port mcneill kayak tours

Kayak With Whales

• All 2023 Kayak Tours

— Base Camp Kayaking —

Kayak with whales – base camp kayaking.

Imagine waking one morning to the sound of a humpback whale’s blow as it swims past your ocean-side tent. Later that same day watch in awe as a pod of killer whales, also known as orcas, swim past your kayak as a bald eagle swoops down to catch a salmon. This can all happen on a “Kayak With Whales” base camp kayak tour with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures.

• Dates & Prices
• Getting Here
• Preparation

During a four day and three night stay at the base camp you explore the variety of kayaking routes the area has to offer. Killer whales and humpback whales regularly pass by the camp, often while you are enjoying the morning’s first cup of French-pressed organic coffee or a dinner of locally caught salmon around the campfire. The nearby waters are home to harbour seals, porpoises, Minke whales, and rich intertidal life. A number of bald eagle nests and a Steller sea lion haul out are all within easily paddling distance of camp and it is not uncommon to see humpback whales lunging through schools of small fish as they fatten up for their migration south.

Kingfisher’s guides are well acquainted with the natural history, whales, and other wildlife of British Columbia’s coast, knowledge which they eagerly share. It is hard to miss a killer whale’s six foot dorsal fin as it passes your kayak, but your guides also help you spot the less obvious sea stars, urchins and anemones in the shallows and educate you about the other whales, seals, porpoises, and dolphins that frequent these waters.

The base camps offer a very comfortable camping experience and with Kingfisher’s knowledgeable kayak guides this tour is suitable for adventurous travellers even if they have little or no kayaking or camping experience. Roomy canvas tents, each raised off the ground on wooden platforms, are situated throughout the forest with views of the ocean. The tents provide ample room and are outfitted with wooden beds with the thickest and widest Therm-a-rest mattresses available. Sheets, fleece blankets, full-size pillows, warm barrel-style sleeping bags, and hot water bottles are all provided to ensure a good night’s sleep. A recharging station for digital cameras, an extensive library of natural history books, a safari style bucket shower, and a large covered kitchen and dining area made from locally milled red cedar make for a very comfortable camping experience.

On the water we use stable single and double fibreglass kayaks and lightweight carbon/vinyl paddles. Waterproof kayaking jackets, personal floatation devices, and neoprene kayaking mitts are provided to keep you warm and dry while kayaking.

Tours run every Tuesday to Friday from June through September.

Price:  $1795 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)  *additional charges for some dietary restrictions Dates:  This tour runs every Tuesday to Friday from mid-June to late September. See the calendar below for availability. Group Size:  Maximum of ten guests and three guides. Participants:  This tour is adult-oriented but participants as young as 15 may be accepted. Suitability : Beginner to advanced kayakers.  Is this tour right for you? Departs:  Port McNeill, Vancouver Island.

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A note on June and early July departures: June and early July is a great time to be kayaking in Johnstone Strait and there is an unbelievable assortment of wildlife. The resident (fish-eating) orcas, however, are not reliably seen until mid-July. They may be intermittently seen during June and early July along with the transient (mammal-eating) orcas but are not as consistent as later in the summer. You can be assured that an early season tour provides a great kayaking experience and a wide variety of wildlife is present without all the extra people that visit mid-summer.

Grizzly Bear Viewing Day Trips :  (opens in a new tab)  Many of our guests add a grizzly bear watching day trip before or after they join us kayaking.

Sea Otter Viewing Day Trips :  (opens in a new tab) Add a sea otter viewing day trip before or after you join us kayaking.

Includes: We provide you with all the necessary kayaking and camping equipment, including kayaks, paddling jackets, PFD (life jacket), group shelters, tents, sleeping pads, camp chairs and sleeping bags (you may bring your own). A comprehensive list of required personal items can be read by clicking on the “Preparation” tab above. All meals during the kayak trip are provided and prepared by your guides. We’re proud of our menu that includes abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, a wide variety of international dishes, and freshly baked treats. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated given sufficient prior notification. Transportation is all-inclusive from Port McNeill by our network of vans and water taxis.

What is not included: We do not provide transport from your home to Port McNeill, nor do we provide airport transfers. Accommodation in Port McNeill is not included. Any meals outside the kayak portion of the tour are your responsibility. Travel insurance for accidents or emergency evacuation is not provided; we recommend you purchase a policy before leaving home. The trip price does not include guide gratuities; should you feel that the service was exemplary, it is always appreciated.

Exact kayaking routes may vary depending on possible wildlife sightings, currents, tides and weather.

Day 0: Plan to be in Port McNeill the night before the kayak tour departs. There is a pre-trip meeting at 8:00 pm with your guides at our office, located at 1790A Campbell Way, across the street from the Haida Way Inn and next to the Black Bear Resort. Your guides provide you with an overview for your trip, distribute dry bags to pack your clothing, and answer any questions you may have. Meals Included: None

Day 1: We meet in the morning to head down to the marina to load our water taxi.  Vehicles and extra luggage can be left at your hotel while you are on your kayak tour. If you are not staying at a hotel or B&B with parking, we have limited free parking and luggage storage available at our office.

The 45 to 60 minute water taxi ride takes us to our base camp. Upon arrival at the base camp your guides provide a site orientation, plus a kayak and safety briefing. We kayak for a short time before lunch, giving you time to get used to the kayaks, the wilderness setting, and each other. The afternoon is spent kayaking and viewing the area's diverse wildlife. Meals Included: Lunch – Dinner

Days 2 and 3: Each day brings a new journey; our base camp is ideally situated for exploring the area. The base camp is located on killer whale travel routes and humpback whales often feed within sight of camp. The islands and small islets close to the camp are home to numerous sea birds, bald eagles, and seals. There is always plenty to see.

Both killer whales and humpback whales regularly pass by our camp, and we have enjoyed many dinner shows from the beach. When we encounter killer whales on the water, we often drop a hydrophone into the water so we can listen to their vocalizations.

Your kayak guides plan each day according to weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities, and guest interests. Lunches are usually spent on a secluded beach. We return late each afternoon to the comforts of the base camp.

Every day is different, but rest assured, our goals are the same as yours-- exploring, kayaking, whale watching, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the scenery. Meals Included: Breakfast - Lunch – Dinner

Day 4: On the last day, we enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for one last kayak paddle. Returning to camp for a late lunch, you then pack up your gear, and snap a few last photographs. Our water taxi picks us up between 3:30 and 4:00pm for the trip back to Port McNeil, arriving by 5:00pm.

We strongly suggest that our guests spend the last night in Port McNeill, enjoy a hot shower, and slowly transition out of vacation mode. Most guests choose to do this, and guests and guides often get together for a no-host farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch

This tour departs from Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. You can travel to Port McNeill by car or plane.

If driving from the Vancouver area on the Mainland of British Columbia to Port McNeill you need to sail on BC Ferries to either Nanaimo or Victoria on Vancouver Island. From Washington State, Coho Ferry sails between Port Angeles and Victoria. Drive time from Victoria to Port McNeill is approximately 5.5 hours, and from Nanaimo to Port McNeill is approximately 4 hours.

Driving to Port McNeill is quite straightforward. From Victoria drive north on highway 1 to Nanaimo. From Nanaimo head north on Highway 19 until you see the sign for Port McNeill. Port McNeill is 1 minute off the main highway. The only other option to this route is north of Nanaimo just before you reach Parksville you can take the seaside route on Highway 19A. This route rejoins the main Highway 19 at Campbell River. The seaside route may add an extra hour to your trip.

Flights to Port Hardy (YZT), the closest airport to Port McNeill, depart from the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and are approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. These flights are operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines . Port Hardy airport is a 30 minute taxi ride from Port McNeill.

If you are planning on renting a car on Vancouver Island (and not stopping in Vancouver), you can also fly with Air Canada to either Nanaimo (YCD), Victoria (YYJ) or Campbell River (YBL) on Vancouver Island. Another option is to fly with WestJet Airlines via Calgary (YYC) or Edmonton (YEG) to Comox (YQQ) on Vancouver Island. Comox is about 2 1/2 hour drive south of Port McNeill.

Kenmore Air operates float plane service to Port McNeill from Seattle, Washington.

Recommended Port McNeill Accommodations

Black Bear Resort - Can be booked with your kayak tour.

Additional Port McNeill Accommodations

Humpback Inn Haida Way Motor Inn Dalewood Inn Ocean Comfort B&B Cluwewe Resort

Our  Guest Handbook contains details on preparing for your kayak tour. Included in the handbook is travel and accommodation information, a list of what to bring, what you can expect while you are kayaking, wildlife viewing etiquette, participant detail form and release forms.

While the summer months in British Columbia are mostly warm and sunny, we still have a few cold and wet days. After all, the coast of British Columbia is the world's largest temperate rainforest. For maximum enjoyment on your trip in all types of weather please bring the items listed in the guest handbook.

While each of our kayak tours and routes will vary based on possible wildlife sightings, currents, tides and weather the below map highlights the general area that our base camp kayak tour operates in.

Charts: You do not need to bring charts on this kayak tour. Your guides have charts of the area and will review them with guests each day. If you wish to bring your own chart(s) they are listed below. Each chart is linked to the corresponding page on the Canadian Hydrographic Service's website and you can search where to buy these charts locally (links will open in a new window).

3546 - Broughton Strait - 1:40,000

We think our tours are pretty great and so do our guests. Below are excerpts from a few TripAdvisor reviews. Visit TripAdvisor to view all our reviews.

"What a great trip. Fantastic for beginners like us - not too strenuous. We saw so much wildlife - orca whales, humpback whales, dall porpoise, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, ravens, and a mink!

The tents and cots were very comfortable, really close to the water, and what a blast to hear the whooosh of a whale passing by in the middle of the night!

The guides, Agnes and Kelly were very well informed and interesting and they kept the camp running smoothly. The food was simple, but good - and the nightly campfire on the beach was lovely." Read the full review on TripAdvisor

"As two couples, we booked the 4 day Kayaking with Orcas from a base camp. It was a trip of a lifetime! Wildlife showings included porpoises, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and the grand prize: several episodes of orca sightings. Three very competent and knowledgeable guides led us on kayaking trips around Hanson Island and the Plumpers, and did double duty in the preparation of meals morning, noon and night. No shortage of delicious food servings... The majesty of the region and all it holds was on full display. So rewarding. " Read the full review on TripAdvisor

"Wonderful - 4 day Kayak with Whales trip.

My husband and I had a fantastic time on this trip. We did a similar trip in the past out of San Juan Island in the U.S. and this trip far surpassed that experience. ...

Never a guarantee of wildlife but we saw orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoise, lots of eagles and other sea birds, mink and deer. The camp setup is very comfortable and they took great care of us.

Our 2 guides Andrew and Agnes were amazing! We learned so much about the area and the people that live there. Can't wait to go back!..." Read the full review on TripAdvisor

"Orcas, humpbacks, dolphins and porpoises!

All the above marine animals were spotted a few times... It was the noises of the fins of the killer whales hitting the surface water only meters from our camp site on Hansen Island that I remember most...

The kayaking, the guides, the professionalism of the company and the guides made the trip very memorable. Comfort is a highlight starting with the high spacious tents, the wonderful established camp with its covered eating kitchen, state of the art outhouse, and its two beaches giving eye sight access to the marine life.....all add to a terrific trip. Will definitely go back to paddle with Kingfisher again soon..." Read the full review on TripAdvisor "This was our 2nd trip to Orca base camp with Kingfisher and once again we had an amazing time. Ally and Silke were our guides and chefs for the 4 days and they did a fantastic job. Full of knowledge, culinary skills and fun they gave us a great few days kayaking. The weather was perfect, bright blue sky and calm water. The wildlife also showed up in abundance, Orca, Humpback, Dolphin, Sea lions, Minke and Bald eagles. On the island we had the usual cheeky squirrels and a deer that wandered around the camp. Also the group of people we shared the trip with were great company, lots of stories and laughter around the campfire at night." Read the full review on TripAdvisor "My husband, 21yr old son and myself did the 4 day camping and kayaking trip with Andrew and Ali as our guides. This trip exceeded my expectations in all areas. The campsite was in a beautiful setting with comfortable beds, the food was superb, the guides were brilliant and the animals were outstanding.

We were treated to the sight of so many whales, seals , sea lions, and bald eagles. I know Andrew and his guides cannot guarantee what visitors will see but they ensure that you get the best opportunity to see what's out there at the time...

The groups they take out are small, we had 3 others in our group and had a lot of laughs around the dinner table as well as out on the water.

I would not hesitate in recommending this trip to anyone, my husband hates camping but would not have missed this for the world..." Read the full review on TripAdvisor

This tour is suitable for beginner to advanced kayakers able to:

• Paddle a double kayak for 4-6 hours per day. We take numerous breaks and often go slow to view wildlife.
• Able to climb down a ladder from the water taxi to the beach at our permanent camp.
• If you have physical limitations that may make this difficult please let us know in advance as this can often be accommodated.
• While the base camps have out-houses, when away from camp during the day we use the inter-tidal area for low impact toilet use.
• Recognize that wildlife does not operate on our schedules. Our guides are very knowledgeable and attempt to provide as many wildlife viewings as possible. However, there are no guarantees when it comes to viewing specific species.
• View our guest handbook for more information on preparing for this tour
• If you wish to discuss your suitability for this or any of our other kayak tours contact us at [email protected] or phone 1-866-546-4347 in North America or +1-250-856-4617 internationally.

Canadian Signature Experience

Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures’ “Kayak With Whales” base camp kayak tour is recognized as a “Canadian Signature Experience” by the Canadian Tourism Commission. The Canadian Signature Experiences collection offers the best Canada has to offer. As ambassadors of Canada’s tourism brand, “Canada. Keep Exploring”, these memorable Signature Experiences meet rigorous criteria to ensure they stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

Johnstone Strait Orca Kayaking Tour

Johnstone straight sea kayaking and whale watching.

Enjoy an unforgettable six days in the heart of orca territory on this kayaking tour through the Johnstone Strait. These immense creatures come to feed on salmon off the northern coast of Vancouver Island, which is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in British Columbia. 

Spend your days paddling through the tranquil coastal inlets and channels of this sheltered wilderness, which provides habitat for not only orcas but also porpoises and sea lions. Hike through forests of old-growth cedars and witness First Nations pictographs while learning about the indigenous cultures that inhabited the region. In the evening, you’ll be treated to unforgettable sunsets with a glass of wine in hand as your guides prepare delicious meals over the campfire.

This tour is perfect for families with teens or novice kayakers and is conducted with our “leave no trace” policy. Our Orcas Basecamp is eco-friendly and tours include all camping and kayaking gear, including fiberglass Seaward Southwind kayaks and easy-to-assemble tents. All of our tours are fully-catered with gourmet meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and include daily happy hours. 

Images & Videos

Travel to Port McNeill + Evening Orientation Meeting

Begin your adventure in Port McNeill, a working fishing village that lies on the north coast of Vancouver Island. Most of our guests opt to stay at the Haida Way Motor Inn on the night before the tour officially begins. Your guides will host an orientation meeting at the hotel in the evening where you’ll meet your fellow travelers and can pick up your wetsuit booties and dry bags.

ACCOMMODATION : Haida Way Motor Inn or Black Bear Resort

MEALS INCLUDED : NA

Transport to Telegraph Cove + Kayak to Base Camp

Early in the morning, you’ll be transported to our kayak launch site in the nearby town of Telegraph Cove where your guides will conduct a safety briefing and provide paddling tips. Once you’re feeling comfortable and confident about being in the water, we’ll launch into the thickly forested and sheltered waters of the Johnstone Strait. This is the heart of orca territory and home to the world’s only designated orca preserve. 

Depending on the weather, we will be staying at wilderness basecamps on three different islands, each of which is equipped with pre-assembled tents and sleeping cots. On arrival at camp, take the time to settle in and relax with a glass of local wine and hors d’oeuvres as your guides prepare a delicious dinner. The rest of the evening will be spent around the crackling campfire and gazing up at the starlit sky or the glowing bioluminescence in the water.

ACCOMMODATION : Camping

MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch, Dinner

Sea Kayak the Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound

Wake to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee and tea as the sun slowly rises, followed by a warm breakfast prepared by your guides. As you’re waiting for the rest of the group to get ready, you can stroll along the beach and fossick in the tide pools or relax with a book while watching a pod of passing orcas. 

Our kayaking excursions over the next two days will take us into the Johnstone Strait’s prime orca territory and through the magnificent channels and islands of Blackfish Sound where humpback whales are occasionally spotted. You can expect to kayak for around 4+ hours each day, with plenty of floating rests and lunch stops. 

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Robson Bight Orca Preserve + Sea Kayaking + Hiking

Over the next two days, you will venture to the Robson Bight Orca Preserve and visit several First Nations pictograph sites that dot the region. We’ll be continually keeping our eyes peeled for orcas as they swim through the strait hunting salmon and your guides are equipped with hydrophones so you can hear them vocalizing to one another beneath the water. Seals and porpoises may also be spotted on our daily excursions, together with a variety of birdlife that includes soaring eagles. Each evening we’ll settle in at the campsite to toast the day’s adventures and hear tales from your guides recounting local legends.

Telegraph Cove + Whale Museum + Return to Port McNeill

After your final breakfast at camp, we’ll begin our paddle back to Telegraph Cove, with a stop for lunch along the way. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Whale Museum Interpretation Centre in Telegraph Cove before being transported to Port McNeill in the afternoon. It’s recommended that you spend an additional night in Port McNeill, which enables you to enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.

Please Note : The above itinerary is dependent upon the wind, waves, and weather and is subject to change at short notice. Basecamp tours are run back-to-back and you may be able to take a water taxi to and from the basecamp, depending upon the schedule.    Although there is a very good chance of spotting orcas during the trip, the frequency and proximity of sightings are dependent on their travel patterns.

ACCOMMODATION : Haida-Way motor Inn or Black Bear Resort

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch

Dates & Rates

Supplementary information, 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 certificied 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.

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6 Day SEA OTTER EXPLORER – EXPEDITION KAYAKING

Watching a sea otter crack open a sea urchin on its chest, waking up to find wolf tracks on the beach in front of your camp, or quietly sitting in your kayak watching a humpback whale feeding along the tideline are truly special experiences—experiences you can have on a Sea Otter Explorer Tour with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures.

After being hunted almost to extinction in the last century, the sea otter population has been steadily growing, and now in the waters west of Port Hardy we can view small groups of females otters with their pups and larger adult rafts of these playful creatures.

Our water taxi drops us off on a remote island for this six-day adventure. Days are spent exploring the many channels and islands of God’s Packet Provincial Marine Park and Western Queen Charlotte Strait. We usually move between three different camps during this trip, depending on weather, wildlife sightings and group interests.

Searching Availability…

This tour is suitable for a wide range of abilities. Previous kayaking and backcountry camping experience is beneficial. A certain level of physical fitness and mobility is required as well as the ability to enjoy what can sometimes be less than ideal conditions, like wind and rain. Below is a bit of what you can expect on this tour.

• Paddle a fully loaded single and/or double kayak for 4-6 hours per day for multiple days.
• Expect to spend time in a double kayak during your tour. With advance notice, we can often accommodate guests who want to spend their entire trip in a double kayak but we cannot accommodate guests who want to spend their entire trip in a single kayak.
• Paddle into wind ( up to 20 Knots) and waves of 1 meter ( 3 feet) Some swell conditions can be experienced on this tour
• Climb down a ladder from the water taxi to start or end the trip.
• Assist with loading and offloading of gear and supplies from water taxi.

If you have physical limitations that may make this difficult contact our office before booking to ensure this can be accommodated.

• Back-country camp for five consecutive nights
• Break-down, move, and set-up camp at least 3 of the 6 days
• Carry heavy kayaks and gear up and down the beach (this is often the most physically demanding part of the trip)
• Use the inter-tidal area for low impact toilet use. This is a wilderness area and there are limited – no facilities (outhouses) in the areas we visit.
• Please note that wildlife does not operate on our schedules. Our guides are very knowledgeable and attempt to provide as many wildlife viewings as possible. However, there are no guarantees when it comes to viewing specific species.

Recognize that there are certain realities in joining a public tour.  The abilities of other tour participants may not be the same as yours. You may need to push yourself outside your comfort zone or need to scale back your expectations so the group can function in a productive manner.

We pride ourselves on the wholesome hearty meals we provide on our tours. The effort that goes into planning, organizing, and executing our wilderness menus is quite extensive. We are happy to accommodate many dietary restrictions on our tours but each restriction adds to the complexity of this planning and adds additional costs. Below are some of the common restrictions we can accommodate on our base camp tours and any additional costs associated with it that you will be charged.

• No red meat – no additional cost
• No seafood  – no additional cost
• Vegetarian – no additional cost
• Vegan +$115
• Gluten intolerant +$115
• Lactose intolerant +$115
• If you have dietary restrictions not listed above (for example, you hate onions and are unwilling to pick around them in a meal), or have allergies or medical conditions (like celiac disease, egg, soy or peanut allergies) that prevent certain foods from being enjoyed by other guests on the trip, please contact our office to discuss whether we can accommodate your needs.
• Some dietary needs that we cannot accommodate include nightshade allergies (potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers) or keto and paleo diets.
• View our guest handbook (currently being updated for 2024) for more information on preparing for this tour.
• If you wish to discuss your suitability for this or any of our other kayak tours contact us at  [email protected]  or phone 1-866-546-4347 in North America or +1-250-856-4617 internationally.

Exact kayaking routes may vary depending on possible wildlife sightings, currents, tides and weather.

Day 0:  Plan to be in Port McNeill the night before the kayak tour departs, as there is an 8:00 pm pre-trip meeting with your guides at our office, located at 1790A Campbell Way, across the street from the Haida Way Inn and next to the Black Bear Resort. We’ll provide you with an overview for your trip, distribute dry-bags to pack your gear in, and answer any questions you may have. Meals Included: None

Day 1:  We meet at 7:30am to load up our van and drive to Port Hardy where we load our water taxi. Port Hardy is about a 35 minute drive from Port McNeill. Vehicles and extra luggage can be left at your hotel while you are on your kayak tour. If you are not staying at a hotel or B&B with parking, we have limited free parking and luggage storage available at our office.

The hour long water taxi ride takes us to our first campsite, where we’ll settle in. The guides provide a site orientation and paddle briefing. We head out for a paddle before lunch giving you time to get used to the kayaks, the wilderness setting and each other. Meals Included: Lunch – Dinner

Days 2 to 5: These days are spent exploring the area and wildlife viewing.  There are extensive islands and channels to explore amongst Gods Pocket Provincial Marine Park and at the western edge of Queen Charlotte Strait where we meet the open Pacific Ocean and this is where we often see the largest concentrations of sea otters.

The sea otters are abundant in this area and humpback whales are often a common sight as well. While less likely, other wildlife sightings could include orcas, black bears, and coastal wolves.

We will likely have three different camps during this trip, depending on weather, wildlife sightings, and group interests. 

Itineraries vary from trip to trip, but rest assured that wildlife viewing, exploration, and relaxing are always key factors in our trips. Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Day 6: On the last day, we’ll enjoy a last breakfast and linger over a cup of coffee before breaking camp for the last time. We kayak back to Port Hardy where we the unload our kayaks and load our van for the drive back to Port McNeill to end the trip.

We arrive back in Port Hardy early afternoon and if you chose to stay in Port McNeill, we arrive back at around 4:00 pm giving you enough time to fly out of Port Hardy or catch a late ferry back to the mainland, but delays do happen. We strongly suggest that our guests spend the last night in Port McNeill, enjoy a hot shower, and slowly transition out of vacation mode. Most guests choose to do this, and guests and guides often get together for a no-host farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch

Our  Guest Handbook  contains details on preparing for your kayak tour. Included in the handbook is travel and accommodation information, a list of what to bring, what you can expect while you are kayaking, wildlife viewing etiquette, participant detail form and release forms.

While the summer months in British Columbia are mostly warm and sunny, we still have a few cold and wet days. After all, the coast of British Columbia is the world’s largest temperate rainforest. For maximum enjoyment on your trip in all types of weather please bring the items listed in the guest handbook. Some dry bag sizing may differ from what is shown in the video.

We provide high quality three season tents. For couples we provide three person tents, and for solo travelers a slightly smaller 2 person tent. Therm-a-rest sleeping pads, and warm mummy-style sleeping bags with liners are all provided to ensure a good night’s sleep. A small library of natural history books is on every trip.

On the water we use stable single and double fibreglass kayaks and lightweight carbon/vinyl paddles. Waterproof kayaking jackets and neoprene kayaking mitts are provided to keep you warm and dry while kayaking.

Includes:  We provide you with all the necessary kayaking and camping equipment, including kayaks, paddling jackets, PFD (life jacket), group shelters, tents, sleeping pads, camp chairs and sleeping bags (you may bring your own). A comprehensive list of required personal items can be read by clicking on the “Preparation” tab above. All meals during the kayak trip are provided and prepared by your guides.  Transportation is all-inclusive from Port McNeill by our network of vans and water taxis.

What is not included:  We do not provide transport from your home to Port McNeill, nor do we provide airport transfers. Accommodation in Port McNeill is not included. Any meals outside the kayak portion of the tour are your responsibility. Travel insurance for accidents or emergency evacuation is not provided; we recommend you purchase a policy before leaving home. The trip price does not include guide gratuities; should you feel that the service was exemplary, it is always appreciated.

When using our online booking from you can choose the below optional items to add to your kayak tour.

Black Bear Resort: (opens in a new tab) We can arrange your pre and/or post night accommodations in Port McNeill at the Black Bear Resort

Grizzly Bear Viewing Day Trips:  (opens in a new tab) Many of our guests add a grizzly bear watching day trip before or after they join us kayaking.

This tour departs from Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. You can travel to Port McNeill by car, bus, or plane.

If driving from the Vancouver area on the Mainland of British Columbia to Port McNeill you need to sail on  BC Ferries  to either Nanaimo or Victoria on Vancouver Island. From Washington State,  Coho Ferry  sails between Port Angeles and Victoria. Drive time from Victoria to Port McNeill is approximately 5.5 hours, and from Nanaimo to Port McNeill is approximately 4 hours.

Driving to Port McNeill is quite straightforward. From Victoria drive north on highway 1 to Nanaimo. From Nanaimo head north on Highway 19 until you see the sign for Port McNeill. Port McNeill is 1 minute off the main highway. The only other option to this route is north of Nanaimo just before you reach Parksville you can take the seaside route on Highway 19A. This route rejoins the main Highway 19 at Campbell River. The seaside route may add an extra hour to your trip.

Island Link  offers a convenient daily bus service connecting Victoria and Port McNeill, making stops at various locations along the route.

Flights to Port Hardy (YZT), the closest airport to Port McNeill, depart from the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and are approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. These flights are operated by  Pacific Coastal Airlines . Port Hardy airport is a 30 minute  taxi ride  from Port McNeill.

If you are planning on renting a car on Vancouver Island (and not stopping in Vancouver), you can also fly with  Air Canada  to either Nanaimo (YCD), Victoria (YYJ) or Campbell River (YBL) on Vancouver Island. Another option is to fly with  WestJet Airlines  via Calgary (YYC) or Edmonton (YEG) to Comox (YQQ) on Vancouver Island. Comox is about 2 1/2 hour drive south of Port McNeill.

Kenmore Air  operates float plane service to Port McNeill from Seattle, Washington.

Recommended Port McNeill Accommodations

Black Bear Resort  – Can be booked with your kayak tour.

Additional Port McNeill Accommodations

Humpback Inn Haida Way Motor Inn Dalewood Inn Ocean Comfort B&B Cluxewe Resort

Even with little or no kayaking experience, you can join our Base Camp tours. Our Vancouver Island Explorer tours are suitable for beginners with a sense of adventure.

Due to the length of our Haida Gwaii tours and their remote location they are also best suited to people with some previous kayaking experience.

Our Great Bear Rainforest expedition is designed for kayakers with a moderate amount of previous kayaking experience and is our most challenging trip.

While whales are often viewed on all of our kayak tours, the Base Camp and Whales and Wildlife Explorer kayak tours have by far the most reliable sightings of both orcas and humpback whales.

Please keep in mind that while these tours offer great viewing opportunities we are still dealing with wildlife and we cannot guarantee any particular sightings.

The northern resident (fish-eating) orcas are most reliably seen around northern Vancouver Island from mid-July through September. They may be seen in June and early July, along with the transient (mammal-eating) orcas, however, sightings become more consistent later in the summer. As they are wild, we cannot guarantee any particular sightings.

There is a lot of different wildlife along the British Columbia coast year round. However, we find that the greatest and most diverse wildlife is often found off northern Vancouver Island from mid-August through September.

The Base Camps feature roomy canvas tents raised off the ground on wooden platforms, are situated throughout the forest with views of the ocean. The tents provide ample room and are outfitted with wooden beds with the thickest and widest Therm-a-rest mattresses available. Sheets, fleece blankets, full-size pillows, warm barrel-style sleeping bags, and hot water bottles are all provided. A recharging station for digital cameras, an extensive library of natural history books, a safari style bucket shower, and a large covered kitchen and dining area made from locally milled red cedar make for a very comfortable camping experience.

For our base camp tours, the camps have two out-houses made from locally milled cedar. The outhouses incorporate a holding tank and cedar sawdust to cover the waste. The tank is replaced every few days. Guests often comment on the cleanliness of our system. We pack out all holding tanks to be properly disposed of at a sewage disposal station. When away from camp during the day we use the inter-tidal area for low impact toilet use.

We pride ourselves on small group sizes, allowing close personal attention and minimal impact on the environment and the wildlife we view from our kayaks. Our base camp tours have a maximum of ten guests and three guides, while our explorer tours have a maximum of eight guests with two guides.

In addition to minimizing our impact on the land we find the smaller group size allows us to better manage our groups around wildlife giving us better viewing opportunities.

kayakwithwhales

Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures offers guided multi-day kayak tours on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii and the Great Bear Rainforest

• How to get to Port McNeill, British Columbia

Getting to Port McNeill, British Columbia

Overlooking Queen Charlotte Strait, Port McNeill is a picturesque harbor town on the north coast of Vancouver Island. It has a permanent population of around 2,500 people but this number swells considerably during the summer months when adventure-seeking travelers arrive to explore this stunning corner of the world. 

If you’re starting or ending your  BC kayaking tour  in Port McNeill, you might be wondering what is the best way to get to and from Port McNeill. In this article, we’ll introduce the most convenient options that are available, whether you’re traveling from Vancouver, Victoria or Seattle. 

Vancouver to Port McNeill

There are no direct ferries from the city of Vancouver to Vancouver Island. To cross the strait, you need to travel north to Horseshoe Bay (35 minutes drive from Vancouver) and catch the  ferry  that connects to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From here, it’s around a four hour drive to Port McNeill. Campbell River lies at around the halfway point along the drive and is a good spot to stop and rest or refuel. 

If you prefer to travel by air, there are regular flights with  Air Canada ,  WestJet , and  Pacific Coastal Airlines  from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) on the east coast of Vancouver Island. From here, it’s around a three hour drive to Port McNeill. There is also a small airport in Port Hardy (YZT), which receives regular flights from Vancouver with  Pacific Coastal Airlines . This is the most convenient option if you don't plan to rent a car. Port McNeill is a 35-minute drive from the airport, with the journey costing around CAD 95-120 by taxi. 

If you’re flying in from outside of Canada, make sure you allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours between the arrival of your international flight and the departure of your flight to Port Hardy. You will need to transfer from the International Terminal to the South Terminal using the complimentary shuttle bus. 

Victoria to Port McNeill

If you’re traveling from Victoria, it’s around five hours’ drive to Port McNeill. The journey takes you along the east coast of Vancouver Island, passing through Nanaimo, Courtenay, and Campbell River before heading inland and skirting Schoen Lake Provincial Park en route to Port McNeill. Alternatively, you can catch the  Island Link  bus from Victoria to Courtenay or Campbell River and rent a car in one of these towns before continuing your journey to Port McNeill. 

Seattle to Port McNeill

By car, Port McNeill is around a nine hour drive from Seattle, with the option to either drive through Vancouver (and catch the ferries as detailed above) or drive to Port Angeles (around 2.5 hours away) and board a  ferry  to Victoria. The journey can be done in a single day, although it’s recommended to overnight somewhere along the way to avoid fatigue. 

Alternatively, there are charter flights available with  Northwest Seaplanes  from the Seattle area direct to Port McNeill (YMP) during the summer months. It’s important to be aware that floatplanes generally have limited baggage allowances, so check ahead of time to ensure you aren’t faced with excess baggage fees at the terminal. The Port McNeill Airport is an eight-minute drive from the downtown area. 

Evolution of the Sea Kayak Paddle 

Kayakers without a sturdy paddle are essentially stranded, and the same holds true for our pioneering predecessors. For these seafaring hunters who relied on small, nimble boats to survive in the frigid Arctic, a broken paddle could mean the difference between life and death.

Creature feature: Beluga whale

As the only member of the genus Delphinapterus, the beluga whale is a highly sociable cetacean that is truly one of a kind. It has been nicknamed the “sea canary” for its high-pitched squeaks and whistles, and is the only whale to regularly sport a stunning white coat.

Top 5 Sea Kayaking Destinations of 2024

With the start of a new year comes new adventures! There’s no better time to start planning a trip, fresh from a holiday break and with renewed excitement for the coming months.