Water of the Orcas Lodge-Based (188.227)

Itinerary

• Day
  1

  Today is your arrival day into Telegraph Cove where we will pick you up for free and shuttle you to the lodge. Don't be surprised if you catch an early sighting of harbour seals and orcas along the way. Some guests will opt to fly to Farewell Harbour from Seattle or Vancouver. After checking into your cabins and a welcome lunch, your guides provide a thorough orientation course in kayaking. Proper ocean kayaking techniques are quick to learn and the boats are easily manoeuvred with a rudder controlled by foot pedals. Each participant is outfitted with kayak spray skirts to keep the boats watertight, and separate cargo holds allow you to store cameras, binoculars – whatever you might want to take with you on daily outings. By early afternoon, we are ready to head off on an exploratory paddle around the surrounding islands and coves. Meanwhile, back at our home base, our chef/guides will be preparing the first in a week of delicious meals. The northerly latitude of the Strait means that daylight hour’s stretch toward 10:00pm so spectacular sunsets are often served up with dessert and digestives.

  Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Lodge
• Day
  2

  A typical day begins with a leisurely breakfast and soon after we are ready to begin paddling. Early risers can do their own exploring in the calm morning waters when wildlife along the shore is often most active. Early morning walks around the islands are also an option. Our daily distances can fluctuate depending on weather, tides and activities en route. Johnstone Strait is subject to large tides and their associated currents. It doesn’t take long to adjust your clock to these natural cycles.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Lodge
• Day
  3

  Our accommodations are situated in the heart of the archipelago and are an excellent springboard to amazing scenery and intertidal wildlife. The outpost features 8 private cabins with private bathrooms, an outdoor hot tub with fantastic views and a seaside dining room and lounge. Spanning a half-mile of waterfront on 50 acres it is situated in a prime orca viewing location. This lodge was established as a private “invite only" retreat but has graciously opened its doors to those who like to kayak in style. Fishing can be organized at either location by request. Delicious chef-prepared meals utilizing fresh vegetables, meats, and seafood will be served throughout your stay. Local and regional organic and whole foods are sourced out as well. Special dietary considerations may be accommodated with advance notice. For your entire trip, and in part because we only deal with 12 guests at a time, you will have the thoughtful attention and service that you deserve. In addition to the orcas, we are often entertained by the hijinks of Daal porpoises. Dozens will converge on herring and cod stocks in the area and will celebrate their feasts with amazing aerial leaps and friendly social behaviour. The Robson Bight Ecological Reserve is adjacent to our site and the nearby West Cracroft and Harbledown Islands provide a labyrinth of coves and inlets.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Lodge
• Day
  4

  In addition to daily paddles, we may take a boat ride to the settlement called Mamalilacula on Village Island, home to the Kwakiutl peoples. Here we will meet a village elder and learn about the rich culture of aboriginal people along the coast. En route we may cast a few lines for salmon or halibut. On other days, our naturalist experts explain the bio-diversity of the dense forest life and neighbouring aqua cultures. Walks ashore generally follow game tracks and allow us to discover the amazing richness of old-growth forests.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Lodge
• Day
  5

  After a final leisurely breakfast and paddle, we pack our bags for home.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Accomodation: