Orca Whales Johnstone Strait ... Discovery Expeditions seakayak tours est. 1986

 

 

 

Orcas Galore  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We loved the trip!!! Guides were exceptional cooks, whales were spectacular, great guides and super hosts!"   Micaelai & David Brummett, Palo Alto, CA            

Orca Galore, is an amazing four day sea kayaking adventure designed  for paddlers to explore the shorelines, passages and amazing wildlife of Johnstone Straits Core Area. This adventure allows you time to enjoy paddling the waters that surround the Michael Biggs/Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Our trip is designed to offer a maximum of sea kayaking but is still complimented with a daily moderate hike in the rainforest.

Our camp is located seventeen kilometers from Telegraph Cove on a small secluded island that offers a central location in the core area for whale viewing in Johnstone Strait. This location allows us toaccess both sheltered and open water passages.   We are often visited by Orca, eagles and seals without leaving camp. Our guides love to share and teach. We maintain a number of monitoring devices to know when whales are in our area but still like to use the element of surprise to enhance each trip. Our camp alert is " As the passage of  pods of orca, porpoise, and dolphins can happen at anytime, sightings are most often seen during the daytime and sounds are often heard into the early evenings." Over many years of listening to vocalizations we have become familar with the vocals of numerous families of whales. It is often the case that our guests see whales before the guides do. This can frequently occurs a number of times in a 24-hour period. 

Tent sites are located at the waters edge with adequate spacing for privacy. From you tent site you might be awakened by the calls of eagles, raven and a myriad of songbirds.Our camp is comfortable, private and sheltered from the elements. Camp is in a setting of an intact rainforest ecosystem. It is a combination of towering fir trees, groves of ferns and mosaics of  green mosses. At the shoreline the marine life is abundant and alive. At low tides you will be introduced first hand to the amazing number of critters and organisms of this saltwater environment. After warm afternoons it is possible to catch a gleam of the bio-luminious of the water or the northern lights. All this makes for a remarkable summer seakayaking experience.

 


Orca Galore Tour Overview..

  Orca Galore Itinerary...

Day 1: - This is always the most exciting day. The morning starts with a short but scenic boat transport to our secluded island base camp. We will take a short time to store your gear and then get on the water to paddle around two small islands where often pods of Orca pass by and eagles can habitat is visible. The day is spent exploring coves, beaches, and small islands on the sunny side of Johnstone Strait. As daytime reaches evening we often finish our day with a beach-fire or a sunset paddle.

Day 2: - We venture out this morning to hike a trail through a lush rainforest with large trees and a maze of small wildlife from squirrels to deer. We have to paddle a short distance to get to the hike and we will be spending the bulk of the after and early evening paddling in a new direction to see the rich marine environment that support Orca Whales around Robson Bight and area adjacent to it.

Day 3: - A day to paddle in a different direction to meet summer researchers and enjoy a little fishing or catch pictures of our resident eagles nest. Today is a day to explore larger passages, hike a trail to see the sights and capture some good photos of whales, porpoise or minke whales. This evening is always special and is spent around the beach fire after a stroll around the island.

Day 4: - Our last day often finds everyone early eager to face the day. A morning paddling session will take us on a journey into Johnstone Strait and to a different shore where the chance of spending more time exploring and seeing Orca for our last time. Often July and August are the summer months that attract large salmon runs and numerous pods of Orca to Johnstone Strait. Your trip ends with a scenic boat ride through the path of whales at 3:00 pm.

Note: *This itinerary is flexible.

Wild Life of Johnstone Strait

 

Orca Galore Trips

 

Departure Dates 2010/11...

 

June 21-24  June 28-01

July 05-08    July 12-15 

July 19-22   July  26-29  

Aug 02-05   Aug 09-12 

Aug 16-19   Aug 23-26  

Aug 30-02  Sept  06-09 

Sept 13-16 

 

Trip Cost: $1099.00 per person (single supplement $100)

Trip Max: Six Guests

Trip Deposit: $250.00 per person

 

 

Our Island Base Camp

Our basecamp is located 17 kms southeast of Telegraph Cove and 3 kms from Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. It is now situated in the Boat Bay Conservatory and is surrounded by a intact sensative marine and rainforest area which we have operated in for the past twenty two seasons. In terms of  time we are a 25 minute boat ride from Telegraph Cove yet are situated in the most desired spot for sea kayaking and whale watching in the Johnstone Strait Area. Over the past few years we have done our best to put in a camp that is part of the landscape. Although we have put in composting toilets and tent plaforms we have maintained the integity of the wilderness. We pride ourselves on having a low profile in this wilderness setting.

  • Safe well sheltered low profile base camp
  • Low profile tenting plaforms with great views
  • Great viewing areas to view wildlife and marine mammals.
  • Whale monitoring station
  • Cedar  Sodded trial system
  • Environmentally friendly washrooms for men and women
  • Great view of Robson Bight, Mt. Derby and the rugged shoreline of  Vancouver Island
  • Central to a dozen beaches, hiking trials and intact coastal rainforest..
  • A selection of double, single and see through sea kayaks
  • Eco rich marine life at low tides.
  • Excellent location to view star lite nights.
  • Stunning Sunsets

This location is special to us. We are the stewards of this landscape and take great pride in using it to introduce our guests to the uniqueness of the area and its' wildlife. All tents are situated on platforms offering you a level of comfort and a dry home. We use high quality three person dome tents situated in locations where privacy is not an issue. Each location offers, great views, shelter, shade and access to the foreshore. All our tents are within hearing distance of the passage of Orca Whale. Mornings are filled with the waking sounds of birds, gulls and a resident seal..

johnstone strait

Our basecamp island has maintained a unique wilderness feeling for the many seasons we have been summer campers. Its' location is unique to our tours. We have been fortunate to be visited by whales at the oddest times, yet we are always in awe of such visits. one of the elements that makes a memorable sea kayaking trip is a feeling of remoteness, our location is this and a place where you can listen to the silence of nature. .

Island art is unique and makes for fantastic pictures that capture the memories of a day or an entire trip. This island offers many advantage points to view Johnstone Strait and other scenic wonders.

johnstone strait

Mt. Derby and Robson Bight offer us unparalleled panoramic backdrop to a sea kayak experience that folks remember for years.

johnstone strait

The sunsets can be quite incredible and as the sun fades away and the moon rises and you sit and listen to the night sounds of the Orca you are reminded that you are in a place of beauty and wilderness.

johnstone strait

 

What guest say after the Orca Galore trip...       

We’re a bit tardy with a big thanks for such a terrific experience on the water. Greg’s pictures turned out a little blurry. That was the one he took over the shoulder as that large fin passed right by the kayaks.The one I took on the last day with Bryce and a whale did turn out after all (makes up for the one I missed on day 2) Too bad it wasn’t a close-up. Probably could be blown us, though. A big thank you again- to you and Sean. Hope to see you in the future...Orca Galore, July 05 Bryce & Kathy Tolley, Calgary, Alberta

Thankyou for a fascinating adventure, it’s one I will treasure always. My twin and his wife are very interested, so perhaps next year, you’ll meet my other half. Take Care...Orca Galore, August 08, John & Nancy Seeley, Seattle, Washington Orca II John Seeley, Seattle, Washingtonr

We just got home today after our terrific four day orca  trip with Discovery. We were wondering if the whales that we saw on September 02 have been identified? We are thinking of adopting a whale and want to adopt one that we saw up close and personal. Maybe the baby that was swimming with mama both days. How can we contact them? Had a great time. Tash and Karen were excellent guides. Thanks for the trip...Orca Galore, July 06, Ella & Alex Herz Geneva, Switzerland

My family and I enjoyed our Orca II  sea kayaking trip. Both Jessie and Karen were excellent guides, who provided significant insight to our environment and made our trip very  enjoyable. We would be pleased to refer the trip to our friends and would be pleased to be a reference for any of your future customers...Orca Galore, August 06, Yager Family, Oakville, ON, Canada

I have just completed the 4 day kayaking trip in  Johnstone Strait, which was led by Chris and Soren . This is a note to say how much I and my friends enjoyed the trip. We were impressed with the beauty of the area, the orcas, and the paddling itself. All of the above however, was enhanced by the energy and accommodating spirit that both Chris and Soren displayed with an amazing level of consistency. All of the group on this trip was  impressed by the fact that nothing was too much of  an effort and was always done graciously....     Orca Galore, August 08, Christine Marsden, North Sydney NSW, Australia

John David and I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the trips! We will definitely, travel with you again. Thank you for providing such a unique experience – you definitely found your niche and calling. Natasha and Brendan were terrific guides. Please keep us on your    mailing list and let us know of your new trips

Orca Galore, August 05 David Linde & Felicia Serpico, Plantation, Florida

 

Jeff was a great chef and guide. Stacey was exceptional. She was considerate and professional. They were calm encouraging, balance people to spend time with. The campsites were lovely, the sea kayaks were easy to maneuver, the whales were spectacular- as well as the porpoises, the eagles, the scenery...    Orca Galore, September 09, Kristine Fowler & Davis Krauter, Oakland, CaliforniaKrauter, Oakland, CA

It's been two weeks now since we returned from Sophia   Island and a few days with your husband Larry, and of course, the whales.The time went too fast, as it always seems to do, but the memories of being with those magnificent animals will live with us forever.At times it felt as if half the world was coming or going on the island, it  was so busy, but the experiences we had with Larry on the water were spectacular, and what we came for.

Carolyn and I can't stop talking about the trip, and we'll be back in British Columbia in the not to distant future. So thanks for everything...Orca Galore August 07 Jim & Carolyn Fitzpatrick, New York, New York

Great end to the trip. Out to boat bay yesterday. Up to see Cheryl this morning. She says to say hi! And come up. Andy lost his last coke to the ocean gods and we saw a transient orca bull this morning. All but Andy. Good luck and thanks for the experience. Probably be seeing you again...Orca Galore, September 08, Sarah Berg, Chicago, Illinois

 

 

 

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