Kayaking the Sechelt Inlet
The Sechelt Inlet is a long arm of sea that reaches north from Porpoise Bay between wooded mountain shores. You can rent a kayak in Sechelt for two hours, join a boat or water tour, or plan a longer trip toward Sechelt Inlets Marine Park, about 20 km north of town.
The marine park cannot be reached by car. You arrive by boat or floatplane, or you paddle in. Rental prices below are for 2026 and are in Canadian dollars. Taxes and hours change, so confirm them when you book.
Sechelt Inlet tours, boat trips and day trips
Water tours and boat trips around Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast, with live prices and availability. Check what each trip includes before you book.
Sechelt kayaking: rental prices in 2026
Price per boat for a two-hour rental. Life jacket and paddle are included.
| Kayak type | Single | Double |
|---|---|---|
| Touring kayak | CAD 47 | CAD 75 |
| Recreational kayak | CAD 35 | CAD 58 |
| Safety equipment, including life jacket and paddle | Included | Included |
| Taxes | 7% PST and 5% GST | 7% PST and 5% GST |
For most visitors who want one short paddle, a recreational kayak for two hours is enough. Choose a touring kayak if you already paddle regularly. In 2026 the rental season ran from 1 June to 14 September, 09:00 to 17:30, with shorter hours by arrangement into mid October. Wind, weather and tide can change the operation on any day. Paddlers under 18 need parental consent, and every paddler signs a liability waiver.
Where to paddle around Sechelt
From the head of the inlet to quieter coves.
Sechelt Inlets Marine Park
The park covers the Sechelt Inlet, Narrows Inlet and Salmon Inlet. It has six areas: Halfway Beach, Kunechin Point, Piper Point, Tzoonie Narrows, Thornhill and Skaiakos. You can paddle in and camp at shoreline sites, but the distance is long, so plan around wind and tide. There is no car access to the camping areas.
Kunechin Islets
The islets are a nesting area for birds and a resting place for seals. Do not land during the nesting season and keep away from the animals. Dogs must be on a leash, and pets are not allowed on beach areas or in park buildings.
Smuggler Cove
Kayaks and canoes are welcome in the cove near Halfmoon Bay. Boats enter from Welcome Passage, and reefs and rocks need attention. Never discharge sewage into the cove.
Smuggler Cove guide →Sargeant Bay
Kayaks and canoes are allowed in this day-use park. Camping is not. The water is cold, and there is no marked swimming area and no lifeguard.
Beaches and Sargeant Bay →Porpoise Bay
The park has a sand beach and the Angus Creek trails, and it sits at the head of the inlet. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Porpoise Bay Provincial Park →Tide, current and whale rules for paddlers
Conditions on the inlet depend on wind and tide. Rentals and trips can change on the day, so ask the operator about the stretch that suits your level. Do not assume that every water is sheltered or safe for beginners.
The Skookumchuck Narrows are different. Currents there can exceed 30 km/h, and the site is not a normal swimming stop or a beginner kayak section. Roberts Creek has a full guide to the Skookumchuck Narrows, and the Pender Harbour and Egmont page covers the walk from Egmont.
Keep 100 m from most whales, dolphins and porpoises. Keep 200 m from other orcas and from any animal that is resting or has a calf. Since 1 June 2026 the distance to Southern Resident killer whales in the southern B.C. coast area is 1,000 m. If you cannot tell which orcas you see, keep 1,000 m.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where kayaking fits.
Sechelt Inlet kayaking: frequently asked questions
How much does a kayak rental in Sechelt cost?
In 2026 a two-hour rental costs CAD 35 for a recreational single kayak, CAD 58 for a recreational double, CAD 47 for a touring single and CAD 75 for a touring double. Prices are per boat and taxes of 7% PST and 5% GST come on top.
Do I need experience to paddle the Sechelt Inlet?
Rental operators include a life jacket and paddle, but conditions depend on wind and tide and can change on the same day. Ask the operator about the stretch that fits your level, and stay out of the Skookumchuck Narrows unless you are experienced.
Can I drive to the Sechelt Inlets Marine Park?
No. The park lies about 20 km north of Sechelt and is reached by boat or floatplane. You can paddle in and camp at shoreline sites, but do not plan on a road to the camping areas.
Can I rent a kayak in autumn?
Hours are shorter late in the year. In 2026 the season ran from 1 June to 14 September, with reduced hours by arrangement into mid October. Check the season dates for the year you travel.
Are there rules for dogs and wildlife?
Dogs must be on a leash in the marine park. Pets are not allowed on beach areas or in park buildings. Do not land on the Kunechin Islets while birds are nesting.
Is this the official site of the rental operator or the park?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by BC Parks, the District of Sechelt or any rental or tour operator.