100 Wild Islands - Instructional Tour

100 Wild Islands: Norse Cove to Taylor's Head

Location: 100 Wild Islands, Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore
Duration: 5 Days
Prerequisite: Completion of Paddle Canada Level 1 (Level 2 recommended)

Trip Overview:

This is the ocean.

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 tides that actually matter.

If you've paddled the Great Lakes and wondered what an ocean expedition feels like, this is your answer.

Trip Highlights:

• Tidal Environment: Learn to read and work with the ocean — tides, currents, and coastal navigation in a real maritime setting.
• Small Group Experience: Led by experienced Paddle Canada coaches with a max ratio of 4:1.
• Incredible Scenery: Paddle through kelp beds, past seal haul-outs, and along beaches that rival anywhere in the world. Fog lifting off the water. Islands to yourself.
• Expedition Focus: Build real expedition skills — navigation, seamanship, weather reading, camp management — in an environment that demands them.
• Camping & Meals Included: Five days of coastal camping with all meals provided. Common gear included.

Itinerary:

• Day 0: Norse Cove — Meet the group and guides for a pre-trip briefing. Orientation, introductions, and gear check.
• Day 1: Launch from Norse Cove — Begin paddling into the archipelago. Establish camp on one of the outer islands.
• Days 2–4: Explore the Islands — Paddle toward Taylor's Head, navigating through the island chain. Stops for exploring, wildlife, skill development (no pressure), and just being out there.
• Day 5: Final Paddle and Takeout — Return journey and trip wrap-up. Time to get some fish and chips! 

What's Included:

• Guided expedition with Paddle Canada coaches (4:1 ratio)
• All meals (Day 1 lunch through Day 5 at lunch)
• Sea kayak, paddle, PFD, spray skirt
• Common camping gear
• Camping and any required permits

Bring:

• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow
• Personal paddling clothing (wetsuit/drysuit, layers)
• Snacks, lots and lots!
• Transportation to Norse Cove

Why This Trip?

Superior is big water. Georgian Bay is beautiful. But this is the Atlantic — salt water, tides, and a coastline that's been drawing paddlers for decades. If you're ready to try ocean kayaking, this is the trip.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that this trip takes place on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people, whose traditional lands — known as Mi'kma'ki — span across Nova Scotia, including the Eastern Shore.