Wildcoast Adventures

Wildcoast Adventures has guided sea kayaking off Quadra Island since 1997, and its centrepiece is Orca Camp, a seasonal basecamp on the Johnstone Strait shoreline, pitched directly beside the Robson Bight ecological reserve where northern resident orca come to rub on the gravel beaches. The camp is reached by a 2.5-hour water taxi from Campbell River and is canvas rather than cabin: safari sleeping tents on wood platforms with real mattresses and warm bedding, a wood-fired hot tub and sauna cut into the forest above the beach, hot-water showers, and meals cooked on site by a chef. Days are spent paddling Johnstone Strait from camp, morning, afternoon and sunset options, with a maximum of 18 guests and a guide ratio of one to five or better. The four-day, three-night Orca Camp trip is the flagship. Beyond it the company runs a five-day Whales, Wildlife & Wilderness trip through the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound capped at ten guests with two guides, and a seven-day Whales & Bears itinerary that adds hotel nights in Campbell River, a covered-boat wildlife tour and grizzly viewing in the Orford River valley. Trips are priced per person for the whole package and include kayaks, paddles, dry bags, camping equipment, all meals and guiding.