100 Wild Islands, Nova Scotia

The 100 Wild Islands is one of the last intact coastal wilderness archipelagos in North America: 282 islands sprawling across Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, just an hour from Halifax but a world away from everything. Turquoise water, white sand beaches, boreal rainforest, seals, seabirds, and ocean tides. If you've paddled sheltered water and wondered what the ocean feels like, this is your answer.

This trip runs as a base camp. We set up at Norse Cove Kayak Centre on the edge of the archipelago and paddle out into the islands each day, so your boat stays light and there is a hot shower waiting at the end of it. Days are coached and unhurried, and the group reads tide and weather together. The final day moves to the granite coast at Peggy's Cove.

Itinerary

Each day's route is chosen on the day, around tide, wind, and swell. That is ocean paddling.

What's Included

• ✔ Five-day instructional base camp expedition with experienced Kayak Maritimes coaches at a 1:4 ratio
• ✔ Group camp site at our Norse Cove base, starting the night before Day 1
• ✔ Shared group camp gear: tarps and a group kitchen
• ✔ A final day at Peggy's Cove, conditions permitting

What to Bring

• — Sea kayak and paddling kit (paddle, PFD, spray skirt): bring your own, or rent from us and select at checkout
• — Your own transport to Norse Cove, and to Peggy's Cove on the final day. Rental boats travel with us.
• — Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad
• — Personal paddling clothing: wetsuit or dry suit and layers
• — All your food: meals are self-catered, so bring what you need to cook breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the trip, plus plenty of snacks for the water.

Good to Know

• — This is tidal ocean paddling. Currents, fog, and swell are part of the environment, and paddling from a fixed camp lets us pick the right water for each day.
• — Norse Cove Kayak Centre is our base for the whole trip, with showers and washrooms on site. Only your day kit goes in the boat, so there is no squeezing a week of gear through a hatch.
• — The 100 Wild Islands archipelago covers 282 islands across Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore. Where we paddle each day depends on conditions.
• — Rentals available: sea kayak, dry suit, and camping gear. Select your rentals at checkout.

Questions

Certification

This base camp expedition qualifies for ORCKA Kayak Tripping Level 1. Come to paddle with no assessment, or pair it with the KT1 online module to certify. The online module is hosted by our sister brand, Kayak Ontario, so the link opens kayak-ontario.com.

Working toward KT2 or KT3? Those need a moving expedition. See the full pathway →