Wilderness Islands Sea Kayak Tour, Canada

Our journey of exploration takes you into an area of extraordinary wilderness offering secluded kayaking away from other people, scenic campsites and incredible wildlife encounters, just off northern Vancouver Island in BC. View humpback, orca and minke whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises and eagles while paddling your kayak on a route we pioneered through the wild, remote island chain and intricate channels making up God's Pocket Provincial Marine Park and Queen Charlotte Strait.

Experience by kayak a marine environment few others share - bioluminescence glimmering in your wake, the shrill call of an bald eagle perched in a treetop, vibrant sea stars and anemones below the waterline - this area is magical. Visit islands rich in native history. Your adventure includes a water taxi ride at one end so you can go deeper into places far from civilization.

The meeting point for our six days of adventure is the north Vancouver Island town of Port Hardy. The snow-capped mountains of mainland British Columbia create a stunning backdrop as we head out into the straits to island-hop. This is more than just a vacation - you want an escape that stimulates and enriches your life. Naturalist guides, gourmet meals, high quality equipment, superb whale watching and all the special details we're known for can be found on this trip.

Trip Highlight: Jacques Cousteau rated God's Pocket Provincial Park with it's spectacular Browning Wall the best cold water dive spot in the world. We can see this marine diversity, and the marine mammals and bald eagles drawn by the prolific sealife, easily from the warmth and comfort of our sea kayaks.

Click here to read an article about this kayak tour.

The Wilderness Islands and God's Pocket Resort kayak trips meet in Port Hardy. Port Hardy is located on northeastern Vancouver Island and is accessible by road from the south or by scheduled air service from Vancouver, British Columbia. Please call our office if you need assistance on deciding how to get to Port Hardy. We are familiar with traveling to Vancouver Island and we'll be happy to help you select the best way there.

Entry into Canada: Passports are required when flying into Canada, and starting in 2008, for any vehicle travel. No visa is necessary, but a tourist card will be issued during your flight. The USA passport agency is very backed up, so it may be worth it to pay extra to expedite.

Air Flights: Pacific Coastal Airlines (800) 663-2872, www.pacific-coastal.com, has scheduled flights daily from Vancouver to Port Hardy airport and North Island Taxi Service, 250-949-8800, will take you to the hotel.

Car: The approximate travel time from Seattle to Port Hardy is 11 - 12 hours (8 - 9 hours from Vancouver to Port McNeill) including the ferry ride. The driving time between Nanaimo and Port McNeill is 5 hours. You can view a road map of Vancouver Island online at www.hellobc.com/bcescapes/maps/maps_islands.asp.

Ferries: Vancouver Island is accessed by ferry service from the mainland. The most direct route is from the Tsawwassen BC ferry terminal south of Vancouver to Nanaimo. There is also service to Nanaimo from the Horseshoe Bay terminal in northwest Vancouver. BC Ferries schedule information (604) 277-0277 or check out their website at www.bcferries.com.

Car Rental: You can rent a vehicle on a weekly basis from any of the major car rental agencies located at Seattle International or Vancouver International airports. Free parking is available at the hotel in Port Hardy.

Bus and Shuttle Service: Island Coach Line (800) 663-8390 operates a daily bus service between Vancouver and Port Hardy. Quick Bus (800) 665-2122 operates a daily shuttle service between Seattle International airport and Vancouver International airport, including stops to hotels.

Extra things to do in the Port Hardy/Port McNeill area: For extra days in the area, we recommend the Copper Maker Native Art Gallery near Port Hardy, side trips to Alert Bay and the U'mista Cultural Center on Cormorant Island, or Sointula - both reached by short ferry ride from Port McNeill (40 min drive south of Port Hardy). Or an orca watching cruise with Mackay out of Port McNeill or Stubbs Island out of Telegraph Cove (1/2 hour south of Port McNeill). Also, check out the Whale Museum Interpretive Centre at Telegraph Cove.

Weather: Summers in Port Hardy are generally sunny with day-time temperatures averaging 68 to 78 degrees and night-time temperatures averaging 50 to 60 degrees. The summer months are usually drier than the rest of the year but precipitation can occur infrequently in the form of rain, showers or drizzle. Foggy mornings are common in mid-August and September. The water temperature averages 48 degrees.

What are typical meals on the trip?
The source of many compliments, our legendary wilderness meals are prepared from fresh, healthy ingredients. Our specialty is Dutch oven cookery with savory main dishes like baked salmon and vegetable lasagna; and delicious desserts from brownies to pineapple upside-down cake. We serve fresh ground coffee as well as an abundance of local fruits and vegetables. Wine is served with hors d'oeuvres each evening for happy hour. Vegetarians as well as special dietary requests can easily be accommodated. There's a special emphasis on our meals because we believe you are entitled to gourmet dining in the wilderness as you are at home.

What is the camping like?
Since 1993, we have created a category of travel we call "camping plus". The food served on our trips is on par with what you get in a first-rate restaurant; we provide all camping gear of the best quality: tents, sleeping bags with clean linens, self-inflating foam pads and comfortable camp seats; you get the best beach sites and you don't have to worry about missing the wildlife. We're all about truly "getting away", but not quite "leaving it all behind". It's rugged adventure with some worldly amenities. And best of all, because of the relatively dry summer climate, we have few mosquitoes and gnats, no black flies or ticks.  For bathing, we carry a solar shower or we can provide you with a bucket of warm water.  We’ll have a portable toilet at each campsite.

To give you the opportunity to go hiking, fishing, read a book, etc., we generally arrive in camp no later than 4:00pm. Around 5:30, we serve hors d'oeuvres with dinner following around 7:00pm.

What type of kayaks do you use on this trip?
Our fleet of kayaks on each trip is comprised of mostly double kayaks and one or two single kayaks shared among guests and guides. They are made by SEAWARD KAYAKS of fiberglass construction and ALL are equipped with rudders. Light weight Werner paddles, PFD's (Personal flotation device otherwise known as a lifejacket), nylon spray skirts, paddle floats and bilge pumps are all provided on our expeditions.

Is previous kayaking experience necessary?
No prior sea kayaking or camping experience is necessary for this trip. Anyone in good health with a positive attitude can enjoy these activities. Paddling a sea kayak is easy to learn and your experienced guides will teach you all you need to know to enjoy kayaking.

Are there any physical requirements?
The amount of paddling is a good balance of challenge and ease for most of our participants. Expect a moderate workout every kayaking day. Pre-trip time spent in any activity that uses your upper body will help you enjoy your adventure with us. We do require that anyone over 70 or with any health or weight concerns consult us before signing up to make sure you are up to fully participating.

What is the minimum age limit?
The minimum age for our trips is normally 14 to ensure that all our guests are capable of fully participating in the kayaking and other activities involved.  Also, a child must be at least 5 feet tall and 100 lbs in order to participate in our sea kayak tours.  We do make exceptions on occasion, so call us if you think your child is physically capable of kayaking and comfortable in an adult setting.


What if I'm by myself?
If this is your first adventure tour, and you are naturally a little apprehensive about going solo, we will support you each step of the way. We get a mixture of singles, couples, families and friends.  You can have your own tent, but you may share a two-person kayak with another single person or one of the guides.  Please call if you have any concerns.

What about safety?
Your safety, comfort and enjoyment are our priorities. Any concerns about risks and physical abilities are handled with the greatest care by our office staff and trip leaders. Your guides are always in close proximity, well equipped with First Aid kits and specially trained in Wilderness First Aid to handle emergency situations. Your trip leader will provide a comprehensive kayak orientation and safety discussion before you begin paddling. We take your concerns or apprehensions to heart - to make kayaking a positive, fulfilling experience for you.


When is the best time to go?
Summer on northern Vancouver Island can be warm with daytime temperatures of 70-75° F (21- 24° C), though there are often cool breezes off the water, and some overcast days.  Evenings are cool and dewy with temperatures near 62° F (14° C).  Extended periods of rain are unusual, but it’s common to have a rainy day or two, and mornings may be foggy.

When is the best time to see whales?
Humpback and Minke whales are often encountered on our Wilderness Islands tours in August.  Although Johnstone Strait is considered the best place to see orcas (killer whales) in the wild, we do occasionally see orcas on our Wilderness Islands tours in August as well.


What should I bring?
We provide the camping equipment so you only need to bring your personal belongings and avoid having to check-in luggage on your flight. Upon signing up, you'll get an informative trip handbook that includes a detailed list of clothing and other recommended items for your kayaking trip.

Do I need a passport to enter Canada?
Yes, passports are required to enter Canada.  Click here for the U. S. Department of State’s Passport Requirement page.

What do the trip costs include?
Skilled professional guide services, dry bags, neoprene shoes, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, liners, and sleeping pads are included in your trip cost. Our camping trips include all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.

What is not included?
Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals, airfare and gratuities are not included in your trip cost.

Day 0: You can take the scenic drive up island by vehicle or you can arrive in Port Hardy via a spectacular flight over the coast from Vancouver. Proceed to the hotel. There is an evening orientation meeting in the hotel lobby where you will meet your guides.

Day 1: In the morning, we'll take a water taxi to the launch site in God's Pocket Provincial Park, listen to an orientation on kayaking and safety, and begin paddling to our first camp.

Days 2-5: We will be kayaking and exploring the adjacent islands and passages located between Goletas Channel and Queen Charlotte Strait. We will have four different camps, so we may not move camp every day. On an average day, we will be kayaking for two hours in the morning after breakfast, stop for lunch on a beach, and spend another two hours kayaking and exploring before arriving at camp by the afternoon. Evenings and dinner in camp.

Day 6 Saturday: Break camp and paddle to a scenic beach for lunch, then paddle to Port Hardy in the afternoon. We recommend that you overnight in Port Hardy.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather. The water taxi ride may occur at the beginning or at the end of the trip.