Vancouver Island kayaking tours, Canada
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The company is a strong advocate of local environmental groups that are calling for an end to salmon farming on British Columbia's west coast. Scientific evidence has proven that salmon farms generate sea lice that infest juvenile salmon stocks. To this end, $50 of every tour sold is directed to Save Our Salmon Marine Conservation Foundation. As a member of the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, our kayak practices follow low impact guidelines that are based on "Leave No Trace" principles. Our established base camp is "hardened" with tent platforms to minimize impact on the environment.
Our bear viewing and whale watching guides are local to the area and are also committed environmentalists. We adhere to "Be Whale Wise" guidelines established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Guests are also informed about Straitwatch, a volunteer marine warden program in Alert Bay that monitors whale watching operators. With a maximum of 8 guests, we have the smallest scheduled group kayak sizes in the area. This practice enables us to more effectively manage the group around marine mammals and other wildlife and also lessens our impact on wildlife, the environment, and other users. As well, we provide all gear to minimize what guests need to bring or purchase for a one time only experience. This feature also cuts down on the weight of customer luggage which saves fuel during our transport by water taxi to our base camp.
Our comprehensive recycling program includes packing out all food waste from our base camp to our worm composter in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island. Any items not recycled at our kayak base camp are transported down Vancouver Island to larger recycling centres when we do supply runs. We work with the Yukusam Heritage Society, consisting of three local first nations, in managing and leasing our base camp on Hanson Island (Yukusam). The base camp has been created to minimize impacts on other users and is almost invisible from the water.
Community
Our pre-departure information is tailored to the specific destinations we travel to. Each document contains information on travelling responsibly and social and environmental issues in the particular area. Our small group adventures utilize local outfitters, stay in small scale, locally owned accommodation and frequent local shops for meals, supplies and crafts. These practices facilitate a high degree of contact with locals and ensures that the economic development our business brings goes directly to local businesses and communities. Alert Bay Lodge, where paddlers stay before and after their kayak tour, supports a number of local events including Seafest, and various sporting events, such as the annual Cormorant Island Kayak Race. The lodge is also used by the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations for healing circles and as accommodation by out-of-town members attending potlatches in Alert Bay.
Alert Bay artists are known around the world for their paintings, carved masks, figurines and cedar boxes. Examples of this art can be purchased in several shops and viewed at the U’Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay. We ask our guests to respect the culture and traditions of Alert Bay by supporting First Nation shops and attending First Nation events (a list of shops, attractions and events is outlined in our pre-departure package). In turn, they are rewarded with experiences and gracious hosts that contribute to a very unique travel experience.
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