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Discover the rugged beauty of Secret Cove and Smugglers Cove Provincial Marine Park with our knowledgeable guides during this scenic and leisurely 4-hour tour. Abundant marine mammals and bird life populate the shorelines and cliffs of this exploration! Destinations can be customized if your group is interested in exploring other locations.
Scheduled most days April thru September 10am - 2pm
Bring clothing and personal belongings that you would pack for a day of hiking. Footwear that is suitable for getting wet and will stay secure on your feet. We recommend Teva/Keens-style sandals, neoprene water shoes or old running shoes. Dress appropriately with an emphasis on sun protection. Sunglasses, sunhats, and sunscreen are all recommended.
Cell phones and cameras should be kept in a waterproof container or bag. Proper drybags suitable for kayaking are available for purchase or rent at our beach location and can be provided by request. Last but not least, a personal water bottle(s) to keep you hydrated with your favorite energy bar and you are good to go! Please avoid bringing single use plastic water bottles on your voyage.
For extra resources, you can also view our recommended personal gear checklist here!
Your guide will be carrying a complete backcountry first kit, VHF radio, cell phone and additional rescue gear specific to kayaking. Your kayak will be equipped with all the required safety gear and accessories, including a personal floatation device, carbon or fiberglass paddles and spray skirt. Our fleet of kayaks are all closed cockpit-style, fiberglass sea kayaks with a rudder and two watertight compartments for storing gear. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for guided tours.
For more information about our equipment and kayaks, view our equipment rentals page here!
Half day tours start at $115pp* with a minimum of three participants to launch. Pricing is discounted for bookings of four or more. Six paddlers per guide. Younger teens are encouraged to paddle in tandems with strong adults to match the normal pace of a mixed group. Families with children will typically enjoy their own private tour to accommodate a slower pace.
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If you are looking for a little more adventure with more time to enjoy the beaches and hidden coves, our full day tours offer guided paddles throughout Halfmoon Bay, Merry Island, Buccaneer Bay, and Simson’s Provincial Marine Park on South Thormanby Island.
The pace of our full day tours are as leisurely or fast-paced as you desire them to be, with a mix of on and off water time, which includes an enjoyable break for a catered lunch. Swimming, snorkeling and hiking are all possibilities as well, based on group consensus. Destinations can also be customized if your group is interested in exploring other locations.
Scheduled most days May thru September 9am - 4pm
Bring the clothing and personal belongings that you would pack for a day of hiking. Footwear should be able to get wet and fit securely on your feet. We recommend keens-style sandals, water shoes, or old running shoes. Dress appropriately for the weather, with an emphasis on sun protection. An appropriate amount of water, sunglasses, sunhats, and sunscreen are all essential items.
Cell phones and cameras should be kept in a waterproof container or bag. Proper drybags suitable for kayaking are available for purchase or rent at our beach location and can be provided by request. For our full day tours, towels and swimwear can also be packed in the event there is an opportunity to swim at our lunch location. For cooler weather days, a breathable rain jacket shell and multiple dry layers should be added.
For extra resources, you can also view our recommended personal gear checklist here!
In addition to a hearty lunch and snacks to keep the energy flowing, your guide will be carrying a complete backcountry first kid, VHF radio, cell phone and additional rescue gear specific to kayaking. Your kayak will be equipped with all the required safety gear and accessories, including a personal floatation device, carbon or fiberglass paddles and spray skirt. Our fleet of kayaks are all closed cockpit-style, fiberglass sea kayaks with a rudder and two watertight compartments for storing gear. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for tours.
For more information about our equipment and kayaks, view our equipment rentals page here!
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For a unique experience on the water, join us on a full moon tour paddling toward the sunset on the glassy calm evening waters of Halfmoon Bay to return under a rising moon. Throughout Summer's new moon periods join us for a magical bioluminescent hunt and watch your paddle stroke light up with the glow of phytoplankton. These algae blooms are usually associated with warmer water temperatures and best viewed on moonless nights. Unscheduled evening tours also available for groups of 4 or more.
2023 Full moon dates
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- Friday, May 5th 530pm - 930pm
- Saturday, June 3rd 630pm - 1030pm
- Monday, July 3rd 700pm - 1100pm
- Tuesday, August 1st 630pm - 1030pm
- Wed, August 30th 530pm - 930pm
- Friday, Sept. 29th 500pm - 900pm
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Bring the clothing and personal things you would have on a day of hiking with the addition of securely fitted footwear for the water. Dress appropriately for the weather. Sunglasses are essential with a strap if they are important to you. Cell phones and cameras should be kept in a water proof container/bag of some sort. Proper drybags suitable for kayaking are available for purchase or rent at our beach location. A personal water bottle (2L) to keep you hydrated and your good to go!
For our evening tours, we also recommend bringing an extra set of comfy dry clothes to change into upon returning to your car. Also bring a personal headlamp if one is available to you. Headlamps can be provided by request.
In addition to lights for night paddling, your guide will be carrying a complete back country first kid, vhf radio, cell phone and additional rescue gear specific to kayaking. Your kayak will be equipped with all the required safety gear and accessories, including personal floatation device, carbon or fiberglass paddles and spray deck. Our fleet of kayaks are all closed cockpit style fiberglass sea kayaks with a rudder and two closed compartments for storing gear. Single and tandem models are available. Guide(s) will also provide an evening snack to enjoy while watching the summer sun blaze up the skies over the Salish Sea.
Halfmoon Sea Kayak's entire fleet is made up of single and tandem fiberglass and thermoform ocean touring kayaks. Our manufacturers include, Delta Kayaks, Atlantis and Seaward.
Both of Halfmoon Sea Kayaks' Day Tours are designed to be relaxing and comfortably paced exploring. The Full Day Tour can include longer paddling durations and portaging that may require an advanced level of fitness and a tolerance for changing marine weather conditions.
Your guide(s) will assist in managing risk and will help to make the most of your touring area. In coordination with the groups interests, teaching and other land based activities can be enjoyed during the tour. Your guide, with their equipment and training, will add an additional level of safety and marine navigation skill to your tour.
Catered food for our Full Day Tour will be customized to suit your dietary needs and energy levels required for the day. Typically enjoyed on a scenic beach somewhere over an hour long paddling break. Catered food is not provided on our Half Day Tours as the breaks are shorter and energy restoration can be satisfied with personal snacks and proper hydration.
Guided Day Tours Booking and Cancellation Agreement
Between June 15th and September 15th, we have a 4 person minimum for all multi-day tours. Outside of those times, we require a minimum of 2 people to run our tours. Should we be unable to acquire the minimum number of guests required for our tour, we will offer a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Rescheduling is best done as soon as possible to allow for the best availability of open seats remaining on tours or courses. In the unfortunate event that you should need to cancel your booking, we require written notice of cancellation. Upon receipt of your cancellation email (text not excepted), your fee will be refunded according to the following schedule:
- During Regular Weekdays - Within 72 hour to booking time = 50% non-refundable
- Over Weekends - Within 5 days to booking time = non-refundable
- Over Long Weekends - Full Payment at time of reservation, non refundable.
- A non-refundable deposit of 15% will be charged on bookings not falling on long weekends.
- The remaining charges will be applied on day of the tour after your experience.
- Gratuities are very much appreciated and can be excepted from your guides after your experience.
All refunds are made in CAD$. Conversion rate will be determined by the issuer of your credit card.
Refunds outside of these terms, are solely at the discretion of Halfmoon Sea Kayaks.
Refunds from cancellations due to poor weather, are solely at the discretion of Halfmoon Sea Kayaks and are based upon local marine weather conditions and forecasts. Please note that rain is not considered to be poor weather for kayaking.