Quadra Island Tidal Rapids

Upper Rapids, Okisollo Channel (Okisollo Wave)
Class III-IV Whitewater Kayaking and Extreme Sea Kayaking

Overview
The Okisollo Rapids are located 9 km by water, north of the end of Surge Narrows Rd. on Quadra Island (you can’t drive there). They are adjacent to Quadra Island’s east side quite close to Cooper Pt., 1 km north of the Octopus Islands Marine Park .These rapids consist of one large, leading (2-3 M) standing wave, with several successive smaller, standing waves behind it. The largest waves are produced on a flood tide for several days every two weeks. Daylight tides producing good waves begin as early as March and end in mid September.

Okisollo Wave at maximum flood

The Okisollo Wave (the main wave)
At maximum flood on a big tide, the first, or northerly most wave has a face reaching up to, or exceeding 3 meters, It is an intimidating feature for all but the best kayakers. It is a sort of “explosive wave”. Unlike Skookumchuck which is basically a reliable and fast moving foam pile, the Okisollo wave is part foam pile and part steep green face which collapses periodically, reminiscent of breaking ocean surf.

3 images showing the explosive nature of the wave

The main wave (the Okisollo Wave) is a feature about 50 feet (16 meters) wide. It is formed when water pours over a shelf at ever increasing speeds, at ever increasing depths. Current speeds range from 0 (low slack) to 13 knots at max flood on a big spring tide. At higher speeds (above 9 knots) the green face of the wave builds higher and higher until it collapses with a thunderous clap.
Behind the wave there is a tremendous release of energy creating significant turmoil, including small, but scary whirlpools. Whether you are whitewater or sea kayaking, don’t bother to come out unless you have a solid roll--you’ll need it!

If you plan to surf the wave, allow two days. You will need one day to learn to catch it, and one day to find the right spot and keep yourself there! Allowing time to “figure the wave out” is important. Paddlers who are experienced on the wave can surf it for up to 15 minutes at a time (or until someone gets really pissed at them for hogging the wave), but regardless of your paddling skills, don’t expect this your first time out.

Behind the main wave there are secondary waves which average about 1 meter (3 feet) in height. These waves are less intimating, so if the main wave scares the crap out of you, you can still have lots of fun on the secondary waves pictured below.

The socondary, or smaller waves at Okisollo

How to get to the Okisollo Rapids
You need to arrange boat transportation to get there or bring your own power boat. If you’re really cheap and really tough, you can kayak up with a sea kayak, towing your whitewater boat behind.

From the end of the road, the distance is 9 km up the north Quadra shoreline. You can also bring your own power boat. There are launching facilities 30 km south at Heriot Bay, and at Browns Bay, north of Campbell River on Vancouver Island). It may be possible to arrange boat transportation, a support vessel and guide with Discovery Islands Lodge on 250.285.2823. There are other water taxis as well. Because we are closest to the wave and paddle it regularly, we are probably your best, least expensive resource for accessing the wave. Regardless, if you need help planning a trip, we are usually good for some help or advice.

Once there, you’ll find good camping right at Cooper Pt, overlooking the rapids. If you decide to go, pick 2 or 3 days of big tides and play around. Remember to bring drinking water.

For White water boats--Class III-IV
If you plan to paddle a white water boat, higher volume kayaks will stay on the wave better than smaller play boats but both will work. Having a small power boat nearby for support is nice, especially if swimming is a likelihood.

When to Go:
Current Tables: Predicting the tidal rapids.
The best time of the year is any daytime tide with current speeds over 9 knots. This typically occurs between April 1 and Sept 15 with the best tides beginning in late May, through to mid August. The faster the speed the better but also important is the depth of the tide. A current speed of 10-11 knots with a corresponding tide depth of 1-2 ft usually produces good results, however southerly gales or strong westerlies will also affect how the wave sets up.

To predict the movement of the rapids you'll need the Discovery Passage and West Coast of Vancouver Island (Volume 6) Tide & Current Tables. Use the Beazley Passage Current Tables to predict the current speed for Surge Narrows and its secondary passages. Use Hole-In-the-Wall (best) or Seymour Narrows current tables to predict current speed of the Okisollo Rapids. For whitewater paddlers, the hour before and the hour after maximum current offer the best paddling. During these 2 hours, the current runs at 90-100% of it’s rated speed.

High Performance Seakayakers
On a big tide (above 9 knots), the best sea kayak surfing starts about 1-1/2 hours after max flood current, when the foam pile disappears and the wave begins to “green out”. By this time the current speed is down to 8 knots or less. You can also paddle the wave on any flood tide which reaches 7-8 knots. This occurs often throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall. Sea kayakers have many more paddling dates available than do white water paddlers.

Quadra Island Tidal Rapids Include:

Surge Narrows

Warning: Tidal rapid Kayaking can be dangerous. KAYAK.im, or any third parties mentioned on this page cannot and will not accept liability for death or injury which may occur to those visiting the locations described on this page. Non of the information provided here should be used to plan paddles by inexperienced kayakers, and without expert help and appropriate equipment. In no way should any person assume that any information contained on this site is a recommendation of the safety of the location.

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