..Kayaking Tours with The killer whales of Johnstone Strait..Kayaking Tours with The killer whales of Johnstone Strait..Kayaking Tours with The killer whales of Johnstone Strait
Orca Explorer is a three day sea kayaking adventure that focuses on paddling the coastline of Vancouver Island to the boundaries of Robson Bight. We boat you out of Telegraph Cove to our basecamp destination taking in any whale watching along the way. The focus of the trip rests with viewing wildlife in their natural habitat and visiting the water of Johnstone Strait area. The coastline is characterized by steep pebble beaches and a view of densely forested mountains. We employ one comfortable camp located in a remote setting, where wildlife viewing opportunities are unannounced and spontaneous. More than often these opportunities bring many unexpected pleasures to each trip. The route we paddle daily is the path frequented by pods of whales, eagles and a following of other small marine mammals.
Bald eagles are always a welcomed site. If eagles are perched close by, it is a sure sight that salmon are abundant and where salmon gather in large number means the Orca are not far off. When the whales pass by it is possible to get a picture from shore or your sea kayak. Walks along the rugged beaches of Kakash Creek and other smaller spots are encouraged. And short hikes along the creek or into the rainforest open a whole other world of plants and animals to our senses. The mosses and lichen of the rainforest create wonderful backdrops for pictures. Mushrooms and spores pop up everywhere after an afternoon shower.
Often Dall’s and harbour porpoise, white-sided dolphins and Minke Whale visit the waters along the coast of Vancouver Island. One of the highlights of these shorten trips is the possibility of a visit of the surrounding waters of the Michael Bigg/Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.
Orca Explorer Itinerary...
Day 1:. Guides will pick you up at your Bed & Breakfast and deliver you to Telegraph Cove. around 9 am. Time to walk the boardwalk at the cove and pick up anything you have forgotten. Pack gear to the shuttle boat and depart for Discovery ‘s camp. The shuttle takes us just twenty minutes and often guests have remarked that the boat ride only adds to the experience. Once at camp we unload on the beach and pack personal gear to a tent sites. Shortly after this we take lunch and setout to paddle the remote shoreline of Johnstone Strait. Our destination is a beach where we can stretch our legs with a short walk along a rainforest trail that leads us into a stand of old growth towering cedar trees. Even at this time of day viewing eagles, kingfishers, marine mammals and often Orca is highly likely. The rainforest is captivating with large red cedar trees, groves of sword fern and an abundance of birds, squirrel and deer all visible daily. We arrive back at camp for dinner when we have gotten the best out of the day. If we are paddling with Orca we often remain with them until they decide to move out of the Strait or onto the “rubbing beaches.” Dinners are cooked over an open fire. Fresh salad and fresh vegetables accompany the salmon. A sunset paddle is a great way to complete a successful day. The evening ends with a beachfire.
Day 2:. We encourage everyone to get up and join us in an (6 am) early morning paddle. Sunrise is a time when wildlife is in search of breakfast and great pictures can be captured at these moments. This paddle is often the best part of the day and especially when Orca or Dall’s porpoise are in the vicinity. It is also an excellent time for a morning stroll before a morning paddle to the Michael Bigg/Robson Bight Ecological Reserve Area. The route to “the bight” is a comfortable paddle along a rugged scenic shoreline where salmon, eagles and Orca co-habitat. Often lunch is spent on a beach talking to the summer wardens. The afternoon is spent fishing, hiking or paddling is search of Orca as determined by the mood of the weather. Our shuttle boat is captained by a professional sport‘s fishermen who is available to be booked for an afternoon of serious fishing. Again if Orca are in the vicinity our priority is to focus on them. Often if they have foraged the night before and rubbed that morning you can sit back in your sea kayak and enjoy watching the sub pods interact and play in the area we paddle through. Dinner on Saturday is salmon cooked over an open fire and is accompanied by wine and the ceremony of the giving of Orca eyes. An evening paddle is taken again to see the sunset or catch the often flat calm waters that echo the sounds of distant Orca, otter or the harbour seals that will follow your boat just for fun. The evening ends around a beachfire reflecting on the events of the day or just relaxing under the stars.
Day 3: Option for the early morning paddle before breakfast. Huckleberry Pancakes and Coffee for breakfast. Hot water for the Solar Showers and the convenience of composting toilet make the experience that much better. This Sunday morning will be used to paddle along a sheltered remote part of Johnstone Strait to visit the habitat of black bear and otter always keeping an eye and ear open for the sound of resident or transient Orca. We will be take a short hike to visit with summer researchers and catch a stunning view of Robson Bight and the many mountains of Vancouver Island. Here we have an opportunity to learn about why it is that the Orca be protected in its natural habitat. After a our visit we will paddle out into the waters of Johnstone Strait once more to catch a glimpse of White side dolphins, Dall’s porpoise or the occasional Gray/Humpback Whale before our shuttle ride arrives.
