Kayaking 1-2 days
Seat yourself in a unique front row position for spotting whales and exploring pristine marine environments at a pace all your own. There’s something about the air up here. It’s a crispness, a mist laden with salty sea-spray. It’s, unmistakably, a departure from urban living. Morning mist rolls off the ocean and you’re surrounded, not by skyscrapers or urban skylines, but by unfettered, untamed wilderness.
Itinerary
Travel to Vancouver Island North
Day 01
Day 02
Additional Activities
Day 01
GUIDED KAYAK DAY TRIP
Paddle out of Telegraph Cove or Alert Bay for 6 – 7 hours on the waters of Johnstone Strait, or Cormorant Island. Killer whale watching from a kayak in Johnstone Strait is top ranked Canadian adventure, likely because this is one of the most predictable places to see killer whales in the wild.
Vancouver Island North’s largely unpopulated coastline is dotted with critical habitat and the area is frequented by orca and humpback whales. The narrow channels and tidal action concentrate schooling fish, a primary food source for many marine mammals. Kayak day trips provide a chance to see marine mammals, sea birds, and shoreline wildlife from sea level.
Day 02
INTERPRETIVE HIKING TOUR
Reestablish your connection with nature on this tour through lush temperate rainforest surrounding Telegraph Cove. This area is a living museum flourishing with unique flora and fauna. Learn about the nature and the history as you go. The big finish will bring you to a beautiful lookout point, an excellent whale and bird watching spot.
Or make your way up to the Quatse Salmon Centre in Port Hardy to learn about the critical role salmon play in nourishing the environment and the continuation of a healthy lifecycle for our forests. Hands on exhibits and hatchery tours tell the hardship of the life of a salmon and their importance to the ecosystem.
Additional Activities
- Learn about biology, habitat needs and threats to local marine mammals at the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove
- Stretch your legs with a stroll along the Port McNeill harbourfront walkway or Rotary Trail, or head inland for a forested hiking trail or recreation site
- Dig your toes into the sand at Storey’s Beach, at low tide this wide, sandy beach is a prime location for picnics and beachcombing, or an evening beach fire (check seasonal restrictions), Tide Guides available at the Port Hardy Visitor Centre
GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND
The North Island may feel like a remote destination, but it’s certainly not a challenge to get here. With a fully paved highway leading you North, to daily flights and multiple ferry options, you have your pick of ways to travel! Read the Getting Here page to learn about getting around in Vancouver Island North.