With countless islands and hundreds of miles of beaches and bays backed by mountains cut by deep fjords, the British Columbia coast is perfectly suited to the sport of sea kayaking and orca watching. 

In the temperate rainforest that blankets the coast you will find some of North America’s best remaining wildlife refuges. Against this backdrop of mountains and forests, several indigenous cultures flourished, supported by the bounty of the sea.

To tour these waters in a sea kayak is to come close to the experience the indigenous people had, as they travelled this coast in their legendary cedar canoes.

Camp sites with panoramic vistas and the exceptional wildlife combine to make this trip one of unexpected discoveries and unforgettable encounters in North America’s best known Orca whale viewing area.

Our kayaking locations are chosen for their remoteness and wilderness integrity: from the glow of the setting sun across the broad sand beach at Burnett Bay on the Central Coast to a heart pounding encounter with a pod of orcas in the Inside Passage of Vancouver Island to the silent power of standing totem poles or a rich intertidal tapestry of Gwaii Haanas National Park on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Come and explore with us as we continue to discover new facets and dimensions to what is truly a coast of wonders.

Black dorsal fins break the smooth water instantly followed by a whoosh as a tall plume of spray rises into the mist. One by one members of the pod rise then slide back below the surface. Encountering Orcas in their natural habitat is an incomparable experience. The Orca waters of the Inside Passage around Johnstone Strait between the northeast coast of Vancouver Island and the snowcapped peaks of the mainland are world renowned for the concentration of these “Killer” whales. During the summer salmon runs, groups of three or four and up to 100 or more whales gather to feed and our sightings are frequent. 

In addition to the Orcas there are also Minke whales, dolphins and porpoises. While ashore eagles dot tree tops along the shoreline. After years of kayaking around northern Vancouver Island we have developed what we feel are the best trip options for seeing Orcas in the wild and experiencing this exceptional place.
We offer three different kayak tour lengths throughout the summer all of which provide the opportunity to view Orcas from kayaks and ashore.


There are various options
We have a range of trips, the difference is location and how long you paddle for.

The Orca around Johnstone Strait - see the 6 day itinerary below
The Grey Whales and other wildlife of the Central Coast - 8 day Itinerary
The wildlife of Broughton Archipelago for novice / intermediate paddlers - 6 day Itinerary

Itinerary - Kayaking with Orca - Johnstone Strait

From our base camp on the Johnstone Strait we kayak the surrounding channels which are unrivalled for observation of the Orca (killer whales) as they ply the sea in pursuit of salmon. We may deploy the hydrophone in hopes of capturing submarine sounds of passing pods.

Day 1: We meet outside our hotel and travel to the dock in Port McNeill. Here we will board our water taxi for the trip across Johnstone Strait and into the islands that border the north side of the Strait. On the boat ride groups often view and photograph Orcas and other marine wildlife. After settling into camp there will be sea kayaking instruction and an opportunity to try out new skills.

Each day the guides listen for the reports of Orca activity on their VHF radios, and sets the day’s route for the best opportunity to encounter the Orcas. Satisfying days on the water, are followed by idyllic evenings at camp sharing sumptuous dinners and recounting the days exploits and encounters. After dark the silence is often broken by the hauntingly distinctive sound of Orca exhalations as whales pass close to shore.

Final Day: On the final day of the expedition our charter boat arrives for the return trip to Port McNeill with an estimated time of arrival of shortly after noon.

Itineraries are intended as guidelines only and are subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other general logistical conditions at the time of the trip.

Dates: July 20-25, July 27- August 1, August 24-29, August 31- September 5, September 7-12, September 14-19 2008.

                                                     Email for availability

Price Indication Per Person: GBP744 / USD1484 / CAD1500

The base currency is the Canadian Dollar and payments in any other currency may involve an adjustment for exchange rates.

What is Included
Fully supported camping.  All food and hot beverages served with meals while camping and on the water.  All kayaking, safety and navigation equipment. Experienced guides / instructors. Return boat transport from Port McNeill and back.

What is Not Included
Transport other than to Port McNeill from the local hotel we suggest (we can help you with guidance on flights to western Canada and local travel to the Port McNeil area). All alcoholic and soft drinks, not served as part of a meal in the camp.

Travel l Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.