This kayaking with Orca Whales adventure trip is a 4 or 6 day adventure paddling and camping among the many beautiful wilderness islands and inlets of British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait. The area is teeming with pods of resident Orca whales following the summer salmon run to their spawning rivers. An event that is spectacular to say the least. Johnstone Strait is home to the largest resident pod of killer whales (orcas) in the world, with a population of approximately 300 whales. There is no better place to view these amazing marine mammals.

Johnstone Strait off Vancouver Island is the ideal location to go kayaking with orca whales and observe and photograph one of nature’s truly magnificent mammals. The sleek, beautiful ebony and ivory orcas congregate in Johnstone Strait during the summer to feed, socialize and rub themselves on pebble beaches.

Combine the exhilaration of kayaking beside these breaching, spouting, power swimming orcas, with rugged coastal scenery, magnificent west coast rainforest, and you have the ultimate personal and coastal kayaking experience.

We will see many Orcas, often up close as we travel. These resident Orca whales are gentle, curious, intelligent, and playful creatures. we’ll also paddle by the famous “Rubbing Beach” at Robson’s Bight to see the Orca whales scratching and playing together in the shallows near the beach. Don’t forget your camera, because we’ll not only see Orca whales but also numerous eagles, deer, otters, osprey, seals, and salmon runs. This is a Canadian ecotourism wilderness kayak adventure that you’ll never forget.

Orcas use a sophisticated combination of clicks and whistles to communicate, find food, define objects, and keep track of family members. When orcas are in range, we are able to drop our portable hydrophone [microphone] into the water and listen for these sounds. Our guides will be in radio communication with spotters up and down the coast each morning to determine where the Orca pods are and in which direction they’re moving that day. This will greatly increase the number of daily encounters the group will enjoy.

Included are Sea kayaks, paddles, PFDs [life jacket], spray skirts, dry bags, transportation from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and return, camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition, tarps, major first aid supplies, emergency radio or satellite phone, and professional guides.