| The Broken Group Islands are great for kayak touring. | | | | islets and islands on its western end string out toward |
| This group of about 100 small islands and islets has | | | | Lovett Island and are great places to explore. The |
| very diverse paddling terrain, beautiful campsites, and | | | | campsite on Turret is tucked into a small narrow cove |
| abundance of wildlife, and relatively easy access for | | | | and pocket beach o the southwest end of the island. |
| west coast kayaking. | | | | The is minimal camping area on the beach, but more |
| Getting There | | | | up in the trees. It is a kind of on-the-way-to place, but |
| On Vancouver Island, take Highway 1 to the Tofino | | | | actually makes a great base camp for exploring the |
| turnoff and head toward Tofino. A few kilometers | | | | chain out to Lovett and the Clarke Island group. |
| before the Tofino/Ucluelet junction, turn off to the left | | | | Clarke and Benson Islands are the western edge of |
| onto the gravel road to Toquart Bay. Take this road | | | | the Broken Group. The campsite on Clarke is exquisite. |
| into the campsite at Toquart Bay. The beach at this | | | | It has a beautiful white sand beach on both sides of a |
| campsite and parking lot gives the most protected | | | | point. This point is protected by islets on all sides, |
| access to the Broken Group. An alternative is to take | | | | providing a nice little play area. Clarke has a nice trail |
| the MV Lady Rose from Port Alberni to the Sechart | | | | going over the island, so land exploration is possible |
| Lodge. | | | | here is stuck. Benson Island is a short hop away and |
| The Islands | | | | has a lot of history. The camp at Benson has been |
| Hand Island is the first island encountered with a | | | | decommissioned due to archaeological activity and the |
| campsite out of either Toquart Bay or Sechart Lodge. | | | | need to protect some important sites there, but it can |
| Camping is on a strip beach connecting a small islet to | | | | be explored by day. |
| the island, the islet itself, and beach on Hand. The | | | | Effingham Island has some of the most interesting |
| shoreline of this island is full of little coves and pocket | | | | features. It is open to the Pacific from the south into |
| beaches to explore. | | | | Imperial Eagle Channel. The group of island to its |
| Gibralter Island is on the southeastern corner of this | | | | southwest are also incredibly beautiful. These islands |
| rectangular group of islands. It has an large exposed | | | | are really exposed and can be the domain of expert |
| area open to Imperial Eagle Channel, but the inside by | | | | paddlers only on rough days. Getting there is worth it, |
| Jaques Island is protected. The campsite is at the | | | | however. A sea lion haul out between Wouwer and |
| northern end and is a similar configuration to the camp | | | | Howell is worth a distant visit. Traveling inside the group |
| at Hand Island. This is a great exploration area. Day | | | | keeps paddlers fairly protected, but going outside |
| paddles can be taken to explore the shores and islets | | | | these islands presents the raw Pacific in whatever |
| of Nettle Island, the lagoon at Jaques and Jarvis Islands, | | | | mood she is in on the day. The campsite on Gibert |
| and the group around Dempster Island. Together, these | | | | Island, just next to Effingham in Effingham Bay is on |
| islands encircle a protected area called the Island | | | | Gilbert's northeast side. This is the least beautiful |
| Harbour. | | | | campsite in the group, but as a base, it gives access |
| Dodd, Willis, Turtle, Walsh, and Chalk Islands also form | | | | to all the islands in the Effingham area. |
| a protected harbour and can be explored on day | | | | For sea kayak touring, the Broken Group Islands are |
| paddles. Going from Gibralter takes you by the Tiny | | | | ideal for any type of paddler, from beginner to expert. |
| Group on the way to Chalk Island. Dodd has a | | | | Family kayaking trips are common here. Near the open |
| campsite on the northeasterrn side across from Chalk | | | | Pacific, the real ocean experience is right there, while |
| Island, with camping along a narrow spit among the | | | | being in a compact enough group to provide good |
| trees. Willis camping is on its northwestern side, nested | | | | protection for easier paddling. The camps are well |
| into a small bay between it and Dodd Island. This is a | | | | developed and beautiful. Being part of a national park, |
| very popular campsite and can often get crowded. | | | | they are maintained, cared for, and looked after on a |
| Turret Island is closer to the open Pacific, so has more | | | | daily basis. The Broken Group Islands are one of the |
| swell and more of the wild Pacific feel. The group of | | | | best kayaking tours anyone could ever take. |