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Home > Where We Go | How We Travel | Where We Stay > Orca
Kayak Adventure
On this wildlife tour, it's our goal to not let you leave until you've personally encountered orcas. So, we've included a two night kayak trip, a half day motorized whale watching tour and three nights accommodation at a lodge that fronts Johnstone Strait, from where orcas can often be seen cruising by. To further your education about these mammals, we've also included a guided tour of the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove. This area we'll be exploring encompasses Blackfish Sound, home to countless small islands and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve established to provide a sanctuary for orcas. This pristine area has the largest resident orca (killer whale) population in the world and is an excellent kayaking and wildlife observation area. The region is also home to Minke, Grey and Humpback whales, Dall's Porpoises, harbour porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphin, seals, mink, sea lions, black bear, deer, cougar and over 150 different types of birds. During your stay in Alert Bay at Alert Bay Lodge, we've included admission to the U'mista Cultural Centre, which houses the Potlatch Collection, and other artifacts belonging to the Kwakwaka'wakw people, dating as far back at the 1870's. We'll also take you on an interpretive tour of the Big Tree Trail and Ecological Gardens, located at the top of Cormorant Island. Most meals are included, culminating in a sumptuous farewell dinner at the Lodge on the last night of the tour. The maximum
group size is 10 people and novice kayakers are welcome. We
practice a guide to guest ratio of 1:5.
Reservations The Orca Waters Voyager Itinerary Victoria, B.C. return
Meals on Own. Accommodation: Lodge
Our kayak trip begins with a water taxi ride to our base camp right in the heart of the orcas summer range. Once at camp (our tents are already set up for us) we start with a short introduction to kayaking on the beach before we begin our paddle. We use stable double and single kayaks that are ideal for beginners. It does not take long to master the basics and we will begin our kayak tour of Johnstone Strait. Your guides will choose a route that will give you the best chances of seeing orcas and other wildlife. You can expect to spend between 4 and 6 hours on the water with breaks for lunch and shore exploration. Some of our time on the water may be spent floating as wildlife comes to us or we are exploring the inter-tidal life in the shallows. Back at camp you will enjoy a barbequed salmon dinner. Included Meals: Breakfast at the Alert Bay Lodge, Lunch and Dinner at camp. Accommodation: Camping
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Camping
Day 4. After breakfast your time can be can be spent relaxing at our oceanside camp or joining others for an optional morning paddle - but be prepared for an early rise! You must be breakfasted and packed when our water taxi picks us up for the trip to Telegraph Cove at about 10:00 am. Arriving in Telegraph Cove by about 10:30 am, your kayak guide will provide you with a tour of the Whale Interpretative Centre. You'll then have time for a leisurely lunch after which you can walk to the end or the boardwalk to take your included three hour whale watching tour with Stubbs Island Whale Watching. The 60' whale watching vessel comes equipped with heated cabins, toilets, hydrophones and trained naturalists who can identify and discuss our local marine mammals and sea birds on all trips. We'll then take an overland route back Port McNeill before boarding the ferry to Cormorant Island, arriving at the Lodge by 6:00 pm. You'll have the evening off to refresh yourself and then head out to explore the restaurants and night life in the village of Alert Bay. Or, you may decide to relax at the Lodge and use the kitchen to prepare your own dinner. Included Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Lodge
Day 5. We've set this day aside for you to either join us on a half day tour of Alert Bay or take an optional marine tour to go grizzly bear watching in Knight Inlet. The grizzly bear tour is a full day affair and includes lunch. You'll have a 90% chance of spotting grizzlies. Cost is approximately $240 (June to August 24) and $350 (August 25 to mid-October) and you must book this excursion when you book the Orcas in the Pacific tour. The cost is higher in late August due to the fees we pay to use the bear viewing platforms to watch the bears fish for salmon. If you decide to stay in Alert Bay, you'll receive a fascinating introduction to Alert Bay, a community in which native and non-native communities have grown side by side over the last century and a quarter. Unique attractions in Alert Bay include an ecological park and the U'mista Cultural Centre; the potlatch and mask collection in the museum is considered to be the one of the world's finest of aboriginal masks. We'll also explore the Big Tree Trail, Ecological Gardens and visit the 'Namgis burial grounds, one of the few remaining places on the coast where totems stand untouched on their original site. The afternoon is free to peruse the local shops, several of which sell aboriginal art, beachcomb, or relax at the Lodge. In the evening, we serve a farewell dinner for everyone, prepared with local ingredients. Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6. We
depart Alert Bay on the 9:40 am ferry and make our way back to Victoria.
En route we stop at the picturesque village of Chemainus, where
passengers can walk along the streets and view "The Festival
of Murals" which transformed Chemainus into Canada's largest
permanent outdoor gallery.
Wildlife
Tours of Vancouver Island with Midnight Sun Adventure Travel Reservations |
Orca Waters Voyager Tour Click a picture to see
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