Kayaking On Porpoise Bay In Sechelt BC

Fun Kayaking On Porpoise Bay In Sechelt BC

We had so much fun kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt in British Columbia (BC). We found several kayaking options on the Sunshine Coast. But for our first kayaking water adventure we booked with Halfmoon Sea Kayaks. We had a perfect calm day to explore Porpoise Bay.  And we were delighted with the sights we found around the bay.  

Choices For Kayaking On The Sunshine Coast In British Columbia

We loved getting out on the water whenever we had a chance. We kayaked in warm water places like Antigua and over underwater sculptures in Grenada when we cruised in the Caribbean. When we cruised with Ritz-Carlton Yachts we even tried a pedal kayak. We kayaked south of the Antarctic Circle on our excursions in Antarctica! 

We found outdoor adventures everywhere on the Sunshine Coast. With many different spots to get out on the water. So it was no wonder that we wanted to explore more slowly by kayak! Our new house on the Sunshine Coast was right on the water. It offered spots to store kayaks by the beach.  But we had not yet made that investment.

When we rented a speed boat at Pender Harbour Resort we found they also rented kayaks. We also learned there were kayaks for rent at the marina in Secret Cove right on the Salish Sea. But for our first kayak adventure we wanted a more sheltered spot to explore.

We found some kayaking options around Gibsons. This was the small town where the ferry from Vancouver landed. But Gibsons meant a longer day trip from home and we wanted just a morning excursion for our first outing. So we looked at options closer the Sechelt.  

Peddles and Paddles offered kayaking from the Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. And Halfmoon Sea Kayaks was located right at the Porpoise Bay Harbour in town in Sechelt, next to where the float planes arrived and departed from. This kayaking shop used to be located up the coast from us in Halfmoon Bay but moved into Sechelt several years ago. For this first excursion we chose Halfmoon Sea Kayaks for kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt,

About Porpoise Bay

The small town of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast where we moved is on the narrow land bridge (isthmus) between the Salish Sea on the Strait of Georgia and the Sechelt Inlet. The Shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation name for Sechelt (Ch’atlich) meant “land between two waters”. Across the Salish Sea we got a great view to Vancouver Island.

 At the top of the Sechelt Inlet we found the Skookumchuk Narrows. Twice a day the flow of saltwater reversed direction at the Skookumchuck Rapids. This created turbulence in the water and the difference in water levels along the rapids exceed 9 feet. We enjoyed the fun at the Skookumchuck Rapids at that end of the Sechelt Inlet.

Porpoise Bay is at the end of the Sechelt Inlet by the town. The large Porpoise Bay Harbour site offered boat launch, moorage and a Government Wharf. Several other docking locations were located around the bay.  Harbour Air offered floatplane services from the dock as well to Vancouver and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Porpoise Bay was a great spot to explore in Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast.

Packing For Our Kayak Trip

We were provided with information on the mandatory things we needed for our kayaking adventure:

• a pair of secure shoes or sandals with good ankle support that can get wet
• water to stay hydrated (recommended (1L minimum capacity for a half day paddle and 2L for full day paddle)
• at least one fully charged cell phone in case of an emergency

In addition to this we made sure we came prepared with:

• sunglasses (with a strap to hold them on)
• small snacks
• a dry bag
• cell phones and our GoPro camera
• cell phone case with lanyard
• bathing suit
• a hat with a wide brim (and a strap to keep it on our heads)
• sunscreen
• towels and a change of clothes for after kayaking

It was warm when we kayaked so we really did not need extra wet weather gear. But there was enough of a cool breeze off the water that I was happy to put my thin full length snorkelling skin on. By the end when the wind picked up, I was happy to have this on. David knew to wear a long sleeve shirt for sun protection and for when it got cooler. If we kayaked outside of warmer summer weather, we would consider wearing our dry suits, like we wore in Antarctica.

We brought everything we needed for our kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt.

Prepared For Kayaking On Porpoise Bay In Sechelt

We were provided with liability waivers to read and sign. They can be completed in advance of arrival.  Before getting in the water we got a good safety briefing. We learned about how to right the kayak and get back onboard if the kayak rolled. The ocean kayak included a small pump in case too much water was in the kayak. We sure hoped we never had to deal with any of this!

Life jackets were provided and were assigned a double ocean kayak with paddles. We helped move the kayak to the water. And then followed the instructions to properly get in the kayak.  For this trip we chose not to put a “skirt” on the kayak that would keep rough waters out of the kayak.

For our kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt we were fully prepared.

Heading Out In Calm Waters

We headed out into Porpoise Bay on perfectly calm waters. We glided past the boats in the harbour and the seaplane sitting at the dock. It was an easy trip out of the harbour.

We kayaked out on one side of Porpoise Bay. Our path took us by the other large dock on the east side of the bay. We saw more seaplanes docked here.

It was a perfect day for kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt.

Kayaking Past Porpoise Bay Provincial Park

On road trips around Sechelt, we explored Porpoise Bay Provincial Park before from land. The forested area had large open grassy areas, and sandy beaches too. We found the hiking paths wide and good for an easy stroll although we never did see the amphitheater. When we visited in the Fall, we were sadly unsuccessful in our search for salmon spawning in Angus Creek. We learned there was also camping sites available in this park.

We saw the shoreline of the park was mostly sandy and it looked possible to beach the kayak at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. This was identified as the stop to make if you needed a bathroom break. But we were good not to stop on this kayak trip. So we enjoyed the view from the kayak as we slowly moved past.  

We moved over quite shallow waters and could see clearly to the bottom, with colourful sea stars and sea cucumbers. At one point we saw a huge white moon jellyfish right under the water. My jellyfish encounter on our visit to Sicily left me quite uncertain about getting in any water where there were jellyfish. Even if David was quite sure these were not the dangerous kind of jellyfish!

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park was a great stop kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt.

Kayaking Around Poise Island

We turned back around at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park and headed towards the small island in Porpoise Bay. Poise Island is sacred land of the Sechelt First Nation (Shishalh).  

Poise Island was a beautiful spot to kayak around. We got a lovely view of the trees reflected into the water and the interesting rocks on the shore.

But we were delighted when we saw a single harbour seal settled on a rock by the shore. We quietly stayed back and watched the seal – not quite sure who was watching who!  When we kayaked around the corner we found another pair of seals playing in the water.

We slowly kayaked around Poise Island.  A fun stop kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt.

Returning To The Porpoise Bay Harbour

From Poise Island we headed back to the harbour. We originally planned to kayak all along the shore.  But the winds picked up while we were out and we decided to head straight back.

As we kayaked in we saw a surprising number of boats just anchored in the bay. Some looked more like small houses in the bay.  Many were abandoned and were creating an issue for nearby residents. We saw several different spots along this side of the bay for docking and launching boats.

We headed back into Halfmoon Sea Kayaks. In the shallow waters, we brought the kayak in and hopped out.  We were done our morning kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt.

A Great Morning Kayaking On Porpoise Bay In Sechelt BC

We had such a great morning kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt. We were well prepared for our kayaking adventure by Halfmoon Sea Kayaks. Even though it was a bit grey and the wind picked up, it was a perfect day for this excursion. 

Both porpoises or orca whales came into Porpoise Bay. We kept a keen lookout but on this trip we did not get this treat. But we were excited to keep kayaking around the Sunshine Coast. There were so many more water adventures to enjoy.

Have you tried kayaking on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt? Where should we kayak on the Sunshine Coast next?

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