travel / travel magazine / may10
 May 2010 issue
FEATURE: Sea Kayaking
Coasting by kayak
Let a sea kayak carry you to the wild, the pub, the spa, a cave, a fort, nirvana …
Fiord of fun
1. Fjord en Kayak, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Que.
Is your family fiord tough? With Fjord en Kayak, you needn’t fear
the Saguenay Fiord. Head out with your kids in double kayaks
for two-hour tours in the morning or evening, when winds are
weakest. Guides entertain younger guests with tales of sea
monsters, but co-owner Louis Dubord says it’s the thrill of
the sport that hooks older children. “They really like learning
to kayak,” he says, “and they always paddle hard.” Be prepared
to get a little wet, though. “On warm days,” says Dubord, “we
have water fights.” Fjord en Kayak has other options, including
multi-day trips on the fiord. www.fjord-en-kayak.ca
Shore hug
2. Expedition Agaguk, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Que.
Learn to kayak — really learn to kayak — on a week-long camping
adventure along the north coast of Anticosti Island in
the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The trip starts with a Zodiac ride
from Havre-Saint-Pierre to the island, followed by seven days
of spotting seals, eagles and foxes — while remaining close to
the shore, says Expedition Agaguk guide and manager Jacynthe
Boudreau. Guests also hike and explore streams and waterfalls
along the way. Or take a day trip to Anticosti Island … and
remain hungry for more. www.expedition-agaguk.com
Sea foam
3. Go Fundy Events, Saint John, N.B.
Picture yourself gliding along the Saint John River just as the
sun is dipping, turning the sky into a streaked mix of pink and
orange. Now picture yourself in a pub with a cold beer in your
hand and traditional East Coast tunes in your ear. Go Fundy has
both on tap in its Sunset Paddle and Pub Crawl packages. The
company also offers kayak and spa, or kayak and lobster cookout
excursions, or customized plans, and prides itself on its
guides. “They’re really wonderful,” says owner Wanda Hughes,
“at telling stories about our area.” www.gofundyevents.com
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Tidal glide
4. Fresh Air Adventures, Alma, N.B.
Experience the Bay of Fundy’s enormous tides up close on an
outing that starts with an hour of dry-land training and ends with
three hours on the water. Owner Alan Moore knows what
makes these trips so memorable: location, location, location. “It’s
a very dramatic coastline,” he says, “full of cliffs and caves.” Fresh
Air also offers multi-day camping trips and overnights with a
stay at the Fundy Highlands Inn & Chalets in Fundy National
Park. www.freshairadventure.com
Yogic paddler
5. East Coast Outfitters, Lower Prospect, N.S.
Escape the stress of urban life with a Sunday morning yoga
and paddle outing: an hour of yoga on the wharf followed by an
hour-long guided kayak tour. “The combination is a natural
fit,” says owner and guide Dave Adler. “It’s a nice way to start
your day.” East Coast also offers daily specials, including student
nights, ladies’ nights and an after-work paddle and BBQ —
another natural combination. www.eastcoastoutfitters.net
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