Mountain & Sea Guides
Sea Kayaking and Mountaineering in NW Scotland
Tel: +44 1520 744 394
Sea Kayaking in Scotland, Canada, Croatia, Arctic Norway
Our destination kayak venue is Johnston Strait & the Broughton Archipeligo Marine Park. Way up on the North part of Vancouver Island, starting from the haven of Telegraph cove, we will access a multitude of islands and wildlife habitat.
Course Only
£790
This includes all your guides/instructors, all equipment hire and kayak/paddle, all food, fuel and supplies whilst on the expedition part of the trip.
Schedule
Day One - Fly in to Vancouver
Day Two - Head north by air or bus or hire car and meet at Port Mcneil
Day Three - Transfer to Telegraph Cove, pack n paddle to 1st night wild camp
Days Four to Nine - Further 5 nights out returning to Telegraph Cove on day nine
DayTen - Fly, bus or drive south to Vancouver
Day Eleven - Fly out of Vancouver
(the above schedule represents the minimum amount of time you need to encompass the kayak trip - many people arrive or depart Vancouver with extra days either side to make the best use of time)
Instructor Ratio
1:6
Suitable For
Paddlers with very good fitness - regular upper body exercise pre-trip essential.
This is a meet, pack and paddle trip. You need to present yourself with the correct level of self reliant paddle skills so you can meet the demands of the programme without limiting the rest of the group. If you wish to have a single kayak then you need to be at 3 star level with roughwater practice and touring time under your belt. If you are a fairly basic advanced beginner then you can still join the expedition but you will need to be in a double kayak.
Testimonials
Thanks for an amazing trip to Canada - R Wilkinson
What an adventure and thanks to Mike & Lyns from Mountain-and Sea Guides. Trip of a lifetime and still smiling - P. Fidler 2011
Great week guys, really enjoyed it, don't think i want to get any closer to an Orca than that! Everyone who loves paddling and loves wildlife should do this trip. Thanks - D Fisher 2011
Mike and Lyns...it was truly amazing and I still smile at the orca experience. Got some fab photies too!
Kayak camp Double Bay North Vancouver Island Kayak Expedition
Dinner a team effort
Mother Orca with calf Johnston Strait
Orca whales in Fife Sound North Vancouver Kayak Expedition Sep 2007
Passing by the mainland mountains
The mainland mountains huge fjord entrance of Knight Inlet
Black bear searching for berries
Calf orca coming to say hello!
Enjoying the sights as a pod of Orca pass through - Sept 2010
Bald Eagle
Group euphoria after hump backs, orca and bears!
Bull Orca investigating
Orca passes by and then under Mike's kayak! Video on You Tube
Trip Description
Sea Kayaking in Canada can't be beaten! "Everyone who loves paddling and loves wildlife should do this trip"
Johnston Strait is famous for its Orca whales, Bald Eagles and numerous Sea Lion colonies. But it’s the Orcas that people really visit this area for. As one of the most studied groups of Orca on the planet much is known about the family groups that live here all year round and sightings from a sea kayak are a unique and special experience. The area is also well known for its Black Bear population and, although a bit shy compared to the Orcas, sightings may be possible.
As part of a weeklong expedition we’ll travel on a self sufficient basis, fully equipped, island hopping through the Broughton Archipeligo Marine National Park. Campsites are wild but comfortable with plenty of driftwood available for those evenings round the fire. It’s a long way to go from the UK but well worth the effort as the wildlife here is intact with natural forests, shorelines and habitats allowing umbrella species, such as Bear, Eagles and Whales, to flourish. Watch this You Tube video of an Orca whale encounter in September 2011 during our last trip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcMxpSQuZxo&feature=feedu
Rob Wilkinson, a participant on our September 2011 trip made a 5 minute movie of the trip - go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UBU2jYdqvY for a superb short film.
Not Included
Your flight from the UK to Vancouver or your internal flight from Vancouver to Port Hardy.
You will need to budget for taxi and bus fares between flights and accommodation on non-expedition days.
Other Costs
Three or four nights accommodation either side of the kayak expedition plus any food during this time ( you can opt for campsite accommodation in Port McNeil & Telegraph Cove and B&B or Hostel accommodation in Vancouver city ) All details on booking. You won’t have much to spend money on once we’re in the wilds and only a couple of days around Vancouver as a tourist so not much extra expense unless you go mad — aircraft weight restrictions should keep you safe!