Orca sea kayaking safari - 3 days (265.238)

Itinerary

• Day
  1

  You need to be at our store adjacent to the kayak launch ramp in Telegraph Cove at 8-30am on your start date. Your kayaks will already be on the launch ramp, waiting for you, with the group gear loaded. We will spend some time assisting you to pack your personal things and clothing into the dry bags we supply and loading it into the kayaks. Once your bags are stowed you will receive some on-shore paddling instruction and we will be ready to cast off. You will paddle out of the mouth of the tiny Telegraph Cove harbor, directly into Johnstone Strait and the realm of the Orcas.
  
  We will ensure you are comfortable as we paddle along the shoreline of Vancouver Island in the direction of our first remote beach base camp. As you glide along in your sleek, non-intrusive Kayak, we stop and watch for any wildlife and enjoy the majestic scenery of Northern Vancouver Island. The timing of any wildlife encounters cannot be predicted but we can be sure that we have three days of great opportunity in front of us.
  
  We will stop to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch on a remote beach before paddling the last stretch towards your home for the first night. During the day we will poke around some tidal shallows to find intertidal critters; Watch for Bald Eagles and their nests; See the inquisitive Dalls Porpoises and if we are lucky spot a Black Bear turning rocks, looking for breakfast. Maybe we will see Killer Whales, or even on occasion Humpback Whales, right outside the mouth of Telegraph Cove or maybe we will not see any today. Rest assured, your experienced guide is monitoring the local chatter on their marine radio to ensure we do not miss a single opportunity.
  
  You will likely reach the our Kaikash Creek Orca Camp, or one of our other great base camp locations, in the mid afternoon. This ensures we miss getting caught in the afternoon winds that frequently come out of the North and gives you a chance to get settled. Just because we are on shore does not mean that spectacular wildlife encounters are over for the day. Of the many creatures that abound in the vicinity, the Killer Whales, Steller Sea Lions, eagles and seals will frequently hunt along the kelp forest just in front of camp. Keep your eyes and ears open.
  
  The days paddling and the fresh air will likely have caused you an appetite, which will be satisfied by our healthy and filling dinner. After dinner, enjoy some games or take a stroll along beach. Alternately hang around the campfire and get to know the other members of your group. If weather permits, an evening paddle may be on the cards. If not there is always tomorrow! At bedtime, snuggle into your sleeping bag and enjoy feeling of sleeping under the stars that only a camping experience can provide.

  Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  2

  Wake up to the aroma of coffee and the great outdoors. After a hearty breakfast it’s into the kayaks to explore deeper into Johnstone Strait and to the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve about 6km away. While this whole region has been identified and is protected as critical habitat for the Northern Resident Killer Whales, Robson Bight is where they head for the rubbing beaches. As this sanctuary is so sensitive, one may only paddle to the borders – we may not actually enter. We will take a picnic lunch on a beach adjacent to Robson Bight. Here we can stretch our legs on a short hike to a waterfall and overlook before heading back to camp in the late afternoon.
  
  When we find ourselves in the vicinity of a pod of Orca, your guide will deploy the research grade hydrophone they carry so we may hear their communications. We use an external amplifier and speaker so all may hear. If you have a video mode on your camera, this can allow you to capture the sounds as well as the sight of these spectacular animals. Enjoy a second evening at one of our remote beach camps and dinner from our ‘Orca View’ beach-side BBQ. Reminisce about all the day’s activities and fun. Thumb through our library to identify any creatures you may have seen on your excursion and learn more about them. Watch the sunset and if you are lucky a moonrise while your cozy tent awaits. The lack of light pollution this far away from civilization allows for spectacular star-gazing on dark, moonless nights.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  3

  You will wake up once again to a camp breakfast cooking and the smell of coffee. After the kayaks are packed you paddle, once more among the marine mammals of the Pacific Northwest while we slowly start the homeward journey. The route home will vary depending on our afternoon weather forecast but our focus will remain on wildlife viewing. Your guide will always have the hydrophone at the ready so no opportunity to listen in on whale talk will be missed
  
  Lunch will be had on a remote beach before the last leg towards Telegraph Cove. On arrival and after the group photo has been taken, you can just grab your belongings and enjoy the rest of your vacation. We do the entire cleanup! Many guests stay a while, reliving the adventure with new friends and exchanging contact information so pictures can be shared. Be sure to take time to visit the Whale Interpretative Center before leaving this pristine wilderness haven.
  
  This is a sample itinerary. In order to provide the most exposure to wildlife and scenery we plan to camp at up to two of our six base camps in the area, however on some occasions we may need to make changes due to weather or tidal considerations; Our goal will always remain to provide you the best possible wildlife and kayaking experience.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Accomodation: