The Wild Coast 3: A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreation Guide for BC's South Coast and East Vancouver Island

by John Kimantas

So far, John Kimantas' best-selling Wild Coast series has taken kayaking and outdoor enthusiasts along the north and west coast of Vancouver Island and British Columbia's central and north coast. The Wild Coast 3 completes, for the first time, a kayaking network across the entire B.C. Coast. The Wild Coast 3 provides explorers with everything they need to know to journey along the south coast and east Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Port McNeill. Written from first-hand research, this point-by-point guide, designed for kayakers but usable by anyone on the coast, describes the details, hazards, geography, ecology, history, hikes and attractions of each location. Colorful maps and color photography accompany the text. This book provides information for the following The Gulf Islands
The Discovery Islands
Sechelt Inlet
Johnstone Strait
Desolation Sound
Knight Inlet
Jervis Inlet
Broughton Archipelago
Quadra Island
Queen Charlotte Strait. Kayakers, adventurous travelers, curious tourists and armchair readers alike will find The Wild Coast, Volume 3 to be an indispensable guide to British Columbia's magnificent coast.

Genres: Travel

344 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2007

About the author

John Kimantas is a journalist, editor, explorer and author of twelve titles, notably the acclaimed Wild Coast series of British Columbia guide books. In his research for that series in the early two-thousands, he kayaked much of the BC coast, where he fell in love with Nootka Island and began to delve into its history. At first reading journals of the early explorers as a hobby, his professional interest grew as the lives converged and the stories overlapped. His latest work, The Wolves of Nootka trilogy, represents more than a decade of research and writing to make sense of global events during the years 1774-1792, with Nootka Sound ultimately central to it all.

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to buy this guy a beer. When I purchased this book at MEC many moons ago, I had no idea how many times I would reference it over the years. In fact, it’s easily become the most referenced book in our household. The Wild Coast 3 has come on every single week long kayaking trip we’ve been on (5+ trips) and has provided us with excellent information about the area we are paddling. We have exclusively used this guide to plan a few of our trips and it has never steered us astray. Although this book was written in 2007 (I believe) the information doesn’t really change for the most part. This book coupled with the BC Marine Trails website will be your best friends when planning any paddling trip in BC. I love the suggestions for paddling trips at the start of each chapter and all the little tidbits and tips about the areas you are visiting. It’s always a crowd pleaser to read out the interesting information about the places you are camping. Kudos, Mr Kimantas! If I could get my hands on your other two versions I would but it seems these have become a bit of a collectors item.

[Tam McTavish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid guidebooks though a lot has changed since it’s initial publishing date of 2014.

My experience is more with the Broughtons but many of its recommended campsites are now commercial sites. Namely Big Bay on Hanson, Little Kaikash in Johnston, Square Notch Bay, and possibly Weynton Point.

Mound island is now off limits as well.

Much of the more general information remains helpful and provides a good overview that saves the time of combing trip reports and blog posts online. Could definitely do with an update.