Kayak With Killer Whales in the World’s Top Orca Hotspot
North Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, is one of the last places on earth where you can see flourishing wildlife in harmony with Indigenous peoples. It’s also one of the best places in the world to see killer whales in their natural habitat. Experience whales and other wildlife up close on an unforgettable karibu adventures kayaking tour led by expert local and Indigenous guides.
Nothing can prepare you for the first time you experience the magic of orcas up close. As you wait quietly in your kayak, on the surface of the water, you see a group of long, black fins slicing through the water, feeling a powerful connection to these beautiful creatures as you respectfully share their waters.
Few animals elicit such awe as the killer whale. Until a few decades ago, we knew very little about them and, considering their name, assumed they were best kept at arm’s length.
Orcas’ bad rap has since been cleared. Though they are cunning predators of sea lions and sharks, wild killer whales do not hunt humans and are very safe to be around. They were actually once humans’ partners in hunting other types of whales and are even reported to exhibit human-like emotion.
North Vancouver Island is the world’s best place to see orcas in the wild
Canada’s West Coast, specifically the shores of British Columbia’s wild Pacific coastline, has long been closely connected to killer whales. These waters host a thriving local orca population and migratory communities of killer whales that pass through from spring to fall.
Vancouver Island’s northeast coast isn’t just the best place in North America to see orcas. It’s one of the best in the world.
A land of deep, glacier-carved channels, snow-capped peaks and lush coastal rainforest, it’s the ancestral home of the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw people, whose iconic orca-inspired art, ancient totem poles and indomitable spirit are imprinted throughout this wild landscape.
Sanctuary for killer whales & observation point for groundbreaking research
You can easily spot killer whales from northeast Vancouver Island in the Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound and the Broughton Archipelago.
This area includes a famous orca sanctuary with one of the few rubbing beaches in the world. Beach rubbing, in which the orcas rub themselves on smooth pebbles along the seafloor, is a cultural trait specific to the Northern Resident orca population of British Columbia.
The rubbing beach is in the Robson Bight-Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve, named for the pioneer of killer whale research, Dr Michael Biggs. Because of Dr Bigg’s groundbreaking studies and those who followed in his footsteps, British Columbia’s killer whales have been studied longer than any other marine mammal species on the planet.
Vancouver Island is home to whales, sea lions, grizzly bears and more
But killer whales are not all you’ll see kayaking off Vancouver Island’s northeast coast. The area is teeming with wildlife, and you never know what will surprise you as we wend our way through the inlets and island narrows off the Johnstone Strait.
It’s like a marine safari, only better, because you aren’t in a boat but at water level, providing an up-close, immersive experience as you kayak through an aquatic Eden of giant kelp beds, on the lookout for a pod of white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, or huge Steller sea lion that might suddenly break the surface in front of your kayak.
Everything you need to know about seeing killer whales up close
Responsible, safe and sustainable whale watching
One of karibu adventures’ guiding principles is “Travel, not trample.” All too often, travel does more harm than good. Our goal is to contribute to protecting the pristine and unique nature of the places we visit and the cultures and communities with whom we engage.
Our commitment to our natural environment and those living in it means we do not use boats to visit orcas or any other marine wildlife. Large boats and loud engines are disruptive to these endangered whales and other animals.
We choose to use kayaks exclusively and have found that our travelers prefer this mode of voyage, too. Kayaking is not only unparalleled in its immersive feeling of being at water level with the animals but is so much more sustainable. This is a key part of karibu’s low-impact approach to experiencing and being active in nature.
Visit when all the whales and wildlife are active
karibu tours to Vancouver Island take place in August, which is prime time for whale viewing. It is when the migrant orca populations come through the Strait to feed; plus, humpback whales are plentiful and can be seen either resting on the surface or feeding on giant balls of plankton during this high season.
Whether it’s the whales, sea lions, white-sided dolphins, eagles or grizzlies, your wildlife cup will runneth over.
karibu tours begin in the less-traveled northeast corner of Vancouver Island
We begin where the road ends — the island’s North Coast. North Vancouver Island’s panoramic coastal view encompasses the 200-plus islands of the Broughton Archipelago, the stunning coastal mountains of mainland British Columbia and the wide-open Pacific Ocean. The result is a breathtaking atmosphere of snow-capped peaks and rainforest-covered inlets.
karibu travelers meet at Port Hardy near the northeastern tip of the island, and we make our way to the Johnstone Strait, Bond Sound, Alert Bay and Telegraph Cove. We spend three days based on Hanson Island for kayaking with orcas and whale-watching.
From our kayaking basecamp, we take day trips that are less demanding than the open ocean, although currents can still be strong, tucking in and out of island narrows and paddling into the Broughton Archipelago, on the lookout for Humpback whales feeding on the surface, Steller sea lions and white-sided dolphins.
Experience nature authentically without sacrificing comfort
Our comfortable permanent base camp isn’t camping per se but something closer to eco-friendly luxury camping (sometimes called ‘glamping’).
With spacious permanent A-frame tents that include raised beds, as well as a kitchen and dining area, the base camp has everything you need to feel comfortable while offering a front-row seat to spectacular views and the marine life swimming past. You may even fall asleep to the sound of whales breaching the surface, the sound of their blowholes echoing off the water.
The remainder of karibu’s 7-day North Vancouver Island tour is spent at an Indigenous-owned lodge in Port Hardy.
Engage authentically with local First Nations communities
The story of Vancouver Island’s biodiverse landscape and orca whale hotspot cannot be told separately from the story of the local Indigenous communities.
The story of Vancouver Island’s biodiverse landscape and orca whale hotspot cannot be told separately from the story of the local Indigenous communities.
Orcas are part of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw story
The island’s North Coast is the heart of Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw territory. The 18 surviving tribes of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Indigenous community live harmoniously with the wildlife, including the orcas.
Killer whales are intertwined in Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw traditions and beliefs. For example, the story of legendary ancestor Siwidi has several variations, all of which involve killer whales accompanying the young man on his journeys. This is one of many stories told at a potlatch ceremony, an ancient Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw tradition.
Listen to Indigenous voices for inspiring stories and wisdom
Travel expands our horizons, allowing us to learn from and connect with people from other cultures and backgrounds. But it’s important how you do that.
The Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw have a rich, vital and inspiring story to tell, and you will hear it directly from them.
We dive deep into learning about Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw history and culture from the community members themselves. karibu works with seven Indigenous partners and businesses, from knowledgeable guides and world-renowned artists to wildlife viewing operators, hotels, dance troupes, caterers and cultural leaders. They share their stories and culture with us on their terms.
karibu small group tours in British Columbia immerse you in orcas’ natural environment with expert guidance
Gain insider whale knowledge from the source
In addition to relying heavily on the local Indigenous community, our expert guides share their years of knowledge and experience about whales in the wild (where they belong).
We also loop our travelers into the important conversations people are having in the field. You will hear from the inspiring Jackie Hildering about incredible grassroots efforts to identify humpbacks and raise awareness about safety and avoiding boat collisions. We also learn about orcas’ favorite food, chinook salmon, which constitutes 80 percent of their diet, and how overfishing of this King Salmon has raised concerns about starvation.
Support local Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw community and endangered wildlife
Both the orca and the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw people are threatened — one by environmental challenges and the other by a centuries-long attempt at cultural assimilation. So far, both have beaten the odds.
Participating in a thoughtful, sustainable and economically inclusive tour is a unique opportunity to help preserve, support and celebrate their enduring presence.