Kayaking in Juneau, Alaska

Looking across the bay at Mendenhall Glacier

This morning we arrived in Juneau, Alaska, but by lunchtime it was raining which did not bode well for my kayaking trip. However, by the time we arrived at Auke Bay via a school bus for a 20-minute ride, the rain had tapered off with a slight sprinkle and blue skies opened up.

We got ready with a kayak spray skirt so our trousers wouldn't get soaked, and a life jacket on top. Our guide Michael from Alaska Shore Tours made sure each of us was tightly strapped into our life jackets and then we went to the shore and had a quick lesson on how to kayak even though all of us had kayaked before.

Our kayaks on shore ready for some paddling

Soon after we got into the water and began paddling. Across the bay we could see Mendenhall Glacier, in Tongass National Forest. The glacier is shrinking every year; since 1929 it has retreated 2.82km, and climate change has accelerated its retreat even further. 

In the distance Michael pointed out Admiralty Island where there are a large number of brown and black bears that live there. 

He also told us that we were in high tide so the chances of seeing orcas was slim -- they usually appear in low tide, when the fish and other food are concentrated and easier for the orcas to feed. Two weeks earlier a group of kayakers were able to see a pod of orcas.

The weather cooperated for the most part

Nevertheless, we were able to see three seals in the distance. They can hold their breath for 30 minutes, so if they pop up and then go down, you may not see them again. The same goes for orcas, though they can hold their breaths for an hour.

We also saw a tern, a small white bird with a black-shaped helmet on its head. Michael explained these migratory birds fly as far down as Antarctica. Quite amazing. 

As we made our way back to shore, we encountered sandbars 1ft down and made sure we avoided them -- Michael said if you hear the waves as if they are lapping on the shore, then there are sandbars nearby. Periodically we got sprinkles of rain, but no downpour. We were all so happy the way the weather turned out.

Once we avoided this hurdle we paddled hard to get back to shore. After we took off the life jacket and kayak spray skirt there were some snacks waiting for us, as well as some warm apple cider. Michael kept asking us if we had a good time -- he was eager to have a good review on Google -- and then we got back on the bus.

Beautiful blue skies on our afternoon kayaking

Definitely a memorable trip and a fun arm workout!

Day Trip Kayaking at Bowen Island

Our group kayaking around the coastline of Bowen Island

This morning I got up bright and early -- before 6am to catch a bus in order to catch a ride to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to go to Bowen Island.

We made it there an hour early than the ferry sailing at 9.05am for a trip that took 20 minutes. 

As soon as we arrived, we stepped onto a place that lives by "island time"... kind of reminded me of Hong Kong's outlying islands like Lamma and Mui Wo.

Many multimillion dollar homes by the water

Not far from the ferry terminal was the place where we had reserved a three-hour kayaking tour. We were suited up with a life vest and given a paddle before we were given a quick lesson on how to kayak before walking down to the dock and getting into our kayaks.

I'd been kayaking once before in Hong Kong last year when my friend took me to the Ho Hai Wan Marine Park in Sai Kung. The water was very calm and we would land in various beaches and get in and out of the water so we were quite wet by the end of it.

Here we were in kayaks that were a bit more protected from the water, though we did get wet in the groin area and the legs. By the end of it salt crystals stuck to my legs!

I really enjoy being out in the water and kayaking gives you the best opportunity to be really close to the water without jumping in. Kayaking is also not difficult to do once you are taught the basics. This kayak also had a rudder that could be controlled with foot pedals, whereas in Hong Kong we had to rely on our ability to maneuver the kayak with just our paddles.

This seal was snorting at me taking his picture!

Here we had two to a kayak which was fun and allowed for more conversations with others in the group. We followed a guide around the coastline, but when we got to more open water, it became quite choppy, which is when water started sloshing into our kayak. Also two people on separate kayaks became seasick and had to get to shore.

We took a break while they did that and their partners could team up in one kayak for a last spin around. We went across to one area and got very close to the edge where we could see harbour seals hanging out. They barely moved which made my friend wonder if an artist had painted eyes on rocks! haha. As I took a picture with my phone, one of them snorted at me. Or maybe he just happened to have nasal issues.

Below them were tons of mussels clinging to the rocks and below them near the water were bright purple star fish! Above us we saw some bald eagles and someone in our group joked they were circling around for us... on the water we saw a flock of Canadian geese too.

There were many homes by the waterfront complete with their own docks. These are multimillion dollar homes and it's interesting to note their water comes from wells dug on the property, while sewage is dealt with in a septic tank that is pumped out every decade or so.

The water was very clear but didn't see much

And as should be expected, everything on the island is expensive because it must be shipped in. There's two and a half police (they are on part time schedules), and all the firemen are volunteers (residents on the island). Normally there are 5,000 residents on Bowen Island, but it doubles in the summer when people come to occupy their holiday homes.

A member of our group lives and works in Vancouver during the week and comes back to Bowen Island on the weekends. She told us during the Covid-19 pandemic, people discovered Bowen Island because it's relatively easy to get to and not too far, and as a result property prices have gone up. 

While it's possible to stay in an airbnb, it is impossible to rent a place, especially for seasonal workers. One of the guides told us they were here working for the summer and had no place to live so they are living in their van -- which is illegal!

Giant purple starfish clinging to the rocks

Our three-hour tour was a bit too long for some people, but weather-wise in general it wasn't too hot though it was windy at times. Having booked this weeks in advance we were lucky the weather was perfect. 

After some lunch and drinks, we were too late for the 2.45pm ferry so we had to wait until 4pm for the next one. Then coupled with traffic getting onto the Lions Gate Bridge, we didn't get back until 5.45pm.