Sea Kayaking with Orcas in Johnstone Strait

Deep in the heart of British Columbia's inner coast in the summer home to the Northern Resident Killer Whales. Each summer, usually arriving in mid to late June and remaining until October the Northern Resident killer Whales spend most of their time plying these waters in search of Salmon.
This area is known as The Best Place in the World to View Killer Whales in the Wild.

Sea Kayaking Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
Objective: View Killer Whales from our sea kayaks!

We call this adventure - Sea kayaking with Killer Whales because that is the focus of the trip. You adventure unfolds in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia, an area renowned the world over as the most reliable place on earth to regularly see Killer Whales from sea kayaks.

Johnstone Strait

Robson Bight Ecological Reserve

The Robson Bight is located in Johnstone Strait on northern Vancouver Island's eastern shore. The Bight is an Ecological Reserve for the whales and within it's boundaries are the famous rubbing beaches, although we sea kayak in this area - no one is allowed to enter the reserve or visit the rubbing beaches. This protects the habitat for the Killer Whales. Often we get to see the whales as the enter and exit the Bight in their quest to rub on the beaches.

 The Northern Resident Killer Whales make regular visits to the pebbly beaches to rub and roll themselves on. Across from the rubbing beaches, perched high atop a cliff is a research outpost that we hike up to. The hike up is an experience in itself, passing through an incredible rain forest we wind our way up at an easy pace. At the top we literally step out of the forest onto a rocky outlook with the vista of a mountain top overlooking Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight. Here is a priceless opportunity to view the Robson Bight and a panorama that Killer Whales and other animals make their home most days of each summer.

Listen to the Whales on our Hydrophone Photo by our guests Warwick - Rampley

When our portable hydrophone is dropped over the side of the kayak we all listen for the incredible sounds the whales can make, and when they do - its incredible. Of course, mother nature can not be willed or controlled any more than the wild Orca, but if you want the your best chance at seeing Killer Whales from sea kayaks - this is it. Our success rate is around 95% to 98% of seeing whales on our trips. You can't get a better success rate than that.

We do not chase the whales but they usually come by our sea kayaking area giving you the best view of an Orca whale you'll ever get! When Killer Whales are passing us, our sea kayaks sitting stationary and together, the whales know where we are, and pass us uncaringly while leaving us safe and in high spirits. This is the essence of sea kayaking in Killer Whale territory. We always maintain a minimum distance of 100 metres as required by law.

While we sit in our sea kayaks in Johnstone Strait, cameras in hand, the sounds of the whales are heard through our portable hydrophone. Our guides do our best to get you into the right area at the right time for your best sighting opportunity when whales are near.

Exciting Wildlife Viewing

What makes this kayaking tour even more exciting is the variety of shore and marine wildlife. There are Bald Eagles, Black Bears, Black Tailed Deer, Mink, River Otters, Sea Lions, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dalls' Porpoises. As the tide recedes it reveals a cornucopia of discovery with jelly fish, and the list goes on. Bring your camera and lots of film or memory, because everywhere you look is another picture.

Incredible Meals

As with all Out For Adventure tours we offer delicious fresh foods and original recipes with real pizzazz for our meals. Developed through many years of refinement we provide delicious, interesting meals that are sure to delight any pallet! Enjoy your meals a great beach while watching the sun set, or in our spacious 12' x 14' heated canvas cabin tent. We are the only Orca base providing this, an authentic Canadian wilderness base camp.

Sea Kayak With Orcas