This adventurous itinerary takes you to what's likely the best place in the world to kayak with killer whales (orcas) and humpback whales off the coast of northern Vancouver Island - the Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound - whilst being conveniently located in grizzly bear territory.
This area is widely recognised as one of the most reliable places in the world to see these great marine mammals, alongside a supporting cast of Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour and Dall’s porpoises, minke whales, harbour seals, Steller's sea lions and bald eagles amongst a plethora of other species, this trip ensures unforgettable encounters with bundles of iconic wildlife.
Situated off the north-eastern corner of Vancouver Island, you embark on three days of kayaking trips as you seek diverse marine life, returning each afternoon to the relative comfort of your base camp. The camp occupies a rustic forest location in the heart of the wildlife-rich waters, on an island covered in old-growth rainforest with easy access to the surrounding marine ecosystem. It’s even possible to view cetaceans while you enjoy your morning coffee as they sometimes pass through.
Once the kayaking portion of the tour has concluded, you're collected by boat and transported into the heart of the remarkable Great Bear Rainforest where you can experience some of the best wildlife viewing that British Colombia has to offer, including another of British Colombia’s great predators, the grizzly bear. This trip culminates in an excursion by boat to explore the waterways of Knight Inlet and the bustling Glendale Cove, renowned for having one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in Canada.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Vancouver
Fly from the UK to Vancouver. Once you've cleared immigration and collected your bags, transfer by hotel shuttle bus to the nearby Sandman Airport Hotel.
Accommodation: Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport, 1-night
Day2: Fly to Port Hardy & transfer to Port McNeill
After a good night's sleep, enjoy breakfast in the hotel before boarding the free shuttle bus to the airport's South Terminal.
Upon arrival in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, you're met and transferred to your accommodation in Port McNeill.
Tonight there's a pre-trip meeting at 8pm with your guides at a location just 100 metres from the Black Bear Resort. They'll provide you with an overview for your trip, distribute dry bags to pack your clothing, and answer any questions you may have.
Accommodation: Black Bear Resort, 1-night
Day3: Transfer to Orca Base Camp - kayaking with whales
After breakfast, meet at around 8am (time will be confirmed at the pre-trip meeting) to head down to the marina to load the water taxi. It's just a short walk from the hotel, and all your bags are transported by van. Vehicles and extra luggage can be left at the hotel while you are on your kayak tour. The water taxi ride to base camp takes between 45 and 60 minutes.
Upon arrival at the base camp, your guides provide a site orientation, plus a kayak and safety briefing. There's time for a short kayak before finding a spot for lunch, and the afternoon is spent getting accustomed to the kayaks, the wilderness setting, and each other.
Positioned along orca travel routes, your base camp is ideally situated for exploring the area, with humpback whales often sighted feeding from camp. Previous guests have enjoyed many observations of both of these cetaceans from the beach before even taking to the water, or whilst enjoying dinner.
The next two days are spent kayaking, exploring the areas around camp, searching for wildlife. Each day your guides will make a plan based on the weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities and the interests of guests. The islands and small islets close by are home to numerous sea birds, bald eagles, and seals, and there's always plenty of wildlife to see. When you're kayaking with orcas, your guides will often drop a hydrophone into the water, enabling you to listen to their vocalisations.
The guides will usually plan to stop for lunch on a secluded beach, allowing you to enjoy your meal whilst continuing to keep an eye out for any activity along the waterways. You return late each afternoon after you've no doubt enjoyed a splendid day of wildlife viewing in this serene environment.
Day6: Full day to watch bears and whales
After an early rise, you're collected by boat from the beach and travel onto grizzly bear territory in Xakwikan (Thompson Sound) and surrounding areas such as Bond Sound. Those lucky enough may even catch a glimpse of bears racing for salmon as they make their annual migration from the ocean upstream to their spawning grounds, where they were born themselves. Your route takes you via the village of Alert Bay where you may visit the fascinating U’Mista Museum if there's enough interest, here you can find recovered artefacts and learn about the area's rich cultural history. During your journey there are chances to see bald eagle, Pacific white-sided dolphin and migrating orcas.
Following a full morning of wildlife viewing and watching bears, lunch is served in a suitable location before continuing to search for more of the Great Bear Rainforest's iconic species into the afternoon. You return to Port McNeill via the Broughton Archipelago and Blackfish Sound, known for hosting seasonal charismatic humpback whales.
Accommodation: Black Bear Resort, 2-nights
Day7: Grizzlies in Knight Inlet
Early this morning, you're collected from your accommodation and transported by road to Telegraph Cove. From here, you journey by boat for two hours up Knight Inlet for a day of grizzly bear viewing. Along the way, you can enjoy a continental breakfast on the boat and there's the possibility to encounter numerous whale species along with Pacific white-sided dolphins and bald eagles. You’ll also hear about the natural history of the area from your First Nations guides, including their interpretations and stories of the local landscapes and ancient villages once occupied by the Musg̱a̱makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w people.
When you arrive at your destination in Glendale Cove, the group moves to a flat bottom boat to view grizzly bears from the water in some of the best spots in Western Canada to observe these large terrestrial omnivores. Early in the summer the viewing is primarily at the mouth of the estuary and nearby beaches as the grizzly bears feed on sedge and grasses or intertidal life such as crabs and mussels they find underneath rocks they have manoeuvred. Late August and September sees the return of pink salmon to the Glendale River and the tours are timed to the tides to optimise viewing opportunities in the river, at this time of year there may be opportunities to observe the bears from land.
Day8: Transfer to Port Hardy & fly back to Vancouver
This morning, you're transferred back to Port Hardy to catch a flight back to Vancouver.
On arrival, take the complimentary shuttle bus to your hotel for your final night in Canada.
Accommodation: Sandman Hotel, Vancouver Airport, 1-night
Day9: Depart Vancouver & arrive UK
Today, take the complimentary shuttle back to the airport to connect with your flight home.
Please note: Exact kayaking routes may vary depending on possible wildlife sightings, currents, tides and weather. Any extra luggage can be left at the hotel while you are on your kayak tour.
This itinerary is suitable for a wide range of kayaking abilities. However, a certain level of physical fitness and mobility is required as well as the ability to enjoy what can sometimes be less than ideal conditions, such as wind and rain.
Vancouver Island is an ideal location for experiencing British Colombia’s wildlife and there are a host of extension options to embark on, from self-drive adventures around the island, to boat trips searching for endearing sea otters and forays deeper into the Great Bear Rainforest to stay at specialist bear lodges. The city of Vancouver can provide a fascinating urban break before returning home, and whale watching trips can be organised to depart directly from city's port. Speak to our expert team for more information about your extension options in this magnificent part of the world.
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 9 daysfrom £7,145 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 7 daysfrom £5,895 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Situated between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland, this area is considered the best place in the world to observe orca who, during the summer months, are present on a daily basis. They can often be viewed close up from the boat, offering some wonderful sightings and photo opportunities.
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