gros morne, newfoundland
sup & hike adventure
Ready to explore the beautiful coastlines of the Discovery Islands?
This is not your average paddleboarding trip - this is an invitation into the wild. Nestled between Vancouver Island and the rugged coast of mainland BC, the Discovery Islands are a maze of deep channels, forested islets, and untamed beauty. From our cozy oceanfront base at Discovery Islands Lodge, we launch daily SUP adventures that explore one of Canada’s best-kept secrets - a place where marine wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and cultural curiosities collide.
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Over five unforgettable days, you’ll paddle through shimmering waters, trace untouched shorelines, and dive into hidden pockets of coastal wonder. You’ll spot seals and sea lions, send a postcard from a floating post office, and glide over underwater gardens bursting with sea stars and urchins. You’ll soak in the glow of bioluminescence at night, sweat it out in a floating wood-fired sauna, and share stories and laughs with a crew of like-minded adventurers.
Led by experienced Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures guides, this journey is designed for intermediate paddlers who want to grow their confidence, deepen their skills, and be part of something that feels both bold and beautifully off the beaten path. Whether you come solo or with a friend, you’ll leave with new connections, renewed energy, and a heart full of saltwater stories.
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.
DAY 4
Choose Your Own Adventure: Rapids, Culture, or Chill Mode
By now, you’re feeling at home - salt-kissed, sun-soaked, and full of ocean-fueled energy. Today is all about following your curiosity, stretching your legs (or your skills), and experiencing the Discovery Islands your way.
Join the crew for a hike to the Surge Narrows Lookout, a hidden gem with front-row views of one of nature’s most mesmerizing forces. As the tide pours through the narrow channel, it churns into frothing whirlpools and rapids that seem to defy the calm coast you’ve come to know. We'll time our trek with the tides to catch the show in full force - bring your camera and your sense of awe.
Prefer to stay closer to the water? Opt for SUP skill-building sessions with our Paddle Canada certified instructors. Whether you're aiming to sharpen your technique or work toward the Coastal Touring Certification, we’ve got you covered with expert coaching and supportive vibes.
Feeling like a land explorer? Head into Quadra Island's charming communities to visit local shops, discover coastal history, or step deeper into Indigenous culture. A must-see is the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre in Cape Mudge, where the traditions and artistry of the Kwa'Kwa'Ka' Wa'Kw people are beautifully preserved and shared.
Or... maybe today is all about slow living. Lounge on the docks, dive into that book you packed, sip something lovely while soaking up the serenity. The choice is yours, and that’s the beauty of it.
Then, just when you think the day can’t get better - we launch for a golden-hour glide. The water calms, the sky lights up in a symphony of pinks and golds, and the silhouettes of distant mountains become the perfect backdrop for a sunset paddle. It’s the kind of peace that settles into your bones, and a memory that’ll glow long after you’ve left the islands.
No pressure. Just possibilities. And a little sunset magic.
Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island, British Columbia
BYOF: All meals are self-catered. Soup or chilli will be available
après paddle.
DAY 5
Sunrise Reflections & Departures
Wake early and paddle out to the soft glow of sunrise casting golden light across Hoskyn Channel — a quiet, reflective moment to mark the close of an unforgettable journey. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea on your board as the ocean gently stirs and the forest hums with morning life for this unforgettable sunrise paddle.
Take time to soak in the final views, revisit your favourite moments, and celebrate how far you've come - in distance, skill, and connection. You’ve explored the hidden corners of the Discovery Islands, gained confidence on the water, and shared laughter, stories, and awe with a community of like-minded adventurers.
After breakfast and heartfelt goodbyes, we’ll help you pack up and depart with not only memories but a deeper connection to the coast, your paddle, and yourself.
Until next time - the ocean is always here, waiting to welcome you back.
Discovery Islands Lodge, Quadra Island, British Columbia
BYOF: All meals are self-catered.
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....
You’re an explorer at heart - curious, courageous, and a little bit salty. You crave raw nature and real connection. You're ready to paddle further, laugh harder, and dive deeper - into the ocean, into the wild, into yourself.
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You have intermediate or advanced paddling skills
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You feel comfortable paddling at an easy pace for 4 hours with lots of breaks (most paddles are shorter 1-2 hours, but we will have one longer day)
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You are ready to learn more about coastal touring so you can spend days out exploring
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You are comfortable in the water, self-rescuing, paddling in chop and light winds
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You are 18+ (may consider mature 16+ who are strong paddlers)
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You are seeking community and looking to find other paddlers to adventure with.
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You are a non-paddler who wants to forgo the paddle portion, but enjoy the lodge and tranquil setting.
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Whether you're here to push your paddling to the next level or soak in the stillness of sunrise on the dock, this trip invites you to arrive exactly as you
are - and leave transformed.
​​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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