OverView of the Pure Orca Eco-Camp

The Pure Orca Base Camp is an all-inclusive, fully guided 3 day sea kayaking base-camp in Johnstone Strait, focused on sea kayaking & Killer Whales.

Sea Kayaking & Killer Whales in Johnstone Strait Sea kayaking through this area off Vancouver Island is in itself rewarding, but when we see the Northern Resident Killer Whales - its stunning! You see those beautiful dorsal fins, hear the blows and for a moment you are a part of the Killer Whale's life. While Killer Whales are the focus of this trip there is much more to see and experience on this authentic wilderness adventure.

Sea Kayak Base Camp Location The Pure Orca Base Camp is located in the heart of Killer Whale territory at one of the best locations possible. Here, we are in the area in which Killer Whales usually move in three different directions maximizing our chances of success.

This has been our BEST location ever for whale activity right in front of our camp! Breaches (jumping) clear out of the water. Amazing sightings that clients are raving about. - We have many whales in the straight and our camp is in the best location possible.
We thank the Namgis First Nations for their help is having us procure this prized location.

Our base camp is in one of the best locations as it is not directly beside beside the Robson Bight, nor is it on the far side of the strait. The Pure Orca Base Camp is located near the western side of the Robson Bight far enough away for us to enjoy paddling in all directions but more importantly, the Pure Orca Base Camp is on the shoreline that the Killer Whales most often pass closest to (as confirmed with whale research map below.)

The PURE ORCA BASE CAMP location provides better paddling experience and increased opportunities of closer whale sightings from camp and is the reason we chose this spot for our camp.

Evenings are often spent by the campfire and sometimes listening to the blows of Killer Whales as they swim past into the night.

Whale Routes are Closest to Pure Orca Camp Shore The location of our Pure Orca Base Camp is very important because whales use regular routes, passing along our shore while heading into the protected Robson Bight. This isn't just our opinion, it's a fact that BC Parks and whale researchers have known for years, so much so that BC Parks has mapped their route as shown on the government sign shown below. (This route sign that shows the whale path passing closest to our camp is actually posted on the whale researchers outpost for all to see.) Whales entering or exiting the reserve appear as a speck when viewed from the other side of the Strait.

Why This Trip is One of the Most Popular Orca Tours Pure Orca Eco-camp is located in the heart of Killer Whale territory and the area is renowned the world over as the best place to view Killer Whales in the wild. Combine our many years of expert sea kayak adventure planning with our small groups and family run company and you'll see why so many people list us as their number one choice.

Camp Design - Pure Orca Our sea kayaking Pure Orca Base Camp is designed to be safe, comfortable and eco-friendly. Accommodations are canvas cabin tents complete with cots to sleep on. For those that aren't fond of crawling on their knees into a small tent or sleeping on the ground but are still wanting adventure, then this is your base camp and the Pure Orca is your trip.

The Pure Orca Base Camp is unique in that it also features a heated group gathering tent for times when weather may be cool or wet or you just feel like kicking back with new friends.

Robson Bight Ecological Reserve - What is it?The Robson Bight is an ecological reserve for the Northern Resident Killer Whales and within its boundaries are the famous rubbing beaches.

The Northern Resident Killer Whales make regular visits to the pebbly beaches to rub and roll themselves on. The beaches are off limits to all but a few researchers and at times, commercial fishing vessels, but its existence entices the Killer Whales back to the area we paddle in. The Pure Orca adventure takes you to a remote beach on the border of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve where we hike to a hidden waterfall and, if all goes well, see Orca whales heading in or out of the reserve.

The Robson Bight Ecological Reserve is located in Johnstone Strait* on the Vancouver Island shore.

Final Note:This eco-base camp tour is designed to maximize the chances of experiencing Killer Whales from our sea kayaks. We regularly achieve one of the highest success rates in the industry for seeing whales from sea kayaks in Johnstone Strait.
Your guides are well trained to give you the best chances of getting into the right area to ethically view wild Killer Whales.

No Experience Necessary No Experience is necessary to join us on this exceptional kayaking adventure. Our experienced, professional guides will teach you all you need to know and more.

Easy & Economical Departure Locations:

All Out For Adventure trips depart from Campbell River and Quadra Island.
For the traveler planning a trip to view Orcas in Johnstone Strait, these are the easiest and most economical locations to get to with connecting flights, by bus or car.
Campbell River Airport YBL

Considered by Conde Nast Traveller as one of North America’s best Island destinations.

The ‘Greenest’ Base Camp in Johnstone Strait

Greenest Sea Kayaking Base Camp: Eco tourism is environmentally responsible travel in natural areas with minimal impact on the habitat, while educating the traveler and benefiting local communities. Our goal for the Pure Orca base camp is to operate it in the most eco-friendly manner possible. Out For Adventure already operates with high regard for the environment so you could say it's in our company DNA. Striving for the greenest base camp is not a task to be accomplished per se but more a continuing and ever evolving mantra for the operation.

No water taxi used: Our last long water taxi ride from Campbell River/Quadra Island to Johnstone Strait was in 2008. Environmental factors weighing heavily on our minds, we made the decision to stop transporting guests on a 2 1/2 hour ride by water taxi. Instead, we travel by shuttle van to Telegraph Cove and then use good old people power to paddle to camp, about a 2 hour paddle, which also means you are on the water and ready for whales earlier in the day than if we had taken a water taxi. And that is the focus of the trip and your reason for being there as well.
Although the water taxi was far more convenient from a company perspective, water taxis are inefficient and use obscene amounts of fuel. Having two very large, high revving diesel engines gobbling up many times the amount of fuel one of our vans uses for the same job with more comfort, is in our view not responsible tourism. And as such we feel much better about our operation knowing we practice what we preach - a win/win situation. Better for the environment, better for you.

No permanent structures: We pack in the base camp at the beginning of the season, and take it all down at the end, leaving minimal impact on the environment.

Responsible Advertising: Three seasons ago the Department Of Fisheries and Oceans requested on behalf of the DFO and Straitwatch that sea kayak companies voluntarily stop advertising trips with pictures of whales & kayaks that are too close together, including pictures that show kayaks blocking whales. This request was made in an effort to reduce harmful impacts on the Killer Whales in that it encourages the public, guides and tour operators to get too close to the whales. Out For Adventure was one of the first companies to comply. In our opinion it was the only thing to do, the environmentally responsible thing to do. Some of our competitors still advertise with the whales illegally close to the kayaks and although many people are fooled by the photos it is against the law to breach the 100 meter boundary.

Canvas cabin tents: Not only more comfortable and roomy than nylon tents, but are made from a natural and sustainable material which has less of an impact on the environment than nylon. They are warmer on a cold day and cooler on a hot day, too!

Natural Environment: Our camp provides a simple and natural environment, and we don’t feel that saunas or hot tubs are environmentally responsible. Requiring wood or other heat sources they add carbon to the atmosphere. Instead enjoy nature’s heat and spoil yourself in the sun’s rays.

Environmentally Safe Products: We use only biodegradable and phosphate free soap and cleaning products, and we encourage you to as well.

Personal Reusable Wash Bins: Out For Adventure supplies reusable wash bins for our guests to freshen up in. To maintain the natural diversity of this dynamic environment, we discourage washing in freshwater sources. We don’t tap in to any streams in Johnstone Strait, instead we pack in all the water we could possibly need. The Salmon love us for it!

The 3 R's: All our kitchen equipment and dishes are durable and reusable. It’s important to minimize waste and we are firm believers in Reuse, Reduce & Recycle.

No Propane Camp stoves: Cooking is done on camp stoves using ‘white gas’ which is less harmful to the environment than propane used in camp stoves and barbecues.

To see how more ways in how Out For Adventure does it’s part for the environment click here: Green Ethos