Hornby Island Circumnavigation

I completed this circumnavigation by sea kayak on October 7, 2026, as part of my larger Islands Circumnavigation Project.

Island Circumnavigated: Hornby Island, Northern Gulf Islands

Date Circumnavigated: October 7, 2026

Direction of Circumnavigation: Clockwise

Island Size: 30 square kilometres

Route Summary: Launched and landed at Fillongly Provincial Park on Denman Island. Crossed Lambert Channel to a point on the northwest shore of Hornby, north of Phipps Point. Completed a clockwise circumnavigation from there.

Tide and Weather Notes: Flood tide with a 3.2 metre tidal range. Calm seas for the most part, with a nice wind assist from the northwest on the eastern (outside) shore of Hornby.

Total Paddling Distance:
Full trip: 19.32 nm (35.8 kilometres)
Circumnavigation only: 15.55 nautical miles (28.80 kilometres)

Total Paddling (Moving) Time:
Full trip: 5 hours 54 minutes
Circumnavigation only: 4 hours 45 minutes

Stopped Time:
Full trip: 48 minutes 39 seconds
Circumnavigation only: 46 minutes 22 seconds

Total Trip Time (Including Breaks):
Full trip: 6 hours 43 minutes
Circumnavigation only: 5 hours 31 minutes

Moving Average Speed:
Full trip: 3.3 knots
Circumnavigation only: 3.3 knots

Overall Average Speed:
Full trip: 2.9 knots
Circumnavigation only: 2.8 knots

Maximum Speed: 5.1 knots for the full trip.

Boat: P&H Cetus LV

Highlights:

  • Having a day free from sea fog to do this in…it was touch and go!
  • Glassy waters and a clear view over to Texada Island and the Coast Mountains.
  • So many sea birds on the intertidal rock point at the north end of Hornby.
  • A welcome assist from the northwest wind to help me make quick work of the exposed northeastern shore.
  • Paddling around the south end of Hornby in the company of a curious seal.
  • Seeing the conglomerate rock cliffs of Helliwell Park from the water.
  • Enjoying a long lunch break on a secluded beach in the sun at Helliwell Park.
  • Visiting Ford Cove Marina from the water.
  • Realizing that I had to paddle farther to hit my end point than I was expecting, as I hadn’t started my circumnavigation at quite the spot on my chart I had thought.
  • Completing this trip after a full day of paddling the day before; I was not sure my body would like it, but it did!

Photo Gallery:
Click on any image for a better view!

Low tide launch at Fillongly Provincial Park on Denman Island. You can see my cart tracks way up the beach!
Starting the circumnavigation, heading towards the northwest tip of Hornby.
Lots of sea birds hanging out on the long intertidal point, which was mostly exposed.
Looking towards Shields Point after rounding most of the northern intertidal rocks.
Break stop at Grassy Point Park on Shields Point.
Beauty view across the Strait of Georgia to Texada Island, with the Coast Mountains shrouded in cloud.
Paddling the eastern shore of Hornby.
Nice wind assist down the eastern shore, which helped my time!
My seal companion as I approached St John Point.
Back in sheltered water after rounding St. John Point.
The conglomerate rock bluffs of Helliwell Provincial Park.
Bluff up close. Cormorants nest in the rocks, as evidenced by the streaks of white guano!
Nice deserted beach for a break below the cliffs at Helliwell.
Beauty view, and all to myself.
Looking back at the cliffs of Helliwell while crossing the mouth of Tribune Bay.
Looking into Tribune Bay, where the nice beach is located.
Intertidal rocks at Downes Point, with resident sea gulls.
Shallow water as I approach Norman Point at the southern tip of Hornby. Denman Island is the land mass beyond.
Intertidal selfie.
Rounding Norman Point and entering Lambert Channel. The ferry terminal on Denman Island is visible in the distance.
Approaching Ford Cove Marina in a bit of wind. The ferry terminal on Hornby is visible in the distance.
Break stop overlooking Ford Cove Marina.
Looking up Lambert Channel.
Beautiful fall colours north of Ford Cove.
Denman-Hornby ferry leaving the dock en route to Denman Island.
Looking back at the BC Ferries terminal from behind Shingle Spit, enhanced by the fall colours.
Phipps Point, which I originally through was near my ending point. I was wrong!