Sea kayaking holidays off Vancouver Island
| country: | Canada |
| location: | Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
| departures: | 2009: 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep |
| price: | From CA $1699 (5 days) excluding flights, plus 6% tax. Price includes accommodation, meals as per itinerary and snacks, escorted Grizzly bear tour, 3 days sea kayaking with Orcas, 1 day boat based whale watching & return water taxi to lodge |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our Pacific Orca Lodge eco tour is fantastic! Grizzly Bears, Orcas, Humpback whales, Eagles and Dolphins are just some of the amazing creatures you will have the opportunity to interact with.
Your tour starts in Port McNeill on Sunday night with a pre-departure orientation session with our friendly, helpful guides. On Monday morning we will board our water taxi for an exciting journey through the emerald green waters of the Inside Passage, to the cozy Pacific Orca Floating Lodge. The lodge provides accommodation for a maximum of six people in an intimate and comfortable setting. There are bathroom facilities, as well as a fireplace and other creature comforts that you are sure to enjoy.
Using Pacific Orca Lodge as our home base we will spend three of our five days focused on paddling with the killer whales of Johnstone Strait and marine wildlife viewing. With a resident population of close to 300 Orcas, the Johnstone Strait area is quite simply the best place in the world to view Orcas, or killer whales, in the wild. Many of our past guests have described kayaking with the Orcas as spiritual!
Our wildlife eco tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to Glendale Cove. Glendale Cove, located approximately 40 miles up the majestic coastal fjord of Knight Inlet, is home to one of the largest concentrations of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon to see up to 30 bears in this area making for superior photographic opportunities throughout the season. Although the fall season is considered peak season for viewing the bears as they feed on migrating salmon, they are also present throughout the spring and summer as well. In the spring and summer viewing is done from the boat which allows you to get very close to the bears without disturbing them. An experience not to be missed!
Our last day, Friday, will be spent with one of the preeminent whale watching operators in the area, Mackay Whale Watching. After a hearty breakfast we will return to Port McNeill to board one of the most advanced whale watching boats in British Columbia, the Naiad (pronounced Ni-ad) Explorer.
These educational and entertaining tours are approximately four to five hours in duration and lunch is provided. You will learn the latest information about the killer whales and be able to listen in on the whales’ vocalizations with our on-board hydrophone (underwater microphone). Launched in April 1999, the "Naiad Explorer", holds up to 48 passengers in comfort, with heat and washroom facilities. This stable vessel offers an excellent opportunity for photographers!
A typical kayak 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 lodge 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 kayak with the orcas. Our guides do carry a hydrophone (underwater microphone) so that we can listen to the voice of the orcas as they pass our kayaks.
Your tour starts in Port McNeill on Sunday night with a pre-departure orientation session with our friendly, helpful guides. On Monday morning we will board our water taxi for an exciting journey through the emerald green waters of the Inside Passage, to the cozy Pacific Orca Floating Lodge. The lodge provides accommodation for a maximum of six people in an intimate and comfortable setting. There are bathroom facilities, as well as a fireplace and other creature comforts that you are sure to enjoy.
Using Pacific Orca Lodge as our home base we will spend three of our five days focused on paddling with the killer whales of Johnstone Strait and marine wildlife viewing. With a resident population of close to 300 Orcas, the Johnstone Strait area is quite simply the best place in the world to view Orcas, or killer whales, in the wild. Many of our past guests have described kayaking with the Orcas as spiritual!
Our wildlife eco tour wouldn't be complete without a visit to Glendale Cove. Glendale Cove, located approximately 40 miles up the majestic coastal fjord of Knight Inlet, is home to one of the largest concentrations of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon to see up to 30 bears in this area making for superior photographic opportunities throughout the season. Although the fall season is considered peak season for viewing the bears as they feed on migrating salmon, they are also present throughout the spring and summer as well. In the spring and summer viewing is done from the boat which allows you to get very close to the bears without disturbing them. An experience not to be missed!
Our last day, Friday, will be spent with one of the preeminent whale watching operators in the area, Mackay Whale Watching. After a hearty breakfast we will return to Port McNeill to board one of the most advanced whale watching boats in British Columbia, the Naiad (pronounced Ni-ad) Explorer. These educational and entertaining tours are approximately four to five hours in duration and lunch is provided. You will learn the latest information about the killer whales and be able to listen in on the whales’ vocalizations with our on-board hydrophone (underwater microphone). Launched in April 1999, the "Naiad Explorer", holds up to 48 passengers in comfort, with heat and washroom facilities. This stable vessel offers an excellent opportunity for photographers!
kayak with Orcas - a typical day
We start off the day with a hearty breakfast prepared with great care by your guides. Every day we plan our kayak routes taking into consideration the movements of the Orcas, the always-present tidal currents, combined with varying wind and weather conditions. A typical kayak 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 lodge 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 kayak with the orcas. Our guides do carry a hydrophone (underwater microphone) so that we can listen to the voice of the orcas as they pass our kayaks.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 0: | Arriving on Vancouver Island. This is the day you need to arrive in the town of Port McNeill on Vancouver Island. Our friendly guides will meet you this evening to answer any questions you may have. This is also a great opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and the guides. You can either fly or drive to Port McNeill. |
| Day 1: | Depart Port McNeill. We will leave from Port McNeill via water taxi in the morning and be delivered to the Wego Kayaking, Pacific Orca Lodge. After a brief orientation and lunch we will start exploring this amazing area by kayak. The lodge is located in an area where the coastline is made up of numerous small bays and islets as well as prime wildlife viewing, which make for excellent kayaking excursions. Accommodation: lodge. (L, D) |
| Day 2: | Kayaking and Orca Viewing. We will rise early for breakfast. We will then have the opportunity to go for a paddle. The day will be spent exploring the area by kayak. The location of the lodge is in prime wildlife viewing territory, home to Orca, Humpback and Minke whales, harbour and Dall’s porpoises, seals and otters. Black bears are also common in this area and they can often be seen foraging the shoreline in search of food. Accommodation: lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 3: | Grizzly Bear viewing tour. Today we will rise early and embark on our journey up Knight Inlet to Glendale Cove for Grizzly Bear viewing. We will return to the lodge in the late afternoon for a hearty dinner and for some conversation about the days activities and sightings. Accommodation: lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 4: | Kayaking. After an early rise we will enjoy breakfast and some hot, fresh coffee. After breakfast we will again slip into our kayaks for another day of exploring the area and viewing the abundant wildlife of the Inside Passage. Accommodation: lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 5: | Whale watching tour and departure day. After breakfast we will board an early morning water taxi trip back to Port McNeill. When we arrive back in town we will board the whale watching vessel Naiad Explorer for an interpretive tour focused on whale viewing. You will learn the latest information about the killer whales and be able to listen in on the whales’ vocalizations with the on-board hydrophone (underwater microphone). This is an excellent opportunity to take photographs from a very stable vessel! (B, L) |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
optinal additions
Add a Day of Sport Fishing! British Columbia, and in particular the waters surrounding Vancouver Island, is home to spectacular fishing opportunities. Coho, Spring (Chinook or King salmon), Sockeye, Chum and Pink salmon are abundant in the waters of the Inside Passage throughout the summer months. The salmon here is the finest tasting salmon in the world, not to mention how fun it is to catch! The area is also home to halibut ranging in size from barn door (over 200 lbs.) to the incredibly tasty 30 pound 'chicken.' A zinging reel is sure to get your heart beating and the fish here are guaranteed to add some great action to your adventure! We are happy to arrange the addition of an afternoon or full day of fishing to your adventure. You will be picked up at the lodge by a fully equipped power boat operated by a professional fishing guide. Included in the price is all bait and tackle as well as a box lunch. The cost is $80 per hour (maximum of four people per boat) plus 7% GST. You will also need to acquire a BC fishing license (approx. $30-80 depending on where you are from). Our lodge is available for private fishing group bookings from Friday to Monday throughout our schedule, just call or email for more information.
travellers' tales
The highlight was seeing orca whilst kayaking; close encounter with grizzly bears (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. |