JOHNSTONE STRAIT - Orca Expeditions Each summer Johnstone Strait welcomes the return of the orcas (killer whales) as they come to feed on the abundant salmon. When you are fortunate enough to paddle in the presence of these spectacular creatures and see them swim freely in their natural environment, you sense the strength and dignity that is denied them in captivity. Little can compare with the feeling you get when the 6' fin of an Orca bull rises out of the water beside your boat, or when you look down to see a mother and baby passing just under your kayak, turning on their sides to look up at you. After spending time in their presence, you'll soon share our belief that these are among the most sophisticated and intelligent creatures of the sea. Orcas travel at their own wills, and getting to see them, even in the vicinity of the Orca sanctuary of Robson Bight in Johnstone Strait, is a matter of fortune rather than planning. While we cannot guarantee you will see Orcas on a trip with us, we usually encounter them at least once on each trip. But Johnstone Strait offers much more than orcas. Our days are spent negotiating the waterways and exploring the cluster of islands surrounding the strait. There is a wealth of Kwakiutl native history in this area. You can see the totem poles and houseposts at the abandoned village of Mamalilaculla (Mimkwamlis) on Village Island, which we visit during a daytrip. There are also the ancient cliff pictographs (rock paintings) left by a native artist of long ago. You may also spot minke whales, river otters, Dall's and harbour porpoises, black bear, deer, and a wide variety of birdlife including rhinoceros auklets, western grebes, ancient murrelets, pelagic cormorants, phalaropes and loons. This trip features a blend of choice wilderness kayaking, unusual wildlife, and rich cultural and natural history. Please note: Orca whales can arrive in the Johnstone Strait area by June and can leave as late as October. Our Orca program has been planned to coincide with the period of most common sightings, from late June to early September. The frequency and proximity of whale sightings will be determined by such factors as the weather and whale travel patterns, food supplies and reasons unknown. While we cannot guarantee Orca sightings, we will try to maximize your chances of seeing Orcas within the scope of this itinerary. Itinerary Day 1-5: Our Johnstone Strait trips rendezvous early Sunday morning in Port McNeill. We'll board a water taxi for our trip across Johnstone Strait to our launching point in Blackfish Sound (so called after one of the old names for orcas). We'll get to our campsite that morning, where we base ourselves for a couple of days, daytripping to the abandoned village, the islets at the mouth of Knight Inlet and to the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound for a fishing expedition. Weather permitting, we'll also visit the Vancouver Island side of Johnstone Strait, where we daytrip along the coast toward the ecological reserve of Robson Bight. Day 6: We return by water taxi to Port McNeill on the final afternoon of the trip. We usually are ready to bid our adieus by around 3 p.m. on the Friday. What is included . . . Professional, experienced and certified guide & assistant guide Double kayaks, lifejackets, paddles, sprayskirts, tarps & group cooking gear Food and cooking Charter boat transfer from Port McNeill to kayak launch point Charter boat transfer from the takeout back to Port McNeill A detailed equipment list will be provided upon registration 10% off any trip accessories, books or clothing, purchased from Ecomarine before the trip What is not included . . . Transportation to and from your home to Port McNeill, BC Accommodation in Port McNeill prior to and following your trip Tent, sleeping bag & pad, eating utensils and items of a personal nature Setting up and taking down tents, loading and unloading kayaks Optional gratuities for guides Expenses incurred due to bad weather / fog / flight delays Tell Me More! Q: Do I need previous kayaking experience? A: No previous kayaking experience is necessary to take part in this trip. Our two-person kayaks are comfortable, extremely stable, and can be safely handled by beginners. Anyone who enjoys moderate exercise and camping outdoors can participate. After some basic instruction on the first day you will quickly become accustomed to travelling by sea kayak. Once you have paddled one of these sleek craft it is easy to see why they are ideally suited for exploring our coastal waters. The kayak's clean lines allow it to glide almost effortlessly across the ocean surface, entering small coves and shallow inlets that are inaccessible to other vessels. Its movement is virtually silent save for the sound of paddles dipping beneath the water. This permits us to unobtrusively photograph and observe wildlife at close range. Unlike many forms of transportation that separate the traveller from the environment, the sea kayak invites us to be actively involved in our surroundings. Q: What type of weather conditions will we likely encounter in the area? A: Weather conditions can be variable ranging from daytime temperatures of 21C to 24C (70F to 75F). Evenings are cool with temperatures near 10C (55F). Extended periods of rain are unusual, but possible, and mornings may be foggy. Q: What other activities can I do besides kayaking? A: The surrounding islands offer many opportunities to explore tidal pools. The bays are full of inter-tidal life. Hiking through the ancient forests is also a popular activity, and snorkeling is remarkable in this area. You will definitely need a heavier wetsuit (or a drysuit) if you want to snorkel, as water temperatures are only about 8C(48F)! Fishing is also superb! Q: Do I have to buy special sea kayak clothing and equipment? A: No. Gearing up for sea kayaking is very similar to camping. As we are in a marine / rainforest environment, synthetic clothing such as fleece and long underwear are a must. We provide all necessary equipment for paddling. Upon registration participants will be provided with a list of the personal equipment they need to bring, including a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent for camping trips. Some rental tents and sleeping bags are available. Advance notice is required for rentals. Q: Is the food good? A: Yes. Our menu is very flexible. We believe that fine food is an integral part of enjoying the wilderness. For us, fine food is also a reflection of an attitude that begins in our herb garden at home and continues through the careful preparation and presentation of each meal on your tour. We take pride in our menus and strive to make each of the three daily meals a dining pleasure. On our summer trips we serve you the fine West Coast cuisine featuring fresh pasta and salads, rockfish with teriyaki sauce and cioppino and much much more. On all our trips, dietary restrictions will be cheerfully accommodated to the best of our abilities. Please let us know well in advance. For more information, please give us a call (1-888-425-2925) or send us an e-mail. To go back to the dates page, please click here.