British Columbia Sea Kayaking and Whale Watching Tours
Kayak with orcas in one of the most extraordinary marine environments on earth: the Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound in British Columbia. Each summer, more than 200 resident killer whales gather in these protected waters alongside humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and abundant seabirds, creating an unparalleled sea kayaking experience in British Columbia.
The marine life isn’t the only part of what makes Johnstone Strait so extraordinary. Each day, you paddle past miles of forested shoreline where bald eagles soar overhead, wildlife moves quietly through the trees, and old-growth cedars stretch toward the sky. Evenings are spent in thoughtfully located camps designed for both comfort and keeping you fully immersed in the British Columbia wilderness.
We offer a range of trips, from shorter basecamp tours focused on whale watching to immersive multi-day sea kayaking expeditions and exclusive lodge-based experiences.
Explore Our British Columbia Tours
Why Explore British Columbia with Sea Kayak Adventures?
- Over 30 years of expertise guiding expeditions in British Columbia
- Low-impact travel practices, operating under Leave No Trace and Be Whale Wise principles
- Experienced guides with deep knowledge of the coastal ecosystem
- Comfort without compromise, featuring delicious meals, quality gear, and welcoming camps
Since 1993, Sea Kayak Adventures has refined every detail of our tours to create exceptional sea kayaking journeys rooted in expertise, stewardship, and respect for the natural world. Our trips are designed to help you travel at an immersive and unhurried pace, allowing you to fully experience the wild coast of British Columbia.
Stewardship is central to how we operate. From eco-conscious base camps to carefully selected routes, every element is designed to protect the environments we explore. Rest assured that on a Sea Kayak Adventures trip, you will leave BC as pristine as you found it.
Getting away from it all doesn’t mean going without. Our tours in British Columbia are fully-catered with gourmet meals prepared daily from scratch like our fresh salmon bake, and daily happy hour with wine and hors d’oeuvres. We provide all of the camping and kayaking gear, from handcrafted fiberglass Seaward Southwind kayaks to easy-to-manage tents, sleeping bags, and sheets. You just need to bring your clothing!
British Columbia Sea Kayaking Tours
Blackfish Waters
Our signature 6-day Blackfish Waters kayak tour makes use of our three permanent camp set ups, where our standing-height canvas tents are set up for the duration of the season. Placed on cedar decks, the tents boast spectacular views of the sea. This trip spends one or two nights at the same camp we use for our orca basecamp tour and your chances of seeing both orcas and humpbacks is very good.
Broughton Archipelago Expedition
For kayakers with prior experience, we also offer a sea kayaking tour in Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, complete with a water taxi ride deep into the Broughton Archipelago and a 6-day paddle back to Johnstone Strait, BC. On this trip we spend about half our days in whale waters, and the other half weaving among the enchanted islands of the Broughton Archipelago. For two nights we set up camps in remote, undeveloped areas, so this trip has more of an expeditionary nature to it.
Orca Base Camp
If you are more interested in whale watching than kayaking, and/or you just want to kayak a bit less, then our basecamp tours are an excellent choice. We have semi-permanent camps in two locations. Earlier in the season, before the orcas or killer whales have arrived, we offer our 4-day Humpback Basecamp tour located on Swanson Island. This is a beautiful setting and we often view whales swimming, blowing, and even breaching just in front of camp.
From mid-July and onwards, our orca basecamp is the perfect adventure. On this tour our camps are set up just in front of an orca "rubbing area." This is a pebble-bottomed area of the sea where the orcas come to rub their bellies and sides, making our camp a fantastic place to whale watch. The water is quite clear, and it’s a real thrill when the orcas come by camp.
God's Pocket Resort
For those who prefer warm beds and real showers, our all-inclusive lodge-based trip at God's Pocket Resort is just a bit further north in BC inside God's Pocket Provincial Marine Park (rated by Jacques Cousteau as THE best cold water SCUBA dive spot in the world). Our God's Pocket Resort trip is designed for those who wish to experience diverse wildlife, marine mammals and kayaking without having to camp. This 6-day trip spends nights at the remote, tranquil resort and each day we head out for paddles and walks among the islands of the archipelago. Sea Kayak Adventures in British Columbia operates exclusive use of the lodge for our mid-summer kayak tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to see whales in British Columbia?
The best time to see whales in British Columbia is typically July through September. The northern resident pods of orca (killer whales) currently number over 220 individually identified whales across 17 separate pods. They are generally found in Johnstone Strait when salmon, their primary prey, return from the ocean to spawn in the rivers of mainland British Columbia. The whales usually arrive shortly after the first week of July and remain through late September, and our tours are scheduled during the periods when they have historically populated the area.
Transient killer whales can be found outside this narrow summer window, but they are fewer in number and sightings are less frequent. Humpback whales return from their breeding grounds in Hawaii in early summer and stay through autumn. Once hunted to near extinction in the region, humpbacks have made a remarkable recovery and are now often seen, sometimes even more commonly than orcas!
Is there a danger while kayaking near whales?
All whales are acutely aware of their surroundings, and can use echolocation to track objects in the water. During our many years in Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound and hundreds of close encounters with humpbacks, we feel very safe being in their presence.
What are the camps like on your British Columbia sea kayaking trips?
Our camps feature stand-up, walk-in canvas tents set up with cots for your comfort. The kitchen is arranged underneath the trees, with nearby natural seating that creates a welcoming space to gather and dine. Temperatures are moderate throughout the summer months, and each camp is chosen for its spectacular location and thoughtfully spaced to complement each day’s paddling journey.
What gear do you provide?
We provide all necessary kayaking and safety equipment, including sea kayaks, paddles, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and neoprene booties. On camping-based tours, we also supply full camping gear such as tents, cots, sleeping bags, liners, and pillows, along with dry bags for your personal items. On lodge-based trips, all accommodations are provided. Our goal is to make packing simple so you can focus on the experience and just need to pack your clothing, toiletries, and other personal essentials.
How long are your trips?
We offer a variety of trip lengths, from our 4-day Orca and Humpback Base Camp tours to our 6-day Blackfish Waters tour and 6-day Broughton Archipelago Expedition.
Additionally, we offer an exclusive 6-day lodge-based tour at God’s Pocket Resort. We are the only sea kayaking company on Vancouver Island to provide a kayaking experience based at this remote property. Set in an isolated bay within God’s Pocket Provincial Park, the resort features private cabins, excellent meals, and serves as an ideal base for daily sea kayaking explorations.
Where is the best place to Sea Kayak in British Columbia?
Vancouver Island is considered one of the best places to sea kayak in British Columbia thanks to its protected waterways, extraordinary wildlife, and rugged coastal beauty. On the island’s northeastern shore, the Johnstone Strait and surrounding channels create ideal conditions for paddling while offering some of the most reliable orca sightings in the world. The wildlife in this area is incredible! Each summer, resident killer whales return to these nutrient-rich waters, joined by humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and abundant birdlife.
How do I get to Port McNeill or Port Hardy?
You can reach Port McNeill or Port Hardy by flying, driving, or combining ferry and road travel from Vancouver, Victoria, or Seattle. Many travelers fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy Airport (YZT), located about 35 minutes from Port McNeill, and arrange a taxi for the transfer. You can also fly into Comox Valley Airport and drive north, or ferry to Nanaimo and continue by car. Transportation options and taxi providers may change, so we recommend confirming arrangements in advance. For more detailed guidance, please visit our blog post: How to Get to Port Mcneill or Port Hardy, British Columbia.