Kayaking to Blackberry Point, Valdes Island
On the July 1st long weekend, my husband John and I decided that we needed some down time. Life has been frantically busy for months and I knew there wouldn’t be much of a let up until we get settled in Calgary. Our single best way to relax isn’t in the spa of a fancy hotel, but looking out at the ocean from a beach campsite – preferably on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast – but with time at a premium we chose something closer to home. We went kayaking to Blackberry Point on Valdes Island.
Photos kayaking to Blackberry Point on Valdes Island
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Information if you are kayaking to Blackberry Point on Valdes Island
First you have to get to Vancouver Island. The boat launch is about 25 minutes south of the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo ferry terminal and about 90 minutes north of the Tsawwassen – Schwartz Bay ferry terminal.
A super easy boat launch is at Blue Heron Park, 0.5 kilometre north of Yellow Point Lodge. (From Highway 1 on Vancouver Island, turn east onto Cedar Road – north of Ladysmith. Follow the signs for Yellow Point Lodge. Then turn right onto Wesby Road and enter the Blue Heron Park. You can leave your car overnight and it’s free.)
The winds up and down Trincomali Channel can really pick up by the afternoon; try to time your crossing accordingly.
Look out for boat traffic – sailboats, motorboats and tugboats with log-booms.
Watch out for petroglyphs at Degnen Bay off of Gabriola Island.
It’s amazing how two nights away in nature gives you a new perspective on life. We need to do this more often.
Update: For a few years no camping was allowed at Blackberry Point but my friend who lives nearby tells me its not a problem anymore. Then in 2021 and again in 2022, I understand its a problem again so pick a different overnight destination paddlers. You can still enjoy kayaking to Valdes Island as a day trip.
More reading about paddling in Canada
- A 6-Day Wilderness Canoe Trip in Woodland Caribou
- A Week Long Canoeing Trip in Quetico Provincial Park
- 9 the Best Places to Paddle in Alberta
- The Beautiful Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit
- Kayaking Murtle Lake in Wells Gray Park
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Island Timberlands has ownership of Blackberry Point and Mosaic Management oversees the land on behalf of the owners. The Lyackson First Nations have never given permission to camp at this location. I believe part of the reason behind not allowing camping is that Blackberry Point is an old Lyackson village site. Signage has been posted in the past asking people not to camp here but someone tore it down. The BC Marine Trails has wanted to take the composting toilet apart there but has not received permission. So essentially for the past several years whether or not people have camped there it is not allowed.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your helpful comment. I’ve had mixed messages – even from people who live in the area.
There are new restrictions at Wakes Cove Provincial Park. For the past 15 years, one could moor overnight on the 40′ dock and ramp. (both sides) A new sign now only allows dinghy access with the 40 dock reserved for Lyackson First Nation, RCMP and BC Parks. As such, the wharf remains unused 99% of the time and boats without dingies are excluded for access.
I also note that BC Yacht clubs (through Marine Parks Forever) contributed $100,000 to the creation of Wakes Cove.
Hello
Fyi!
There is no legal camping at Blackberry Point anymore Mosaic forestry the owner of that property has closed that part of their property for 4 years now so there’s no camping, hiking or anything on any of their Valdes properties. The only legal place you can day camp is Wakes cove on the northern tip.
Do you have recent information about camping at Blackberry Point? As of June 2020.
Thanks!
@Dan I just double checked with a paddling friend in Nanaimo today. This is what she said – “We paddled out to Blackberry a couple of weeks ago and people were camped there. So, I would say yes to camping and I would expect it to be fairly busy, particularly on weekends.”
Wow, your photos are amazing! I can definitely see why Blackberry Point is said to be the most beautiful camp in the Gulf Islands. Thank you for this post– I definitely need to plan a kayaking/camping trip here!
Looks beautiful and relaxing, Leigh. Lovely images.
Wow, looks beautiful. This post is getting me psyched up for my trip to Quetico in less than a month.
I’m looking forward to reading more about this year’s Quetico experiences – it’s one place I’ll get to yet though I think I’d go in August when the bugs aren’t as bad.
Spectacular photos. I can feel the peace and quiet. It is the absolute beauty and character of nature which restores my soul as well. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful comment. I will so miss the west coast kayaking – but perhaps there will be some rivers in southern Alberta to explore.
(Raining Acorns, here, now writing as Prufrock’s Dilemma.) This looks spectacular. I hope to get there one day soon. In the meanwhile, we are off to Elk Lake in the Adirondacks this weekend–there is no downtime like that in a kayak or canoe, is there? Hope your time was restful, and thank you for making us all aware of so many beautiful places to visit.
Love the name of your new blog & will check it out.
The kayaking was spectacular and if you ever got the place totally to yourself it would be over the top. Still – a sunny weekend, a good book, R&R & wine – can’t beat it. Have fun at Elk Lake.