Canada
Canada - Kayaking with Orcas in the Johnstone Strait
Canada - Kayaking with Orcas in the Johnstone Strait
Duration
6 days
Start/End
Nanaimo
Tour type
Group
Level
Moderate
Accommodation
Zeltcamps
Overview
Our departures fall in the period with the best chances of seeing orcas. You paddle through the strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland, along rugged shores and rainforest, and camp at changing sites. Suitable for beginners too, good basic fitness is enough.
On this kayaking tour through the Johnstone Strait, we'll be on the lookout for orca pods while exploring the strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland. While there are never any guarantees in nature, our tours are scheduled during the time of year when the chances of encountering orcas are highest. Imagine orcas leaping from the water alongside your kayak, spouting and powerfully gliding past, all against the backdrop of the rugged coastal scenery and the magnificent rainforest of the West Coast. Away from the crowds around Telegraph Cove, we'll paddle to the best whale-watching spots, discovering numerous bays, beaches, and the rich marine life of the Johnstone Strait along the way. This tour is operated by Sea to Sky Expeditions, the sister company of Coastal Bliss Adventures.
Tour Code
Tour language
EnglishItinerary
Day 1
From Nanaimo to the Johnstone Strait
Tent camp, dinner
Transfer
If you stayed overnight in Vancouver, take the ferry in the morning from Tsawwassen to Duke Point or from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. The crossing takes about two hours, and we'll pick you up at the ferry terminal. If you stayed overnight in Nanaimo, we'll pick you up at a pre-arranged meeting point in the city center. Then we'll drive north on the Island Highway to our starting point at Johnstone Strait and our first campsite.
From Nanaimo to the Johnstone Strait
Day 1
Tent camp, dinner
Transfer
If you stayed overnight in Vancouver, take the ferry in the morning from Tsawwassen to Duke Point or from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. The crossing takes about two hours, and we'll pick you up at the ferry terminal. If you stayed overnight in Nanaimo, we'll pick you up at a pre-arranged meeting point in the city center. Then we'll drive north on the Island Highway to our starting point at Johnstone Strait and our first campsite.
Days 2–5
Paddling with the orcas
Tent camp, full board
Kayak
Weather, tides, currents, the abilities and wishes of the group, and, not least, the movements of the orca pods determine our campsites, paddling times, and route. A precise daily schedule is therefore impossible and wouldn't be practical. We focus on the areas of Johnstone Strait where the chances of orca sightings are best, avoiding the heavier shipping traffic around Telegraph Cove and the surrounding islands. Along the way, there's plenty of time to explore bays, beaches, and the diverse marine life. We camp at various sites along the coast.
Paddling with the orcas
Days 2–5
Tent camp, full board
Kayak
Weather, tides, currents, the abilities and wishes of the group, and, not least, the movements of the orca pods determine our campsites, paddling times, and route. A precise daily schedule is therefore impossible and wouldn't be practical. We focus on the areas of Johnstone Strait where the chances of orca sightings are best, avoiding the heavier shipping traffic around Telegraph Cove and the surrounding islands. Along the way, there's plenty of time to explore bays, beaches, and the diverse marine life. We camp at various sites along the coast.
Day 6
Return to Nanaimo
Breakfast, lunch
Kayak, Transfer
On the last day, we paddle back to our starting point, load the kayaks and drive back to Nanaimo, where we arrive in the evening.
Return to Nanaimo
Day 6
Breakfast, lunch
Kayak, Transfer
On the last day, we paddle back to our starting point, load the kayaks and drive back to Nanaimo, where we arrive in the evening.
Services
What's included
Pick-up in Nanaimo (ferry terminal or city center) and transfer to Johnstone Strait and back
5 nights in a tent (double occupancy)
All meals on paddling days
Complete kayaking equipment
Waterproof dry bags
All parking and camping fees in the hinterland
Professional English-speaking guides
Detailed guide to preparation
Small group with a maximum of 8 guests
What's not included
Individual travel to and from the destination (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
Personal equipment
Visa and vaccinations, if required (eTA required for Canada)
Tip (recommended: 10–20 CAD per day and guide)
Overnight stay before and after the tour
Water shoes
Sleeping bag and sleeping mat (can be rented on site)
Entrance fees for the national park (subject to change by Parks Canada)
Meals during travel days
Single tent available for an extra charge
Character of the trip
Fitness
Moderate
Altitude
Low
Culture / nature
Pure nature
This tour is also suitable for beginners. No prior kayaking experience is necessary, but you should have a good level of fitness. You'll be paddling for 5 days, plus one travel day. The route, campsites, and paddling times depend on the weather, tides, currents, and orca activity. You'll sleep in tents at different campsites each night. You'll help with setting up and taking down camp and carrying the kayaks. You should enjoy simple conditions in nature.
Dates and prices
Group dates
Notes on the trip
Program adjustments depending on weather conditions
Since we'll be in the wilderness, the itinerary may change depending on the weather, wind, current, and campsite availability. All kayaking trips are weather dependent. You will receive the exact pick-up time at least 12 hours in advance by phone, email, or text message.
Orcas
The dates fall during the period with the best chances of encountering orcas. However, whale sightings are not guaranteed.
Arrival and departure
It's best to arrive in Vancouver or Nanaimo the day before. If you're staying overnight in Vancouver, take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Duke Point or from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay on the starting day (crossing time approximately 2 hours). We'll pick you up at the ferry terminal. Plan your departure for the day after the tour.
Notice in accordance with EU Directive 2015/2302:
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.