The Nootka Island backpacking trip offers a wide variety of terrain and scenery, packed into a fun and challenging 43 km's of classic coastal hiking.
You will take a float plane from Gold River to our access point at Starfish Lagoon on Nootka Island. You will experience amazing sandy beaches, interesting sandstone formations and true old growth rainforest. You finish our journey at Yuquot or Friendly Cove where Captain Cook first made contact. The group will visit the local First Nations family, the historic church and the coast guard lighthouse. The area around Nootka Island is believed to have been inhabited for thousands of years. There is evidence to suggest that human presence at Yuquot at Friendly Cove dates back at least 4,000 years.
The area’s inhabitants were first called Nootka by James Cook in 1778. As was the case when cultures with different languages met, communication was reduced to gestures and drawings, which were often misinterpreted. Although there is some debate over the origin of the term “Nootka”, the best guess is that it comes from “nootk-sitl” meaning to go around or make a circuit. It probably was used by the inhabitants to indicate that Nootka was an island, and not to their name. The people who claim Nootka Island and who maintain a presence at Yuquot are the Mowachaht (“place where the deer come from”).
From
Availability & Prices (2025):
$3080 CAD/person
June 18-23July 14-19
August 10-15
August 25-30
INTERNATIONAL NUMBER: +1 778 348 1676
You can also send an email to info@adventures.com, or use the contact form here below.
Find out more details about the tour and its highlights
Guide information:All tours meet or exceed the industry standard for guides to client ratios. Tours with 5 or more guests will have two guides. Tours with fewer guests will typically have a single guide and may have a second guide. All guides are certified in wilderness first aid and guiding experience and certifications relative to the tour type.
Restrictions: Moderate level of fitness is recommended. Be prepared to carry packs of at least 40 pounds. This tour has long hiking days a variety of different terrain and off-trail hiking.
Transportation: Trips originate and end in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Transportation between Nanaimo and the trailhead is included.
Weather: Average summer temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Arrive in Nanaimo the day before. This denotes the day or days spent on Vancouver Island before the listed start date of the trip. This morning we will pick you up from your accommodations in Nanaimo and bring you to our base of operations where fina...)
Arrive in Nanaimo the day before. This denotes the day or days spent on Vancouver Island before the listed start date of the trip.
This morning we will pick you up from your accommodations in Nanaimo and bring you to our base of operations where final pack checks and equipment are sorted out. Next, we have a 2-3 hour drive to the west coast of Vancouver Island and the community of Gold River.
After arrival in Gold River, we will immediately fly by floatplane to Louie Bay on Nootka Island. Our pilot usually flies us over Friendly Cove, at the end of our hike, and along the stretch of the coast, we will be hiking for a bird’s-eye view of our journey. After landing in Louie Bay, a short hike will bring us to the west coast of Nootka Island and our first campsite on a beautiful sandy beach.
Today’s hike is a full day with a wide variety of rainforests and beaches, from sand to small boulders, forming our path. Our goal is Calvin Falls, a fantastic spot to enjoy on a warm day. This is our longest day kilometers wise at approx. 15 kilomet...)
Today’s hike is a full day with a wide variety of rainforests and beaches, from sand to small boulders, forming our path. Our goal is Calvin Falls, a fantastic spot to enjoy on a warm day. This is our longest day kilometers wise at approx. 15 kilometers.
Beano Creek is our destination today. Beano often has a perfect swimming hole to enjoy after a day of hiking. We will cover approx. 10km’s today, all on the “beach”. Of course “beach” can have many meanings!!)
Beano Creek is our destination today. Beano often has a perfect swimming hole to enjoy after a day of hiking. We will cover approx. 10km’s today, all on the “beach”. Of course “beach” can have many meanings!!
Today’s hike more than any other will be dictated by the access to available water at camp. We have a special camp in mind. Flexibility is the key today.)
Today’s hike more than any other will be dictated by the access to available water at camp. We have a special camp in mind. Flexibility is the key today.
Our final fuller day of hiking will take us just short of Friendly Cove. The terrain today is varied as we climb in and out of the rainforest onto pocket beaches. Each small beach has it’s own special character and are full of stunning views and poss...)
Our final fuller day of hiking will take us just short of Friendly Cove. The terrain today is varied as we climb in and out of the rainforest onto pocket beaches. Each small beach has it’s own special character and are full of stunning views and possibly treasures from the sea (Japanese glass fishing balls anyone!) Tides will dictate some of our route and options.
We will arrive at the village of Yuquot and Friendly Cove before noon. Yuquot is the traditional village of the Mowachaht which has lived in the region for over 4000 years. Spain and England alternately occupied the area. It was during Cook’s third v...)
We will arrive at the village of Yuquot and Friendly Cove before noon. Yuquot is the traditional village of the Mowachaht which has lived in the region for over 4000 years. Spain and England alternately occupied the area. It was during Cook’s third voyage around the world in 1778 that he was forced to make repairs to his vessels in Nootka Sound. In recognition of the friendliness accorded him and his crew, he named the area Friendly Cove.
Of special interest here are the lighthouse and the elegant little church with a spire that rises above the surrounding brambles. The church is no longer used for services because of the relocation of the Mowachaht to Gold River, but serves as a museum of replica house posts.
In the late morning, we will be returned to Gold River by floatplane or boat before returning to Nanaimo and the ferry.
Deposit and taxes
Pricing does not include: 5.00% GST and 3% booking fee.
A 30% deposit is required to hold your reservation.
Balance of payment is due 75 days before trip commencement.
CANCELLATION POLICY & DETAILS
The 30% deposit on your tour holds your tour space and guarantees your spot on the tour. Your deposit is non-refundable in most circumstances. If you pay the balance before the 75-day due date, the balance, less the non-refundable deposit, is refundable except under circumstances outlined in the Cancellation Policy (provided upon booking). Your final balance payment is due 75 days before departure, and becomes non-refundable 60 days before departure. If you fail to pay the balance by the 75-day due date, you forfeit your deposit and lose your reservation. If you cancel within 60 days before the tour departure date, you forfeit your entire trip cost. This is necessary to guarantee that tours run when there are insufficient bookings after cancellations, and to cover the significant costs and commitments to run a tour.
