Whale Kayak Tours since 1983

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"This was the best holiday of my life. Camping was amazing, the views were breathtaking. We saw more than enough wildlife and orcas were magnificent."
Adam Millward, England

Inside Passage - Orca / Humpback Odyssey
Kayaking Tours with Whales, Vancouver Island, Canada

Ever since Northern Lights pioneered sea kayak exploration in the Inside Passage in the early 1980’s, the thrill of encountering whales has been at the top of many guests’ lists of their lifetime experiences. Traveling by kayak through some of the most beautiful islands on earth, while knowing whales could be discovered around almost any corner, gives our guests an ever-present sense of wonder and excitement.

Groups of three or four and up to 100 or more orcas gather each summer and fall to feed on the salmon who travel through the Inside Passage in the millions. Minke whales are year-round residents. And every year we see an increasing summer population of humpback whales who have returned from their wintering waters in Hawaii to feed in our rich waters.

Our Orca/Humpback Odysseys are six-day adventures for whale lovers who want to focus on experiencing these creatures while still making time to have a richly rewarding sea kayaking adventure, spotting eagles, deer, porpoises and seals in their natural home. With making whale sightings a priority, itineraries, routes and campsites will be chosen with those goals in mind.

Our Orca/Humpback Odysseys are scheduled for the weeks of the summer when the currents that effect kayakers’ ability to move in any direction they please are at a minimum. That means we can quickly alter a kayaking route when we hear of whales in one direction or the other and be less likely to be limited in our movements by currents.

Orca/Humpback Odyssey – Typical Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Port McNeill, British Columbia, on the northeastern shore of Vancouver Island, by air or road. Introductory evening meeting with your guides and fellow travelers after settling into your comfortable hotel or B&B.

(Note: Day 1 is the first day of your kayaking trip. If you are on a trip scheduled, for example, on August 10, then your Day 0 is August 9 and Days 1-6 are August 10-15.

Day 1: Early morning water taxi ride from Port McNeill to your first island campsite. After introductory camp and kayak orientation, an afternoon of exploring by kayak.
Day 2: Circumnavigate an island that is prime territory for humpback and minke whales, harbour and Dall’s porpoises, seals and otters, and black bears who are frequently seen on its beaches by passing kayakers. Orcas also commonly pass by one side of the island. Numerous small islands and islets surround this island and the kayaking is simply gorgeous.
Day 3: Pack up and paddle to a new camp, passing across the waters of Blackfish Sound, home of the largest variety of marine mammal life in the region. Arrive at new camp. Afternoon kayaking through nearby islets, where seals haul out porpoises and whales are comon.
Days 4-5: Day trips from camp in the most beautiful sections of the Johnstone Strait shoreline. Our panorama from camp offers many miles of Johnstone Strait and Vancouver Island shoreline to scan for whale activity. Whales often pass within feet of shore. After dark, a “night paddle” to experience the incredible glowing, bioluminescent waters of the Inside Passage.
Day 6: A final day of kayaking and searching for whales in Johnstone Strait, looking for telltale blows and then fins breaking the surface.
Whale watching from your water taxi during your return voyage to Port McNeill at about 4:30pm.
An evening get-together with your co-travelers and guides for dinner in town.

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Our Orca/Humpback Odysseys have all the first-class elements of our Inside Passage trips: gourmet meals, exceptional, knowledgeable guides, top quality kayaking and camping equipment, great support from our staff, help with your travel plans, all from North America’s most experienced sea kayaking outfitter.

Camping

Comfort in camp is a priority for our guests and they have come to expect our camps to be relaxing, forested sanctuaries in which to enjoy and feel part of the environment. The atmosphere we like to create on our trips is that of an independent band of travelers moving from one wilderness camp to another with the minimum of disturbance to the natural environment. Yet we supply each of the camps you will visit with all the amenities to make sure you’re comfortable, warm and dry. You won’t find a large, group dining structure at a Northern Lights camp. What you will enjoy are comfortable, ecologically sensitive bathroom facilities, hot showers, a renowned ‘Blackfish Café’ wilderness kitchen, and a circle of friends around the campfire. You’ll be helping to respect and maintain the land we use and supporting environmentally responsible use of the wilderness.
See maps and details of where our camps are located.

What's Included

All of your camping & kayaking gear is provided, you only need to bring your personal items. We will provide:
3 person tents (each has two doors, and is on a platform), sleeping bag, silk/cotton bag liner, thick sleeping pad, pillow.
Rain/paddling jackets & pants, headlamp, water bottles & coffee mugs (for you to take home).

Meals

Each meal with Northern Lights, from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6, is a delightfully tasty creation of your hard-working guides in what we call our “Blackfish Café.” Inspired by the finest foods both local and exotic, from the coast and far beyond, our guests are routinely awed by what our guides create. We use organic food whenever possible and also provide a glass of wine each evening before dinner. Click here to read comments from our guests about our meals.

Getting to our Departure Point (Port McNeill, BC)
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*Canadian Rates are approximate based on recent exchange rates. See www.oanda.com for current exchange rates.

Whale Watching Kayak Tours since 1983

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