Orca Waters Base Camp Kayak Tour - Sea Kayaking with Whales

Enjoy sea kayaking but despair pitching tents every night? Looking for a more relaxing kayak tour than our expedition series? Our established base camp on Hanson Island allows you to spend more time kayaking, exploring, relaxing, and viewing wildlife.

From our central location in the heart of Johnstone Strait, you will kayak daily, exploring the variety of kayaking routes in the area. Orcas regularly pass by our camp; often while we’re enjoying dinner around the campfire, and the nearby waters are thick with Bald eagles, harbour seals, dolphins, porpoises, and rich inter-tidal life. We also have fairly consistent sightings of Steller sea lions, humpback and Minke whales – all within easy kayaking distance of our camp!

Our kayak guides, with years of experience, are well acquainted with the local wildlife and natural history, knowledge which they are eager share with you. While the orcas are the area's big draw, we take the time to look at, and emphasize, all the other less obvious creatures that the area has to offer. It is hard to miss an orca’s 6 foot dorsal fin heading at your kayak, but when the orcas are not present our kayak guides will help you spot the less obvious sea stars, urchins, and anemones in the shallows and the smaller seals, porpoises and dolphins that also frequent these waters.

With the comforts of our established base camp, you’ll have more time for relaxing and exploring – plus, to ensure utmost utilization of your time, we make use of a water taxi for drop-off and pickup, ensuring maximum time on the water.

Orca Waters Base Camp Kayak Tours

Departure Point: Port McNeill, Vancouver Island

Dates:  2012 and 2013 Tour Dates ... June 12 to 15, 2012 June 19 to 22, 2012 June 26 to 29, 2012 July 3 to 6, 2012 July 10 to 13, 2012 July 17 to 20, 2012 July 24 to 27, 2012 July 31 to August 3, 2012 August 7 to 10, 2012 August 14 to 19, 2012 August 21 to 24, 2012 August 28 to 31, 2012 September 4 to 7, 2012 September 11 to 14, 2012 September 18 to 21, 2012 September 25 to 28, 2012 .... June 18 to 21, 2013 June 25 to 28, 2013 July 2 to 5, 2013 July 9 to 12, 2013 July 16 to 19, 2013 July 23 to 26, 2013 July 30 to 2, 2013 August 6 to 9, 2013 August 13 to 16, 2013 August 20 to 23, 2013 August 27 to 30, 2013 September 3 to 6, 2013 September 10 to 13, 2013 September 17 to 20, 2013 September 24 to 27, 2013

Cost: $1250 CAD per person plus tax

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Approximately $ USD plus tax
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Approximately $ AUD plus tax

Taxes: Canadian Residents pay 12% HST. Visitors to Canada only pay 6% HST as our multi day kayak tours qualify for a 50% tax rebate at the point of sale.

All prices are charged in Canadian funds. Your credit card company will convert to your home currency using their exchange rates. The above foreign exchange prices are approximate and for reference only and are updated daily using rates provided by www.coinmill.com

Grizzly Bear Viewing Tours: Many of our guests add a grizzly bear viewing day trip before or after they join us kayaking. Let us know if you would like to add this activity and we will make all the arrangements.

The Orca Waters Base Camp: All the camping equipment at the base camp is bigger, roomier and more comfortable than what you will find on our expedition style kayak tours. We provide very roomy 4 person tents (only 2 people per tent), thick comfortable sleeping pads, warm barrel style sleeping bags and full size pillows. The tents are permanently set up for the summer and are situated throughout the forest with views of the ocean and are raised off the ground on wooden platforms. A large covered kitchen and dining area made from locally milled cedar makes for a very comfortable camping experience.

The base camp is equipped with a permanently installed hydrophone so we can listen to orcas from camp (we also have a portable version to take with us kayaking), a re-charging station for guests cameras, an extensive library of natural history books, a propane heated shower, rustic beach side sauna, and an outhouse with a fantastic view.

Includes: We provide you will all the necessary kayaking and camping equipment, including kayaks, paddling jacket, PFD (life jacket), group shelters, tents, sleeping pads, camp chairs and sleeping bags(you may bring your own). A comprehensive list of required personal items can be viewed here. All meals during the kayak trip are provided and prepared by your guides. We’re proud of our menu that includes abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, a wide variety of international dishes, and freshly baked treats. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated given sufficient prior notification. Transportation is all-inclusive from Port McNeill by our network of vans and water taxis.

What is not included: We do not provide transport from your home to Port McNeill, nor do we provide airport transfers. Accommodation in Port McNeill is not included. Any meals outside the kayak portion of the tour are your responsibility. Travel insurance for accidents or emergency evacuation is not provided; we recommend you purchase a policy before leaving home. The trip price does not include guide gratuities; should you feel that the service was exemplary, it is always appreciated.

Suggested reading: Our base camp has a library of field guides and local history books, including many listed below. We recommend the below books if you want to learn a bit about the area before visiting. Each title is linked to Amazon.com and will open in a new window. .

Operation Orca: Springer, Luna and the Struggle to Save West Coast Killer Whales
Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us
Full Moon, Flood Tide: Bill Proctor's Raincoast
Heart of the Raincoast: A Life Story

Charts: You do not need to bring charts on this kayak tour. Your guides have charts of the area and will review them with guests each day. If you wish to bring your own chart(s) they are listed below. Each chart is linked to the corresponding page on the Canadian Hydrographic Service's website and you can search where to buy these charts locally (links will open in a new window).

3546 - Broughton Strait - 1:40,000