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Sea Kayaking Day Trips in Northern Vancouver Island

| CA-EC005

Guided daily kayaking excursions to view whales and marine wildlife

Overview

Short on time?  Come and try out these amazing kayaking day trips along the stunning northern coast of Vancouver Island.

Highlights

  • Full day sea kayaking tours
  • Visit Broughton Archipelago Marine Park
  • Visit Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
  • See marine wildlife and whales
  • Fully guided excursions
  • No experience necessary

 

If you don’t have time for overnight kayaking trips, these day tours out of Telegraph Cove are a perfect fit for your adventure vacation on Vancouver Island.  Both of these tours start and end in the charming seaside community of Telegraph Cove.  This area is famous for its marine wildlife and whale watching.  The summer is a great time to see killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.  Sea kayaking provides a unique way to connect with the marine environment and observe the animals and birds that thrive along the stunning BC coast.  These trips are suitable for families, and no previous kayaking experience is necessary.  Come join us!

  • Personal Experience
  • Trusted Tour Operator
  • Local Guides
  • Small group
Availability June - Sept
Duration 1 day
Departs From TELEGRAPH COVE, BC
Difficulty Moderate
Minimum age 9 years
Group maximum 10 people
Region British Columbia
Meet on Location Yes
Pick Up No

From

268
Per
Adult
  • Best Price Guarantee
  • International number: +1 778 348 1676

Availability (2024):

Robson Bight Ecological Reserve: $375 per adult

  • July 15 – Sept 15
  • $350 per child (under 16)
    4 people minimum

Broughton Archipelago Marine Park: $450 per person

  • June 5 – Sept 15
  • 4 people minimum

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What's Included

Find out what is included and what to bring.

Included

  • Lunch
  • Water taxi transfers
  • Double or single fibreglass sea kayaks
  • Paddles
  • Spray skirts
  • Dry bags
  • Kayak booties and gloves

What to bring

  • A complete packing list will be provided
  • Camera
  • Daypack
  • Water bottle with strap
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Sunglasses with neck cord
  • Clothing suited to a variety of temperatures and weather conditions
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece jacket and windbreaker
  • Wool or fleece hat
  • Sun hat or ball cap
  • Wet shoes for kayaking, such as Tevas or Aqua socks

Not Included

  • Transportation from your home city to Telegraph Cove, BC
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Overnight accommodations before and after your trip

Contact us for more Information about this tour

INTERNATIONAL NUMBER: +1 778 348 1676

You can also send an email to info@adventures.com, or use the contact form here below.

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Itinerary

Find out more details about the tour and its highlights

Robson Bight Ecological Reserve Tour

This kayaking tour is a one-way day trip, where you will be either dropped off or picked up at a private beach at the boundary of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. The Robson Bight Ecological Reserve is a protected Orca Habitat famous for its whale-rubbing beaches.

The Johnstone Strait on northern Vancouver Island is home to some of the highest levels of biodiversity in Canada. For the whole day, we will explore the ecosystem and discover a myriad of animals large and small — from microscopic plankton to the gargantuan humpback whale or even run into a pod of killer whales. These mighty mammals of the sea call Johnstone Strait their summer home, as do Steller sea lions, harbor seals, Dall’s porpoises, minke whales, northern resident killer whales, the Biggs transient killer whales, and river and sea otters. 

The Northern Resident Orca’s normally arrive in July and stick around until mid-September, and are known to transit through the Robson Bight daily. Johnstone Strait boasts over fifty bird species living and migrating through the area, so keep your eye on the sky as well as the intertidal zone! There are tons of alien-like marine critters to admire alongside our more familiar birds and mammals. We promise you won’t be disappointed by the sheer number of amazing animals you’ll see — but do our best to let them pass peacefully.

Our destination is the boundary of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, which is only accessible by watercraft, and is perfect for sea kayaking.  This coastal journey is an amazing retreat amongst nature’s most basic yet impressive elements. You’ll be well taken care of by your experienced guides — they’ll make sure you’re well-fed, informed, safe, and well-entertained… And of course, enjoying the many natural wonders of this region! So, what are you waiting for?!

Your tour begins at 8:30 am and departs from Telegraph Cove.  This is a one-way tour, meaning you will either kayak to Robson Bight or transfer by water taxi.  And then return to Telegraph Cove in the late afternoon using the opposite mode of transportation.

The Blackfish Sound area and Broughton Archipelago Marine Park are made up of high currents, mazes of small islands, numerous inlets and bays located about a 30-minute boat ride from Telegraph Cove. The islands in the marine park are undeveloped and are largely undiscovered. The mostly protected waters of the Broughton’s offer an area that is an excellent place to spend the day exploring the coastlines by kayak.

This two-way water taxi day trip brings you into the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, which is part of the newly protected Great Bear Rainforest off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. The days are longer in June and July and the park at this time of year is starting to see an influx of migratory birds returning up the BC coast. Bald eagles are so plentiful that we often see dozens in the tree-tops from our kayaks.

June and July are peaceful in the Broughton’s for human visitors. The day is spent kayaking through countless islands, exploring ancient First Nation village sites, and trying to find the first humpback whales of the season that are starting to arrive from Hawaii or Baja to feed on herring for the summer. 

Blackfish Sound and the surrounding area is where we will start our tour, which can be littered with wildlife ranging from eagles, porpoises, dolphins, sea lions, birds of prey, humpbacks, orcas, and a variety of different invertebrates hiding under the surface. This full-day tour is designed to maximize our wildlife encounters in one day by bringing you into the area that comes alive in the early summer with a variety of different species.

Your tour begins at 10:00 am and departs from Telegraph Cove.  The fun and scenic water taxi ride will have you in the park in about 30 minutes.  You’ll spend the day paddling and exploring in your kayak, and keeping an eye out for wildlife.  Lunch will be enjoyed on a secluded beach.  You will return to Telegraph Cove by water taxi in the late afternoon.

Your guides are experienced expedition leaders, with designation in SKGABC sea kayaking leadership and are fully certified in advanced wilderness first aid and CPR.  They take your safety very seriously and always consider your personal comfort zone.  Not only are they leaders in their field, but they are also patient teachers and offer a holistic approach towards safety and learning.  They are the most experienced guides in the region, with over 50+ years of navigating the Johnstone Strait. As full-time residents of the region, they possess an unwavering passion for spotting wildlife and sharing their in-depth knowledge of the area with you. You are in good hands.

Payment Details

Deposit and Taxes

  • Pricing does not include: 5.00% GST. 
  • A 50% deposit is required to hold your reservation. 
  • Balance of payment is due 60 days before trip commencement.

Cancellation Policy & Details

  • 60 days or more notice: full refund less $50 admin fee per person.
  • 31-59 days notice: 50% refund (deposit not refunded).
  • 30 days or less: no refunds issued.

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