Vancouver Island Small-Group Kayaking & Wildlife Tour
Orcas, Grizzlies & Indigenous Culture on British Columbia’s Wild Pacific Coast
From CAD $6,200 + tax. Space is limited!
Location:
Port Hardy & Broughton Archipelago, North Vancouver Island
Duration:
6 nights/7 days
Accommodation:
Indigenous-owned lodge and glamping base camp
When:
August 16-22 2027
(best for wildlife and weather)
Activity Level:
2 out of 5
Moderate
Make it Private
Immerse Yourself in Wild, Sublime North Vancouver Island
Kayak amidst humpback whales, orcas and sea lions on an unparalleled Vancouver wildlife tour while staying at an island base camp off the famed Johnstone Strait. Meet Indigenous carvers, cultural leaders, artists and guides who share their rich culture and story of resilience.
Our Vancouver Island tour is for: families with teen or adult children, couples, friends, and solo travellers who enjoy kayaking, love nature and wildlife and want to learn more about Indigenous culture.
A gem in the Inside Passage
“If you are into kayaking in the pristine waters of the Inside Passage and learning about the First Nation that has lived there for thousands of years, you need to take this trip. The food, the guides, and the itinerary are outstanding. This is probably the only tour where you get all of this on one trip.”
– Bob R
A trip of a lifetime!
“Sea lions, sea otters, seals, white-sided dolphins, Humpbacks and Orca whales, deer, grizzly bears, bald eagles, kingfishers and wild salmon introduced to us by very knowledgeable and engaging guides. We were spellbound!. All of this right here in our own gorgeous Canadian backyard! I realize this sounds too good to be true, but it was truly spectacular!”
– Kathy H
An Unforgettable Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Port Hardy & Welcome Dinner
We kick off the tour before dinner at 5:30pm with a kayak briefing and outfitting to set you up for the following days’ adventures out on the Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago. We’ll then enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel’s beautifully decorated Indigenous-infused restaurant.
DAYS 2, 3 & 4
Sea Kayaking & Wildlife Viewing
Based on an island between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia coast, in the heart of the Inside Passage, we spend three days kayaking through some of the most wildlife-rich waters in the world. Whether it’s a humpback whale breaching, a raucous group of Steller sea lions or an orca pod’s long black fins slicing through the water, you never know what will surprise you.
DAY 5
Grizzly Bears in the Great Bear Rainforest
Local Indigenous guides take us into the Great Bear Rainforest on the British Columbia coast in search of Grizzly bears fishing for salmon. Learn about the decades-long fight to remove fish farms from Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw territory and what it has meant for local salmon stocks and the community.
DAY 6
Alert Bay, U’Mista & T’sasała Dancers
Explore the renowned collection of potlatch ceremonial regalia at the U’Mista Cultural Centre, located on the site of a former residential school in Alert Bay, with our Indigenous guide. Tuck into a traditional salmon “fish soup” and fry bread served up by a local home cook, and visit the ‘Namgis Big House for a dance performance by the Tʼsasała Cultural Group.
Day 7
Visit the Workshop of Renowned Pacific Northwest Coast Artist
Visit the workshop of totem pole carver Calvin Hunt and learn about the history and traditions of Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw people. This is the chance to pick up some beautiful art directly from the source.
Our Indigenous Partners
karibu is proud to partner with Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw artists, cultural leaders, guides and business owners.
Looking for something different, deeper and more real? So are we. Spaces are limited!
Accommodations
We’ve taken great care to choose tasteful, well-appointed and, wherever possible, Indigenous-owned accommodations. We spend three nights at the Indigenous-owned, Big House-styled Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy and three nights at a comfortable kayaking base camp in the Johnstone Strait. The base camp, which offers stellar wildlife viewing on the water’s edge, has permanent A-frame tents, raised beds and a covered dining area, as well as outdoor showers and outhouses.
What's Included
Not included: 1 dinner, alcohol, gratuities, airport transfers
Getting There
Port Hardy can be reached by plane via Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Air or by ferry to Nanaimo and then driving. BCAA, CAA and AAA members receive a 10% discount on Pacific Coastal airlines flights. For more information, visit www.pacificcoastal.com.
Travel Insurance
Medical travel insurance is required for non-Canadian residents to participate in our tour. Your insurance plan should include full medical coverage, emergency evacuation and emergency repatriation. Travel interruption insurance is highly recommended.
Activity Level
This trip includes three days of kayaking. We kayak 4–5 hours each day, with breaks every few hours. No prior experience is required. However, a moderate level of fitness is advisable, and you should be comfortable sitting in a kayak for extended periods. For more information, download our detailed itinerary.
From The Wild Life Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
How is karibu’s Vancouver Island tour different from other tour options?
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. It’s a truly immersive kayaking tour of Vancouver’s wildlife.
2. We work with six Indigenous partners, including artists, hotels, wildlife-viewing operators, caterers, dance troupes and a unique cultural initiative, which we visit. We don’t just watch a dance or visit a museum; we actively seek out Indigenous partners and work with Indigenous guides who share their stories with us on their terms.
What town is the tour based out of?
Port Hardy. It’s the last town at the northern end of Highway 19, which runs the length of Vancouver Island.
When should I book my flight to Port Hardy? Are there weight restrictions?
Pacific Coastal Airlines flights from Vancouver to Port Hardy become available in November and the earlier you book the better the price. Carry on and personal luggage up to 10kg each is allowed.
How do you get to Port Hardy?
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 6-hour drive). Or take BC Ferries from Vancouver to Nanaimo and drive to Port Hardy (a 4-hour drive). BCAA, CAA and AAA members receive a 10% discount on Pacific Coastal Airlines flights. For more information, visit www.pacificcoastal.com.
When should I arrive and depart Port Hardy?
We begin the tour on Day 1 at 5:30pm with a kayaking briefing at the hotel. If you are flying to Port Hardy from Vancouver there are two Pacific Coastal Airlines flights per day, one around 8:30am and a second around 4:00pm (times may vary slightly).
For departing on Day 7, there is a morning flight departing around 10:30am.
What’s the weather like?
What if 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 the water. Kayaking in the rain has its own special magic. Those who prefer not to, however, 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.
What kind of luggage should I use?
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. If you are travelling 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.
What gear do I need?
karibu provides all your kayaking gear, e.g., splash jacket, skirt, paddles. However, we recommend water shoes and gloves to avoid blisters while paddling. We do not provide waterproof pants, but you can bring them. Quick-dry clothes and layers are important.
We also provide a sleeping bag, liner and pillow for the base camp. We do not provide towels. A packing guide is provided upon booking confirmation.
Do I need to pack a towel?
What are the facilities like at the kayaking base camp?
Some call it glamping, others call it very comfortable camping. Either way, our base camp is 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 coffee, apps and all meals. We have an outdoor shower (warning: it can get chilly!) and outhouses.
Can I charge my phone at the base camp?
Yes, there is a shared battery in the common area that guests can use to charge their phones. There is no charging stations in the tents. We recommend however that guests bring a portable battery charger if they are concerned about keeping their battery charged.
What is the washroom and shower situation at the base camp?
There is an outdoor shower with hot water, but 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.
What are the sleeping arrangements at the kayaking base camp?
There are a limited number of tents at the base camp – 6 – due to the pristine nature of the site and desire for a limited footprint. These tents are quite spacious and have two single beds with mattress, side table and light. In some cases solo travellers may have their own tent, however this depends on the configuration of the group. We do our best to accommodate however solo travellers often share a tent and the trip is priced to reflect that.
As a single traveller, can I get the double pp rate if I share accommodations with another single traveller?
Yes. Each room at the hotel in Port Hardy are spacious and each has two queen beds. If you would like to share or are open to sharing with another solo traveller we do our best to match travellers up. For more information, please contact us.
Is this trip good for families? Is there a recommended minimum age?
Our North Vancouver Island trip is great for families. We have taken our children, and they loved the wildlife. The first-hand connection to Indigenous people and their stories was an invaluable learning experience. We recommend the trip for youth 15+.
Is alcohol available at the base camp?
The base camp does not offer alcohol. However, you can bring your own. We recommend boxed wine instead of glass or aluminum cans.
How much should we tip the guides?
Tipping is at your discretion; however, as a general guideline, we recommend $25–$50 a day per guide.
What is there to do if I arrive before the tour starts or stay longer?
The town of 4,000 has a small but informative museum with a good gift shop, and there is a boardwalk by the water. Café Guido is great for fresh local fare, artisanal gifts and a well-curated bookstore.
If you want 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.
What other places on Vancouver Island could I add on to this trip?
karibu has put together a brief guide on things to do on Vancouver Island, which you can find here.
Do I need trip cancellation and medical travel insurance for this trip?
Medical travel insurance is required for non-Canadian residents. If you are a Canadian citizen traveling to a Canadian destination, medical travel insurance is not required, however, it is recommended.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance is highly recommended. A number of our guests use Trawick Travel Insurance and Manulife.
What are the different options for payment?
Guests can opt to pay directly from their bank account. There are no processing fees associated with the debit payment option. Guests can also pay by credit card and the card’s processing fee of 2.7-2.9% is applied.
Can I run a CPAP machine overnight at the kayaking base camp?
Yes. However we recommend a travel CPAP to ensure sufficient charging. The base camp is equipped with a battery-powered charging station that can support a CPAP. If you have spare batteries, we do recommend bringing them, just in case.
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