Cortes Island Trip - Sept 8-11, 2026

 

Cortes Trip Report – Sept 8 – 11, 2026

 

26 members of our group met on Cortes Island for 4 memorable days of kayaking, exploring and socializing. Getting to the Island involved driving to Campbell River before taking 2 ferries

 

 to arrive at our destination.

 

Day 1 – Sept 8

 

After checking into the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, 

 

we got together in the back deck of the Lodge for Dinner followed by an orientation session.   

 

Day 2 – Sept 9 

 

In the morning, Harvey led a 4-hour paddle exploring Gorge Harbour. After launching our kayaks at the Marina, we paddled past many boats anchored in the Harbour and then saw petroglyphs etched into the cliffs overlooking the entrance to the Gorge. 

 

We also paddled past many shellfish farms located in the Harbour.  

 

 

 

Some of the group toured the entrance to Desolation Sound on a 3 ½ hour paddle led by Cortes Kayaks.  Others explored Cortes – including the bakery at the Cortes Natural Food Co-Op in Mansons Landing, Smelt Bay Provincial Campground and Hollyhock Retreat Centres’ amazing gardens.

 

  

 

Afternoon

 

Some of the group participated in the Desolation Sound tour with Cortes Kayaks. 

 

Others explored the Island and some chose to relax in the Pool and Hot Tub at the Resort.

 

Evening

 

Most of the group met for dinner at the Barbecue and Picnic area on the Resort’s waterfront. This was followed by lots of socializing around the campfire.

 

  

Some people headed off to a 3-hr Bioluminescence Tour with Cortes Kayaks at Mansons Landing.  

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 – Sept 10

 

In the morning Scott led a tour of Hague and Gunflint Lakes. 

 

 

The group enjoyed an easy paddle on both lakes and challenged themselves to navigate the narrow channel joining the lakes. After the paddle many in the group had a refreshing swim in Hague Lake. 

 

 

 

Harvey led a group from Mansons’ Landing to Marina Island. The trip to the Island was a challenge due to the strong headwinds. The group spent some time exploring Shark Spit on the Island and then had the winds at their back on the return to Mansons Landing.

 

 

Evening

 

Dinner was at the Gazebo where we brought our own meals and some bought food from the Resort’s Food Truck. We then headed to the waterfront for a bonfire and watched the sunset. Ron, Doug and Jim entertained the group with a few musical offerings. 

 

Some of the group took in the amazing Bioluminescence paddle offered by Cortes Kayaks.

 

Day 4 – Sept 11

 

Most of the group chose to head home the next day. A few people stayed to paddle in the Squirrel Cove area on the east side of the Island.

Taylor Estuary/Sproat Lake - September 22, 2026, Ron Stephenson

 

Goose Lake Trip Report - Sept. 15, 2026, Harvey Pearson

The next day after the Amor Lake paddle, we four campers proceeded to Morton Lake Provincial Park and launched our kayaks onto the northerly reach of Mohun Lake.  That gave us access to Goose Lake, another leg of the Sayward Canoe Route.  Originally, we had thought of doing Brewster Lake this day, but decided that Goose Lake would be something new for most.  The lovely flexibility of just four people.  Goose Lake turned out to be very interesting, with many islands and coves, and we got to meet some of the canoe groups, mostly young women from back East.  Both days were a little windy but more than manageable, and the sunshine more than made up for the little bit of choppy water.

Amor Lake Trip Report - Sept 14, 2026, Harvey Pearson

Only four members ventured into the pristine forests of the Sayward Canoe Route but we were well rewarded with good sunny weather, hot at times, and good company.  The small group size allowed us great flexibility in exploring where we chose to, and setting our own schedule.  At nighttime, we had a great bonfire to warm our spirits and good conversation to whet our interest.  Although we did not see very much wildlife on this trip, the many islands and coves, the scenic mountains more than made up for that.  

Cortes Island: Manson's Lagoon Light, September 9,10, 2026 - Trips by Cortes Island Kayak

First there was Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark, but for two evenings we Kayaked in the Dark with Cortes Island Kayak. A total of 18 people toured Manson's Landing Lagoon in the dark to observe Bioluminescence.  This feature is the production of light created by invertebrates such as plankton when water is stirred or disturbed.  It was impressive display with wispy particles of matter glowing light green in the dark waters.  Bioluminescence occurs as a result from a chemical reaction between a substrate and an enzyme.  Thanks to Cortes Island Kayaking who guided and packed away the gear at the conclusion; it was a very enjoyable experience. 

Mistaken Island - September 8, 2026, Jim Powell

For those who didn't attend the Cortes trip (September 8-11), there was an opportunity to paddle the Beachcomber Peninsula out to, and around Mistaken Island on the Tuesday (8th).  This trip was initially scheduled for September 1 and deferred due to poor weather.  Conditions on the 8th were okay, but still a little windy with some chop along the swells.  Lunch was at Wall Beach and the return journey bypassed going into NW Bay and focused on getting back to Nuttal Bay. It was a nice paddle of approx. 10km  and fun riding some swell that kept us on our toes. 

Cortes Island: Hague Lake, September 10, 2026 - Scott & Donna Roy

 

Sept 10 – Cortes Trip - Hague and Gunflint Lakes paddle

13 PGOSA Paddlers convoyed for 20 minutes from the Gorge Harbour Resort and met at the Hague Lake Provincial Park Day-use area. We parked in the day-use parking lot beside Seaford Road then carted our kayaks for about 100 metres down a trail to the launch site. 

 

Once on the water Scott led the group in a counterclockwise direction on Hague Lake and we paddled past numerous cottages. A northwest wind picked up as we headed around the far or east side of the lake.

 

 We then paddled northward towards the channel between Hague and Gunflint Lakes. Ron took the lead in guiding the group through this narrow and shallow opening. We definitely had to make sure that our rudders were not in the water.

 

 

The group was then rewarded with reaching Gunflint Lake. We circumnavigated the lake 

 

before returning to Hague Lake via the narrow channel. We paddled on the north side of the lake 

 

before returning to our starting point – the gorgeous white sandy beach at the Provincial Park. 

 

After being on the water for 2 hours we had our lunches and many in the group enjoyed swimming in the warm Hague Lake waters. After loading our kayaks and gear onto our vehicles many people drove 5 minutes to the Village of Mansons Landing and enjoyed the offerings at the bakery in the Cortes Natural Food Co-Op.