Overview

Tour Locations

Lake Superior:

The remote northern coastline of this inland sea features sparkling clear water, quiet coves, precipitous headlands and long sandy beaches. Caribou, moose and bear frequent the bays and coves. The rugged and spectacular coastline offers superb sea kayaking in the middle of the continent; steep flowing rivers delight and challenge the canoeist.

Lake Huron:

The North Channel provides more sheltered paddling. This is a beautiful are of white pine and polished granite islands, perfect for spring and fall-colour paddling.

Quebec:

In the salt water of the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence, beluga, minke, finback and great blue whales congregate during their summer feeding migration. We offer a six day trip, based out of chalets, from where we do day trips to kayak among the whales. Although the fjord is in a remote area of Quebec, there are charming towns nearby with fine Quebecois cooking, hospitality and accommodation.

Skill Levels and Fitness:

The pace is relaxed, with frequent shore-stops -- after all, this is your vacation! Most tours are suitable for beginners/novices and intermediate paddlers in good health (can swim 50 metres with a PFD). Lodge-based trips are the least physically challenging, whereas multi-day overnight camping trips require a higher level of fitness. The following skill levels are meant to provide guidance on your trip selection.  (don’t hesitate to contact us and we will help find the trip suited to you)

• Beginner: experience not required; we provide instruction on paddle strokes, wet exit and rescue techniques; usually less than 12 km per day.
• Novice: previous kayaking or canoeing experience; possible exposure to strong wind and waves; we teach paddle strokes, wet exit and rescue techniques; typically from 12-20 km per day.
• Intermediate: paddling experience (minimum forty hours); must be able to paddle, launch, land and rescue yourself and others in waves up to one meter; average 20 km per day;   exposure to challenging wind and waves is likely.   

What's Included

“All-inclusive” camping tours include: meals, fully equipped kayaks, wetsuits, guides, tents, sleeping pads, cookware, backcountry camping fees. You just bring sleeping bag, clothes and personal gear. For lodge-based tours, meal plans and accommodation vary and are listed with the tour.

We alos have “Minimally outfitted” tours where you provide your own meals and equipment (typically for experienced paddlers who have own gear); of course, you can rent equipment from us.

On all tours, we take care of the guiding, park fees, instruction and transportation from the stated departure point to the put-in.

Meals:(all-inclusive tours)

Forget the diet. We provide nutritious, carefully prepared full meals, with plenty of fresh meat, fruits, vegetables and snacks, while accommodating a vegetarian diet. If you have any dietary needs please let us know ahead of time.

Deductions:

If you provide your own fully equipped kayak, we deduct $20 CDN/day. Tour deductions (not additive) are as follows: 10% to former clients, 15% for groups greater than five, and 10% for early booking (before March 1). NO SURPRISES: TAXES ARE INCLUDED IN ALL TRIP PRICES.

Group Size:

Maximum party size: ten customers plus guides. We provide a 6:1 client to guide ratio. As safety is the prime concern, the itinerary may be adjusted if we experience inclement weather.

Transportation:

Some tours begin in Sault Ste. Marie with a wilderness train trip through. You simply arrive, and we take it from there. For most Lake Superior tours (e.g. Pukaskwa, Slate Islands, Lake Superior Provincial Park), we meet at Voyageurs' Lodge on Batchawna Bay for van departure to the tour put-in (or you can meet us at the put-in). For others, (Lake Huron, Quebec whale-watching) we meet at designated departure points.

Excellent highways lead to Sault Ste. Marie from Michigan and southern Ontario. Northwest Airlines, and Air Canada have regular flights to the area. An airport shuttle, accommodation and meal package with the Water Tower Inn is available the evening prior to departure. The Saguenay region of Quebec is accessible by highway and air via Quebec City – we provide return airport shuttle to the chalets (600 km round trip, ($195 CDN). There are regular flights to Quebec City

Guides

Our guides are experienced kayakers (advanced BCU or Paddling Canada certification) and professionals who can identify and interpret the flora, fauna and geology that surround you. As well, guides have extensive experience as outdoor leaders and are trained in first aid and CPR. Finally, but most important, our personable and friendly guides will ensure you have a joyful vacation.

Rentals and Sales

Test, rent or purchase kayaks and accessories at our Goulais Bay location on Lake Superior. We carry top-of-the line new and used British and Canadian kayaks (VCP, Necky), as well as paddling clothing from Kokatat and paddles by Werner. Taking a tour is a great way to test kayaks, and if you decide to buy, we deduct the daily kayak rental fee (included in tour price) from the purchase price!