Kayaking, Wildlife & Indigenous Exploration

We are the only tour that truly integrates the kayaking and wildlife experience with a deep exploration of Indigenous culture in the spirit of partnership and reconciliation.

1. We do three days of kayaking, using a base camp in the Johnstone Strait as our base. We don’t just kayak for a day. This is a truly immersive experience, with an opportunity to see a significant variety of wildlife.

2. We work with six different Indigenous partners, including artists, hotels, wildlife viewing operators, caterers, dance troupes and a unique cultural initiative that we visit. We don’t just watch a dance or visit a museum, we actively seek out Indigenous partners and we work with Indigenous guides who share their story with us on their terms.

Port Hardy. It’s the last town at the northern end of Highway 19, which runs the length of Vancouver Island.

Pacific Coastal Airlines runs direct flights from Vancouver to Port Hardy. Alternatively, you can fly to Victoria and rent a car (it’s approximately a six-hour drive). Or take BC Ferries from Vancouver to Nanaimo and drive to Port Hardy (4-hour drive).

We begin the tour at about 2pm. We recommend taking the Pacific Coastal Airlines flight that arrives in the morning. It gives you plenty of time to settle in at the hotel and grab a bite before we kick off. For departing, we recommend taking the same Pacific Coastal Airlines flight in the morning back to Vancouver.

Our tours run in August, when the average daily high is about 18C and dips down to 10C at night. Summer has the least amount of rain (8 days on average for August), but travelers should be prepared in case it rains.

We kayak rain or shine. We are used to accommodating all kinds of weather and can adapt our kayak routes and time out on water based on the weather. Kayaking in the rain has its own special magic. For those who prefer not to however, you can stay back at base camp, relax in the covered dining hall, read a book, explore the area charts and enjoy being in this unique spot.

You will be provided with a dry bag for your clothes and toiletries for the three days you will be staying at the base camp. So if you are traveling with a carry on or even a larger suitcase, you can leave it at the hotel, with the clothes you will not be using while kayaking.

karibu provides all your kayaking gear – splash jacket, skirt, paddles.  However we recommend water shoes and gloves to avoid blisters while paddling. We do not provide waterproof pants, in case you want to bring them. Quick dry clothes are important, along with layers.

We also provide sleeping bag, liner and pillow for the base camp. We do not provide towels. A packing guide is included upon booking confirmation.

Yes. At the base camp you will need a towel for drying off after kayaking.

Some call it glamping, others call it very comfortable camping. Either way, our base camp is located on a beautiful island overlooking the Johnstone Strait. You will stay in one of our five spacious permanent tents, which are on raised platforms with beds. We have a kitchen and outdoor covered dining area where we serve up coffee, apps and all meals. We have an outdoor shower (warning it can get chilly!) and outhouses.

There is an outdoor shower with hot water, however the length of the shower is limited to a few minutes. For washrooms there are two outhouses with doors for privacy and a washing station attached.

Due to the limited number of tents on the base camp (5), guests should assume they will share a tent. Each tent has two single beds.

Yes. We have five tents at our base camp. If you are willing to share with another single traveler, then we can reduce the price. The tents are large and provide plenty of personal space. If you are interested in sharing a double room at the hotel in Port Hardy as well, we can offer you the full double pp rate. For more information please contact us.

Our North Vancouver Island trip is great for families. We have taken our children and they loved the wildlife and the first-hand connection to Indigenous people and their stories was an invaluable learning experience. We recommend the trip for youth 15+.

Four dinners are included in the tour. Two dinners, one in Port Hardy and one in Telegraph Cove, are not included.

The base camp does not offer alcohol. However if you want to bring your own you can. We recommend boxed wine instead of glass or aluminium cans.

Tipping is at your discretion however we recommend $25-$50 a day per guide as a general guideline.

Your clothes will likely get wet, and due to the dampness on the coast, the will likely not dry. We recommend wearing the same wet clothes for kayaking each day, rather than getting more clothes wet. However if you prefer not to do that, then bring several outfits for when you are kayaking.

The weather varies but general goes down to about 10C in the evening. The coastal weather can make it feel colder, especially if you have been out kayaking all day. For that reason we recommend bringing warm clothes - fleece, puffy jacket, wool socks, tuque, neck warmer and gloves just in case.

The town of 4,000 has a small but informative museum with a good gift shop, and there is as a boardwalk by the water. Café Guido is great for fresh local fare as well as artisanal gifts and a well-curated bookstore.

If you are looking to add on other activities while visiting, karibu has put together a blog to give you some ideas of what to do on Vancouver Island. You can read our blog here.

karibu has put together a brief guide of things to do on Vancouver Island that you can find here.

We always strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance. Medical travel insurance for non-Canadian residents is strongly recommended.