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The Orca Classic
Johnstone Strait Basecamp

 

Sea Kayaking With Killer Whales
Johnstone Strait 4-Day Wild Orca Sea Kayaking Adventure

Johnstone Strait, this area of snow-capped mountains and stands of coastal forests has gained international fame as the best location on the planet in which to view Killer Whales (Orca) in the wild.

Sea Kayaking with Killer Whales in Johnstone Strait, British ColumbiaThough it is the Killer Whales you're most likely to encounter here, there is plenty of other wildlife to see. Minke and Humpback whales, Porpoise, Dolphins, Bears, Eagles, and an inter-tidal zone full of fascinating creatures such as the Pacific sea urchin.

Our trip itineraries have been developed from our 18 years of guiding experience in the Johnstone Strait region.

You will enjoy comfort and a scenic vantage point from our base camp at Spyhop Point, strategically located in the core travel corridor of the northern resident Killer Whales. Few other experiences can compare to seeing wild Killer Whale towering dorsal fins rising through the water, or to hearing their powerful exhalations as they surface.

The thrill is matched only by the splendour of the Johnstone Strait scenery. On one side of the Strait, rising out of the ocean, the temperate rainforest mountains of Vancouver Island; on the other, the glaciated mountain peaks of the Coastal Range on mainland British Columbia.

Don't miss this experience of a lifetime!

 

Sea kayaking vacations in Johnstone Strait, British ColumbiaThank you again for such a wonderful trip! It was way
beyond our expectations. Your respect for and love
of the nature we observed made an impression on me.
I will recommend your guidance to anyone who is thinking
of taking a trip like this. I think I surprised Rick when I told
him, given a choice between going to BC again for a Whistler
ski vacation, or a PNE kayak trip, I would choose the kayak trip.

Elaine Schindler
Ohio, USA

Trip Duration

4-days, 3 nights.
The group will meet at Telegraph Cove for 8:00 am on the first day of your tour. On the final day, we finish between 3:00 - 4:00 pm. Trip Dates.

Trip Departure

Your Johnstone Strait 4-day sea kayaking and Killer Whales adventure departs from Telegraph Cove, a 15-minute drive south of the coastal village of Port McNeill, situated on the north-eastern end of Vancouver Island. Trip participants should plan to arrive to Port McNeill or Telegraph Cove for the evening prior to the trip departure.

Trip Suitability

Sea kayaking with killer whales in Johnstone Strait, British ColumbiaNo previous sea kayak touring experience is required to participate on this trip. The Johnstone Strait 4-day Orca adventures are suitable for singles, couples and families with children as young as 12 years.

The trip is progressive in terms of skills and therefore is suitable for a variety of paddling abilities – beginners are welcome.

While our trips are not considered to be strenuous or physically demanding, and we do not require a high level of fitness, good general physical condition is necessary. If you have any physical limitations or concerns please discuss with us.

A primary reason for the popularity of sea kayaking is the ease at which the boat can be propelled and the relatively quick learning curve. Throughout your trip your guides will provide tips to develop your paddling skills to enhance your experience and to avoid poor techniques that can lead to injury, fatigue or frustration.

Trip Accommodations

This trip is tent camping at our wilderness basecamp, Spyhop Point. Roomy 2-person tents on cedar chip platforms are supplied for your comfort. The camp has an established toilet facility, beach sitting area, and shelter. Find out more about Spyhop Basecamp.

Trip Meals

Sea kayaking trip mealsWe provide all meals on your sea kayaking trip, including regular snacks, and hot beverages. If you have a particular snack food that you enjoy, or are the type of person who needs to snack regularly while active you are welcome to bring along your own personal supply.

We make our best effort to cater to those with food allergies and vegan diets. However we are not able to accommodate special diets that require a strict menu plan (e.g. low carbohydrate diets). If you have any dietary requirements, we ask that you contact us to determine if the menu plans can be adapted to your needs.

What We Provide

Pacific Northwest Expeditions provides virtually everything you will need for this 4-day sea kayaking adventure;

  • professional, certified guides
  • all meals, snacks and hot beverages starting with lunch on the first day through to lunch on the final day. There is no expectation that you will be involved in either meal preparation or the washing of dishes. The guides are trained in safe food handling and enjoy serving you a great vacation.
  • touring sea kayaks (fibreglass single & doubles) along with all the required paddling equipment and on the water safety equipment
  • all the necessary wilderness kitchen and camping equipment
  • roomy 2-person, three season tents
  • safety equipment and communication equipment
  • all public land and BC Park use permits
  • FUN! Included at no extra cost.

Guest Responsibility

  • Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from the trip point of departure, Telegraph Cove, BC. Please visit our Travel Planner page for information on transportation options.
  • Accommodations, and meals prior to or after your trip, are not included. A pre-trip information package, which is provided to you upon receipt of your trip deposit, provides local accommodation and dining suggestions. It is advisable to make accommodation reservations in advance.
  • Please check with your health care plan administrator to ensure that you have sufficient medical coverage while participating on one of our tours. Pacific Northwest Expeditions is not responsible for any medical or evacuation costs should they be incurred for your safety or health during the course of a trip.
  • You will be provided with comprehensive information on suggested outdoor clothing for your trip. Your pre-trip information outlines suggested quantities to bring along to make your trip enjoyable for any weather conditions that could be encountered.
  • Guests are required to supply their own sleeping bag and sleeping pad for this trip. If you do not have an adequate sleeping bag or pad or would rather have us supply you this equipment they are available for a nominal rental fee. Rental Rates
  • Each guest will be required to sign a Pacific Northwest Expeditions ' Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumptions of Risk, & Indemnity Agreement’ and complete a ‘Medical Questionnaire Form’, prior to the trip departure date. Any trip participant under the age of 19 years will be required to have a legal guardian sign an Indemnity Agreement. To view these documents please visit Terms & Conditions.

Responsible Whale Watching
(Be Whale Wise)

The coastal waterways of British Columbia in which we operate is home to a wide range of marine animal species.   Pacific Northwest Expeditions recognizes that we have a responsibility to minimize the potential direct and indirect impacts of our activities on all marine wildlife.  This means ensuring that negative associations and impacts are avoided, and that animals can continue their normal life processes and use necessary habitats without disturbance.   It is our policy to follow the
Whale Wise Guidelines for Watching Marine Wildlife.

Trip Area

To view a larger version click on the map image.

Johnstone Strait 4-Day Sea Kayaking with Killer Whales Trip Area Map

 

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