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| Merganser kayak on Hog Island (west side, sandhillS in the background) |
The day after my 67th birthday, I went out for a circumnavigation of Hog Island by kayak. Hog Island is a remote island of Malpeque Bay and requires good planning for a day trip. In strong winds, Malpeque Bay can get choppy pretty fast. The water level around this area can get pretty low, so it's a good idea to check the tides for the day. Hog Island belongs to the Mi'kmaq of Lennox Island, and it's not permitted to venture inland on the island without their permission.
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| My track around Hog Island from Gillis Point |
On August 29, I launched my 17ft Merganser kayak at Gillis Point and headed straight for the southern tip of Hog Island (3.5 km). As I got near shore, I spotted a Bald Eagle soaring. Once I got on shore, I was able to get some photos of multiple Bald Eagles. There was one juvenile and at least one mature Bald Eagle hanging around the island's west side near the southern tip. After a few minutes of observing the eagles, I paddled around the island's southern tip and started up the east coast. As I rounded the tip of Hog Island, my subsequent discovery was a small Cormorant rookery on the east side. Then, not too much further up the coast was another mature Bald Eagle perched in a tree. This time, the eagle was more cooperative, and I got better pics from my kayak seat. The eagles were a great beginning to my Hog Island visit!
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After another 1.5 km, I arrived at the NE corner of Hog Island – where I have camped three times in the past (twice with Marc and Joel, and a third-time solo). Just west of the NE corner is Iron Rock. Iron Rock is the only actual bedrock outcrop on all of PEI. The basin formed by Hog Island and the Malpeque sandhills is also kind of unique and always feels special to be paddling through there. This area is one of my favourite PEI spots!
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| NE corner of Hog Island (sandhills in the background) |
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Once I got through the narrow channel at the NW corner of the island, I started paddling down the west side. After 0.5 km, I made a short visit to shore and then it was the 2 km paddle across to Bird Island. I landed near the SE corner of Bird Island and went for a nice walk to stretch the cramped legs. Then, while still enjoying fine paddling weather, I made the crossing back to Gillis Point (2 km).
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Overall, this circuit is a 12 – 14 km paddle in a remote part of PEI while staying in protected waters at all times. A more extended version of this trip could include a walk across the sandhill to the beach or more paddling/exploring the shorelines.
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