This Package includes 3 Breakfasts in Hotel and ALL Meals at camp

Location: Quadra Island

This all-in-one adventure blends land, sea, and luxury wilderness camping. Begin with a stay in Campbell River and embark on a guided whale watching or grizzly bear tour - depending on the season. Then journey by boat to our glamping base camp for four days of sea kayaking and wildlife immersion in orca territory.

 Summer (June 29–August 22) guests enjoy a marine safari through Discovery Passage to spot orcas, humpbacks, and dolphins. In the fall (August 25–September 12), guests travel into grizzly bear country, welcomed by Indigenous guides from Homalco or Klahoose First Nations for land-based bear viewing among spawning salmon.

 At Orca Camp, paddle daily in the Johnstone Strait, unwind in the hot tub or sauna, and enjoy chef-crafted meals and starlit fireside evenings.

Departures:

Selected Dates June to September

Due to the limited capacity of these tours, your selected date may be subject to change. Therefore, please ensure that any travel arrangements are only made upon confirmation. For further information, please call (0044) 01344 887862 prior to booking.

Rate Type (Per Person, $ CAD):

Low Season (June 29 - July 7) Adults $ 3,739.26; Children (3-10) $ 3,419.70

*Mid Season (July 8 - Aug 22) Adults $ 3,739.26; Children (3-10) $ 3,419.70

*Peak Season (Aug 25 - Sept 12) Adults $ 4,060.41; Children (3-10) $ 3,741.00

*Please Note: A Solo Traveler Fee/Single Supplement of $664.02 applies during our mid season & peak season rates (July 8th until September 22nd) and will be added to the rates above at the time of booking

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN CAMPBELL RIVER, BC

Make your way to the quaint coastal town of Campbell River. Check-in time at your hotel is 3:00 pm. If you arrive early, take a stroll along the waterfront or check out Elk Falls for a hike.

Day 2: WILDLIFE TOUR

A delicious continental breakfast is provided at your hotel. Your first venture into the wilderness with be a motorized boat wildlife tour. Guests arriving in June-August 22nd, enjoy a 6 hour wildlife tour on a zodiac or covered boat. August 25th through September packages include a full-day grizzly bear wildlife tour.

Day 3: BOAT RIDE TO ORCA CAMP

The boat ride to camp passes through the Discovery Passage and the infamous ‘Seymour Narrows’. Sightings of porpoises, dolphins, and whales are common even before reaching camp. Arriving at camp, you’ll be greeted by camp staff and settled into your wilderness accommodations. An afternoon kayak orientation will prepare you for your first paddle.

Day 4: A FULL DAY OF KAYAKING

A full day of exploration along the coast in your kayak awaits. While you paddle in killer whale territory listening for orca blows, your guides will provide details about the resurgence of wildlife in this remote part of the coast as well as the ongoing threats to this critical habitat. Not only is being on the water spectacular, but you will also venture inland to a beautiful waterfall where the brave can go for a dip in the glacial waters.

Day 5: CROSSING THE JOHNSTONE STRAIT

It’s time to venture across Johnstone Strait to the island opposite camp. Kayaking along the shores we will keep a lookout for bears and cubs that often forage on the beach. After the day’s paddling adventures evening will be topped off with a native sauna, a great end to a fantastic day.

Day 6: ONE LAST SUNRISE PADDLE

One last chance for a sunrise paddle. Soak up the final moments of your wilderness experience while hanging out on the beach. You will arrive back at your hotel in the afternoon.

Day 7: FINAL DAY

After waking up in the comfort of the coastal hotel, it’s time to wrap up your adventure. Check out time on this last day is 11:00am.

Highlights:

• Boat tour to find bears & other wildlife
• Kayaking in killer whale territory
• Glamping in the wilderness
• Start and end at a coastal hotel
• Custom coastal cuisine
• High staff to guest ratio
• Small group size
• Hot tub and Sauna
• Prime Location for Killer Whale viewing in Johnstone Strait
• Hot Water Shower, Real Mattresses, Warm Bedding all provided

YOUR TRIP BEGINS AT THE GATEWAY TO VANCOUVER ISLAND’S VAST  WILDERNESS

Upon your arrival, you will be checked in to the Campbell River’s newest hotel for adventurers. Nestled just steps away from the waterfront this is an ideal location to begin your Whales & Bears Kayaking Adventure.

Arrival time on your first day is up to you. Whether you choose to meander your way up to the island from Vancouver or Victoria or arrive early to fit in an additional adventure, there is no wrong way to plan your day.

You will spend both your first two nights and your final night at the coastal hotel. Immersing you into the wilderness quickly, a wildlife tour is planned for your second day.

GLAMPING IN THE CANADIAN WILDERNESS

On your third day you will head to Orca Camp. Boarding a water taxi at nearby Discovery Harbour Marina you will take an exhilarating boat ride deep into the wilderness up to camp.

Orca Camp is situated directly beside the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Strait, and located next to a flowing stream, under a canopy of ancient cedars in the British Columbia rainforest. This is where whales spend their days throughout the summer.

During this part of your Whales & Bears Kayaking Adventure you will kayak, sleep in safari tents, enjoy campfires and eat delicious food.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in wilderness activities such as soaking in a wood-fired hot tub, relaxing in a beachfront sauna, and (for the brave) plunging into the mountain-fed glacial stream.

WILDLIFE: ORCAS, BEARS AND HUMPBACK WHALES

Your Whales & Bears Kayaking Adventure begins with a 6 hour covered boat or zodiac tour with the region’s top rated operator.

June through August is prime time to explore the Discovery Passage and surrounding islands. Home to some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife. Your guide will seek out Dalls Porpoise, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Sea Lions, Eagles and Black Bears.

FALL IS GRIZZLY BEAR SEASON

Trips from August 25th to the end of the season travel aboard a high-speed covered boat into the Orford River Valley. Once you arrive the Holmalco First Nation will invite you onto their traditional territory. Climbing up onto their bear viewing platforms you will have an unobstructed view of Grizzly Bears as they roam the river banks and feed on the spawning salmon.

ORCA CAMP

Then, it’s onto finding Whales. Departing early in the morning on your third day, you will meet the water taxi at Campbell River Whale Watching to take you north to the Wildcoast Orca Camp in Johnstone Strait.

Camp is ideally located next to the Michael Biggs Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, home to the Orca Rubbing Beaches. It’s an excellent launch point to go kayaking in killer whale territory. Over 500 Orca (Killer Whales) travel through this part of the coast.

In the last few years, Humpback Whales have also made a strong resurgence in Johnstone Strait and have often been seen on our kayak trips. And if you decided you’d like to sit back and relax at camp, the rambling rocky beach often provides spectacular whale watching right from shore.

Given their wild nature, you can never be guaranteed to be kayaking with orcas and humpback whales, however your chances to encounter whales in this area is incredibly high.

CUSTOM COASTAL CUISINE

We know an important part of any wilderness adventure is delicious, hearty, and plentiful food.

For our kayaking trips we enlisted a local gourmet chef to design the menu and train our guides to be excellent wilderness cooks!

Fresh meals prepared each day will leave your belly full and ready for all the adventures the new day brings. Local fare, including salmon and locally grown vegetables, are all part of our coastal cuisine.

TOP NOTCH OPERATORS AND QUALITY GEAR

We only work with the best of the industry. All hotel, boat and tour operators for this Whales & Bears Kayaking Adventure have been carefully selected for their excellent track records and stellar reviews.

Wildcoast and our partners provide all gear needed for your trip (life vests, kayaks, paddles, tents, & dry bags) and everything is included in the trip price. Our equipment is kept in top-notch condition. From high quality kayaks and safety equipment to keep you comfortable on the water to full height safari tents (sleeps two) on elevated platforms with real mattresses (forget sleeping on the ground!) and warm bedding to keep you cozy at night.

And if you are a solo traveler you get your own room at the hotel and your own tent at camp, we don’t bunk you with anyone else. 

HIGH STAFF TO GUEST RATIO & SMALL GROUP SIZE

Our guides base the kayaking trips each day on the group’s kayaking skills and level of experience. To further enhance your overall sea kayaking experience, guides love to share their wealth of knowledge about Robson Bight and the surrounding area. The maximum number of guests on this trip is 18 and our staff to guest ratio is 1:5 or better.

FAQ´S

1. Am I Guaranteed to See Whales on this trip?

We base our trip dates on historically good times to see Whales and other Wildlife in this area. Of course they are wild animals, so opportunities and frequency are left to them.

Your opportunities to see Orcas, Humpback Whales, Dolphins, and Bears begin from the moment you board the water to taxi to camp, to the sunrise, afternoon, and sunset paddles each day.

Whales and other wildlife often swim directly in front of our beach at Orca Camp, so even hanging out on the beach has possibilities for viewing wildlife.

2. Do I need prior kayaking experience to join a tour?

No experience is required to participate in this kayaking tour. We do recommend that you are in good physical shape and enjoy being on the water. Our kayaks are stable, and safe to paddle. Wildcoast guides provide kayak instruction and safety procedures prior to your first launch, and give helpful tips while out kayaking.

3. Can you provide vegetarian or special dietary options?

Yes we provide excellent alternates for guests requiring a special menu. These modifications don’t compromise on the quality, freshness, or portion sizing of each meal (this may require an additional fee to cover the menu modification costs for your specific dietary requirement).

4. How much kayaking is provided each day?

Our guides determine the length of each days’ paddle based on the weather conditions, sea conditions, and group paddling skill/dynamic. Early morning and sunset paddles are offered each day in addition to the longer afternoon paddle. Orca Camp is a basecamp experience, so while kayaking is the main activity, you can skip a day if you like and hang out on the beach and at camp.

5. Are there age requirements for this tour?

Our trips attract a range of ages, but we generally prefer participants to be 10 years of age and older. We require one adult for every child 15 or younger. If you have a family member under 10 but who has a good deal of kayaking experience contact us about the best options for booking. We can assess if this is the best trip for your family and try to book you with other families.