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River Rafting BC: We Uncover the Island's Best White Water Rapids!
For all you river rats and H2O thrill seekers...if you're looking for some river rafting BC offers up, you've GOT to make a trip to our Island! Not only is there some excellent white water river rafting, but we've also found a hidden away "white water gem" for some unforgettable kayak surfing!
For adventures in white water river rafting, BC is the place to head to. Our province is loaded with plenty of rugged canyons with rushing rivers. However... we've discovered some exceptional white water paddling that you've got to try out here on Vancouver Island! Here's our list of best places for white water river rafting and kayak surfing on Vancouver Island:
Upper and Lower Nimpkish RiverThe Nimpkish River is located on north central Vancouver Island. By car, it's about a 90-minute drive northwest from Campbell River, and it's a worthwhile river rafting BC destination!This is a river where you can tackle more than 40 sets of rapids over 20 km (12.4 mi). Upper Nimpkish is the one to head to if you're just learning how to handle rapids - a good place for cautious beginners. This is also the area that family white water rafting tours are handled.
No matter where you're rafting on this river, we're pretty sure you're going to see some serious wildlife! Black bears, elk, deer, cougars... show up along the banks of this river. If you want to try out the Nimpkish River with a white water rafting guide, here's the company to go with: Destiny River Adventures , based in Campbell River. We like this company because you'll get excellent guides, and a good selection of river tours (easy to challenging rafting on Class IV rapids). If you've got kids, you might also like the Oyster River rafting tour (which will save you the drive to Nimpkish Lake).
You've Done The Rafting....Now How About White Water Kayaking?
Come on, there's more to rapids than a raft! If you're looking to add to your river rafting BC adventure... how about white water kayaking?
Here's our favourite white water kayaking locations:
TOFINO - WESTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND There's some good white water kayak surfing for all you experienced wave riders at Long Beach (near the town of Tofino)on western Vancouver Island. Good wave action. Want to head out to this area? We highly recommend that you check in first with some of the local surf shops. Find out about weather forecasts, wave activity, and so on. The guys at the Tofino surf shops are super knowledgeable. They'll direct you to the best areas along Long Beach to hit the waves for some kayak surfing.
QUADRA ISLAND - 10 MINUTES EAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND Take a very short trip off eastern Vancouver Island... and here's the little "gem" we've found out about... superb class I to IV white water ocean tidal kayaking around Quadra Island. Just an awesome adventure! This island is super easy to get to - about a 10 minute ferry ride east from Campbell River, northeastern Vancouver Island. Click Here to find out about the ferry to Quadra Island. White water kayaking and kayak surfing is especially excellent at the tidal rapids of Quadra Island and we'd recommend that you head over there if you want some amazing rapids! QUADRA ISLAND FOR BEGINNERS: If you're a beginner or intermediate white water paddler, head for Surge Narrows Marine Park. This is an excellent spot to play around and hone your white water skills. Basically, enough of a thrill, but nothing too scary.
QUADRA ISLAND FOR ADVANCED ADRENALINE JUNKIES: If you're serious about big water, we'd highly recommend you head to the Discovery Islands Lodge on Quadra Island, where you can stay and play. Best time to go? We'd say spring and summer is your best bet for huge wave action. On big flood tides that run each spring and summer, the Okisollo rapids are incredible - reaching speeds of up to 12 knots! You'll get those crazy whirlpools and white water chaos for a serious rush! In this area, there's a hugely frightening wave that lives here - about 3 meters high, known among locals as the "Okisollo Tidal Wave." We've been told that there are few standing waves of this size and quality in Canada! Okisollo is an awesome wave that will challenge any advanced kayaker. MORE ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION:
Unlike some of the kayak and river rafting BC lodging that's available, the Discovery Islands Lodge is a "bare bones" hostel-style B&B. It's clean and comfortable, but it's basically a hostel - prepare to bring your own stuff.
Click Here to find out more information about the lodge and the kayaking.
You'll find some great river rafting BC adventures right here on Vancouver Island - we've got tons of excellent rivers for everyone to enjoy! Head on out and tell us your story!
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BUT head further down the river, to the Lower Nimpkish arm, and this is where it gets pretty wild - rapids wild enough for adrenaline junkies! WARNING: The rapids of the Lower Nimpkish River are known to be dangerous, so make sure that you are either a seasoned rafter/kayaker or you're on a guided river rafting tour.