While basecamping out of Jedediah Island, we paddled out into the Sabine Channel and explored around most of 30 islands in the area.   All of the islands are rocky with very few landing spots, but we found a couple that would be good for camping as long as we brought our own water.  

Tidal currents are minimal in this area.   We experienced a 2 knot flow from the NW in Sabine Channel and some winds, but for the most part, kayaking is in protected waters around the islands.   Using a kayak sail, I was able to sail down Little Bull Channel one day and down Sabine Channel to the south tip of Texada another day.  

We enjoyed a paddle over to Lasqueti Island, following the rocky coast line around to Squitty Bay Provincial Park.    We also followed the line of islands northwest.   The small islands north of Jervis Island have lots of underwater life in low tide on shallow shelves.   In 3 days of paddling in the islands, we spotted over 80 seals.   There were also bald eagles, great blue herons, loons, geese, gulls, crows, and ducks.     

We landed on Jervis Island which is now Sabine Channel Provincial Marine Park.   There is a good landing spot on the west side, right next to Bunny Island.   We hope to camp here on a future trip, although we would have to haul our gear up through the bluffs.  

There are a few private homes on Lasqueti Island, Bull island, and Rabbit Island, but they are high up above the channels and mostly out-of-sight,   Yachts, and power craft ploughed up the channels from time to time, and anchored overnight in protected bays.   They are no problem for kayaks and we enjoyed seeing the various boats and activities.  

Photography from a kayak is both difficult and limited.   The views are from the water looking up at bluffs and headlands.   Rocky bluffs, a few trees, seaweed and water stain at low tide.    Managing a camera in the cockpit is a precarious thing at best, with both hands already occupied with paddling and steadying the boat in the waves.  The camera hasn’t gone overboard yet, but it will happen.    

The channel waters seemed warm, but took extra precautions to make sure we didn’t go over.     The deeper waters would be cold and even though we know our kayak rescue techniques and have practiced, it is always a difficult operation.   There is a time to sightsee, and there is a time to attend to paddling.      The camera, the sail, and the fishing rod, stays stowed away in more challenging conditions.  

This is a special area to explore by kayak, one that will be in our minds over the winter months, thinking back to warm sun, warm wind, and warm seas.