Paddling Clayoquot
Arm on north Kennedy
Lake with the peaks
of Clayoquot Arm
Provincial Park in
the background.

Features on the pop-up map correspond to items detailed in the Essential Vancouver Island Outdoor Recreation Guide.

Tofino, Ucluelet, Clayoquot and Pacific Rim:

Clayoquot Sound is a name that has earned almost a religious reverence among wilderness lovers. And for good reason. There is something awe-inspiring about seeing an old-growth temperate coastal rainforest in its natural state. Clayoquot moved to the forefront of the environmental movement in 1993 when demonstrations at the Kennedy River bridge to bar logging led to a summer of arrests. It was destined to become Canada 's largest case of civil disobedience, and the effort did lead to changes. The province turned most of the Clayoquot Sound's outer shoreline into parks (though that took place before the major protests in 1993), plus a few other key areas. The volume of wood harvesting was reduced. A scientific panel was created to monitor the ecological state of the sound. And, for what it's worth, Clayoquot was made a Unesco biosphere.

It might seem like good news for the preservation of the sound, but the simple truth is that logging is still extensive. Iisaak Forest Resources and International Forest Products are the two main Tree Forest License holders in the sound. Old-growth forest is still being harvested.

As well as Pacific Rim National Park , two other significant portions of the sound are protected as parkland – Clayoquot Plateau and Clayoquot Arm. Both are provincial parks with mainly inaccessible forest. In fact, most of the sound remains off-limits to casual visits, with the best portions accessible by boat. Complete information on the marine-accessible portions are detailed in The Wild Coast, Volume 1. Also, visit The Wild Coast kayaking website. Limited land access is possible to Bedwell Sound for only the most serious hikers (the starting point is Strathcona Provincial Park in the island's interior). For the rest of the sound, a kayak is strongly recommended.

- Excerpts from The Essential Vancouver Island Outdoor Recreation Guide, by John Kimantas, Whitecap, 2008

Recommended services:

Steller Sea Kayaking

We offer all-inclusive professionally guided sea kayak tours emphasizing the ecology, history, and culture of coastal British Columbia. Paddle in spectacular wilderness locations, view amazing wildlife, hike in ancient rainforests, camp on beautiful beaches, and enjoy great food and company. No experience necessary to join us on an adventure of discovery and relaxation in the Broken Group Islands, Clayoquot Sound, Johnstone Strait, or the Broughton Archipelago. Visit www.stellerseakayaking.com or call toll-free 1-866-251-5135.

Recommended places to explore:

Sightseeing: Highway 4 parallels the Kennedy River for some wonderful views of mountains and waterfalls along the way. The Pacific Rim Highway, as it is otherwise known, is an exceptional drive. For a great view easily reached from a parking lot near the peak, visit Radar Hill in Pacific Rim National Park.

Hiking: The Clayoquot Plateau Trail is a challenging route up Needle Mountain for wonderful views of Clayoquot Sound.

No link as of yet for this hike - it's relatively unknown. Watch for an article soon in Wild Coast Magazine, or read the Essential Vancouver Island Outdoor Recreation Guide for details.

Sea kayaking: An overnight trip to Whitesand Cove in Gibson Provincial Marine Park is an exceptional way to spend a weekend.

Flatwater paddling:

The long arm of Clayoquot Sound

This arm of Kennedy Lake a surprisingly tranquil place to visit / Spring 08

Surfing:

Dancing with the waves

While the rest of the coast sat in an off-season slumber, surfers ignored an uncharacteristic foot of snow in Tofino and braved mainly ‘mooshy’ waves over the first weekend in February / Spring 08