Sea Kayaking

Article written by David A. Snow from Wildland Tours, in St. John's, Newfoundland

INTRODUCTION

The waters off our province are cooled by the Labrador Current as it travels from the north to meet the Gulf Stream. The icebergs carried by the northern waters make great photographic subjects. Visiting kayakers should prepare themselves for subarctic water temperatures. We would suggest neoprene spray skirts, and during most of the year wetsuits. Keep a close eye on the weather since a calm ocean can quickly become a rough ride or be shrouded by fog.

The rewards of sea kayaking in Newfoundland and Labrador are well worth the challenges. Fresh, unpolluted sea air, towering sea cliffs, 1000 year old icebergs, lots of seabirds, and a huge populace of marine wildlife make the kayaking great!

For a book on 56 canoe and kayak routes try Canyons, Coves and Coastal Waters available from Wordplay.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Topographical maps are available from the provincial Department of Natural Resources or check the blue pages of government listings in a local phone book.

For more tourism information check the balance of our website or for a official tourism brochure call 1-800-563-6353 and be sure you tell them where you found the number.

Winter water temperatures go as low as 0 degrees centigrade 32 degrees fahrenheit and while August has the warmest waters they generally do not go above 15 degrees centigrade or 62 degrees fahrenheit. Obviously, the further north you journey the colder the water is going to be.

When you select a route and specific destination make sure you know how long and difficult it will be before you start. Watch the jagged edges of ice pans and be careful around icebergs as they can easily flip or break apart.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  1. Always watch the weather. It is very changeable. Bring a compass and know how to use it. Listen to the marine weather before taking a long trip.

  2. Seek out local knowledge - The micro-climates of different regions of the province vary considerably, and local guides will be the most knowledgable.

  3. Plan your trip carefully, and travel with some companions. At this point most communities do not have outfitters or shuttle service or kayak rentals. Have your plans in place and let someone know where you plan to go and return. Carry maps, warm clothes, and extra food.

  4. Take special care when launching and landing. Know the tidal range for your area.

  5. Respect the ocean. With 10,000 miles of coastline there are no warning signs for rip tides or high winds. Use common sense as even if you get to shore after an accident, it may take days of walking to reach a community.

  6. Make sure your boat is adjusted to fit you before you launch.

  7. Always carry a personal floatation device.

SOME SUGGESTED ROUTES

WITLESS BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is a favourite day trip of local kayakers. Gently sloping beaches in the surrounding communities allow easy access to the water. Once afloat, the large colonies of puffins, murres, kittiwakes, and thousands of other seabirds will keep you entertained for hours.

Large gatherings of minke and humpback whales dominate the variety of sea mammals in the area, though you should avoid breaching whales by loudly tapping the side of your kayak.

Further down the coast is the abandoned community of LaManche.

The Witless Bay Reserve is made up of four islands located less than kilometres from the mainland of Newfoundland. As protected areas it is illegal to take your kayak within 15 metres of Gull, Great, and Pee Pee islands and 50 metres of Green Island. It is also illegal to disturb the birds in any way.

As the islands are in the open Atlantic keep an eye on the weather.

BONAVISTA BAY

The islands and protected coves of Bonavista Bay have been home to the kayak for thousands of years. The area holds historic and archaeological sites, wonderful scenery plus all kinds of seabirds and wildlife, Terra Nova National Park, many roads plus lots of small outport communities ensure a wide variety of services, and put-in and take-out spots. There are uninhabited islands to visit and many tickles, runs, arms and coves to explore.

For beginners there are sheltered areas to feel secure in learning and practising sea kayaking. In Terra Nova National Park the sea is almost always calm, as well you can view large tern colonies and eagles' nests.

Several deserted communities are accessible and there is an archaeological sites near Glovertown, Saunders Cove and Burnside featuring artifacts from Beothuk and Maritime Archaic peoples. The park also has great resource staff who can answer almost any question you have and provide up-to-date information on the weather and wildlife.

TRINITY BAY

To the southeast of Bonavista Bay is Trinity Bay which holds the historic community of Trinity in a sheltered arm and is a popular launch site.

There are plenty of pirates caves to explore in Trinity Bay, but watch that a sudden swell doesn't bounce your head off the ceiling.

NOTRE DAME BAY

The many islands of Notre Dame Bay provide a generally calm sea and lots of places to explore. The dozens of old small outport communities contain many bed and breakfasts to house the weary kayaker.

With a healthy population of trout and salmon why not get a fishing license and try your luck, along the sea cliffs and abandoned communities.

GROS MORNE

Gros Morne National Park on the Great Northern Peninsula provides wonderfully deep fjords for kayaking day trips. Ancient stacks of pillow lava rise from the sea surrounded by spectacular scenery. Check out the scenic route from Trout River to Woody Point.

The wind is always a consideration when launching a trip on the Gulf of St. Lawrence side of the island, as the water can very quickly become choppy.

Check with the park staff for current information.

LABRADOR COAST

Further up the northern peninsula are the Straits of Labrador which can be crossed by ferry. While the coast provides miles of unexplored terrain it contains no services and we suggest that you use the services of a guide in this area.

This document was transcribed by permission from "A Self-Driving Guide: Sea Kayaking", and is available from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture, & Recreation.
Article written by David A. Snow from Wildland Tours, in St. John's, Newfoundland
Watercolour Illustration by Ventzeslav Vesselinov
Transcribed for HTML by Erin McKee
Printed in Canada by Dicks & Company Ltd, 1996

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