Kayaking with Killer whales off Vancouver Island
| country: | Canada |
| location: | Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
| departures: | 2008: 25 Aug, 1 Sep, 8 Sep, 15 Sep |
| price: | From CA $1399 (5 days) excluding flights, plus 6% tax. Price includes meals/snacks (day 1 lunch-day 5 lunch), kayaking equipment & jackets, 3 drybags, tents, sleeping pads, guiding, park user fees & return water taxi from Port McNeill to the camps |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
We operate Killer whale kayaking tours in the Inside Passage where you will spend time at two separate permanent wilderness outposts on one exciting trip.
Other wildlife that we are likely to see include, humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, bald eagles, rhinoceros auklets, bears, seals, dolphins and more…
Why kayak the Inside Passage? The Inside Passage is world renowned for incredible kayaking, camping, scenery and wildlife. Located on the NE coast of Vancouver Island, the Johnstone Strait area is home to one of the largest resident Orca (killer whale) populations in the world. Each year the Orcas return to the area to feed on the abundant supply of salmon, and to rub their bellies on the smooth pebble ocean floor of Robson Bight (Michael Biggs Marine Sanctuary). The Orcas (killer whales) of Johnstone Strait number approximately 200 whales in total and they can be easily recognized by their distinctive black and white markings. By using our two camps on one trip you will have the opportunity to do and see far more than you can on a conventional base camp kayak trip that utilizes only one camp, or on a moving trip where you have to spend hours packing up your kayaks each morning before you leave.
Please note: The weather can occasionally cause delays and we may need to switch camps on a different day.
Maggy Point basecamp: Our Maggy Point camp is the only camp of its kind located within the boundaries of the Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park, a myriad of small islands that are ideal for kayaking and exploring. Maggy Point base camp is set in on a peninsula with amazing ocean views. It features a covered central meeting-cooking location, high quality Mountain Hardware 3 person tents (we only put 2 people to a tent) on wooden platforms, and our fabulous hot wilderness shower. Each site has it's own platform where the tents are securely fastened and covered by a tarp to allow extra room to move around and stay dry in case it rains.
Hanson Island Kayak Camp: Located in Johnstone Strait, home to one of the largest resident Orca (killer whale) populations in the world, we specifically chose our Hanson Island Kayak Camp location because it is situated along one of the most consistently traveled routes used by these magnificent creatures. From the Orca Lounge cliffs you will be able to see the Orcas forage, swim and play as they make their way up the coast of Hanson Island.
Other wildlife that we are likely to see include, humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, bald eagles, rhinoceros auklets, bears, seals, dolphins and more…
Why kayak the Inside Passage? The Inside Passage is world renowned for incredible kayaking, camping, scenery and wildlife. Located on the NE coast of Vancouver Island, the Johnstone Strait area is home to one of the largest resident Orca (killer whale) populations in the world. Each year the Orcas return to the area to feed on the abundant supply of salmon, and to rub their bellies on the smooth pebble ocean floor of Robson Bight (Michael Biggs Marine Sanctuary). The Orcas (killer whales) of Johnstone Strait number approximately 200 whales in total and they can be easily recognized by their distinctive black and white markings. By using our two camps on one trip you will have the opportunity to do and see far more than you can on a conventional base camp kayak trip that utilizes only one camp, or on a moving trip where you have to spend hours packing up your kayaks each morning before you leave.
Please note: The weather can occasionally cause delays and we may need to switch camps on a different day.
Maggy Point basecamp: Our Maggy Point camp is the only camp of its kind located within the boundaries of the Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park, a myriad of small islands that are ideal for kayaking and exploring. Maggy Point base camp is set in on a peninsula with amazing ocean views. It features a covered central meeting-cooking location, high quality Mountain Hardware 3 person tents (we only put 2 people to a tent) on wooden platforms, and our fabulous hot wilderness shower. Each site has it's own platform where the tents are securely fastened and covered by a tarp to allow extra room to move around and stay dry in case it rains. Hanson Island Kayak Camp: Located in Johnstone Strait, home to one of the largest resident Orca (killer whale) populations in the world, we specifically chose our Hanson Island Kayak Camp location because it is situated along one of the most consistently traveled routes used by these magnificent creatures. From the Orca Lounge cliffs you will be able to see the Orcas forage, swim and play as they make their way up the coast of Hanson Island.
kayaking with whales - a typical day
We start off the day with a hearty breakfast prepared with great care by your guides. Every day we plan our kayaking routes taking into consideration the movements of the killer whales, the always-present tidal currents, combined with varying wind and weather conditions. A typical kayaking day involves a full day of paddling separated by a lunch break (usually 1 hour) and the occasional stop to stretch legs. We are usually away from the base camps for the full day. Using our VHF radios we stay in contact with a network of researchers and operators to ensure our best chance to encounter the killer whales. Our guides do carry a hydrophone (underwater microphone) so that we can listen to the voice of the killer whales as they pass. day-by-day itinerary
| Our friendly guides will meet you in the town of Port McNeill on Sunday night for a brief meet and greet orientation. | |
| Day 1: | Monday morning we will board the water taxi at 9 am for a scenic ride through the emerald waters of the Inside Passage and be delivered to the first base camp. |
| Day 2: | Kayaking |
| Day 3: | This is the day we switch camps. Our camp managers will move your gear to the new camp while you are out enjoying your day of kayaking. |
| Day 3: | Kayaking |
| Day 5: | Depart. Friday afternoon we will be picked up at 15:00 by the water taxi and arrive back into Port McNeill approximately 1 hour later or 16:00. We arranged this tour to run Monday to Friday to allow you ample time over the weekends to travel and make your connections. |
travellers' tales
I had a great trip. fantastic place, scenery beautiful, excellent and responsibly operated campsites and the guides were first class - they really look after you including cooking some amazing meals on a back country cooker! (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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Our company is a Vancouver Island based, Canadian owned company. We are longtime residents of Vancouver Island and are connected to the communities we work in on many levels. We contribute to the neighbouring communities by purchasing all of our ingredients locally, using fresh organic items whenever possible.
We take our commitment to environmental responsibility very seriously. We believe that everything we do has the potential to impact our world. Our goal is to not only provide kayaking tours that allow our guests the opportunity to form an intimate bond with Vancouver Island, but to do so through sustainable sea kayaking programs that promote environmental awareness and safety. Our commitment to sustainability means environmental stewardship is a primary focus for our company. Our company is dedicated to supporting our local First Nations through open dialogue, respect of First Nation culture, consultation and by hiring First Nations to work with us. Our goal is expose our customers to the rich and unique history of the local First Nations by having our guests join tours organized and operated by the First Nations people whenever possible. We continue to remain in contact with local First Nations, offering input to their consultants as well as to them directly when requested. All of our campsites have undergone a referral process with local First Nations involvement. We strive to reduce, reuse and recycle in all aspects of the operation of our business, and to reduce or eliminate the consumption of non-renewable resources whenever possible. Our office supplies are all made from recycled materials and all resources used on our kayaking tours are brought back and recycled at the end of our kayaking tours. As stewards of the land our goal of conservation is achieved by following the principles of low impact camping and environmental responsibility while we are on our kayaking tours. We dissuade the use of soap in freshwater streams and lakes, deal with human waste in the most appropriate manner and endeavor to lessen our impact by using established camps and trail networks. The Pacific Ocean is rich with a diverse range of Intertidal life and marine mammals, some endangered. Preservation of these unique habitats is a primary concern for our company and we achieve this by educating our guests on the importance of preserving these varied eco systems. Your involvement on our tours assists us in achieving our goals of raising awareness of these sensitive areas. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |