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Clayoquot Sound

Pronounced Klak-wit

Keep in mind this area is not for novice paddlers, unless a professional guide is present.

Clayoquot Sound has some of the best sandy beaches on the entire West Coast. Plus houses the largest tract of temperate rainforest remaining on Vancouver Island. Plus is frequented by Grey Whales.

Most camps are located on BC Parks land, with a fair number beingon Vargas & Flores Islands. All sites are undeveloped, so expect a pit toilet at the most.

A good source of water is the creeek flowing out of Riley Lake into Riley Cove, & the creek flowing from the unnamed lake across from Hot Springs Cove. ALWAYS BOIL YOUR WATER FOR AT LEAST 10 minutes before consumption, to ensure health safety.

Paddlers are bound to come across evidence of the Nuu-chah-nulth culture. Some of the middens have remained intact ofr thousands of years. PLEASE RESPECT, by not tampering or removing anything form these historically significant areas.



Canadian Hydrographic Services Chart:
3673 Clayoquot Sound (Tofino Inlet - Millar Channel)
3674 Clayoquot Sound (Millar Channel to Estevan Point

Canadian Hydrographic Tide Tables:
Based on Tofinio, using Herbert Inlet, Riley Cove & Sulphur Passage as secondary ports.



Launching is done from Tofino or water taxi:

- Follow highway 4 into Tofino, which becomes Campbell Street
- Turn right on First Street
- Drive to the bottom & access the public boat launch
- Try to launch at lower tide levels, since high tide leaves little area that is not riddled with boulders
- Vehicles can not be left at launch
- Free municipal parking at the corner of Main & 3rd ave
- Keep in mind Tofino is LOADED(over half a million) with tourists in the summer months so camping & accomodations will have to be arranged well in advance
- For info on water taxis to drop you & your yak(s) somewhere, or for accomodation options, take a peep at www.island.net/~tofino
- Make sure you know the main power boat routes & do your homework on the area before launching



Weather & Hazards:

- Summer winds usually Northwest or West
- Winds 20-30 knots are common on fair weather afternoons
- Potential for fog July & August (Usuall but not always clears by early afternoon)
- Have experience in surf landing
- Regardless of route, you'll face currents or 2-3 knots around Tofino harbour (which are a dangerous mix with winds & boat traffic)
- Harbourfront traffic along the shore of Tofino is to be crossed in a tight group perpendicular to traffic
- Traffic route between Tofino & Opitsaht Village on Meares, is the main route for all traffic coming & going



Whale facts to take into Consideration:

- NEVER to be approached closer than 100 m (same as sea lions)
- Make noise by tapping kayak so whale knows where you are at all times ( who wants a whale to land on them)
- DO NOT restrict or interrupt a whale's natural movements
- DO NOT disturb motionless whales (this causes unnecessary stress, for they are resting or sleeping)
- DO NOT split up groups of whales
- DO NOT box in whales with other boats or shallow water
- The best encounters are the ones where the whales have chosen to come up to you


Link to books on the destination below

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