The Inside Passage is a thousand-mile, sheltered waterway connecting the extreme northwestern US with Alaska, including all of the western mainland shore of British Columbia, Canada, off Vancouver Island. This myriad of islands and passages is home to the largest concentration of easily-observed Orcas in the world. It is also one of the most beautiful areas in the world in which to kayak. Surrounded by the snowcapped Coast Range on the east and the rugged Vancouver Island Range to the west, the Inside Passage offers unsurpassed scenery and wilderness. The focus of this kayak tour is the opportunity to visit the only Orca sanctuary in the world, and see the whales in their many moods and habits. You may see a single family group of four to ten resident whales cruising the shore-line in search of salmon, or you could be fortunate enough to see the occasional grouping of a hundred or more whales together from the vantage point of your kayak. Hikes through coastal forests add to the drama. The Inside Passage kayak adventure is a journey unequaled in depth and richness.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: A water taxi will take us from Vancouver Island out among the smaller islands off to our first camp, hopefully we値l see orcas along the way. One of your guides will already be there preparing your breakfast and supplies for the trip. After an introduction on the trip and kayaking you will ready for the water. The first day痴 goal is to become familiar with your kayak. A few hours of paddling helps everyone become comfortable in their kayaks and gives us a chance to explore the area a bit. We値l see eagles overhead, and listen for the different and unique calls of ravens. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 2: This morning we値l be on the water early, hoping to see orcas in Johnstone Strait. We値l kayak for a few hours along the rocky shoreline, keeping an eye out for wildlife of all sorts. A stop for lunch on a beach and a bit of relaxation, and then kayak for a while in the afternoon. We may see a pod of dolphins passing by, and lots of intertidal critters when the tide is low. When we return to camp, the guides will begin preparing dinner while you relax. Two or three people head out for a leisurely hike, another group starts up a game of beach bocce. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: We値l start with breakfast and a morning of sea kayaking. Whale watching is always a priority; we値l keep our eyes open for any news of whales in the area. We値l also monitor our network of whale researchers and watchers by way of our marine radios to make sure we don稚 miss any opportunities to encounter any whales, porpoises, or dolphins. We can view the spectacular Vancouver Island mountain range from our kayak. For bird watchers, we値l keep an eye out for Great Blue Herons and Marbled Murrelets. We値l take an hour or two for lunch on a secluded beach. We値l kayak another couple of hours, maybe stopping on a small island for a short hike looking for animal tracks before heading on to our next camp. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: We'll spend the day paddling in Blackfish Sound. This is where humpback whales are most often seen. There's nothing quite like sharing the same waters as these magnificent whales swim past. Often we'll see and even smell their spray and then watch for the classic view of their tail flukes as they dive deep. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: We hear of whales heading our way and head their direction in our kayaks. Just a few minutes from camp, we encounter a pod (family) of ten orcas heading through Blackfish Sound. It痴 a true highlight of the week as they pass within 50 feet of our kayaks and we listen to the sounds they make with our underwater microphones. Then it痴 another hour of kayaking to a lunch site on a beach that痴 a fossil-hunters dream. Those who wish can take a moderate hike from this beach to a spectacular, high viewpoint. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: To make the most of our last day on the water, we値l get an early start. We値l kayak for three hours or so before heading back to camp to have lunch and prepare for the water taxi. The water taxi takes us back to Vancouver Island, and we will usually arrive back to Port McNeill about 3 or 4pm on the last day of the trip. This will give us a chance to get back into town in time to relax, take a shower and have a leisurely dinner. Includes: (B), (L).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- Experienced guides;
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6, paddling gear (jacket, pants and lifejacket), roomy two-person tent, sleeping bag, Thermarest sleeping pad, pillow, all kayaking gear and waterproof bags to pack your gear.
Not included:
- Transportation to and from Port McNeill;
- Hotels before or after your trip (though we have reserved rooms for you). Canadian sales tax (3%, or 6% for those residing in Canada).
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
British Columbia
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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