ECO TIPS Howe Sound IncludingGambier Island and Bowen Island "The first strokes I ever took in a kayak were in Howe Sound in the early 1980's. It was my godmother's Klepper, and I distinctly remember exploring every nook and cranny of the reef-strewn bays and coves that surrounded her cabin. Fifteen years later, while finishing a paddling trip that had lasted months and covered much of the coast, I had the opportunity to once again paddle through the sound as my group approached the city of Vancouver. For all I had just seen, Howe Sound still grabbed me as one of the most beautiful spots in British Columbia. Although it may not be wilderness, it still has its own special charms. Nestled among the coastal mountains, speckled with summer homes and flanked by the bright lights of Vancouver, West Vancouver and Gibsons, Howe Sound blends the beauty of the Gulf Islands with the rugged North Coast and places it all invitingly on our doorstep. It is a unique slice of West Coast life well worth exploring."   Words of Peter McGee, Taken from Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced TRIP LENGTH: 2 days to 7 days WATER AVAILABILITY: Poor CAMP SPOTS: Few, Marine Parks at Halkett (Gambier) and Plumper Cove (Keats) HAZARDS: Sudden high winds (out flow) boat traffic, Ferries. ACCESS: Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay, Gibsons, Porteau Cove. CHARTS: CHART NUMBER SCALE CHART NAME 3311 1: 40 000 Sunshine Coast/Vancouver Harbour 3526 1: 40 000 Howe Sound 3534 1: 8 000 Plans, Howe Sound TIDE BOOK: Vol. 5 BOOKS: TITLE Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast BC Recreational Atlas Day Trips From Vancouver Canoe Trips in British Columbia Exploring the Coast by Boat Paddling the Sunshine Coast WEATHER: Check out the forecast for this area. NOTES: Up to date ferry schedules at www.bcferries.bc.ca. Be sure to check with owners before camping, as many properties are privately owned. **Charts, tide tables, books, and other reference materials are available from Ecomarine Mail Order**