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Getting there · Wildcoast Adventures

Getting to Orca Camp

Orca Camp is reached from Quadra Island, which is a ten-minute ferry from Campbell River, which is most of a day from anywhere else. This is the whole journey laid out in order, from the mainland to the beach, with the bits that are only obvious once you have done it.

I did this in August. The times, fares, addresses and ferry names are Wildcoast's own and they change; confirm them with your booking.

Start here

Where you check in

Wildcoast's shop is at 685 Heriot Bay Road, Quathiaski Cove, on Quadra Island, a short walk or drive from the ferry terminal.

For the four-day Orca Camp you meet either at the Campbell River Whale Watching office at Discovery Harbour Marina by 7:30 am, or at the Quathiaski Cove dock beside the BC Ferry terminal by 8:00 am.

Longer trips check in after 3:00 pm on the first day, at High Point Resort for five- and six-day trips and at the Comfort Inn in Campbell River for seven-day trips.

  1. From Vancouver, by road and ferry

    About four hours, Wildcoast says, and reserve the ferry.

    • Horseshoe Bay ferry to Departure Bay, Nanaimo. Reservations recommended.
    • Highway 19 north to Campbell River.
    • The Quadra Island ferry from Campbell River, a ten-minute crossing.

  2. From Victoria, or from Port Angeles

    About five hours from Port Angeles, Wildcoast says.

    • Port Angeles ferry to Victoria if you are coming from the US side. Reservations recommended.
    • Highway 19 north the length of the island to Campbell River.
    • The Quadra Island ferry, ten minutes.

  3. By air to Campbell River

    The short way in.

    • Vancouver to Campbell River is about a forty-minute flight, on Pacific Coastal Airlines or Central Mountain Air.
    • Victoria to Campbell River is about twenty-five minutes, on Pacific Coastal Airlines or Air Canada.
    • The airport shuttle to the ferry is $20 CAD per person and takes about twenty minutes.

  4. By bus

    • Island Link runs between the major ferry terminals on Vancouver Island. Seats must be reserved in advance.
    • The Campbell River stop is in front of the CRCC at 401 11th Avenue, at Cedar.

  5. Parking

    • At Discovery Harbour Marina the lot is gravel, off Robert's Reach Road. Half of it is paid and half is free.

    First hand There was free parking by the dock when I arrived, which on an early start is the small mercy you want.

  6. Departure morning

    • Check in at the office. Bring your bags ready for the boat.
    • A water taxi takes the group out to camp. You are rowed the last stretch to the beach and step out into the shallows, so wear water shoes.

    First hand Check-in was quick and straightforward, and there was coffee at the introduction meeting. We left in sun on a calm sea, and saw sea lions and a humpback from the water taxi on the way out. Do not count on the whale.

  7. Coming back

    • Orca Camp returns by approximately 4:00 pm on the final day.
    • Desolation Sound and Discovery Islands expeditions return by approximately 3:00 pm.
    • On seven-day trips, check-out on the last day is 11:00 am.
    • Do not book an onward ferry or flight tight against those times. The sea sets the schedule.

Sleep first

The night before

With a 7:30 am check-in you want to be on Quadra or in Campbell River the night before. Wildcoast suggests these; none of them is a recommendation from me, I have not stayed at them.

Checked against: Wildcoast Adventures, getting here . Times, fares and addresses are the operator's and change; confirm with your booking.