Canada
Canada - Kayak Expedition Broughton Archipelago
Canada - Kayak Expedition Broughton Archipelago
Duration
6 days
Start/End
Port McNeill
Tour type
Group
Level
Demanding
Accommodation
Tent (wilderness camping)
Overview
In fully loaded kayaks you paddle through narrow passages of the Broughton Archipelago, past shell beaches used for thousands of years and old Kwakwaka’wakw village sites, into Johnstone Strait with its orcas and humpback whales. Four to six hours on the water a day, moving camp as you go.
On this six-day kayak expedition, you will experience three different marine landscapes on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island: the intricate Broughton Archipelago, the Blackfish Sound, and the famous Johnstone Strait – one of the most reliable places in the world to observe orcas and humpback whales from a kayak. With fully loaded kayaks, you paddle through narrow passages lined with shell beaches used by First Nations people for thousands of years. You discover ancient Kwakwaka'wakw village sites where their culture once flourished, and pitch your tent in various locations – sometimes in the forest, sometimes on a rocky outcrop, sometimes on a pebble beach overlooking the sea. Along the way, with a bit of luck you might encounter black bears, orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals. In the evenings, the guides cook over a campfire, and you listen to the breathing of the whales as they pass by at dusk.
Tour Code
Tour language
EnglishItinerary
Arrival
Arrival in Port McNeill
Travel to Port McNeill in northern Vancouver Island the day before the tour. You can reach Port McNeill by rental car or bus from Nanaimo or Victoria, or by plane to Port Hardy. Accommodation before the tour is not included in the tour price – we are happy to assist you with booking.
Arrival in Port McNeill
Arrival
Travel to Port McNeill in northern Vancouver Island the day before the tour. You can reach Port McNeill by rental car or bus from Nanaimo or Victoria, or by plane to Port Hardy. Accommodation before the tour is not included in the tour price – we are happy to assist you with booking.
Day 1
Take the water taxi to the Broughton Archipelago
Tent
A water taxi will take you from Port McNeill to an island in the Broughton Archipelago, where the first camp will be set up. After a briefing on kayaking and safety, you will load your kayak and set off on your first paddling trip through the archipelago's protected channels.
Take the water taxi to the Broughton Archipelago
Day 1
Tent
A water taxi will take you from Port McNeill to an island in the Broughton Archipelago, where the first camp will be set up. After a briefing on kayaking and safety, you will load your kayak and set off on your first paddling trip through the archipelago's protected channels.
Days 2–5
Broughton Archipelago, Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait
Tent
4-6 h
Over the next few days, you'll paddle for approximately 4-6 hours daily and camp overnight at up to three different locations – in the forest, on rocky platforms, or on pebble beaches. You'll navigate narrow passages with ancient shell beaches, passing former Kwakwaka'wakw village sites, and head out into Blackfish Sound and the Johnstone Strait. Here, you have excellent chances of spotting orcas and humpback whales, as well as dolphins, porpoises, seals, and, with a bit of luck, black bears along the shore. The exact route will be determined by the guides based on the weather, group size, and wildlife sightings.
Broughton Archipelago, Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait
Days 2–5
Tent
4-6 h
Over the next few days, you'll paddle for approximately 4-6 hours daily and camp overnight at up to three different locations – in the forest, on rocky platforms, or on pebble beaches. You'll navigate narrow passages with ancient shell beaches, passing former Kwakwaka'wakw village sites, and head out into Blackfish Sound and the Johnstone Strait. Here, you have excellent chances of spotting orcas and humpback whales, as well as dolphins, porpoises, seals, and, with a bit of luck, black bears along the shore. The exact route will be determined by the guides based on the weather, group size, and wildlife sightings.
Day 6
Return to Port McNeill
After a final stretch of paddling, the water taxi will pick you up and take you back to Port McNeill, where the tour ends.
Return to Port McNeill
Day 6
After a final stretch of paddling, the water taxi will pick you up and take you back to Port McNeill, where the tour ends.
Services
What's included
5 nights in a tent (wilderness camping)
Tents and group equipment
All meals during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
English-speaking kayak guides
Water taxi to/from Port McNeill
Kayaks (single/double), paddles, paddling jackets and safety equipment
Waterproof dry bags
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 and rain gear
Visa and vaccinations, if required (eTA for entry into Canada)
Tips
Overnight stay before and after the tour in Port McNeill
Character of the trip
Fitness
Demanding
Altitude
Low
Culture / nature
Nature-led
This expedition tour is for adventurous people in good physical condition. Prior kayaking experience is advantageous but not essential – more important are stamina and the willingness to stay positive even in wind and rain. You will paddle approximately 4–6 hours daily in fully loaded single or double kayaks and must be able to handle winds up to about 20 knots, waves up to 1 meter high, and currents. Time spent in a double kayak is included.
Over several days, the camp is dismantled, loaded, and rebuilt at a new location. The most physically demanding part is often carrying the heavy kayaks and equipment across beaches of sand, gravel, or rocks. There are no toilets along the way – the tidal area is used.
You'll be traveling in an international group where teamwork, consideration, and flexibility are important. The guides will adapt the route to the weather and conditions at any time; safety always comes first.
Dates and prices
Group dates
Optional
Single tent supplement
€195.00
per person
Surcharge for vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free meals
€75.00
per person
Notes on the trip
Wildlife observations
Wildlife doesn't adhere to travel schedules – sightings of specific species cannot be guaranteed. The resident orcas are usually reliably present in the Johnstone Strait from mid-July onwards. Tours in June and early July offer many other wildlife sightings and calmer waters.
Camping
Overnight stays are in tents at various wilderness sites without sanitary facilities. The camp is set up and taken down together over several days. The exact camping location depends on group size, wildlife sightings, and the weather.
Weather
The weather on the coast of British Columbia is changeable. Even in summer, expect rain, wind, and cool temperatures, and bring good rain gear.
Catering
The guides cook hearty, fresh meals along the way. Vegan, gluten-free, or lactose-free meals are available for an extra charge.
Notice in accordance with EU Directive 2015/2302:
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.