Broughton Archipelago Sea Kayaking Expedition
Come kayak Vancouver Island on our Whales & Wildlife expedition that combines the beauty of Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park with the opportunity for adventure and incredible wildlife encounters in the Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound off Northern Vancouver Island. This tour delivers outstanding and secluded paddling in a remote island archipelago off Vancouver Island. As we paddle in the areas between the Broughton and Telegraph Cove, there is a high likelihood of seeing humpback whales, Steller sea lions, porpoises and possibly orca. While paddling among the islands of the Broughton Archipelago, shallower waters means we don't see whales, but the enchanting islands offer a different sort of magic, including middens of shells left by Native Peoples in the midst of pristine intertidal and old growth forest. This is an immersive kayak expedition journey through the Broughtons and a verdant ecosystem of wild nature. Please note that every itinerary is somewhat different based on weather and tides. In general we spend two or three nights setting up our own camps in the Broughton Archipelago, and two or three nights staying at one of our seasonal basecamps with stand-up height canvas tents.
Many places in the maze of islands and intricate channels that make up Broughton Archipelago can only be reached by water - and many are too shallow for motorized boats. The shrill call of a bald eagle perched in a treetop, the quiet solitude of paddling into tucked away bays and coves, and vibrant sea stars below the waterline are all frequent spectacles in this magical area. In addition to wildlife and pristine islets, the islands are rich in native history and indigenous culture. Once we reach the southern boundary of the Broughtons, you will paddle into Blackfish Sound and then Johnstone Strait, realms of the humpback whale as well as many other species of wildlife. With luck you may experience humpback blows and breaches visible from your campsite or kayaks, Pacific white-sided dolphins cruising down the strait, and several species of birds in the treetops and on the shorelines.
The meeting point for our six days of adventure is the northern Vancouver Island town of Port McNeill. The snow-capped mountains of mainland British Columbia create a stunning backdrop as we water taxi into the straits and channels of the Broughtons to island-hop. We know this is more than just a vacation - that you’re looking for an escape that stimulates and enriches your life. With naturalist guides, delicious meals, high quality equipment, superb whale watching and all the special details we're known for, our Islets & Humpbacks expedition is sure to deliver.
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Itinerary
Day 0
Arrive in Port McNeill, Evening Orientation Meeting
On the evening before the trip, there will be an orientation meeting with your trip leader at the Black Bear Lodge Gazebo in Port McNeill at 7:00 PM located on Vancouver Island. At this time, we will go over any questions, issue neoprene wetsuit booties for your feet and hand out the dry bags in which to pack your personal gear. If you are a late arrival, we’ll leave your bags at the front desk along with a welcome letter and instructions for meeting the next morning. The hotel has a restaurant where you can eat dinner and breakfast, with a few other dinner options nearby as well.
Day 1
Water Taxi into Broughton Marine Provincial Park, Paddling Orientation, & Kayak Launch
Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up at The Black Bear Inn and transported to either the local marina, or Telegraph Cove where you’ll board a water taxi for an incredible 2-3 hour journey into Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park. After unloading gear and settling into your first wilderness camp, your guides will provide a comprehensive kayak orientation and safety discussion. Lunch and an afternoon paddle among the islets and coves of the Fox Group, Eden Island, Tracey Island, or others in the area will follow. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing happy hour while your guides prepare your first gourmet camp dinner. Take in the views, the stars, and the solitude after a day well spent kayaking Vancouver Island.
Day 2-5
Sea Kayaking, Hiking, Whale Watching, First Nations Culture, Tidepooling
After breakfast each morning, you’ll pack the kayaks with personal and group gear and continue your expedition south through the Broughtons, then into Blackfish Sound and the Johnstone Strait. For four full days, you will kayak and camp in this pristine and well-protected marine landscape, as well as complete two open-water crossings. On an average day, you will paddle for 2 – 3 hours in the morning, take an hour or two for lunch – a chance to rest and stretch your legs or possibly hike the island trails through old-growth forest – and then spend another 2 – 3 hours kayaking in the afternoon. Arrive each evening to your next private campsite to enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks, then dinner with a view. Each day you’ll have time to take in the scenery and wildlife along the way, and learn about the area, its history, and First Nations culture from your naturalist guides.
Note: In general we stay 2 or 3 nights at camps we set up in the Broughton Archipelago, and 2 or 3 nights at one of our basecamps. Ideally, we stay at our basecamp on Swanson Island and overlooking Blackfish Sound on nights 3 & 4 (a fantastic location for Humpback viewing). However, the exact itinerary will depend on weather, wildlife patterns, group interest, and ability.
Paddle Distance: 7-10 miles per day
Accommodations: Wilderness Camping at our seasonal permanent basecamps, and at camps we set up along the way.
Day 6
Sea Kayaking & Arrival at Either Telegraph Cove or Port McNeil
If our trip started with a water taxi to the Broughton Archipelago, then your final night will be spent at one of our phenomenal basecamps that offer more immersion into the wilds of British Columbia. These camps are located on waters routinely traveled by marine wildlife, offering the chance for sightings of humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, porpoises, and more, all while sipping your happy hour wine or enjoying your morning coffee. After breakfast, you’ll pack your gear and head west to Telegraph Cove. If time and weather allows, lunch along the way will be followed by a short hike to a lighthouse overlooking Johnstone Strait.
If our trip started by paddling from Vancouver Island north towards the Broughton Archipelago, then today we have a short morning paddle followed by lunch and transportation by water taxi back to either Telegraph Cove, or Port McNeil, dependent on the schedule of our water taxi.
In either case, we return you to Port McNeill by late afternoon, where we strongly recommend that you overnight. Join your guides and fellow adventurers for an optional farewell dinner and recap the highlights from the week.
Paddle Distance: 7-8 miles
Note on Itinerary: Approximate paddling distances listed and can vary depending on group size and weather. We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed below. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as campsite availability, wind, waves or inclement weather. Although there is a very good chance we'll see whales during the week, the frequency, proximity, and quality of sightings will ultimately be determined by the whales' travel patterns.
Note on Itinerary: Due to a tragic fire at the Museum at Telegraph Cove, we are not able to visit this season. To learn more about how you can make a difference in rebuilding this special place, please click here.
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||
| Jun 29, 2026 to Jul 04, 2026 | $2,245£0€0$0$0 | $2,245£0€0$0$0 |
| Jul 27, 2026 to Aug 01, 2026 | $2,245£0€0$0$0 | $2,245£0€0$0$0 |
| Aug 24, 2026 to Aug 29, 2026 | $2,245£0€0$0$0 | $2,245£0€0$0$0 |
Supplementary Information
**ALL PRICES ARE IN USD
Single Kayak: If you are interested in reserving a solo kayak for yourself, it will cost an additional $100 for the trip and we require that you fill out an eligibility questionnaire. Your adventure consultant will determine if you qualify after receiving the filled out questionnaire. In any case, the Trip Leader of your adventure always has the right to decide that a solo kayak is not appropriate based on weather and ability.
PRIVATE CHARTER TOURS
Available for 10 guests
INCLUDED
- All meals while on tour
- Optional provided wine with dinner
- Transportation to and from the launch site
- Kayaking instruction
- All kayaking and camping equipment
- Dry bags for your gear
- Neoprene booties
- Service of our certified professional Guides
- Full service of our Adventure Consultants
NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to and from Port McNeill
- Hotel before and after the tour
- Meals before or after the tour
- Special drinks or alcohol (excluding wine)
- Gratuity for guides
- Items of a personal nature
PLEASE NOTE
Strong winds and/or rough water conditions sometimes prevent our trips from going as scheduled. We are at the mercy of nature. In these cases we may alter the itinerary to mitigate these issues. This could look like staying in a campsite for multiple nights, delaying water crossings by a day or two, or transferring the trip to an entirely different location. If we cannot kayak, we will provide a substitute activity. We recognize this isn’t ideal, however we have no control over nature and we’ve found that most prefer to still have a trip going, versus no trip at all. Since we are basing our decisions on constantly shifting wind and weather forecasts, decisions to alter trips are made last minute (no sooner than noon the day prior). The safety and security of our trips is our top priority. Our guides monitor forecasts very closely and will inform you as soon as any changes are made. ROW Sea Kayak Adventures reserves the right to modify and alter trip itineraries and will not provide any refund in these circumstances.
Reviews
FAQ & More
Is previous kayaking experience necessary?
Our tours are suitable for novices. However, this particular tour is more-kayak focused than our standard Baja and BC tours, and therefore best suited to those with some prior kayaking experience or a regular fitness program. We're happy to discuss your suitability for the tour.
Will I see whales?
Humpback whales are commonly seen in the Johnstone, and northern resident orcas (killer whales) are generally in the area from mid-July into September. The Johnstone Strait is considered the best place to see orcas in the wild, and this tour includes 2 nights camping in one of the prime orca-viewing locations in the area. That being said, location and behavior of the whales cannot be predicted precisely at any time, and therefore we can neither guarantee nor estimate the likelihood of wildlife sightings while on tour.
What does the trip cost 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. The one-way water taxi ride out to Broughton Archipelago Marine Provinical Park is also included on this tour, during which you may see a variety of wildlife.
How do I get to Port McNeill?
The easiest way to get to Port McNeill by air, is to fly through Vancouver International Airport (airport code YVR) to Port Hardy, BC (airport code YZT). From Vancouver International's South Terminal you can catch a flight on Pacific Coastal Airlines direct to Port Hardy. Once in Port Hardy, it's a 35-40 minute taxi ride to Port McNeill. If arriving from outside of Canada, be sure to give yourself 1.5-2 hours between your arriving flight at Vancouver International and your departing flight from the South Terminal to Port Hardy, as you will have to clear customs and take a 15 minute shuttle from the International Terminal to the South Terminal (there are signs to guide you). Port McNeill is also accessible by car, via a beautiful drive following BC Route 19 from Nanaimo to Port McNeill. Vancouver Island can be reached from the Canadian or U.S. mainlands by utilizing one of multiple ferry crossings from the Vancouver metro or greater Seattle areas. The BC Ferries and Washington State DOT Ferry websites are very helpful resources if you are planning to drive to Northern Vancouver Island. For more information on getting to Port McNeill, please see here.
Where do I stay before and after my tour?
We recommend making arrangements at the Black Bear Inn in Port McNeill, BC, particularly if you do not have a car, as this is the site of the orientation meeting, as well as the pickup point for your transport to the launch site on the first day of the tour. All hotels on northern Vancouver Island fill well in advance for summer, so wherever you choose to stay, we recommend making reservations early. Please note, hotel nights before and after the tour are not included in your tour cost. There are plenty of things to see and do in Port McNeill and Port Hardy if you choose to extend your stay.
Can you recommend a taxi company from Port Hardy to Port Mc Neill?
If you fly into Port Hardy, you will need to arrange a taxi for the 35-minute drive South to Port McNeill. You can expect to pay about $45-60 CAD for the one-way fare, however rates do vary. We recommend sharing the ride with other members of the tour if you meet one another on the plane (or are on the same flight when departing). Please bring cash to pay the driver. The taxi companies change regularly, but we recommend Waivin Flags Taxi, 1-250-230-7655 and Town Taxi 1-250-949-7877 on the North Island.
What kind of footwear should I bring on my BC tour?
We recommend that you bring (2) pairs of shoes on your BC trip. Packing light for your adventure in the Johnstone Straight is highly recommended and from our experience you really only need 2 good pairs of footwear for your tour. We will supply you with a pair of neoprene booties for the duration of your kayaking tour. In addition to those booties we recommend you bring:
-One pair sturdy trail shoes, or running shoes, to use for hiking and around camp
-One pair sandals with ankle straps to wear while kayaking, on the beaches, walking around camp, etc. (Chaco, Keens or Crocs are preferred but there are many other brands that are suitable)
Can I paddle a single kayak?
We have single kayaks available to reserve and use throughout the trip (for an additional cost of $100) for paddlers who have previous ocean paddling experience. If you would like to reserve a single kayak for your trip you will need to contact our Adventure Consultants to add this to your reservation and provide a summary of your ocean paddling experience.
Will there be a portable charging station provided on the tour?
We do not carry a portable charging station for the group. You may opt to bring your own small portable charger to charge your phone, camera, headlamp, etc.
What are your Terms and Conditions?
Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.
Can I bring a drone on the trip?
Due to the potential of affecting others' experience, the potential negative impacts on wildlife, and the fact that it is illegal to fly drones over or near whales, we ask guests to not bring drones on our trips.
Where can I leave my vehicle parked during my kayaking trip?
For long-term parking options, we recommend contacting the hotel you're staying at prior to the tour. Most will allow you to leave your vehicle parked in their lots during your kayaking tour, although it may include an additional cost. You may also contact Port McNeill's Information Center (250-956-3881) for other available options.
Reviews
I highly recommend the Broughton Archipelago trip!
Best kayak trip ever! So many humpbacks, porpoises, dolphins, sea lions, and even a couple sea otters! Our guides Diego and Lyndon were so friendly and fun and knowledgeable, and made great food. We had a happy hour every day which was a nice touch. I highly recommend the Broughton Archipelago trip!
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