Canada: BC Wilderness Lodge Tour

Q: Are there more places to enjoy Independent Rowing Experiences?

Have a look at our current destinations . We are working on expanding the fabulous locations where you can travel to row. It takes time because Ruth checks every location and researches accommodation options and restaurant recommendations, as well as suggestions to round out your stay when you are not rowing. Sign up for our newsletter to get announcements of new destinations and other updates. If you are a rowing club or rowing destination, find out how we might partner.

Six day/five night tour on Vancouver Island - sorry- now sold out for 2026!

Help us tailor our trips to suit you and decide what destinations to add!

Rowing Trip Overview

About This Trip

Why Row Here?

Why Travel Here?

About This Trip

A few years ago Rowing The World partnered with West Coast Rowing Adventures to create our BC Wilderness Lodge adventure. It was a great success and we are pleased that WCRA is continuing to offer this very unique rowing trip. You row to a wilderness lodge renowned for its setting, food, hot tub and laid-back west-coast vibe. Every day enjoy a different exploration from the lodge. We have seen bears, humpback whales and of course many bald eagles. Dive into the world of coastal rowing with experienced coastal rowing guides and let each stroke reveal new horizons in this beautiful part of Canada.

This popular rowing tour has limited availability. We have a two step booking process, beginning with a deposit to confirm availability. Don't delay!

Why Row Here?

Imagine a place where wilderness stretches as far as the eye can see. Broken Islands Lodge with water-access only in Barkley Sound, looks out at the Broken Group Islands of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It is a perfect spot for a rowing adventure and for a retreat from the daily grind.

Another reason to row here are the local guides. Whomever is with you on the water is extremely experienced coastal rower - and likely guides our BC Wilderness group and guided trip with Rowing The World. And possibly an Olympian. This is your chance to row with some of the best coastal rowers in Canada.

This is a very unusual and special experience with limited availability. Don't miss out!

Why Travel Here?

Vancouver Island and British Columbia in Canada offer a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and outdoor adventure that make them truly worth visiting. Add on a stay in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. It charms with its historic architecture and lush gardens, notably the Butchart Gardens. Vancouver boasts a stunning skyline framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains. Both cities offer diverse culinary scenes and vibrant arts and culture. The nearby Gulf Islands provide an escape to nature, offering pristine beaches, hiking trails, and, of course, opportunities for amazing rowing and wildlife spotting. Together with the wilderness lodge rowing trip, these destinations offer a must-visit for travellers seeking a well-rounded Canadian experience.

I am interested!

Included

5 nights at the Broken Islands Lodge.
All meals - enjoy hearty meals at the Broken Islands Lodge and choose your own lunches each day.
Use of coastal boats and oars. You must bring your own PFD.
Guide/coach on water rowing with you
Transport from Sidney, BC to the Broken Islands Lodge (and back) including water taxi for personal luggage
Detailed Information Package, with specifics on getting there, arrival details and contacts, recommendations for accommodation and restaurants. We provide suggestions on other activities to enjoy in the region when you are not rowing.
Not included: PFD; alcoholic beverages and tips. Please plan on tipping the lodge staff and your guides if you are satisfied with the experience and service.

Trip Details

Meet your local guides

Julien Bahain

Meet Julien and Katie and their amazing team of guides. Rowing The World and Travel2Row have been working with them for many years. You are in excellent hands! Julien is a three-time Olympian and Olympic medallist in rowing. In 2013, he successfully rowed unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean in 49 days. Julien and his family live on a small island off the coast of Vancouver Island where they embrace living on the water. Julien is also a trained mechanical engineer and currently works as a project director for Infrastructure BC in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Katie Bahain-Steenman

Katie is a U23 World Championship medalist and Rowing Canada Performance Coach currently coaching the development team. Together with Julien, they founded West Coast Rowing Adventures with a goal to grow coastal rowing and share the beauty of British Columbia and its amazing, yet fragile, ecosystem.

Itinerary

Day 1 - the journey begins

Your guide will pick you up at 7 AM in Sidney, BC, conveniently located near Victoria International Airport and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. Your adventure begins with an iconic drive across Vancouver Island, traveling from east to west through breathtaking landscapes.

Upon arrival at Secret Beach, you'll unload your rowing boats, load your luggage onto the water taxi, and receive a safety briefing. Then, it's time to take your first rowing strokes in Barkley Sound as you head to the Broken Islands Lodge—your "base camp" for the next five days.

Days 2 to 5 - exploration and adventure

Each day brings a new exploration of the Broken Islands Group. You'll pack a lunch and set off to discover stunning islands and channels, encountering wildlife and spectacular scenery along the way. After a full day on the water, unwind with a cedar hot tub soak, a cold plunge, and a hearty dinner. The off-the-grid lodge provides a unique chance to disconnect, recharge, and enjoy the surrounding forest, ocean and their wildlife.

Day 6 - the return journey

Water conditions, especially as affected by the wind, will determine the exact time and location of the rows. Safety is a priority. The rowing guide has the final say on rowing distances and destinations. There are safety requirements for this Experience: you must bring and wear your own Personal Floatation Device.

Price per person


Per person, double occupancy	CAD$4,200

5% GST is included in the tour price.

Double occupancy is required. We may help you find or assign a roommate. In rare cases a single room maybe possible for an additional fee.

To confirm your spot please pay the nonrefundable deposit of CAD$250. If space is no longer available, we will refund this initial deposit. If your space is confirmed, you will be asked to pay a further deposit representing half the fee, with final payment later.

We hope to have your rowing soon to a wilderness lodge on Vancouver Island!

Ideas, information and inspiration

British Columbia is a beautiful province and leads the country in coastal rowing. Here are a couple of blog posts from our sister company Rowing The World. One chronicals a trip on Vancouver Island with the guides you will travel with, while anohter is from the pandemic era, listing some websites to explore and help you plan your trip. Have a look at the OARCA organization which promotes coastal rowing in BC and Canada and also runs a local club on Vancouver Island, perhaps giving you a way to add a little more rowing to your vacation.

FAQs

Our full list of Frequently Asked Questions answers all your questions. Or Contact Us – we are happy to help.

What is a Travel2Row Experience?

T2R Experiences are short or long getaways tailored to the guest. Together with our partners, we provide a private rowing package for small groups (typically two, three or four rowers) with flexible date options based on the availability of boats and guide or coach. Each trip is different. For some, accommodation and some meals are included. For others, guests find their own accommodation, transportation, meals and other activities - we provide lots of recommendations.

What is the rowing like?

The rowing is typically a half day, although longer or shorter outings are possible. The exact details vary with each location. Typically the rows are more an exploratory or touring excursion. A stop on land and perhaps a meal could be built into one or many day’s program and pricing. Training or coaching sessions could also be possible. Often guests row smaller boats like singles or doubles, but coxed quads may be available. Boats could be coastal, recreational or Olympic class/fine boats.

I am travelling alone. Can I join a group?

Yes! There are several ways that this might happen. One is to join the T2R Community and post your interest, maybe in a destination and/or when you want to travel. We can also get the word out on social media and in newsletters. You can also ask us - we may know of a booking where the guests are willing to have others join them. Finally, we are exploring setting a few dates in the year when a group trip could run. Be sure to join the newsletter to get updates.

Are these self-guided trips?

We are not calling them self-guided because when you are on the water you will definitely have a local guide with you in the rowing shell or on a support boat. Self-guided trips usually include accommodation and meals and perhaps other services. We offer amazing rowing and leave the rest to you to create your own perfect trip. With lots of suggestions from our own experience in a location, plus the local wisdom of our rowing partners.

Are there more places to enjoy Independent Rowing Experiences?

Have a look at our current destinations. We are working on expanding the fabulous locations where you can travel to row. It takes time because Ruth checks every location and researches accommodation options and restaurant recommendations, as well as suggestions to round out your stay when you are not rowing. Sign up for our newsletter to get announcements of new destinations and other updates. If you are a rowing club or rowing destination, find out how we might partner.

Comment about this trip

Comment about this trip, perhaps offering suggestions of restaurants, accommodations or things to see and do while in this destination.

Travel2Row