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The Best Kayaking in Canada

Looking for the best kayaking in Canada? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Canada. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top kayaking spots in and near Canada

  • West Vancouver, British Columbia

    Explore WhyteCliff Park, West Vancouver

    4.4
    Escape to the vanishing horizon of the Pacific Ocean, where time is measured by the rhythm of waves.Located near West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay neighbourhood, Whytecliff Park is home to more than 200 marine animal species and is one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Canada. You're almost gua...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Kayak Two Jack Lake

    4.2
    Of all the lakes in the Banff area, this was one of my favorites to get out on the water. Don't expect the bright blue glacial waters of some of the other lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but the water is pristine and it was one of the few places I went where it felt like it was all locals hanging...
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  • Jasper, Alberta

    Swim at Jasper National Park's Horseshoe Lake

    4.6
    0.9 mi
    Best explored on a sunny summer day, this horseshoe shaped lake has crystal clear water that is green turquoise in colour and is surrounded by cliffs. This is a very popular cliff jumping location with the highest jump point said to be at 80 feet. An easy 1.5 km trail brings you from one side of...
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  • Anmore, British Columbia

    Hike Lake Buntzen

    4.5
    Buntzen Lake is located in a beautiful recreation area just north of Port Moody. Although the lake is man-made and maintained by BC Hydro, the surrounding area is full of forests, nice beach areas, and many trails for hiking including the Buntzen Lake Trail, which loops around the lake.Beginning ...
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  • Improvement District No. 12, Alberta

    Camp at Maligne Lake

    4.0
    Maligne Lake is one of those crystal clear unforgettable places Canada has to offer. It is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Located in Jasper National Park, Maligne lake offers great fishing, kayaking, canoeing and boat tours.Spend the day around Maligne Lodge or camp at one of t...
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  • Improvement District No. 12, Alberta

    Photograph Spirit Island and Maligne Lake

    5.0
    Spirit Island in Maligne Lake, is only accessible via canoe, kayak, or boat tour. As it's a 14km paddle to the island with sometimes strong winds, most people opt for the boat tour. If you are an experienced paddler, you can get rent a canoe from here. There is a campsite as well here, if you are...
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  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Hike the Cheakamus Lake Trail

    3.5
    8.7 mi
    Cheakamus Lake is tucked in behind Whistler Mountain. If you've hike the Musical Bumps trail, or any of the paths off the peak of Whistler, chances are you saw a huge turquoise lake below you. This is Cheakamus Lake.From Whistler Village, drive south on HWY99 to the stop lights at Function Juncti...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Kayak Deep Cove

    4.8
    Only 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Deep Cove is a great place to paddle in tranquil ocean waters. You can rent ocean kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards from Deep Cove Kayak.The bay in front of the community is one of the few in Indian Arm that has both a sheltering shape and the shal...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to Bow Glacier Falls

    5.0
    5.6 mi / 508.5 ft gain
    The trailhead begins directly behind the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on km 37 of the Icefields Highway. The trail is well marked and winds along the shore of Bow Lake for the first 1.2km of the hike. Eventually you will lead up to a narrow gorge and onto the crest of a glacial moraine. There are only a few...
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  • Pitt Meadows, British Columbia

    Paddle Pitt Lake to Widgeon Falls

    5.0
    3.7 mi
    The 12km (7.5 mi) drive on Neaves Road to Pitt Lake from Pitt Meadows is one of BC's most scenic routes. As soon as you start this section of the drive you already feel miles from the city, but this route is only 30-45 minutes from Vancouver, depending on city traffic.Once you reach the parking l...
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  • North Vancouver, British Columbia

    Kayak Camp Indian Arm

    4.5
    Setting out from Deep Cove’s pebble shoreline, it only takes a few minutes before you are away from small village and paddling the calm waters of this gorgeous arm. Seals can be frequently spotted as you follow the path of off oceanfront homes, some living off the grid, deeper into the mountains....
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  • Tofino, British Columbia

    Hike Lone Cone

    4.1 mi / 2400 ft gain
    The trailhead for Lone Cone is located on Meares Island, accessible by water taxi ($40 return). Some choose to rent kayaks and paddle to the trailhead. The dock for the water taxi is located at the end of Main St.49°09’12.8”N 125°54’40.5”WThe water taxi is roughly 15 minutes and travels across th...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Canoe Emerald Lake

    4.3
    2 mi
    Beat the crowd at Moraine Lake and paddle Emerald Lake instead! This lake is a must for any Banff/Yoho explorer. It's an easy drive off HWY 1 but stop at the Natural Bridge along the way. There's a restaurant, Cilantro, inside the lodge with a patio along the shore. Canoe rentals are around $90 ...
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  • Fraser Valley D, British Columbia

    Camp at Jones Lake

    3.0
    Southwest of Hope and just east of Chilliwack, Jones Lake is a recreation site at a reservoir lake in the coastal mountain range, managed by BC Hydro. Set below granite mountain peaks and surrounded by a dense forest (that is unfortunately being logged), this lake isn't pristine, but it sure is p...
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  • Whistler, British Columbia

    Paddle on Whistler's Green Lake

    4.7
    The name Green Lake says it all: this is a beautiful glacier-fed lake right next to Whistler village. There's easy access to the water from paved roads, making this a great outing for anyone visiting Whistler for a couple of days and looking for an afternoon adventure.Getting There To reach Green...
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  • Tofino, British Columbia

    Surf Tofino's Cox Bay

    5.0
    Tofino, British Columbia, is magical. It sits on the most western coast of Canada, on Vancouver Island. It is a small surf town, with natural Pacific Northwest beauty everywhere.....ocean, beaches, forests, islands. and the beautiful Pacific Rim National Park.I personally like surfing Cox Bay bec...
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