2027 DATES ARE LIVE | NEW FOR 2027: 8-DAY SOUTHERN SG̲ANG G̲WAAY̲ | NEW: LEVEL 6 SURGE DRY PANT ADD-ON - PADDLE IN THE GEAR OUR GUIDES WEAR & RECOMMEND
Butterfly Tours provides quality equipment, selected specifically for kayak touring on Haida Gwaii. Our kayaking gear and tents are maintained in excellent condition and replaced every few years in order to ensure that our participants enjoy the use of reasonably new equipment. Butterfly tours uses both single and double kayaks that are handmade on Vancouver Island by Seaward Kayaks.
The Seaward Tyee kayak is pleasantly responsive while remaining predictable and forgiving in a wide variety of sea conditions. This fine fiberglass craft is well suited to both inexperienced and accomplished paddlers. We have 6 Tyees - more than enough for each tour guest and expedition participant to paddle one.
The Seaward G3 Passat is acclaimed by adventure racers. This boat has greater stability than most single kayaks and tracks well. For a double kayak is it sleek and edge effortlessly. It is safe, strong, and seaworthy in the most challenging waters. We will have either one or two Passat G3’s in the fleet per tour.
Our kayaks are strong and seaworthy; they come fully equipped with a foot-operated rudder, two hatches with sealed bulkheads, a paddle and spare paddle, a Transport Canada approved PFD, a neoprene sprayskirt and a bilge pump. Seawards adjustable seat has a padded, pivoting backrest that provides comfort while touring. Our kayaks can properly fit a wide range of people.
Many kayakers seek the freedom and rewards of paddling their own craft, yet not everyone prefers to be responsible for the propulsion of their own vessel. We offer single kayaks to most guests, but we like to travel with at least one double in the fleet for safety reasons. We rotate guests so that everyone who wants to spend time in a single kayak has the opportunity, so you will have to spend some time in a double kayak as well.
Single kayaks are significantly different than double kayaks:
We provide Level Six Ace sprayskirts for all guests. The Ace is Canadian Made, comfortable and adjustable, making it easy to get a good fit and allowing you to paddle comfortably throughout the day.
Each person is provided with the choice of a variety of paddles, including: Lightweight Aqua-Bound carbon straight-shaft paddles.
We provide high quality Salus Ungava personal flotation devices in four different sizes.
Enjoy the benefits of wearing these comfortable, fully adjustable and Transport Canada approved PFDs.
The MSR Hubba Hubba tents provided on our wilderness kayak journeys are supreme quality, expedition-tested shelters constructed by Mountain Safety Research.
We supply enough tents so that everyone can sleep in their own private shelter if they wish.
Our guides use a Jetboil Basecamp stove for camp cooking. The Basecamp provides a reliable and efficient cooking system for preparing meals during our multi-day wilderness journeys.
We provide a Helinox One Chair for every guest on our wilderness kayak journeys. Lightweight, compact, and comfortable, these chairs are perfect for relaxing around camp after a day on the water. Whether you're enjoying a meal, sharing stories around the kitchen, or simply taking in the scenery, having your own comfortable camp chair makes a big difference.
Arriving with appropriate outdoor clothing is essential to each guest's comfort and personal well-being during the trip. A detailed clothing and equipment list is provided upon registration.