The Salish Sea Marine Trail, a 275-kilometre paddling route which stretches from Vancouver to Victoria, officially opened last weekend – even though there is still work to be done in securing camping sites along the Sunshine Coast.
“The Sunshine Coast has been problematic due to the high percentage of allocated use and disincentive among public stakeholders to allow overnight access for marine trail use,” said John Kimantas, project manager for the Salish Sea Marine Trail.
The Salish Sea Marine Trail is part of the BC Marine Trails Network Association [BCMTNA] and is affiliated with BC kayaking and paddling clubs. The association is working with the Sunshine Coast Regional District, shíshálh Nation and BC Parks to finalize camping locations along the Sunshine Coast.
For now, the BCMTNA recommends that paddlers use known camping spots in the region such as the Thormanby Islands and Plumper Cove on Keats Island.
The concept for a seawater trail started in 2009 and since then volunteers have worked with a variety of stakeholders to establish access points for canoes, kayaks and small boats. The route extends from Clover Point in Victoria, follows the Saanich Peninsula to the Gulf Islands, north to Nanaimo, through the Ballenas Islands to Lasqueti and Texada islands, to the Sunshine Coast and then across Howe Sound to Horseshoe Bay.
The BCMTNA is hoping the trail will become a renowned world-class paddling challenge. “Portions of it cover some of the most serene waters on the Pacific coast and will attract more relaxed recreational paddlers interested in visiting just part of the trail,” Kimantas said.
Paddlers who intend to paddle the entire route should prepare for two weeks of paddling and camping.
The BCMTNA website provides maps and information to paddlers about everything they need to know before setting out in their boats. Information on the paddling difficulty for sections of the trail, campsites, facilities and rest stops along the route are available to anyone wanting to use the marine trail. Parts of the route are in protected waters while other sections are in more exposed sections of the coastline. One of the longest and most demanding sections of the route is the leg from Jedediah Island Marine Park (near Lasquiti Island) to the Thormanby Islands. The eight-kilometre stretch is recommended for experienced paddlers only, according to the BCMTNA website.
Last weekend, a flotilla of paddlers marked the official opening of the Salish Sea Marine Trail with a paddle from Nanaimo harbour to Newcastle Island where official celebrations were held and the Snuneymuxw First Nation hosted a salmon barbecue.
