Paddle & Camp: Gulf Islands
SUP Adventure
Escape to the stunning Gulf Islands for a weekend of salt air, starry skies, and ocean adventure. This short and sweet stand-up paddleboard trip takes you to Portland Island, a gem tucked just off Swartz Bay in the heart of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Over three unforgettable days, you will:
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Paddle tranquil coastlines and sheltered coves
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Spot wildlife in their natural habitat
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Camp under the stars with ocean views
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Build confidence with expedition-style SUP skills training
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Enjoy time for swimming, exploring, and relaxing
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Whether you're new to overnight paddling trips or looking to hone your expedition skills in a supportive group setting, this trip is designed to empower and inspire.
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Perfect for:
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Adventurous paddleboarders ready for a beginner-friendly expedition
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Campers who love saltwater, sunsets, and slow mornings by the sea
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Anyone curious about self-supported SUP trips but unsure where to start
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No need to be an expert—just bring your spirit of adventure. We’ll handle the rest.
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Short on time, but eager to adventure?
Try our 2 day shortened version of this trip.
Trip Highlights
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Cosy up at the Lodge: Make Discovery Islands Lodge your well equipped, comfortable and sustainable basecamp. Multiple decks and docks built for taking in the breathtaking scenery.
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Explore the Unseen: Paddle through secret islets, rugged coastlines, and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life in Surge Narrows Marine Park. Paddle where few can go.
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Wildlife Encounters: Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions, porpoises, dolphins - and if you're lucky, humpbacks or orcas.
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Cultural Immersion: Visit Canada’s historic floating post office and experience Indigenous history at the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre.
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Nighttime Wonder: Witness the rare and mesmerizing glow of bioluminescence - an ocean light show like no other.
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Choose Your Own Adventure: Hike Surge Rapids Trail, lounge with a good book, or level up your SUP skills with Paddle Canada-certified instruction during free time.
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Get Certified: Work towards your Coastal Touring 1 SUP Skills certification if desired. May be of interest for those progressing along the Paddle Canada skills pathway. Totally optional.
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Float, Sauna, Plunge: Embrace the legendary floating wood-fired sauna + cold ocean plunge combo. Unforgettable.
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Sunset Sessions: End each day with golden-hour glides through calm waters and painted skies.
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Sunrise Reflections: Rise early to paddle out with coffee onboard. Soak up the glorious sunrise as it illuminates the Coast Mountains.
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Non-paddlers Welcome: Want the peaceful, outdoor experience, but not a paddler? We have a few spots open for those who want to enjoy the island and the tranquility of the lodge, without the water.
Trip Itinerary
This sample itinerary offers a glimpse of the experiences we have planned for this Discovery Islands Coastal Touring Adventure. Each day is thoughtfully adjusted in real-time based on weather, tides and safety considerations to ensure your adventure is both unforgettable and responsibly guided, whilst shaped by the rhythm of the coast.
DAY 1
Into the Blue - Arrival & Orientation Paddle
Touch down at the stunning Discovery Islands Lodge, a hidden gem perched above Hoskyn Channel on Quadra Island, BC - where the ocean greets you at the doorstep and the forest whispers adventure. Meet your fellow salty souls and our stoked Blue Jellyfish SUP guides as you settle into this cozy oceanfront basecamp.
After a quick gear check and some introductions (expect laughter and instant camaraderie), we’ll launch for a chill afternoon paddle along the coastline. Along the way, you’ll pick up pro tips to boost your SUP skills - all while scanning the waves for seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and if the ocean is feeling generous, maybe even a surprise visit from an orca or humpback whale.
Back at the lodge, the magic continues. You’ll join your new paddle crew in the welcoming communal kitchen to whip up your own dinner and gather at the long live-edge wooden table surrounded by windows - think casual, stressfree and surprisingly fun. Then sink into a deck chair with a glass of wine or cup of tea, soak up the golden light, and let the ocean views work their magic.
Welcome to the adventure - it’s only just begun.​
Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island, British Columbia
BYOF: All meals are self-catered.
DAY 2
Cultural Curiosities & Wild Coastlines
Start your day with a strong coffee and an even stronger sense of adventure. Today, we pack our dry bags with lunch, snacks, and plenty of hydration before heading out on a full-day expedition to Read Island.
We’ll glide across Hoskyn Channel and trace the island’s spectacular coastline, where towering cliffs, shaded coves, and secret beaches await. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife - sea lions, porpoises, and cliff-diving guillemots are just some of the local celebrities.
A true highlight? A visit to the floating post office at Surge Narrows. One of only three of its kind in Canada, this historic gem has been operating since 1912 and still receives mail by float plane. Bring a postcard and some stamps to send a little magic back home - you might even catch the float plane picking it up!
After this unforgettable cultural detour, we’ll continue our paddle, explore more remote pockets of shoreline, and find the perfect beach for a snack break. We’ll take it all in - the salt air, the sun, the silence.
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After a fulfilling day on the water, return to the lodge for dinner and well-deserved R&R. Treat yourself to a warm shower, or a local craft beer on the deck. Feeling bold? End the night like a true West Coast warrior: heat up in the floating wood-fired sauna, then cold plunge into the ocean.
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It's refreshing. It's ridiculous. It's unforgettable.
Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island, British Columbia
BYOF: All meals are self-catered. Soup or chilli will be available
après paddle.
DAY 3
Secret Islands & Shimmering Nights – Surge Narrows Expedition
Today, we journey deep into the untamed beauty of the Discovery Islands, exploring the hidden gems of Surge Narrows Marine Park- British Columbia’s best-kept secret. Our paddle route winds through the Settlers Group - a remote cluster of islets tucked within the marine park. This is a place few ever get to see. Here, we’ll navigate narrow channels and explore current swept rock faces where underwater life flourishes.
Look down as you glide - beneath your board is a dazzling world of sea stars, vibrant sea urchins, and crystal-clear water revealing the rich marine biodiversity this region is known for. It's a paddle through a living gallery.
As night falls, a second show begins. Head down to the dock for one of nature’s rarest performances: bioluminescence. As you dip your hand or paddle into the water, the ocean comes alive with glowing swirls of light - tiny marine organisms igniting the sea in electric blue, green, and gold. Every ripple becomes a shimmer, every splash a burst of sparkle.
This is what adventure dreams are made of - wild waters by day, glowing ones by night.
Let the wonder in.
Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island, British Columbia
BYOF: All meals are self-catered. Soup or chilli will be available
après paddle.
What's Included
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4 nights of cozy, oceanfront accommodation at Discovery Islands Lodge
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5 days of Paddle Canada-certified training, both dry-land and on-water instruction
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Daily guided SUP excursions led by expert, Paddle Canada-certified instructors
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Optional: Work towards Paddle Canada Coastal Touring 1 Stand Up Paddleboard Skills certification
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Daily access to floating wood-fired sauna + hot outdoor showers
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Communal group kitchen with cookware, potable water, and fridge space
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Safe storage on covered dock for personal gear
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All the good stuff: Magic, wonder, and the adventure of a lifetime
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1/2 hour online or phone call to help you prepare
This Trip is For You If....
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This is an Intermediate/Advanced paddling program.
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Paddlers should have Advanced flatwater SUP certification or equivalent experience, skills and knowledge as assessed by the instructor. Paddlers need time and practice to sufficiently develop the skills learned in the prerequisite course before registering in this course. Please contact us if you are unsure if you meet the prerequisites.
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Must feel comfortable Stand Up Paddling at an easy pace for 3 to 4 hours per day with a fully loaded board.
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Must be comfortable in the water.
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No previous camping experience is necessary but you will have to provide your own camping gear.
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Age restrictions 18+ (may consider mature 16+ who are strong paddlers)
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​​Want to chat with Pam before you book?
Know Before You Go
Join us for this Stand Up Paddleboard Coastal Touring
Adventure on Quadra Island!
Trip Details
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Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure - including the packing list, arrival and departure details, and directions to Discovery Islands Lodge.
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This trip is lodge-based at Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island. Quadra Island is accessed by 10 minute ferry from Campbell River located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
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The Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures Philosophy
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Our trips are more than paddleboarding - they’re a way to reconnect. With the natural world. With your own sense of adventure. And with a community of like-hearted explorers.
We believe awe is essential. Whether you’re gliding over glassy water at sunrise, sharing stories around a campfire, or spotting wildlife in a quiet cove, every moment is designed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and invite deep connection - to place, to self, and to others.
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Challenge by choice - You don’t need to be an expert paddler - just open to trying something new, embracing the elements, and showing up as you are. We’ll meet you there.
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