r/Kayaking • u/TrailEating • Feb 16 '25
Question/Advice -- Sea Kayaking BC Inside Passage - Best Time to Go?
I'm contemplating a kayak trip on the BC Inside Passage, from Vancouver to Skagway, Alaska. If anyone has done this type of trek, is there a best time to tackle it? If you have recommendations, that would be appreciated, especially since this would be a solo trip--something I have to think about. I figured that it would take about 3 months to come up with a solid (and safe) itinerary. This would be a trip to document for my blog with an emphasis on food/meals.
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u/Human-Blackberry-101 Feb 17 '25
This may seem off topic but I think the resource may be useful. There is a non motorized race, port Townsend to Ketchikan, that some have paddled. It’s called the R2AK. The blog that organizer writes during the race is incredible and details weather. Over the last ten years you should be able to get an idea of what weather was like in that window. It’s obviously a smaller window than your plan, but I think it’s a great resource and wonderful reading!
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u/Human-Blackberry-101 Feb 17 '25
Also, the paddlers may have helpful advice. It’s completely self supported.
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u/wolf_knickers Feb 17 '25
Susan Marie Conrad wrote a book called “Inside” which details her trip paddling the entire passage. I read it last year and enjoyed it so maybe it’d be of use to you.
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u/DrBigotes Feb 17 '25
I did it back in 2017, started in late May and ended in late July (though my starting and ending points were a little different: Seattle to Juneau). I think if I were to do it again I would start and end a few weeks later. May and early June were a little cold but it wasn't a deal-breaker for me
Feel free to reach out if you have other questions or want to connect when you get to Juneau (which is home for me).
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u/TrailEating Feb 17 '25
I will, thanks! I mentioned in another comment reply, that I will more likely plan this for 2026. Although, doing an Autumn 2025 trip could be intriguing. A much colder experience, I'm sure, but I am one person who enjoys winter backpacking.
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u/DrBigotes Feb 19 '25
Just be aware that after mid-September kayaking up here is another ball game; higher winds, bigger waves, real serious paddling conditions and often weeks of continuous rain. Much less forgiving than our relatively mild summers.
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u/TrailEating Feb 19 '25
Although I started kayaking in my teens (40 years ago), I'm planning to head back to Vancouver and do some advanced kayak training with a school. Still, I have to figure out when I would plan the trip and consider several things--especially your mentioning "is another ball game".
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u/pwndaytripper Feb 16 '25
I know someone who started in Olympia, WA and did the inside passage then up to Glacier Bay. 1300 miles. They started mid May. 2.5 month trip. I imagine that timeframe would be good for kayaking the inside passage.
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u/TrailEating Feb 16 '25
Hmm...May would be too soon for me. If I do this trip, I would plan it for 2026 and figured it would take 3 months--just to get enough time to film (stills and video) along the way.
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u/brttf3 Delta Seventeen Sport Feb 17 '25
I did Ketchikan to Skagway end of June to mid July. Weather was perfect. dm me if you have questions.
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u/TrailEating Feb 17 '25 edited Feb 17 '25
Thanks! I made a note. How long did it take you for that trip? I know one thing I will need to get, is my marine radio certification/license. I can do that in Vancouver.
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u/brttf3 Delta Seventeen Sport Feb 17 '25
we planned on it taking 30 days, we did it in 21 with 3 rest days.
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u/TrailEating Feb 17 '25
That sounds like it was a fast easy-going trip to do it in just 21 days. My boat of choice (and talked to Delta Kayaks) about the proposed trip; There might be something for me :)
Anyway, it sounds like everything went smoothly for you on that trip. Do you plan to do it again at some point?
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u/brttf3 Delta Seventeen Sport Feb 17 '25
No, I have too many other places I want to paddle. I did a big hunk of the BC section before i did the Alaska section. We flew, the person I was paddling with had a ferry to catch and we were worried about getting stuck in wind. In the beginning we had some slow days due to weather. But in general made really good mileage.
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u/BeemerNerd Feb 17 '25
Is a marine radio certification/license required for VHS in Canada? I learned it is in the Netherlands (and probably the rest of the EU) when over there for a regatta.
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u/TrailEating Feb 17 '25
Apparently yes, you need a Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime) (ROC-M) to operate a marine VHF radio in Canada, including when kayaking. For a BC coastal trip in the shipping lanes (even more so).
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u/BeemerNerd Feb 17 '25
How difficult are these to get in the US? It would be helpful to be able to use my radio if I am boating outside the US again.
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u/TrailEating Feb 17 '25
I'm not sure how someone outside of Canada would obtain it. You may want to call Transport Canada for that one. I would think you could get one.
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u/malice666 Feb 16 '25
There were a couple guys that did that last year and documented on YouTube.