In September of 2007, long time Gabriola Island based sea kayak guides Matthew Bowes & Jennifer Smith purchased the Vancouver Island kayaking division of Gabriola Cycle & Kayak, a pioneering adventure outfitter based on Gabriola Island established in 1987. Matt has been working with Gabriola since 1998 and Jen since 2001. 

Gabriola Sea Kayaking is still based on Gabriola Island and we are very pleased to be carrying on a tradition of unforgettable, fun and affordable west coast sea kayaking adventures. We specialize in multi-day kayak tours in select locations on Vancouver Island, chosen for their natural beauty, abundance of flora and fauna and variety of paddling opportunities.

Matt and Jen are outdoor professionals with graduate degrees in Environmental Studies and respective undergraduate degrees in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, Natural Science and Anthropology. We are Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of British Columbia Level III guides  and Paddle Canada Instructors with backgrounds in outdoor education, leadership, conservation, parks and recreation planning and management. We spend our spring and summers on Gabriola Island and paddling all over the west coast of Vancouver Island. In the off season we move south to Victoria where we live and explore the Southern Gulf Islands, on Danzante - our 35 ft Coronado sloop and personal mothership. Jen works at  her parallel carreer as a biologist and myself as a college professor.

On our trips, we wish to attract healthy, independent, fun-loving, adventurers. Participants take part in all aspects of the adventure, including meal preparation and daily trip planning. Our primary role is to outfit your trip, reduce risk and look after navigation. No experience is necessary, just a positive attitude and desire for fun. We have been leading sea kayak adventures on the west coast for a combined 19 years.

Jen Smith & Matt Bowes