| The Nuchatlitz area is a favorite area for many | | | | islands provide protection from Pacific swell, but are |
| kayaking guides. The area is remote, so there are no | | | | truly wild. The small beaches are sandy and inviting, |
| crowds, only perhaps another kayaking group in the | | | | and about as remote as it comes. Across the small |
| area. The paddling is mostly easy, with no difficulty in | | | | section of water to Nootka Island, some evidence of |
| good weather, but the possibility of getting just at the | | | | first nations settlement still exist, and parts are reserve |
| edge and feeling the Pacific swell. The Nuchatlitz area | | | | lands. This section of Nootka Islands curls back onto |
| really covers both the north and south entrances to | | | | itself, creating a lagoon area. This is a very interesting |
| Esperanza Inlet. | | | | day paddle. Heading around this section, past |
| How to Get to the Nuchatlitz Area | | | | Ensanada Islet goes into the actual Nuchatlitz Inlet. |
| On Vancouver Island, take Highway 1 past Campbell | | | | Although more exposed, this is an incredibly beautiful |
| River. Look for the sign to Zeballos, turning off to the | | | | area, with a number of exquisite beaches. |
| west. This turnoff is about 3 hours out of Nanaimo | | | | The park area is prime sea otter habitat, so they can |
| This is a gravel logging road, so caution is the key to | | | | often be seen in large rafts just among the small |
| making this leg of the journey. It takes about a bit more | | | | islands. Whales, seals and sea lions swim these |
| than an hour to wind your way to Zeballos Once | | | | waters, and deer live even on the small islands. Tidal |
| there, it is helpful to ask the locals for the best place to | | | | pools are full of an abundance of life and are great to |
| put in, but the bridge at Little Espinosa Inlet is usually a | | | | explore. |
| good place. | | | | What to Look for in the Catala Island Marine Park |
| How to Get Out to the Best Kayaking Areas | | | | The paddle over to Catala Island can be a committed |
| There are two choices for getting out to the best | | | | haul. The crossing is exposed, so good weather and |
| kayaking areas. The first is simply launching from the | | | | little to no wind are necessary. The outer side of |
| Zeballos area and paddling out there. This usually takes | | | | Catala gets the swell, while the inner side, with its large |
| an overnight to get there. Nuchatlitz Provincial Park is | | | | camping area, is fairly protected. The beach here is |
| about 10 nautical miles from Little Espinosa Inlet. Catala | | | | quite steep, so even a little swell coming in creates a |
| Island Provincial Park is about 11 nautical miles. There | | | | bit of dumping surf to launch and land in. If this is the |
| are a couple of campsites along the way. Morning | | | | case, it is best to go in on the back side of this point in |
| paddling is usually the best, as the wind can pick up in | | | | the most protected area. |
| these inlets in the early afternoon due to thermal | | | | From Catala, short trips can include crossing the Rolling |
| effects. Strong paddlers may be able to make it to | | | | Roadstead to Yellow Bluff Bay and its long sandy |
| Nuchatlitz or Catala on the first day if they leave early | | | | beach, but watch out for surf. Twin Islands, on the |
| enough. | | | | exposed side of Catala is another beautiful place to |
| The second way is to pay for passage to one of | | | | explore. Catala is big enough to explore on foot a bit, |
| these drop off points. Water taxi service in the area is | | | | but probably easier to kayak around and get off at |
| able to do this, and many kayakers take this option to | | | | choice spots around the shore. |
| avoid the long paddle to get there. Zeballos Expeditions | | | | West Coast Memories to Take Home |
| will take passengers out to the areas and rent them | | | | After exploring both sides of Eperanza Inlet, the trip |
| kayaks. A number of guide outfitters operate in the | | | | back to Zeballos is full of new memories of a wild and |
| area, leading guided tours. | | | | incredible place. Whether the return is by kayak or by |
| What to Look for in the Nuchatlitz Provincial Park | | | | water taxi, the journey back up the Esperanza Inlet |
| The Nuchatlitz Provincial Park is only a small section of | | | | can be a time of reflection on the many experiences |
| the great kayaking in this area. The park consists of a | | | | of the trip. Being touched by the west coast is unique |
| group of small islands and islets off Nootka Island, as | | | | and memorable, and the Nuchatlitz delivers this in full |
| well as a small section of Nootka Island itself. The small | | | | force. |