Coast Mountain Expeditions

On our 4-day kayak tour from Read Island we were based at kayak lodge. I absolutely agree with the positive reviews below so please read those as they describe in detail the environment and facilities on Read Island.The wonderful experience we had (we were a group of ten friends) was due to the warm welcome and environment created by hosts Ralph and Lanni; the knowledge and leadership of the lead guide Albi (Ralph and Lanni's son); and the support and instruction from guides Leya and Travis. Altogether the guides were fun and worked very hard!Each day's kayak trip was a chance to explore the inlets and islands starting from the kayak lodge. I appreciated the insights and knowledge from the guides on the marine environment and on kayak technique. There were a good variety of quality kayaks to try and lots of opportunities to learn extra skills, including several evening discussions on chart reading and tides and currents, too. Thanks to Leya for the informal yoga warmup each morning before breakfast.The lodge and cabins are well cared for and clean. Our cabin had 3 rooms and a sitting area and while not sound proof, each room had comfortable double beds and pillows. The dining room of the lodge has a beautiful, long, live-edge fir table made by Ralph. The whole group, hosts and guides included, can sit together at meals for rich conversations, laughter, and delicious food. And the food is delicious! Also, healthy, plentiful, and sourced from their garden and the sea - such as superb steamed clams dug out of the bay.I would gladly recommend this trip not just for kayaking but for the opportunity to share in the experience of kayak lodge and the home environment built over the years by Ralph and Lanni.

It's hard to find the words to describe how amazing this trip was for my family and me. Ralph and Lannie welcomed everyone to their lodge with open arms and delicious homemade food. You couldn't help but feel that they were genuinely happy to have everyone there and that they love what they do. They also have a great staff that make sure you know exactly what you're doing before heading out on your expedition by taking you out in the kayaks the day before and going over everything with you. The kayaking trip itself was BEAUTIFUL and as I'm sure everyone else is saying they will keep you well fed and fueled for the journey. I have never eaten so well in my life. The food is DELICIOUS, I found myself looking forward to each meal. And each morning they have coffee and tea waiting to get your day started. They are very organized for the trip and you definitely know you can trust your guides to take care of the group. The guides are also very knowledgeable about the islands, animals, and history of the area. We saw humpback whales one day as well as seals and other sea life.There was also a little bit of flexibility to the trip which I liked. We were able to choose if we wanted to hike to this mountain lake one day or kayak to another area. We chose the mountain lake and I must say it was the most beautiful place. We walked through old forest with huge trees and were able to jump in the lake, cold but refreshing. When we got back to the lodge from our 5 day, 4 night trip we were again greeted warmly by Ralph and Lannie and their staff with a delicious meal and home brew beer made with hops from their garden. It was a perfect end to the trip. I can honestly say I've never been more at peace in my life. I didn't even take my cell phone with me for this trip and it was the most amazing feeling to disconnect and just enjoy the moment meeting new people and appreciating a beautiful place. We will definitely be back!

The Octopus Islands trip was our first with CME and probably won’t be our last. The entire trip from start to finish was flawlessly planned, the guides were the best I’ve ever encountered, and the food was fantastic and even catered as much as possible to gluten, dairy and soya-free sensitivities. Before the trip, Albert answered all and every question I had. I appreciated that the trip began with a review and practice of paddling skills so that less experienced paddlers could learn the basics. The guides, Anthony and Liam, were an energetic upbeat attentive team that didn’t miss a beat in keeping us organized and happy on the trail. They were also very knowledgeable about the human and natural history of the area, as was Ralph, which made for interesting lectures/discussions as well as rich paddles during low tides through Surge Narrows and Hole in the Wall. The food either cooked, or planned by Lannie and cooked by the guides, never failed to please. They also provided very good gear, as in kayaks and kayaking paraphernalia, tents and sleeping pads. I honestly can’t think of how they could have improved our experience on the trip. Well, they could have dispensed with the rain on the last day, but then the hot tub may not have seemed quite so nice.

Coast Mountain Expeditions (CME) Rocks! Albert persuaded me that paddling to Bute Inlet was within my capabilities (mature" woman with minimal kayaking experience here!) and all I needed was a spirit of adventure. I brought that and CME provided the rest. An incredible wilderness adventure

The most amazing experience! The people, food, sights were above expectations. Our guides Anthony, Liam were knowledgeable and accommodating. They bonded with the group and cared for everyone. Will definitely be doing another trip in the future.

Looking for a mini adventure and a place to spend some time with our friends (another couple), the four of us signed on for the 3-night Kayak Lodge Getaway tour at the Read Island lodge (original homestead property of our hosts). My wife and I do not have much kayaking experience but we like to get out, learn and try new things. It was also a great thing to do for a 50th birthday celebration.Our expectations were greatly exceeded by the hospitality and friendliness of our hosts (Ralph and Lannie), the professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides (Will, Albert and Jo), and everyone else that made our adventure, meals and stay welcoming, delicious and amazingly memorable.The property, which is set on 100+ acres at the end of Evans Bay on Read Island, is a treasure on its own. The picture-perfect location with its small creeks, rocky out crops, beautiful ocean bay and large trees is the ideal place for a lodge. The lodge and two other cabins comfortably hold 10 guests, which makes for a nice small group to enjoy the kayaking and hanging out.Amenities on the property include a wood-fired hot tub overlooking the bay, a wood-fired sauna up along one of the creeks with a cold pool for dipping in after the hot sauna. The outdoor showers are hot and refreshing after the days kayak or first thing in the morning.The lodge became the central hub when not out on the water. Lannie’s use of her gardens, flowers and access to fresh seafood combined to create marvellous group meals and kept us all full on some of the best homemade meals ever.After settling in to our room upon arrival, we were all encouraged to partake in some basic Kayak lessons before dinner. By providing this before the first day trip, it helped everyone build up their confidence and familiarize themselves with their craft and equipment. All the equipment is of excellent quality and everything you need except clothing and personal items are provided.During our two big kayak day trips, Lannie prepared packable lunches that the crew served mid trip on a secluded beach. The guides were always enthusiastic and willing to demonstrate or coach you with paddling techniques or talk about the surrounding area. We saw eagles, porpoises, seals, and a number of Humpback whales. The sea life within this area of the Discovery Islands is very rich due to the currents feeding the area with nutrients. So much to see and experience! We even had what seemed to be a couple of whales interested in checking us out - which became a highlight of the trip for many.The icing on the cake came late at night on the last day. We kayaked around Evans Bay near the lodge after sunset to witness the magical bioluminescence created by the movement of each paddle stroke and marvel at the night sky full of stars, planets and the Milky Way.Check out their website for more information. They were very good at responding to my questions before and after we booked the trip.I give my highest recommendations to anyone wanting to take a kayak trip in such an incredible place. Coast Mountain Expeditions and their crew will take care of you and provide you with a great adventure.I hope to come back soon and bring my whole family. Maybe we will try one of the multi-day kayaking trips.Amazing trip!Chris

Coast Mountain Expeditions run top-notch kayaking adventures in the Discovery Islands. Guides are knowledgeable and fun; the gear was in great condition; the food was fantastic -- much of it sourced from their own garden on Read Island. I highly recommend having a kayak adventure with this company. There are different trips to meet various skill levels. The Bute Inlet trip was fabulous!

Just back from the Desolation Sound trip. What an amazing experience! The trip-food was like no other you'll ever experience, especially if you're tripping on your own. The guides, the loveliest people you could imagine, with leadership skills beyond their years. And the sites and sounds of kayaking and camping in and around the ocean surrounded by mountains are unbeatable; whales, seals, sea stars, bald eagles, need I say more?. I would highly recommend signing up for a trip with this company. You won't be disappointed!

As an outdoorsy person, I thought putting together a West coast paddle trip would be easy. Pack gear, find boat, use map. It's not that easy! Thankfully Coast Mountain had everything to get us sorted. All the gear, beautiful lodges to start and finish from, and tons on knowledge about the area. Tidal currents are no joke! Glad to have guides advice for navigating those. The discovery islands are a very special part of Canada. Easy to access and well worth the visit. Plus... so many whales and Oysters!

An incredible trip. My experience with kayaking was limited, but I learned a lot and I always felt well supported. They did a great job of making it a great trip for both experienced kayakers and novices. The scenery was breathtaking. The food was excellent. I would recommend the Coast Mountain group to anyone interested in a new exciting experience.