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Johnstone Strait Sea Kayaking Tours
Picture yourself
paddling the sheltered orca waters of Canada's Inside Passage, feasting on
baked salmon and relaxing next to a campfire under the stars. Or imagine hiking
through a lush rain forest, where bald eagles dot the trees overhead. Words
cannot describe the excitement and awe you'll feel watching a powerful but
gentle orca whale as its six-foot dorsal fin pierces the water's glassy surface
with a powerful exhale. Or, the experience of witnessing a porpoise's exclusive
aerial show or a bald eagle's snatching a wild salmon within a paddle's reach
of your kayak.
Johnstone Strait, the
part of the Inside Passage off northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia,
Canada is the best place in the northern hemisphere to observe wild orcas
(known as killer whales for their voracious consumption of fish). These sleek
ebony and ivory mammals with their huge dorsal fins congregate here every
summer to feast on the plentiful salmon runs, which are funnelled by geography
from the open sea to this narrow strait. The trip highlight is viewing
these northern resident orcas (numbering 225 in this specific area) from the
comfort of a stable kayak. Our experienced guides will focus on maximizing your
opportunities for observing orcas and sharing their knowledge of whale
behavior.
"The scenery was
awesome. Waking up to snow-covered mountains and forested shorelines was worth
every cent. Add to that the delicious food, incredible wildlife, and wonderful
people and you have a great adventure".
-- Dave Werr, Johnstone
Strait
Our six-day sea kayaking
expeditions meet in Port McNeill and
depart from Telegraph Cove, located in the roadless heart of orca territory, as
we make further camps on secluded island beaches offering incredible scenery
and superb kayaking. We camp part
of the time on a private island owned by the
indigenous
First Nations people, by exclusive arrangement - right in the heart of orca
territory. We'll paddle to
Robson
Bight Orca Preserve - the first natural area in the northern hemisphere set
aside specifically for orcas, where renowned scientists gather each summer to
study the orcas' behavior patterns. Orcas are attracted to the preserve's
unique pebble beaches to rub their bellies. Humpback and minke whales, Dall's
porpoises, harbor seals and Stellar's sea lions often travel through the nature
preserve as well.
Here you'll discover
natural environments, explore hidden islets and inlets, watch wild salmon leap
or observe a curious seal -- all from the intimate closeness of a sea kayak.
Families and those with smaller time commitments may request our three-day base
camp which offers everything from trails for hiking, beaches for lounging,
tidepools for exploring and great wildlife viewing right off shore. After each
day's adventure, we relax around a campfire and listen to the sounds of wild
rain forest in comfortable dome tents.
The itinerary features
small groups, expert guides and top-of-the-line equipment such as Canadian-made
Seaward kayaks. Fresh produce and
dutch oven cuisine head up every meal. We spare no effort in bringing you one
of the best adventure tours currently available in this area.
If this sounds like your
idea of the ultimate summer escape, join Sea Kayak Adventures Inc on one of our
trips to Johnstone Strait, where you'll have the opportunity to experience
orcas in their pristine natural habitat.
"We enjoyed seeing the
orcas as well as the natural beauty and tremendous biodiversity in the area - I
was very surprised by all of the intertidal life".
-- Bill and Annie
Hopkins, Johnstone Strait
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