Johnstone Strait Expedition Itinerary
The Johnstone Strait Expedition launches from Telegragh Cove Resort on north Vancouver Island. The Spirit of the West van will be departing from Quadra Island and Campbell River on the morning of the tour. If you are traveling without a vehicle and need transportation to Telegragh Cove, just let us know and we can help make arrangements. Please note that we are limited on how many guests we can take in our van.
Day Prior: Pre-trip Meeting
John, Breanne or one of your guides will go over the logistics of the tour and answer any questions or concerns you may have. This meeting will be held at the Heriot Bay Inn on Quadra Island at 6pm the day prior to departure. If you cannot make it to the meeting just be sure to call in the day before departure to confirm your arrival.
The Heriot Bay Inn has one of Quadra Island's best restaraunts so you may want to consider eating there after the meeting.
Day 1:
Travel from Quadra Island / Campbell River to Telegraph Cove by vehicles. Here we will enjoy a picnic lunch and a visit to the Bones Project. The Bones Project is an incredible museum displaying the skeletons of many marine mammals found on the BC coast and much more. We will then transfer ourselves and equipment aboard our water taxi, and journey out to either our Hanson Island Campsite or to the Paddler's Inn Eco-lodge. If time and weather allows we will get out for our first introductory paddle.
Day 2:
After breakfast we will pack our kayaks, and go over the kayaking basics and essential safety procedures before heading off on our expedition. Our first day will be spent exploring the islands of the Broughton Archipelago or the vastness of Johnstone Strait (depending on your starting point), and searching for our first night's camp.
Days 3-5:
Paddle amongst the enchanting islands of the Broughton Archipelago. The Broughton Archipelago is a network of forested islands and protected passageways that offers both scenic paddling as well as intriguing history. We will go back in time as we visit the ancient village site of Mamalillaculla, and learn about the Kwa'Kwa'Ka'Wakw First Nations people. We will keep our eyes and ears on the lookout for the many marine mammals, including orcas and humpbacks, that travel through these waters.
Day 6:
Return to Telegraph Cove via water taxi and transfer back to Campbell River and Quadra Island.
Getting Here
The Johnstone Strait Expedition launches from Telegragh Cove on the northern end of Vancouver Island, approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive from Campbell River. If you need transport with Spirit of the West you will need to get to Campbell River or Quadra Island. If you are traveling with your own vehicle you can choose to stay near Telegraph Cove, Campbell River or Quadra Island on the night prior to tour.
For details on how to get here, such driving times, flights, ferries, or car rentals you can visit our Getting Here page or you can contact our local travel agency, Uniglobe Rivercity Travel, and they will happily assist you. They can be reached in North America at 1-800-567-6511 or by email at expert@unigloberivercity.com. You are also welcome to call us for travel suggestions and advice.
Meeting Location - Departure Day
Quadra Island
Meeting time: Please note that this time can change from season to season. The information
package you receive after you book your tour will have the updated info.
Where: At the Heriot Bay Inn.
Getting there: Once on Quadra Island, follow signs to Heriot Bay and Cortes Island ferry (along West Road). Follow West Road all the way to the end, turning left just before the Cortez Ferry ramp. The Inn and Pub is right on the water.
Campbell River
Meeting time: Please note that this time can change from season to season. The information package you receive after you book your tour will have the updated info.
Where: In front of the visitor center at the Tyee Plaza
Getting there: The Tyee Plaza is considered the centre of Campbell River. If you are traveling north along 19, continue into down town Campbell River and turn right shortly after passing through the first set of traffic lights. If you are traveling south on Hwy 19 continue until you see the Plaza on the right hand side, just past McDonalds.
Telegraph Cove
Meeting time: Between 12:30 and 1 pm
Where: Near the North Island Kayaks building in Telegraph Cove, on the right side of the cove as you look out to the ocean.
Getting there: The town of Telegraph Cove is approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive north of Campbell River on Hwy 19. You will see signs marking the right-hand turn off the highway. Follow this road and the signs for Telegraph Cove for approx. 15 min. There is a fee for parking your vehicle in Telegraph Cove (permits can be obtained at the North Island Kayaks office).
Accommodations While on Tour
Our first night will be spent in the beautiful yet rustic Lodge tucked into a quiet bay in Simoom Sound on Gilford Island. If you are coming from the city it may have take time to adapt to this quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
While on the expedition we will be camping in a variety of scenic settings from forest groves to oceanside beaches. Most sites are rustic non established camps, which is what gives you the sense of really being out in the wilderness.
The camps are generally set up with tent sites, a mobile kitchen set up, tarped sitting area, and allocated toilet areas (note there are very few toilet facilities on our tours, so your guides will suggest an appropriate area and system). We provide high quality expedition style tents, along with comfortable air inflatable thermarest sleeping mats that should make you feel right at home. Most often we have enough tents to accommodate both singles and couples with their own tent for the trip. If by chance we have a high amount of single participants on a tour we may need to match up folks (as we are limited to how many tents we can fit in our kayaks). We will do our best to match you up with a suitable partner.
Accommodations Before/After Tour
Quadra Island - Accommodations
Harbour House B&B (our main guesthouse)
Beautiful home above the ocean with the best island and mountain view around! Close to beach, park, amenities, and our meeting location. Hot tub. Hearty breakfast served. Accommodates up to 10. A great place to meet fellow kayakers.
Website: www.harbourhouse.bc.ca
Phone: 1-800-435-2556
Email: swilson@gicable.com
Chipperfiled Hollow B&B
A charming bed and breakfast home, situated on beautiful Quadra Island one block from the Heriot Bay Inn, the location of our pre trip meeting. Michael and Robin Lynch look forward to meeting you. Their extensive world travels give them an appreciation for the finer details of hospitality. They plan to make your stay welcoming, relaxing, and comfortable. Website:
Website: www.chipperfieldhollow.com
Phone: 1-250-285-242
Taku Resort
Quiet ocean side resort nestled in mature trees. Dramatic views of the Coast Mountains. Self contained A-frame cabins or terrace view rooms. Hot tub, tennis, basketball, bocce ball, stone house barbecue. Conveniently located within walking distance of our meeting location.
Website: www.takuresort.com
Phone: 1-877-285-8258
Email: info@takuresort.com
Otter House Beach Chalet
Beautiful 2 level luxury cabin, tucked amongst the cedars as close to the beach as it gets. Awesome mountain views. Private, sauna and minutes from amenities.
Phone: 1-250-285-3939
Email: bicycle@oberon.ark.com
April Point Resort
The resort is situated at the oceans edge with views over the town of Campbell River. Many amenities including spa and complementary water taxi to its sister resort Painters Lodge across Discovery Passage.
Website: www.aprilpoint.com
Phone: 1-800-663-7090
Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge
Beautiful west coast Native-style constructed lodge, overlooking Vancouver Island and mountains. Very peaceful in secluded location. Excellent value for first class accommodations. Hot tub, fitness room, sauna and dining room. Note that the lodge is a 15-20 minute drive south of our base operations. For joining the pre-trip meeting you will have to take a taxi to and from the Lodge.
Website: www.capemudgeresort.bc.ca
Phone: 1-800-307-3982
Quadra Island Boutique Hostel
Quadra's newest hostel, this establishment has received great reviews so far for their natural building materials and family atmosphere. Affordable and accessible near the Campbell River ferry.
Website: www.quadraislandhostel.com
Phone:1-250-285-3198
Email: jllamont@telus.net
Heron House B&B and Boat House
Llocated on a beautiful property in Heriot Bay within a short walk to the water, kayak rental locations,
the store and the Heriot Bay Inn. A variety of accommodation options, including self contained suites or B&B style. Ocean views, quiet location. An affordable accommodation.
Website: www.heronguesthouse.com
Phone:1-250-285-3876
Email: theinrigs@connected.bc.ca
Campbell River - Accommodations
Coast Hotels - Discovery Inn
Located right in the town centre across the street from marina, and Quadra Island ferry terminal. Next to shopping. Restaurant, pub, health room.
Website: www.coasthotels.com
Phone: 1-800-716-6199
Best Western Austrian Chalet
Fully serviced hotel across the road from the beach. Ocean and mountain views. With or without kitchenette. Restaurant, pub, indoor pool/hot tub/sauna, small putting green, table tennis. 15 min. walking to town.
Website: www.bwcampbellriver.com
Phone: 1-250-923-4231
Email: info@bwcampbellriver.com
Travel Lodge Campbell River
Good value, clean, friendly place located along the highway with ocean view. Indoor pool and hot tub. 15 minutes walking to town.
Website: www.travellodgecampbellriver.com
Phone: 1-866-929-6622
Email: info@travellodgecampbellriver.com
Above Tide Motel
Good value. Located on ocean side of highway . All ocean view rooms. Kitchenettes. Walking distance from town.
Website: www.abovetidemotel.com
Phone: 1-877-886-6231
River Haven B&B
Friendly and nicely decorated B&B located high above the river in quiet residential area.
Website: Riverhaven B&B
Phone: 1-877-286-8370
Quadra Island - Camping
We Wai Kai Campsite
Spectacular setting and location. Situated at the edge of Rebecca Spit Provincial Park this ocean side campground has sites along the ocean or in the mature forest. Showers but no hook ups. 25 minute walk to stores.
Phone: 1-250-285-3111
Taku Resort
Quiet ocean side resort. Sites are nestled in mature trees up behind main accommodations. Hook up, showers, laundry, hot tub, tennis, basketball, bocci ball, stone house barbeque. Conveniently located within walking distance of our meeting location.
Website: www.takuresort.com
Phone: 1-877-285-8258
Email: info@takuresort.com
Heriot Bay Inn
Hook up, showers, laundry, restaurant, pub, gift shop, and marina. Centrally located in the community of Heriot Bay.
Website: www.heriotbayinn.com
Phone: 1 250 285-3322
Email: info@heriotbayinn.com
Campbell River - Camping
Salmon Point RV Resort
Full service RV sites or tenting in tranquil oceanfront setting. Spectacular mountain views. Marina, store, laundry, showers, playground, games room, near restaurant and pub.
Website: www.bctravel.com/salmonpoint
Phone: 1-250-923-6605
Elk Falls Provincial Park and Campground
Nestled in beautiful forest along the Quinsam River. Walking trails, small playground, dry and flush toilets.
Website: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/elk_falls/
Phone: 1-800-689-9025
Call Breanne or John if you have any questions, or would simply like to get to know us better. Call 1 800 307 3982
Overseas 1 250 285 2121
