Two Kayakers Found Dead in U.S. Waters After Going Missing Near Victoria, B.C.

The bodies of two Canadian men who went missing while kayaking from D'Arcy Island to Island View Beach in Central Saanich, British Columbia on April 20 have been found in U.S. waters off San Juan Island. Daniel MacAlpine, 36, and Nicolas West, 26, were found dead after an extensive search involving Canadian and American authorities.

The Sidney/North Saanich RCMP confirmed that the bodies recovered by the San Juan County Sheriff's Office were those of the missing Canadian kayakers. MacAlpine and West had set out in a two-person fiberglass kayak at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday from D'Arcy Island, located northeast of Victoria. Their empty kayak was discovered the following day on Henry Island, about five kilometers northeast of their starting point and in American waters.

The first body was found on Monday around 3 p.m. floating against rocks in Grandma's Cove on the southwest side of San Juan Island. The second body was located on Tuesday morning, floating in Middle Channel south of Cattle Point at the southernmost tip of the island. Both men were wearing life jackets when found.

Why this matters: The tragic incident highlights the dangers that can arise in the deceptive waters between Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, even for prepared kayakers. It emphasizes the significance of marine safety and the difficulties encountered by search and rescue teams operating in the border region.

The large-scale search effort involved the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, Central Saanich police, Pender Island Emergency Response, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. "The Sidney/North Saanich RCMP would like to thank all the agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts," said Cpl. Andres Sanchez in a statement. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the deceased."

Key Takeaways

• Two Canadian kayakers went missing on April 20 near Victoria, BC.
• Their bodies were found in U.S. waters off San Juan Island.
• The victims were Daniel MacAlpine, 36, and Nicolas West, 26.
• The incident highlights the dangers of the region's waters.
• Extensive search efforts involved Canadian and U.S. authorities.