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Kayaking along the sandstone cliffs of Valdez Island
Kayaking along the sandstone cliffs of Valdez Island

Kayaking to Blackberry Point, Valdes Island

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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.

Kayaking to Blackberry Point on Valdes Island was our destination. The photos below give you a pretty good idea of the type of country you see.

Kayaking to Valdes Island and landing at Blackberry Point under cloudy skies
Kayaking to Valdes Island and landing at Blackberry Point under cloudy skies
The view from our campsite looking south - at low tide after kayaking to Valdes Island
The view from our campsite looking south – at low tide
The beach at Blackberry Point - campfires allowed
The beach at Blackberry Point – campfires allowed
Sunset over Pylades Island
Sunset over Pylades Island
Our campsite was a bit more removed from everyone
Our campsite was a bit more removed from everyone
The summer calm near Ruxton Island
The summer calm near Ruxton Island
Fun exploring the waters on the way up towards Gabriola Island
Fun exploring the waters on the way up towards Gabriola Island
Our lunch spot - overlooking Gabriola Passage
Our lunch spot – overlooking Gabriola Passage
Interesting landscape with all the sandstone on and off the water
Interesting landscape with all the sandstone on and off the water
Kayaking along the sandstone cliffs of Valdez Island
Kayaking along the sandstone cliffs of Valdez Island
Kayaking past gargoyle looking rock formations
Kayaking past gargoyle looking rock formations
Very interesting honeycombed rock formations in Very interesting honeycombed rock formationsthe cliff
Very interesting honeycombed rock formations in the cliff
Looking up the coast of Valdez Island
Kayaking to Valdes Island and looking up the coast

Information if you kayak to Blackberry Island 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.

Look 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, II understand its a problem again so pick a different overnight destination paddlers. 

Further reading on paddling in Canada

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

Kayaking to Blackberry Point on Valdes Island, BC

 

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