Submitted by Selena C
All I can say is, it was a fantastic trip! Just the 4 of us, but we clicked instantly, sharing laughter, learning and creating wonderful memories. The weather was PERFECT. The wildlife, sea life, and sights were breathtaking! We were all eager to explore as much of the Broken Group Islands (BGI) as possible, so we spent two nights each on three very different islands: Clarke, Gilbert, and Gibraltar. Our journey began at Secret Beach campground, where we were treated to an unexpected show—a truck stuck on a boulder, possibly attempting a wheelie. That night, we feasted potluck-style, fueling up for the paddling adventures ahead.
Day 2: We paddled to Clarke Island where we were greeted by crows that tried to steal our food or poop on us if we thwarted their attempts. These were VERY SNEAKY birds. Just like at Secret Beach, we were the only campers so we had our pick of sites with spectacular views. It was here I learned that the boom we heard was the sound of a whale breaching and not cannon fire from pirate ships! Kapila and I were thrilled to watch a whale spouting from the comfort of our camping chairs as Ken and Tim toiled away to build a fire.
Day 3: We circled Turret Island and stopped by Willis Island, only to find the campsite closed due to a fallen tree. Still, the outhouse was oddly picturesque! Tim and I were introduced to paddling with a Greenland paddle. It took myself some getting use to but Tim embraced it and absolutely loved that the paddle was easier on his shoulders and wrist.
Day 4: We paddled through the channel between Cooper and Howell Islands, stopping at Dicebox before setting up camp on Gilbert Island. The campsites were forested so the BUGS welcomed us with gusto. Arghh! When not paddling, we escaped to the beach, hiked, and explored. I learned how to do a bear hang and tie various knots. Around the fire, we swapped stories, kayaking tips and tricks, and debated the meaning of “White Rabbit.” Ask Ken, he will tell you more.
Day 5: We circumnavigated Effingham Island, searching for sea caves, arches, and fresh water, and had lunch at Effingham Bay. We raced back to our campground on Gilbert Island when we saw a horde of paddlers descend on our site. We were excited to catch up to the 12 paddlers from PIKA and had a fun social gathering on the water.
Day 6: We woke to fog and navigated carefully to Gibraltar Island via Island Harbour. Thanks to Kapila we found the private campsites overlooking the channel across from Nettle Island. That evening, we debriefed, planned, and geeked out over each other’s gear.
Day 7: Determined to make the most of our last full day, we paddled in search of the legendary cliff face on Reeks Island. Just as we were about to give up, Tim spotted it! We continued past Nettle, around Prideaux, between Jarvis and Jaques, and attempted to find fresh water on Gibraltar’s east side—but the choppy waters turned us back.
Day 8: We checked out the campsites on Hand Island before heading back to Secret Beach. Ken and Kapila were wonderful mentors who complemented each other. Given another opportunity, I would gladly go back to BGI with them. We didn’t make it to the sea caves on Dempster Island, so that’s definitely on the list for next time.
