10 nautical miles from Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island North lies a breathtaking, biodiverse marine park. God’s Pocket Marine Provincial Park is made up of a small grouping of islands, including Hurst, Bell, and several smaller islands, to the northeast of Port Hardy. The islands create a protected “pocket” of water and coastline home to all manner of marine wildlife. It’s a destination popular for pristine cold water diving—made famous by explorer Jacques Cousteau—but also a phenomenal option for multi-day sea kayaking trips. The waters can be calm in summer, but it’s important always to remember that ocean conditions can change swiftly, and come prepared.
Kayak trips can be self-guided by experienced kayakers, or several tour operators host kayak trips from Port Hardy to God’s Pocket. Some tours include paddling the challenging crossing there, while others incorporate a water taxi drop-off.
What wildlife might I see in God’s Pocket Marine Park?
God’s Pocket is home to all manner of marine and coastal wildlife, inviting you to be deeply observant and take your time as you paddle its waters. Seabirds and bald eagles swoop and glide, using the rocky outcrops of the islands for nesting. Whales are a common sight in God’s Pocket Marine Park, particularly humpback whales and orcas. Occasionally, gray whales have been sighted in the area. Sea otters are sometimes seen in the area, as well as everything from sea lions and playful seals to porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and even wolves and bears. Be informed on best wildlife viewing practices and water safety before you paddle.
As you hug the coast around Hurst Island and Bell Island, you can appreciate the colours of the intertidal zone and its thriving aquatic organisms. Large ochre sea stars in purple and orange, sunflower seastars, anemones in different shades and shapes, and bivalves like mussels cling to the rocks. You might also catch sight of crabs, fish, sea sponges, sea cucumbers, nudibranch, octopus, and jellyfish. Further away from the shore, kelp beds flourish—a sanctuary and life source for abundant fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. The biodiversity and visual display found during a kayaking trip to God’s Pocket Marine Park are remarkable.
Kayaking tours in God’s Pocket Marine Park
Several companies provide multi-day kayak tours into God’s Pocket Marine Park. These are usually about 5-6 days long, allowing for ample time to paddle pressure-free and see more of the area. There are options for both paddle and camping trips or lodge-based kayaking adventures.
Sea Kayak Adventures offers a 6-day lodge-based kayak tour out of God’s Pocket Resort. The resort is known for hosting world-renowned cold water diving trips, which gives a sense of the wildlife and waterways in God’s Pocket even from the seat of a kayak. Enjoy the balance of a day adventuring around rugged shores and shifting seas, followed by the comfort of a hot shower, chef-cooked meal, and bed each night. This tour includes a boat trip from Port Hardy to the resort on day one.
Wild Root Journeys offers a 6-day kayaking trip into God’s Pocket’s exceptional ecosystem, beginning and ending in Port Hardy. Prior multi-day kayaking trip experience is recommended, particularly with more open ocean time than tours that include a water taxi drop-off. The trip usually involves about three different campsites for maximum exploration.
Well-prepared, experienced travellers can rent kayaks from Water’s Edge Adventures. Based in Telegraph Cove, you can pick up on your way up the island. They also offer a kayak delivery service all over the North Island, as well as camping equipment rentals. When camping on God’s Pocket’s beaches, avoid delicate ecosystems like seagrass meadows and kelp beds when you land ashore. Where possible, avoid landing at very low tides.
elevate your knowledge with BC Marine Trails
No matter whether you’re renting or joining a tour to experience the dazzling biodiversity of God’s Pocket Marine Park, BC Marine Trails is a fantastic community-rooted resource to delve into before you arrive. Check out their Marine Trails Code of Conduct to put responsible kayaking and a shared love of protecting the coastal lands and waters of BC at the heart of your trip. Access their public map or become a member to view their highly detailed map of the area to get a deeper sense of where you’re going, campsite locations, and more. You can also sign up for the chance to win prizes each time you submit a site condition report before September 30th. Happy paddling!
Read our blog post “Paddling with Maya’xala: Respecting Northern Vancouver Island’s Waters.”