Any special suggestions or other ideas about those southern gulf islands?
I've just been looking over some charts and maps and am planning to go there.

The soutern Gulf Islands offer great paddling and several good camping locations. A few years back we paddled from Sidney to Nanaimo staying in BC Marine Parks all but one night. I would say for the most part you'll find great paddling in relatively protected waters, friendly boaters and residents and a fair amount of wildlife.

Do take time to study the currents in the area. Many of the passes (especially those leading to Georgia and Haro Straights) have maximum currents in the 5+ knot range. planning your paddling day around the currents can save a lot of effort as well as making for much safer paddling.

Have a great trip, if you think about it maybe you could post back with how it all went.

Michael

Thanks Michael,
The looks of those islands is a calling!
I've heard about some of those currents. Good thoughts.
We'll see how many to get in.

I did a 8 day paddle through the Gulf Islands last Summer (2006). Started on Salt Spring and paddled through all of the islands...watch out for lots of ferry traffic and occaisional wind...but overall a very pleasant paddle. I'll be adding this trip to my website at http://www.kayaknw.org/ in the near future.

Just checked that out!

We were there in 2005.

http://www.what-a-wonderfulworld.net/gulf_islands_eng.html

You can find lots of info on the Gulf Islands here:

http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/gallery/index.php?cat=5

You'll need to be able to understand tides and currents to fully enjoy your trip to the Gulf Islands.

Hope this helps,

Dan

http://www.westcoastpaddler.com

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SIdney Spit is an easy and great paddle from Sydney on the Island, great day paddles. Another Cabbage Island - absolutely beautiful - launched from Pender - WATCH OUT for Boat Passage (top end of Saturna...wicked). And Launching from Galiano check out Wallace Island - again beautiful - Wallace is north of the 'Southern Islands' but amazing.

I tried the trip north from Montague Harbour, Galiano in late June this year. We ended up camping overnight on Wallace Island and it was truly beautiful & magical place - but crowded, hard to find a place open for camping. We headed north up to the Thetis Island marina for lunch the next day and timed the entrance to Telegraph Harbour through the Cut with the incoming tide so our portage was limited to about 50m. After a great lunch there we headed back south on a long afternoon paddle to Montague Harbour for dinner. Saw lots of wildlife. All in all the trip was great.