Picture yourself paddling the sheltered orca waters of Canada's Inside Passage, feasting on baked salmon and relaxing next to a campfire under the stars. Johnstone Strait is the best place in the world to observe wild orcas (known as killer whales for their voracious consumption of fish). These sleek ebony and ivory mammals with their huge dorsal fins congregate here every summer to feed in the salmon-rich waters. The trip highlight is viewing orcas from the comfort of a stable kayak and listening to their vocalizations from our hydrophone. Our experienced guides will focus on maximizing your opportunities for observing orcas and sharing their knowledge of whale behavior.
Our six-day sea kayaking expeditions depart from Telegraph Cove, located in the heart of orca territory, as we make further camps on secluded island beaches offering incredible scenery and superb kayaking. We'll paddle to Robson Bight nature preserve - the first natural area in the northern hemisphere set aside specifically for orcas, where scientists gather each summer to study the orcas' behavior patterns. Humpback and minke whales often travel through the nature preserve as well.
Here you'll discover natural environments, explore hidden islets and inlets, catch a wild salmon or observe a curious seal -- all from the intimate closeness of a sea kayak. Families and those with smaller time commitments will find our three-day base camp offers everything from trails for hiking, beaches for lounging, tidepools for exploring and great fishing right off shore. After each day's adventure, we relax around a campfire and listen to the sounds of wild rain forest in comfortable dome tents.
The itinerary features small groups, expert guides and top-of-the-line equipment. Fresh produce and dutch oven cuisine head up every meal. We spare no effort in bringing you one of the best adventure tours currently available in this area.
If this sounds like your idea of the ultimate summer escape, join Sea Kayak Adventures on one of our trips to Johnstone Strait, where you'll have the opportunity to experience orcas in their natural habitat.

ZZ-SKBC-20
Johnstone Strait 6 includes six days kayaking, all sleeping/camping/kayaking gear, neoprene booties, meals and guides. Meet in Port McNeill.
6 days/ 5 nights  $ 1,145   
2008 Dates
06/09-06/14    07/06-07/11    07/13-07/18
07/20-07/25    07/27-08/01    08/03-08/08
08/10-08/15    08/17-08/22    08/24-08/29*
08/31-09/05    09/07-09/12
*= Awakening Adventure +$500

Price does not include a Canadian Goods & Service Tax (GST) of  2.5%

Day 0: Arrival in Port McNeill by vehicle or by air via Port Hardy & taxi to Port McNeill. Proceed to the hotel. There is an evening orientation meeting in the hotel lobby where you will meet your guides.

Day 1: In the morning, we'll take a taxi to the launch site, listen to an orientation on kayaking and safety, and begin paddling to our first camp.

Days 2-5: We will be kayaking throughout Orca territory and exploring the adjacent channels and islands. We will have three different camps, so we may not move camp every day. On an average day, we will be kayaking for two hours in the morning after breakfast, stop for lunch on a beach, and spend another two hours kayaking and exploring before arriving at camp by the afternoon. Evenings and dinner in camp.

Day 6: After breakfast and breaking camp, we will spend the day kayaking to our take-out at Telegraph Cove, stopping for lunch along the way. We'll take a taxi to Port McNeill in the afternoon after unpacking the kayaks. We recommend that you overnight in Port McNeill and join us for a farewell dinner with your group.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

Please Note: This is the best place on earth to see Orcas, and June through September are the prime Orca viewing months. Although there is a very good chance we'll see Orcas throughout the week, the frequency and proximity of sightings will ultimately be determined by the Orcas' travel patterns. Our guides know the best places to see these magnificent creatures. Orcas have never bumped a kayak or attacked a swimmer.

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