Orca Day Trips

This is more than a kayak day trip... Our Custom Orca Day Trip gives you the best chance to see Orcas and kayak in the waters they frequent. It is not the thought of whether you will see wildlife but rather how much you will see and how many times with the day trip. The marine area profiles active humpbacks and calves, minke whales and two types of orca , a large number of steller sea lions, numerous harbour seals, (NEW) raft sea otters, small schools of acrobatic white-sided dolphins, dall porpoises, black bears, sometimes grizzle bears and a large number of balk eagles. The active weather and the whales dictate how our day is scheduled.

We leave from Port McNeill and do pre-arranged pickups at Alert Bay (government dock)  and  Alder Bay Resort (boat ramp). Departure times 08:30 am  are set to get out to see wildlife as it wakes up and gets it first meal of the day. Morning fog sometimes causes us to change our departure time. Often we see wildlife within the first 25 minutes of our transit to deeper waters. Deeper waters give us opportunities to observe sea lions, sea otters and humpback whales. Certainly it is a regular occurence to see shoreline critters during our transit along Johnstone Strait.  Black Bears are often seen along rugged shorelines during our tours. We transit Blackfish Sound and the entrance of Blackney Passage during the morning hours and progress into the rich waters of Johnstone Strait in the afternoon. We also visit the beaches of Robson Bight and Boat Bay Conservancy. Lunch is included in all our day trips.

As we traverse the waters of the North Island we are scanning and listening clues for the passage of  Orcas, White-Sided Dolphins and Humpback Whales.  Maximum time is spent on the water either in sea kayaks or in the boat. Our trips also give you the opportunity to explore the beaches, trails and rugged shoreline of this lush marine environment.

During the day we transfer from the boat to a secluded island where we maintain a base camp that offers you a great spot to start our sea kayak exploring. A group of the small bays, islands and Islets are within reach with our sea kayaks. You will be paddling in the vicinity of resident whales, seals and eagles. In one day it is possible to see a number of different species of animals and marine mammals. Often we view bears grubbing at low tide along mud flats or watch eagles catch prey and take it back to their nest. Lunch is served on the island or on one of our stops along the way.

Given that the weather is stable, it is possible to cross the Strait and explore the solitude of the beaches to the west of Robson Bight and enjoy watching the interaction of  whales, sea lions and seals all in the same marine environment. Our return journey back to Telegraph Cove in the late afternoon will take us along a different route than the one taken earlier in the day, in hopes and viewing wildlife we did see during the early part of the day. Often this trip is run in conjunction with our longer-stay base camp trips. This option offers you the convenience of our private boat transport and a flexible itinerary.

Please Note:  Covid Virus is still a factor! Therefore, we recommend that guests get updated on their vaccinations. Captain choice to require you to wear masks in the cabin area of the boat. Not requirement for the island basecamp.

Day Trip Dates 

Trips start and end at: The commercial dock in Port McNeill Harbour.  Meet outside the Tourist Information Centre

 A Minimum of (2) two people is required to run either of the above trips at a cost of $450 per person !              Maximum Group Booking: is (6)  

Trip Departure Dates 2024:        Custom Dates +15% more

June  07,08,09,  14,15,16,  21,22,  28,29,       July  05,06  12,13,  19,20,  26,27,  

August  02,03, 09,10,  16,17,19, 23,24,  30,31,   September 01,  06,07,  13,14,15, 20,21,22,  

Recommended Accommodate:  Blackbear Resort, Humpback Inn, Haida-way Inn, in Port McNeill, BC

Trip Support Vessel:  “MV Discovery Skiff”  (picture below)

Trip Cost:   $450 per person   ($425 pp for 4 guests)

Min/Max:  2 persons / 6 persons      

Trip Deposit:  $250.00 per person

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