West Coast Native Adventure:

Nootka Sound, located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, is one of the most serene and remote areas of Western Canada. We access this stimulating and rugged area by taking a scenic cruise aboard the M.V. Uchuck III, a 136 foot freight vessel that was built in 1942 as an American mine sweeper. We'll wet-launch from the Uchuck, and once in the Sound we will be able to enjoy secluded beaches, dense rain forest and a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, seals, wolves, black bears, porpoises and grey whales.

Our first two nights are spent camped on tiny islands inside the Sound where the Mowachaht and Muchalaht tribes once found protection from winter storms, and our last night is spent in the ancient village of Yoquot, where you will learn why the area was affectionately named Friendly Cove. During our stay you may even feel the lingering presence of the fifteen hundred First Nations People that once thrived on this area's rich resources. Our trip finishes with a leisurely final day as we prepare for the cruise back to Gold River on the Uchuck.

First Day: We meet in Gold River at 8 am and head to the dock to load our gear and kayaks aboard the Uchuck, which departs at 10 am. Aboard the Uchuck, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of Nootka Sound as we cruise up the Muchalat Inlet, visiting various fish farms and functioning logging camps. A cafeteria service is available onboard the boat. Around 2 pm we arrive at San Carlos Point, located on the corner of Bligh Island, and wet launch from the Uchuck. We'll paddle to our first site to set up camp for the evening and enjoy a West Coast style meal, followed by local stories and legends around the fire.       Second Day: The next morning we'll wake you with the delicious scent and taste of freshly brewed organic coffee, and an energizing, healthy breakfast. As a group, we will decide to leave a base camp or pack up and move to a new location. A walk through the temperate rain forest and along the rugged, untouched coastline will further connect you to the vast history in the area. We'll prepare a scrumptious lunch and ready our kayaks for an afternoon paddle to explore the rich intertidal zones where we are sure to find an abundance of wildlife such as sea otters, seals, bears, bald eagles, and more. For anyone with a greater sense of adventure, we will harvest local seafood to sample as dinner appetizers (conditions permitting). Later in the evening, after another fabulous West Coast meal, you will have the opportunity to relax on the beach by the campfire, tell stories, and star gaze. Third Day: You'll enjoy another delicious breakfast before breaking down camp and packing the kayaks to start off towards the infamous and magical Friendly Cove. We will stop to power up with a healthy lunch in a secluded bay, then finish up the short paddle to the beaches where Captain James Cook first set foot on British Columbian soil. He anchored his ship, the HMS Resolution, in Resolution Cove on Bligh Island, across from Friendly Cove. It is here that Captain Cook had first contact with the First Nations people of the Mowachalt and Yoquot. You can spend some time beachcombing - looking for trading beads and Japanese fishing floats, swim in the nearby fresh water lake, take photographs of fallen totem poles, explore the historical church, and visit the picturesque lighthouse. We will spend the evening telling tales and relaxing in the birthplace of British Columbia, the internationally historic site of Yuquot (also known as Friendly Cove) - where the wind blows in all directions. (Optional: cabin style accommodations are available in Friendly Cove for an additional fee) Fourth Day: Our final day at Friendly Cove gives you a chance to take your time in the morning, enjoy a leisurely brunch, relax with the magnificent view and walk the land which was home to more than 1500 people less than 250 years ago. We will once again load our gear aboard the Uchuck, and begin our cruise back, arriving in Gold River at approximately 4 pm. If we're lucky, Luna the resident Orca will escort us to the dock. He frequently swims alongside the Uchuck and surfs the bow wake of other larger boats in the Inlet. This brings close to a truly unforgettable adventure!

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