Orca Basecamp Sea Kayaking Tour 

Spend 4 days kayaking and 3 nights camping at this magical site near Robson Bight, sleeping with your head on a pillow just METERS from passing orcas. While orcas will pass by most beaches in Johnstone Strait at some point or another, this beach has been a central point for orca encounters for decades because a steep pebble dropoff creates an ideal belly-rubbing site for killer whales. We have witnessed this VERY special orca behavior right from camp! (Nearby Robson Bight became an orca ecological preserve because of the rubbing beaches within.) Moreover, this unique landscape also forms a “corral” which the orcas use to herd their salmon dinners. View these spectacular behaviors from a rocky outcrop on the water and to see orcas up close – without disturbing them.

Imagine sipping a glass of wine on a sunset beach, where a gently receding tide reveals untold marvels of starfish and colorful invertebrates. The smell of dinner cooked hot in a dutch oven mixes with the fresh scent of cedar from the forest. As the lapping waves lull you into the serenity of the sunset mirroring rosy hues on the water, a great “WHOOSH” draws your attention to the coast. As you rush to the ocean’s edge, a pearly black orca fin lifts elegantly from the ocean’s smooth surface, followed by half a dozen others.

Don't just wait around for orcas! Your time in Johnstone Strait will be filled with a variety of activities. On our basecamp trip, plan to kayak 4-5 hours per day to different areas of the strait including Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. It also allows time for hiking, tidepooling, natural history talks, and wildlife viewing. Enjoy longer mornings without breaking camp or setting up your tent every day. Perfect for families with teens or novice kayakers who want to experience the magic of close orca encounters. 

Best of all, our respect for the wild orcas extends to our camping and touring practices. We operate under the strictest, “Leave-No-Trace” ethics. Sturdy, canvas tents with standing-room height create a restful wilderness haven, so our Orca Basecamp remains eco-friendly without permanent structures (though not without amenities!). Now can enjoy the killer whales without harming their habitat. Rest assured that on a ROW SKA trip, you will leave this special world as pristine as you found it. (Read More about ROW SKA Sustainability & our 100% Carbon Offsetting) Green doesn’t mean lean! Camping with ROW SKA means “getting away from it all,” without “leaving it all behind.” Our tours are fully-catered (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour!) with gourmet meals prepared daily by our guides from scratch. 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!

Orcas are wild animals free to roam at will, and while we have a very high success rate for seeing orcas in the Robson Bight region, we cannot guarantee a sighting. To increase your opportunities for seeing the orcas, or simply to enjoy even more whale watching, you might want to add an extra day to your vacation to go on a Stubb's Island Whale Watching trip that is operated by motor skiff. Their motorized boat allows them to cover more ground in search of orcas and humpbacks throughout the Johnstone Strait area.

Click on our Before You Go tab for more info.

Images & Videos

sea kayakers in the johnstone strait
sea kayaks with orcas
kayaks on vancouver island beach
orca base camp
woman sea kayaking through bull kelp
sea kayakers looking at sea star on rock wall
sea kayakers paddling along shore of vancouver island
bald eagle sitting on pine tree
eggs and potatoes cooking on a camp griddle
large canvas tents in bc rainforest
people in cedar forest in british columbia
women searching an shallow intertidal zone
women on a sea kayaking trip in British Columbia
man sitting on log along vancouver island shore
northern resident killer whales
woman holding a slug on a stick
young man in a sea kayak
male orca swimming near sea kayakers
marshmallow roasting over campfire
group of seals sitting on rocks
sea kayakers in the johnstone strait
sea kayaks with orcas
kayaks on vancouver island beach
orca base camp
woman sea kayaking through bull kelp
sea kayakers looking at sea star on rock wall
sea kayakers paddling along shore of vancouver island
bald eagle sitting on pine tree
eggs and potatoes cooking on a camp griddle
large canvas tents in bc rainforest
people in cedar forest in british columbia
women searching an shallow intertidal zone
women on a sea kayaking trip in British Columbia
man sitting on log along vancouver island shore
northern resident killer whales
woman holding a slug on a stick
young man in a sea kayak
male orca swimming near sea kayakers
marshmallow roasting over campfire
group of seals sitting on rocks

Itinerary

Collapse all days

Day 0

Travel to Port McNeill, Evening Orientation Meeting

Port McNeill, located off of northern Vancouver Island, is a waterfront fishing village just a short drive from our launch site for this kayak itinerary that includes Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Most guests stay at the Black Bear Lodge, where your guides will host an orientation meeting on the evening before your trip. You will have a chance to meet your fellow guests and acquire your drybags and wetsuit booties to pack for your coming adventure.

ACCOMMODATION : Black Bear Resort (Not included)

Day 1

Transport to Telegraph Cove, Kayak to Base Camp

Your first day will begin early in the morning. We'll transport you from the hotel in Port McNeill to our kayak launch site and the friendly town of Telegraph Cove. This charming harbour is well-sheltered from wind and hosts a gently sloping dock, ensuring that you will have a smooth launch. Moreover, your guides will offer a thorough kayaking and safety orientation so that everyone feels comfortable and confident on the water. They will also assist you with paddling technique and skills on the water. You'll have a chance to try your hand in a short morning session to our favorite lunch site. After lunch, you will paddle to our signature base camp in the heart of the orca loop.

We see orcas on 98% of our tours though when killer whales are not present there is always a high chance of spotting other whales, eagles, seals, porpoises or other marine mammals or seabirds at any moment. Our guides use hydrophones when the orcas are in view so that you can thrill to the orcas vocalizing to each other underwater!  You'll settle into camp and enjoy happy hour including local wines and hors d’oeuvres while the guides prepare a salmon bake for dinner. Recap the day's highlights over fresh baked dessert around a crackling campfire and gaze at the starlit sky or the glowing blue bioluminescence of the ocean before snuggling into your tent to sleep. Orcas blowing offshore makes for a spectacular lullaby.

ACCOMMODATION : Beachside camping
MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch, Dinner

Day 2-3

Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching, Robson Bight Preserve

Enjoy a series of excursions from the base camp to fascinating areas in the Strait. The boundary of Robson Bight Orca Preserve is a popular destination, though our guides have a plethora of paddling destinations to show you. Each beach holds hidden treasures above or below the waves. Wildlife will be ever-present, from porpoises to sea lions to endless varieties of sea birds. How many bald eagles can you count? Of course, the orcas usually steal the show, and can pass by at any time. They like to forage along the coastline, but can easily be found cavorting and playing in the middle of the Strait! Your guides will entertain you with natural history presentations, aboriginal legends, and good old-fashioned fun around a campfire. They will also serve as your chefs, preparing hot and tasty gourmet meals right on the beach!

ACCOMMODATION : Beachside camping
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Telegraph Cove, Whale Museum, Return to Port McNeill

After a final breakfast and breaking camp, you will paddle back to our take-out at Telegraph Cove, stopping for lunch along the way and a visit to the Telegraph Cove whale museum. A taxi will return your group to Port McNeill in the afternoon after unpacking the kayaks. We recommend that you overnight in Port McNeill and invite you to join us for a no-host farewell dinner with your group and guides.

Note on Itinerary: Note: Basecamp tours run back-to-back. You might take a water taxi to or from the basecamp depending on the schedule for the week.You will still paddle each day, weather permitting. We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above and visit our base camps on three separate islands. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.  Please Note: Although there is a very good chance we'll see Orcas throughout the week, the frequency and proximity of sightings will ultimately be determined by the Orcas' travel patterns. Our guides know the best places to see these magnificent creatures.

ACCOMMODATION : Black Bear Resort (Not included)
MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch

Featured Accommodation

Dates & Rates

DatesAdult (USD)Child (USD)
Jul 16, 2024 to Jul 19, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Jul 23, 2024 to Jul 26, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Jul 30, 2024 to Aug 02, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Aug 06, 2024 to Aug 09, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Aug 13, 2024 to Aug 16, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Aug 20, 2024 to Aug 23, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Aug 27, 2024 to Aug 30, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0
Sep 03, 2024 to Sep 06, 2024 $1,560£0€0$0$0$1,450£0€0$0$0

Supplementary Information

Looking for an alternative basecamp option? Check out our Humpback Basecamp Tour! During the early season, from late June to early July, we host this Humpback viewing adventure from our base camp in the Blackfish Sound!

FAMILY DEPARTURES (For children as young as 9):  Ask your Adventure Consultant for more details!

Single Kayaks are available for $100 supplement

Due to limited number of tents, we are unable to guarantee single occupancy in tents.

TOUR INCLUDES: 

  • 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

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE: 

  • Transportation to and from Port McNeill
  • Hotel before and after the tour
  • Meals before or after the tour
  • Special drinks or alcohol (excluding wine)
  • 5% Canadian Sales Tax
  • Gratuity for guides
  • Items of a personal nature

ALL PRICES IN US DOLLARS. We will do our best to adhere to the itineraries and trip descriptions listed on our website. However, tour itineraries or sub contractors (such as taxi, cruise boats or hotels) may change slightly due to reasons beyond our control including but not limited to Acts of God, wind, waves, inclement weather or other. We always welcome you to call us to clarify any item - often this is the best way to fully clarify expectations - call us collect or on our toll-free number. You will be sent pre-trip email with latest details within a month of your tour - it is your responsibility to check in with us prior to your trip to see if you have all the information you need. We will always do our best to provide you with the best possible tour and to fully meet your expectations to the best of our ability.

Reviews

4.9
Average: 4.9 (10 votes)

Reviews

4

Great trip

Had a real good trip. Was able to see a lot of wildlife, food was amazing and guides were great. If I was to do it again I’d like to find a company that was willing to venture away from the shore more and spend more time paddling. They seem to have a fairly strict policy to stay pretty tight to the shore and while the food is amazing it did take away from a lot of time I’d rather have been on the water. All in all no regrets but just a few takeaways for what I’d like for next time I went.

5

Great trip, comfortable and professionally run

A great experience. The equipment was in great shape and the logistics were well thought-out and flawlessly executed. The camp was comfortable and well-maintained. Guides were knowledgeable, friendly and patient and took pains to make sure everyone enjoyed and had any individual needs addressed. Full points to guides Colin and Qi and Terry. We saw the wildlife we came on the trip to experience, so a totally worthwhile experience. A free videoclip of a night when the orca came by camp to rub on the beach and we watched them from a rocky outcrop was a great bonus.

5

Orca Basecamp Trip a Blast!

My family went on the Orca Basecamp trip in July 2022. Our group was the first of the season to see the orca! Springer’s pod passed right by our camp the last afternoon of our trip! It was worth the wind, rain, fog, and mosquitoes to see such an iconic animal. The orca symbolize the great Northwest and it’s many cultural and natural wonders! The incredible scenery and Johnstone Strait are awe inspiring! Many wonderful memories were made. Our guides Dani and Terry were the absolute best… great guides, wonderful cooks, and camp hosts! We loved it all! Thank you for a great experience!

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FAQ & More

Will I definitely get to see orcas?

Orcas are wild animals free to roam at will, and while we have a very high success rate for seeing orcas in the Robson Bight region, we cannot guarantee a sighting. To increase your opportunities for seeing the orcas, or simply to enjoy even more whale watching, you might want to add an extra day to your vacation to go on a Stubb's Island Whale Watching trip that is operated by motor skiff. Their motorized boat allows them to cover more ground in search of orcas and humpbacks throughout the Johnstone Strait area.

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. 

 

How do I get from Port Hardy to Port McNeill?

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). It's best to bring cash to pay the driver.

Where do I stay before and after my tour?

We recommend making arrangements at the Black Bear Lodge 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. 

What if I don't get to see Orcas?

You can always extend your trip through our friends at Stubbs Island Whale Watching or Mackay Whale Watching tours. Both are experienced operators located on Northern Vancouver Island. Whale watching by boat will allow you to quickly move to areas where sightings are reported, increasing your changes of seeing whales.

How close can we get to Orcas?

For all of our British Columbia kayaking tours, we follow "Be Whale Wise" regulations for the protection of the whales. According to the regulations, viewers must stay 200 yards/meters or more away from Orcas. We are very privileged to have the opportunity to observe these incredible creatures from close vantage points. The survival of the Orca, depends on everyone's cooperation with the "Be Whale Wise" and other responsible whale watching regulations. Occasionally, because orcas are much fast than us while in a kayak, they approach us much closer than the above guidelines. That said, many of our closest encounters have been from land, as the whales often come within meters of the shoreline! Understanding the behavior and range of the Orcas helps to better-set your expectations for your Orca kayak tour. Feel free to explore www.BeWhaleWise.org to read more about these regulations.

When is the best time to see whales?

The northern resident pods of Orca are found in the Johnstone Strait between mid-July and mid-September when salmon, their primary prey, come from the ocean to spawn in the rivers of mainland British Columbia. There are more than 220 individually-identified whales in 17 separate pods within the region. The whales usually arrive around the second week of July and stay through September. The weather tends to be the best in late July through mid-August.

Which trip is right for me? The 4-day or 6-day Orca kayaking trips?

The four-day trip utilizes one campsite for all four days. You have more time to relax and enjoy the beautiful wildlife and scenery. Families with teens, novice kayakers, or those who prefer a slower pace would be ideal for this tour. The campsite we use on the Vancouver Island side of Johnstone Strait, by exclusive permit, is close to Robson Bight. The base camp's shoreline is composed of sea-polished stones that lure an orca to rub its 6-ton body along the beach, or herd salmon into the curve of the shore. Orcas regularly pass by directly in front of camp. Paddlers can scramble down the rock outcropping and stand at water's edge to watch orcas cruise by just below their feet. The camp offers great orca viewing right off shore. We never just "wait around for orcas" on the base camp. We take daily day trips, paddling to different beaches for lunch, hike, observing wildlife. Each trip includes about 4 hours per day of kayaking: two hours paddling in morning, and another two hours paddling in the afternoon after lunch. Often there is a hike at the lunch stop, and the evenings are filled with campfires, games, or fishing. On the 6-day tour, you'll enjoy 2-3 different sites (including the aforementioned basecamp) that are located along the travel routes used by the orcas. Given this loop route and the length of the trip, you are likely to see more wilderness areas and a more diverse selection of marine life. For instance, the six-day tour includes a visit to an area that's frequented by humpback whales. You will also have a chance to explore First Nations pictograph areas, and the base of the Broughton Archipelago, while remaining firmly in whale waters.

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.

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.

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.

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