About Cowichan Bay Kayaking and
Coastal Bliss Adventures Ltd.

  • Our Vision
     

    In our hearts, we all live on the land. That is the real world. We take away the obstacles to experience what is real, to experience your bliss. We show you the way. That's Coastal Bliss Adventures.

  • Mission and
    Philosophy

    Mission and Philosophy

    The directors and guides at Coastal Bliss Adventures work to provide the highest quality of instruction and vacation experience for all its clients. We are professionals that consitently increase our training and knowledge to provide you with the best service in class. We are members and follow the standards of the Association of Canadian Sea Kayak Guides, Canadian Federation of Ocean Kayak Educators, the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
    We are committed to protecting the environment. We try to take as many aspects into account as possible to help preserve the environment. Although we practice Leave No Trace principles, we try to go beyond them. This means we have to think through all our operations at all times to try to consider every possible consequence of our actions.

      Some of the ways we work to be more green:
    •We transport people by group as far as possible (other tour companies have all guests travel farther on their own, using more fuel).
    •We clean up beaches and trails as we go.
    •We buy local or grow our own as much as possible.
    •We recycle as much as we can.
    •We limit fires on trips.
    •We do as much electronically as we can, limiting paper use. We buy in bulk as much as possible to reduce packaging.
    •We follow Leave No Trace principles.

    Ultimately, we want our clients to have had a real experience along the way, to reconnect to something primal and awe-inspiring. Each trip is a journey, constantly watching, constantly moving forward, constantly renewing.

  • Who We Are
     

    Company

    Coastal Bliss Adventures is a Vancouver Island company, founded in 2009 by Georgia Newsome and Gary Ward. We originally specialized on the West Coast Trail and other Vancouver Island hiking trails. After years of multi-day tours on Vancouver Island, we expanded internationally by founding Kilimanjaro Bliss Ltd. with Aristarick Benard Swai, a safari and Mt. Kilimanjaro guide, in 2016. In the spring of 2017, we expanded our kayaking offerings with our shop in our home of Cowichan Bay, starting Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre, moving closer to our original intention of being a kayaking company. We are happy to be serving more fully in our community. We plan to begin operations in the UK with our Pembrokeshire Trails Tour in south Wales after travel returns to normal after Covid.

  • The Directors
     

    Company Directors

    Georgia Newsome has worked as a guide for backpacking, kayaking, and canoeing for various adventure companies, over the past 30 years. She worked as lead guide with Sea to Sky Expeditions for 13 years and continues to work closely with its owner and other guides. Growing up in the New Forest, in England, Georgia developed a love for nature and the outdoors. First visiting Canada in 1989 she immediately knew she had found her home. She moved to British Columbia, where the Canadian wilderness spoke loudly to her passion for adventure and activity as well as nourishing her with its natural beauty. Georgia’s initial profession as a physical education teacher laid the foundation for the desire to share her passion for the outdoors with others. It set her on a path of knowledge and skill development to enable her to provide the best for the guests in her care. In 2009, she founded Coastal Bliss Adventures Ltd. with partner, Gary Ward, focusing on multi - day adventures.

    Gary Ward formed a passion for experiential education and wilderness experiences from leading wilderness trips for high school students in the 1990s. Taking students on multi-day traverses in some of the most pristine wilderness areas of southern BC, he ultimately shifted to guiding adults. Having led trips in BC, Scotland, Italy, Greece and Egypt, Gary has continued to develop his skills in hiking, sea kayak and canoe guiding and developing wilderness experiences. Since returning to BC in 2005, he has been guiding people into the "real world" around Vancouver Island and he Sunshine Coast. Gary is a certified sea kayak guide, a certified ACMG Assistant Hiking Guide, trained in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue. He completed his MBA in 2016 from the University of Victoria.

Get In Touch

For more information, please contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you have for us. You can send a direct email to us from the email form. We should answer your questions within 24 hours.

Offices:
4865 Bench Rd
Cowichan Bay, BC
Canada

Location:
1769 Cowichan Bay Road
Cowichan Bay, BC

E: info @ cowichanbaykayaking.com
P: +1 250 597 3031

What Our Guests Say

  • We did 8pm-10pm kayak to/through estuary and then to log booms and back to Cowichan Bay. Good overview before we left, quick fitting kayaks to everyone. Clear signals if safe/require assistance. Had the wonderful luck of seeing red sun set and then blood moon/full moon rise on the same trip. Lots of bio-luminescence, good guides. Thanks!

    Dean P

  • Our guide Jenny was wonderful and knowledgeable about the estuary. My husband and I rented kayaks and had her as our guide for a 2 hour paddle. The kayaks are in good condition, and Jenny took us to see seals basking in the sun. It was a nice easy pace for paddling, I got some wonderful photos and had a great time. Thanks Jenny and Coastal Bliss!

    Lynn

  • My son and I rented a double kayak for two hours. We explored the bay and marina. Saw lots of sea lions and osprey along with many fascinating boats. We definitely plan on doing this again! Gary was really helpful before and after our excursion.

    Ocean K

  • thanks again for another great day on the water. your team always makes renting a fast, enjoyable experience. you're always my go-to option for a quick afternoon paddle!

    Vince A

  • Our 2 hour kayak tour of Cowichan Bay estuary with our guide Travis was relaxing, educational, and a great way to spend a hot evening on the cooler waterway. Travis was professional, personable, and very patient with our limited experience in kayaks, and got us settled in them quickly, and safely. We enjoyed the leisurely pace, sighting different birds, and getting information about the local area from Travis.

    MMisto

  • Cynthia and I really enjoyed our Gulf Islands kayaking adventure with you. You happily tailored the trip and our days to meet our needs and accommodate the weather, tides and currents. The food was excellent (loved the spinach!) and the equipment you provided was of the highest quality that we have ever rented. We had such a good paddle with you we've been haunting craigslist etc and now are owners of a used Tyee fibreglass kayak like you have.

    Cynthia and Dave

  • I have very much enjoyed the Broken Group Island kayaking trip with you and Gary. I will definitely try to do it again, should I get back to the west coast in the near future.

    Martina

  • For two years in a row we have used Coastal Bliss to guide us through the Wild West Coast Trail. This year we also added a 1/2 day kayaking. Using Coastal Bliss ensured we get to see the best there is to see. A further advantage is that you will learn about the fascinating fauna, flora, history and geology on the coast. People do hike up on their own, but apart from the risk they take by going at it alone, they also rob themselves of a superior experience. While we were setting up camp they were cooking incredibly delicious snacks and meals. Who knew dehydrated foods could taste so good.

    Trina

  • A friend and I booked the two hour evening kayak tour in Cowichan Bay and it did not disappoint. Georgia and Gary were extremely friendly and helpful in teaching two newbies how to paddle properly and maneuver the kayak, and then Georgia guided us around the bay. It was a beautiful evening, the water was calm, and the scenery en route to the estuary was breathtaking. Georgia pointed out different bird species and we even spotted some seals swimming nearby. This was my first time on a kayak tour, but I will be back!

    Abbie

  • Reservedly we contacted Bliss Adventure Cowichan Bay to see if they could cope with old girls..2 with no experience. No problem, BUT "why dont you try our moonlight kayak experience?" It happened the moon was almost full just now. So we went for it. A whole new experience great fun and oh boy to see the moon rising up above the mountains as we paddled out at sea was unforgettable.We were made most welcome really enjoyed it. Thank you, it was BLISS.

    Fussy

  • I have done 4 brilliant multi-day trips with Coastal Bliss including 2 amazing kayaking adventures; 6 days in the Broken Group off Vancouver Island in 2014 with guide Phillip and 6 days in Nootka Sound in 2016, guided by Georgia. Both trips were fantastic. Georgia even organised a special trip for me to fit in with my itinerary as I had limited time, travelling from New Zealand. Coastal Bliss is well organised for everything; the food is fabulous, the guides have indepth local knowledge and the locations are outstanding - all reasons why I have signed up on 4 different occasions with Coastal Bliss.

    Jan