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Canoe from, Bella Bella

R

ripples

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Dec 13, 2022
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Location
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Hi There!

looking to plan a canoe route ~10-12 days from Bella Bella - we are experienced in ocean canoe travel (many trips including 14 days around desolation/cortes/mouth of Toba, 7 days in Broughton) - not looking for any exposed open ocean. Thanks for any and all suggestions!
 
Awesome - thanks for the suggestions. that looks amazing! acknowledging that weather and sea state are always variable etc - does it tend to be calmer heading north towards Kelmtu (Meyers passage, Laredo inlet etc) or hanging out in Northern Hakai Island groups (Cape Mark/McMullin/Tribal etc) mid august. Really appreciate any first hand experience.
 
If your starting point is Bella Bella, and your goal is to avoid open waters and strong winds, then you'll do better to hang out in the northern Hakai area, within Queens Sound where you can hop from island to island across short distances. Heading north to Laredo Inlet would require you to cross Milbanke Sound and Laredo Sound, which are longer crossings.

If you're interested in Laredo Inlet, and Princess Royal Island more generally, then you might have an easier time to start in Klemtu rather than Bella. Starting in Klemtu, you'd spare yourself the crossing of Seaforth Channel and Milbanke Sound, and reduce your crossing of Laredo Sound.

I also think a canoe might struggle to make it from Bella to Laredo Inlet and back in ten days, particularly if you are going all the way to the head of the inlet. It would be much easier from Klemtu.

Forced to choose between Hakai and Princess Royal, I would choose Hakai. The islands in Queens Sound, Cultus Sound, and Kildidt Sound offer some of the most scenic kayaking (or canoeing) on the coast. Princess Royal consists mostly of long channels and inlets. Mid-August is too early for the salmon run, so your chances to see a spirit bear on Princess Royal are lower than your chances to see a wolf in the Goose Islands. Also, Hakai opens up more possibilities for a loop route rather than an out-and-back.

Alex
 
Hey thanks so much everyone! Always need to be planning the next adventure :) Really appreciate all the great feedback and support!
 
A long trip report on our first trip to Hakai here: http://aubade1.blogspot.com/2019/04/from-klemtu-to-hakai-14-days-kayaking.html?m=1

Camping spaces are more scarce north of Dallas Island, and the paddling is mostly in inlets and channels. South of Seaforth Channel you have a lot more options — more than you could possibly fit into 10 days.

We returned to the area the following year and pushed straight south from Bella Bella into Hakai proper, making it down to Calvert Island, which was wonderful. The weather cooperated a lot more on our second trip than on our first.

Rounding Superstition Point is always a challenge. Although very strong paddlers might not be too daunted on calm days, as recreational paddlers we’ve always had to fight to get around.

We looked for alternate sites not found in Kimantas or on the BC Marine Trails map, and weren’t too successful; the only attractive sites we clocked were in Swordfish Bay and on Triquet Island. Triquet we avoided camping on because of cultural concerns, but there are certainly well-used sites there (and it’s a magical, must-visit island, if even for a day trip).

After a trip to Kyuquot in 2020, then a hike of the NCT in 21 and last year (sadly) off, we’re planning to return to Hakai this year. Hope you have a fantastic trip!
 
ripples said:
Hi There!

looking to plan a canoe route ~10-12 days from Bella Bella - we are experienced in ocean canoe travel (many trips including 14 days around desolation/cortes/mouth of Toba, 7 days in Broughton) - not looking for any exposed open ocean. Thanks for any and all suggestions!
Click to expand...
Check out my detailed report of a canoe trip from Bella Bella to North Calvert Island and return.

Stories with Pictures - KJ and Jeff's Adventures

Read, see pictures and watch videos about our 12-day 200 km canoe trip to Hakai in BC's Inside Passage from Bella Bella to Calvert Island and return.
kjandjeff.ca kjandjeff.ca
 
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