airplane: 

1. Fly to Campbell River airport on Vancouver Island. There are many flights from Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle; see below. Or fly to Comox Airport from Calgary via WestJet. Drive to the ferry terminal at Campbell River. You can rent a car or use the airporter service.
2. If you would like help with flights, please contact Marina Gosselin at Departures is willing to work with Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures clients to book flights and make other travel plans.
   • She charges a $75 fee for domestic travel and $150 for international. 
   • [email protected] or 778.401.8754

By Car or Bus:

1. Take a ferry to Vancouver Island. You can travel from Vancouver BC via BC Ferries departing from terminals at Tsawassen or Horseshoe Bay. Your destination is Nanaimo (mid island) or Victoria, the pretty capital city at the south end of Vancouver Island. There are also ferries from the USA to Victoria – departing from Seattle, WA and Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula. Sailing time for all ferry routes is 1.5 – 2 hours.
2. Drive to Campbell River via Highway 19. Driving time is 3.5 hours from Victoria; 2 hours from Nanaimo.
3. Take the ferry to Quadra Island, departing from downtown Campbell River. 10 minutes
4. Bus service to Campbell River is available from downtown and airport locations at Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo, BC.
5. At the Quathiaski Cove (Quadra) ferry landing, follow traffic: off the ferry – up the hill – past the plaza. Turn right at the stop-sign (gas-station corner); turn next-left at West Road (just past the school, where all the directional signs are.) Follow West Road past the police station, and about 5 km further to Heriot Bay.
6. At Heriot Bay Fire Station (first crossroad), turn left onto Cramer Road.
7. Stay on this road all the way 22 km to Discovery Islands Lodge. The road name changes: Cramer Road becomes Hyacinthe Bay Road, then Village Bay Lakes Road, and finally turns into Surge Narrows Road for the last 5 km or so. (Don’t Turn, and Trust your Odometer.
8. You’ll enjoy this winding wilderness road through Quadra Island’s temperate rainforest, and the beautiful BC Provincial Park at Main Lakes. The last 12 km of road are hilly and mostly wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass easily – but be careful. The gravelled road surface is well-maintained and fine for 2- wheel-drive vehicles… Just slow down and enjoy the scenery.
9. Surge Narrows Road ends at the ocean, 100 metres beyond our driveway. Before you get there, you’ll see our sign and our driveway to the right: “Discovery Islands Lodge, Sea Kayaking, B&B Kayak Hostel.” The driveway is steep but fine for all vehicles to go down — and up again after you unload. We don’t have space for parking at the bottom, but there are several parking areas on the driveway, and it is also fine to park along the upper roadside.

After making our own breakfasts and packing our lunches we set off from the docks to discover the coastline of Hoskyn Channel. Our coastal touring instruction unfolds organically as we land on secluded beaches, float beneath sheer rock faces and keep our eyes peeled for the blow of Orcas and Humpback whales. Midway through this 5 to 8-km paddle we find a beach to relax, enjoy our lunch and maybe even take a wild swim in the cool waters. The ever-present mountain vistas beg to be photographed and entice us to want to paddle further… but that’s for tomorrow.

After a day of learning on the water, we return to the lodge, ready to cook up a delicious dinner while we share our day’s adventures. After a short session of trip planning, you are free to ease your paddling muscles with a sunset yoga session or a soak in the wood-fired sauna on the docks. You will find yourself relaxed and at peace watching the changing evening light from your vantage point on one of the 2 lodge decks before retiring to your room where you will enjoy a comfortable sleep lulled by the sounds of lapping waves.

• Paddling Distance: 5 to 8km (depends on tides, winds and groups interests) 

Today is a big day. You will have spent the past 2 days preparing for our approximately 15 km journey through the remote channels between Quadra, Maurelle and Read Islands in beautiful Surge Narrows Marine Park. Considered one of the most biodiverse areas in British Columbia, this secluded marine wilderness is one of British Columbia’s best kept secrets.

Accessed only by water, we will be paddling leisurely through an area rich not only in marine life, but human history dating back thousands of years. Making our way through a calm passage we will marvel at the way of life displayed in the small hamlet of Surge Narrows on Read Island, where you can stop and mail a postcard from Canada’s only floating post office.

Mid-day will find us mapping our way to a pristine beach for lunch and a refreshing dip in the sea, before turning for the paddle home. The Discovery Islands archipelago will amaze you with sea urchins, sea stars, seals, dolphins and quite possibley one of the many whales often seen in the vicinity. Once back at our lodge, snacks will await while you once again create a feast fit for hungry paddlers. The final evening of your trip is made for complete relaxation, connection with the group and a blissful sunset. You may choose to sneak out on the docks once the sky has darkened to experience the magical bioluminescence found in the sea.

Sleep well with the breeze and ocean singing you to sleep.

• Paddling Distance: approximately 15 km (depending on tides, winds and groups interests) 

This is YOUR day to choose your own adventure. You can opt for a sunrise SUP, a hike from the lodge to look over Surge Narrows, or simply sit and soak in the serenity of the lodge.

The Surge Narrows hike takes you to view the big standing waves at high tide and is highly recommended. Casual meals, saunas, wild swimming and a sunset paddle can round out the day.

If you want to discuss more about what you can do on your adventure day, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Sunrise comes early in the Discovery Islands. On your final day, have a delicious lie-in or choose to arise at 5:30 am, slip onto your board with your hot cup of coffee or tea and float peacefully as the sun warms your face and world around you. This is a deeply awe-inspiring time that few choose to miss.

Next up is a hot shower in the lovely outdoor showers followed by a hearty breakfast and time to pack up for our 10 am checkout. You will leave this island oasis feeling reset, connected and a much more confident paddler than when you arrived. 

The kitchen is equipped with most dishes and cookware to prepare and serve meals for large groups such as; a medium-sized fridge/freezer unit, propane stove with oven, enough pots, pans, bakeware, dishes, serving dishes, cutlery, glasses, etc. to prepare and serve most meals for large groups. Basics like a coffee grinder, carafates, drip cones & filters are included. There is a BBQ if you like to cook outside. 

This is an off-grid location and primarily powered by solar panels with a backup gas generator. There is usually enough electricity to charge cameras, phones, and laptops. High-draw electrical items with heating elements such as coffee makers, toasters, and hair dryers, cannot ever be used. We are not able to charge electric vehicles at this time. 

Hot water is provided via on-demand propane heaters. We are committed to being part of the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Please help us by minimizing hot water use. 

Discovery Islands Lodge is in a remote location. Ambulance service is at least one hour away. A trip to the hospital may take several hours, especially at night, and stresses limited emergency services. Please use caution around the water, when walking on slippery decks, always use lights/flashlights at night, and avoid excessive use of alcohol.

Fire safety: We are located outside the Quadra Island fire protection area. We take fire prevention very seriously. Oven, cookstove, & BBQ’s should be monitored continuously when in use. Check that they are turned off when finished.

Your guide will review all the site amenities and functions upon arrival as well as provide reminders for safe use where necessary.