Coast Mountain Expeditions - Read Island

Ranking: 5/5

**An Unforgettable Adventure with Coast Mountain Expeditions**

I recently had the pleasure of joining Coast Mountain Expeditions for a 4-day lodge expedition in the remote and stunning Discovery Islands of British Columbia. As a solo traveler, I was a bit apprehensive at first, but my experience turned out to be nothing short of amazing.

From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and at ease. The kayaking excursions, led by our knowledgeable and friendly guides Cass and Kat, were the highlight of the trip. They ensured that everyone, regardless of experience level, had a fantastic time on the water. The beautiful landscapes and serene waters made every paddle stroke a joy.

The food was another standout feature. I was delighted to find that the meals were thoughtfully prepared with vegetables grown right on the property. Chef Neela crafted delicious and nutritious dishes that satisfied both my taste buds and dietary preferences.

One of the most memorable aspects of the trip was the camaraderie among the guests. Everyone was fun, adventurous, and eager to learn more about the local culture and nature. Despite being the least adventurous of the group, I somehow earned the nickname 'whale bait' for my uncanny ability to attract wildlife. It became a running joke that added a lot of laughter to our days.

In addition to the great company and activities, the weather graced us with rainbows and clear skies, adding to the magical atmosphere. The entire experience was filled with joy, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

I highly recommend Coast Mountain Expeditions to anyone looking for a unique and enriching adventure in one of the most beautiful parts of British Columbia. Whether you're an experienced kayaker or a complete novice, you'll find something to love about this incredible journey.

Ranking: 5/5

I had kayaked with Coast Mountain ten years ago to Toba Inlet. I heard about Butte Inlet and the Grizzly bears then and always wanted to return. I finally had my chance and it surpassed all my expectations. The kayaking was a challenge, 7-12 nautical miles each day. The guides and a couple of the other experienced kayakers gave me sound advice and I improved 100%. Butte Inlet is gorgeous and seeing the Grizzly bears at the end was a lifetime experience. 18 in 3 hours! The food is outstanding, fresh baked breads, home grown vegetarian meals. It is worth to come on one of these trips just for the food. The land part of the trip is rugged and I found it more challenging then the kayaking. I was the oldest (74). The cooperative spirit and camaraderie of the group and leaders made these challenges doable and enjoyable.

Ranking: 5/5

The Octopus Islands trip was our first with CME and probably won’t be our last. The entire trip from start to finish was flawlessly planned, the guides were the best I’ve ever encountered, and the food was fantastic and even catered as much as possible to gluten, dairy and soya-free sensitivities. Before the trip, Albert answered all and every question I had. I appreciated that the trip began with a review and practice of paddling skills so that less experienced paddlers could learn the basics. The guides, Anthony and Liam, were an energetic upbeat attentive team that didn’t miss a beat in keeping us organized and happy on the trail. They were also very knowledgeable about the human and natural history of the area, as was Ralph, which made for interesting lectures/discussions as well as rich paddles during low tides through Surge Narrows and Hole in the Wall. The food either cooked, or planned by Lannie and cooked by the guides, never failed to please. They also provided very good gear, as in kayaks and kayaking paraphernalia, tents and sleeping pads. I honestly can’t think of how they could have improved our experience on the trip. Well, they could have dispensed with the rain on the last day, but then the hot tub may not have seemed quite so nice.

Ranking: 5/5

Looking for a mini adventure and a place to spend some time with our friends (another couple), the four of us signed on for the 3-night Kayak Lodge Getaway tour at the Read Island lodge (original homestead property of our hosts). My wife and I do not have much kayaking experience but we like to get out, learn and try new things. It was also a great thing to do for a 50th birthday celebration.

Our expectations were greatly exceeded by the hospitality and friendliness of our hosts (Ralph and Lannie), the professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides (Will, Albert and Jo), and everyone else that made our adventure, meals and stay welcoming, delicious and amazingly memorable.

The property, which is set on 100+ acres at the end of Evans Bay on Read Island, is a treasure on its own. The picture-perfect location with its small creeks, rocky out crops, beautiful ocean bay and large trees is the ideal place for a lodge. The lodge and two other cabins comfortably hold 10 guests, which makes for a nice small group to enjoy the kayaking and hanging out.

Amenities on the property include a wood-fired hot tub overlooking the bay, a wood-fired sauna up along one of the creeks with a cold pool for dipping in after the hot sauna. The outdoor showers are hot and refreshing after the days kayak or first thing in the morning.

The lodge became the central hub when not out on the water. Lannie’s use of her gardens, flowers and access to fresh seafood combined to create marvellous group meals and kept us all full on some of the best homemade meals ever.

After settling in to our room upon arrival, we were all encouraged to partake in some basic Kayak lessons before dinner. By providing this before the first day trip, it helped everyone build up their confidence and familiarize themselves with their craft and equipment. All the equipment is of excellent quality and everything you need except clothing and personal items are provided.

During our two big kayak day trips, Lannie prepared packable lunches that the crew served mid trip on a secluded beach. The guides were always enthusiastic and willing to demonstrate or coach you with paddling techniques or talk about the surrounding area. We saw eagles, porpoises, seals, and a number of Humpback whales. The sea life within this area of the Discovery Islands is very rich due to the currents feeding the area with nutrients. So much to see and experience! We even had what seemed to be a couple of whales interested in checking us out - which became a highlight of the trip for many.

The icing on the cake came late at night on the last day. We kayaked around Evans Bay near the lodge after sunset to witness the magical bioluminescence created by the movement of each paddle stroke and marvel at the night sky full of stars, planets and the Milky Way.

Check out their website for more information. They were very good at responding to my questions before and after we booked the trip.

I give my highest recommendations to anyone wanting to take a kayak trip in such an incredible place. Coast Mountain Expeditions and their crew will take care of you and provide you with a great adventure.

I hope to come back soon and bring my whole family. Maybe we will try one of the multi-day kayaking trips.

Amazing trip!

Chris

Ranking: 5/5

As an outdoorsy person, I thought putting together a West coast paddle trip would be easy. Pack gear, find boat, use map. It's not that easy! Thankfully Coast Mountain had everything to get us sorted. All the gear, beautiful lodges to start and finish from, and tons on knowledge about the area. Tidal currents are no joke! Glad to have guides advice for navigating those. The discovery islands are a very special part of Canada. Easy to access and well worth the visit. Plus... so many whales and Oysters!

Ranking: 5/5

Coast Mountain Expeditions (CME) Rocks! Albert persuaded me that paddling to Bute Inlet was within my capabilities ("mature" woman with minimal kayaking experience here!) and all I needed was a spirit of adventure. I brought that and CME provided the rest. An incredible wilderness adventure, with 2 amazing, professional, supportive, hardworking and safety conscious young women (Rachel and Katrina) as our guides. Our equipment looked all but new. The food provided by Lannie (and help) mostly from her garden was absolutely delicious and expertly cooked by the guides. Delicious snacks seemed to appear every 5 minutes to fortify our working bodies. I returned with heart full, a strong body and a soul filled to overflowing. My only concern is that by writing this review there will be no room for my next trip with them. Thanks you all at CME for providing an incredible adventure and for all you are doing to protect your part of the planet Earth.

Ranking: 5/5

The 5 night Octopus Islands trip was amazing. From excellent guides to gourmet meals to top notch equipment in a magical setting… it just doesn’t get any better! Highly recommend Coast Mountain Expeditions.

Ranking: 5/5

The most amazing experience! The people, food, sights were above expectations. Our guides Anthony, Liam were knowledgeable and accommodating. They bonded with the group and cared for everyone. Will definitely be doing another trip in the future.