100 Wild Islands, Nova Scotia
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.
Your group travels as an expedition pod, navigating, camping, and making decisions together for five days. Everyone has an active role. This is the closest thing to true ocean wilderness in the program.
Itinerary
Exact route and campsites shift with tide, weather, and conditions. That is ocean paddling.
What's Included
- Five-day instructional expedition with experienced Kayak Ontario coaches at a 1:4 ratio
- Group meals from Day 1 lunch through Day 5 lunch, planned and prepared together as an expedition pod
- Shared group camping gear: tarps and kitchen essentials
- Camping and any required permits arranged for the group
What to Bring
- Sea kayak and paddling kit (paddle, PFD, spray skirt): bring your own, or rent from us and select at checkout
- Transportation to and from Norse Cove, Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Personal paddling clothing: wetsuit or dry suit and layers
- Snacks: assume all snacks are on you, and bring plenty. Group meals run Day 1 lunch through Day 5 lunch, but bring more than enough of your own food to stay fuelled and happy across tidal ocean days.
Good to Know
- This is tidal ocean paddling. Currents, fog, and swell are part of the environment. Come expecting to work with the ocean, not around it.
- The 100 Wild Islands archipelago covers 282 islands across Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore. Route and campsite decisions adapt daily based on conditions.
- Norse Cove is our base of operations. They've graciously extended their land for the expedition. If you need accommodation before or after, contact Norse Cove directly.
- Rentals available: expedition kayak, dry suit, and camping gear. Select your rentals at checkout.
Prerequisite: Kayak Ontario Level 1 minimum, Level 2 recommended. An equivalent Paddle Canada or ORCKA sea kayak Level 1 also qualifies. This is tidal ocean water. If you only have Level 1 and sheltered-water experience, do your Level 2 first. Not sure? Get in touch.
Questions
Do I need my own kayak or gear?
How does food work?
What about accommodation at Norse Cove?
Is Level 2 really necessary?
What if the weather is bad?
Can I earn a certification on this expedition?
Certification Pathway
This expedition works for every level of the ORCKA Kayak Tripping and Guiding pathway. Come to tour with no assessment, or pair it with the matching online module to certify. Either way, the kilometres, nights, and leadership you log here count toward your progress.
KT3, the capstone (coming soon). Tidal Atlantic coastline is exactly the committing water KT3 is built for. Pass it and you hold an ORCKA trip leader designation, qualified to plan, lead, and guide multi-day expeditions of your own. This expedition counts toward it too.
See how the full pathway works →
We acknowledge that this expedition takes place within Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people, whose lands span Nova Scotia, including the Eastern Shore. This territory is covered by the Peace and Friendship Treaties, which did not surrender land or resources. We are grateful for the enduring stewardship of the Mi'kmaq of these lands and waters.
This acknowledgement, accompanied by action, includes contributions to Indigenous-led organizations that make a lasting impact.