Welcome to the realm of the orcas
Length:
4 Days
Location:
Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound
For Who:
Families, focus on wildlife and ease with kids
* Kayaking trips & tours are priced and charged in Canadian dollars and are subject to 5% GST and $20 / person environmental sustainability fee. Please see our Terms and Conditions for complete terms. To check live availability on any trip, click the Book Now tab and select a trip date.
Previously called: ORCA FAMILY TOUR
Make Unforgettable memories with your family!
The Area
Northern Vancouver Island is the best place on earth to see killer whales in the wild. Most of British Columbia’s 300 or so orcas return to these waters to feed, sleep and play. And there’s no more exciting way to encounter pods of these fascinating animals than from the seat of your very own sea kayak. Also sharing this diverse habitat are dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, harbour seals, humpback whales, eagles, and black bears, to name just a few.
Customize Your Tour
We understand that families will have varying degrees of comfort when it comes to camping and kayaking, therefore we offer a lot of flexibility with this trip. The amount of time in kayaks, the route, the activities, etc can all be tailored to meet the needs of your family. This tour has been specifically designed for children ages 5-12 and their families (minimum age is 5 years old).
This tour offers a wide range and variety of paddling experiences all in a prime location for wildlife sightings in the Johnstone Strait. As a basecamp style tour, we save time packing up camp each day and instead come home to the same campsite each night exploring by kayak during the day.
Let Us Take Care of the Details & the Cooking!
We take care of the details so you and your family can focus on fun and adventure. Our dynamic guide team will keep you and your family well-fed, engaged, smiling, laughing, and learning about the wonders of the BC coast.
We also welcome participation and are happy to help share our skills and knowledge with you and the kids if you would like to learn more about kayaking, camping, and wilderness skills.
Where We Kayak
The Ultimate Family Adventure is based in the heart of the action of Johnstone Strait. This trip starts and ends with a water taxi ride to our camp on West Cracroft Island. This area of the coast has a true rugged northwest feel with its lush temperate rain forests, rolling mountains, and an abundance of seabirds and marine wildlife including the world-famous resident pods of killer whales.
Our Base Camp across from robson bight ecological reserve
Built onto a rocky bluff, the camp has lots of open outdoor space and unobstructed views of the ocean. The camp also features a large kitchen and communal dining area, as well as a wood fired hot tub overlooking Johnstone Strait.
Comfortable amenities include large white cotton canvas tents on wooden tent platforms, complete with a simple bed & pillow. Bring your own sleeping bag (rentals available) for sleeping. You’ll have a designated composting toilet, as well as shared access to a heated outdoor shower.
Things to note:
At the Ultimate Family Adventure basecamp, you will encounter uneven surfaces, unsupervised rocky and slippery beaches, and bluffs. While we will all work together to keep an eye on the kids while at camp, you will be responsible for ensuring the safety of your children. This tour is suitable for children age 5 and older.
Although our camp is well developed, it is on a remote island without access to key infrastructure. There is no WiFi and very limited cell service. We get electricity through solar panels and our water comes from a mountain spring – we do our best to manage them, but both can be limited by nature. While building our camp, we tried to be as low-impact on the environment as possible, so be aware that the paths may be uneven under foot.
The ULTIMATE FAMILY ADVENTURE Menu
Our menu provides hearty and nutritious meals for the whole family. The meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and plenty of snacks for hungry paddlers. Our menu for this trip still appeals to adult palates but we also provide “kid-friendly” options and alternatives to keep everyone a happy camper! This is another area of this trip where we love to be flexible and work with your needs as a family to accommodate allergies, dietary restrictions, and to ensure that your kids will be happy with our food.
Learn more about our Ultimate Family Adventure menu here.
Most Importantly – Fun!
Above all else, we want to make sure that everyone in your family has fun on this kayaking trip! Our professional and dynamic guides will help to keep your family happy with games, activities, and stories around the campfire that everyone can enjoy. We hope you can join us!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Guided kayak excursions
- Kayaks & kayaking gear (PFDs, paddle, spray skirt)
- All meals & snacks (lunch on day 1 – lunch on day 4)
- Private return water taxi service from Alder Bay
- Your own private tent with a simple bed (no linens) and pillow
- Your designated composting toilet with a sink/wash area
- Access to an oceanfront wood fired hot tub
- Outdoor heated showers and towel
- Park & land use permits
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
Not included in the tour cost are accommodation before or after the kayaking portion of your trip;
- Personal transport to/from our meeting point in Alder Bay
- Accommodation before and after your tour
- Travel/medical insurance
- Alcoholic or carbonated beverages
- Personal items (toiletries, clothing, etc.)
- Guide gratuity
- Sleeping bag (available for rent, please reserve in advance)
- Rain gear (available for rent, please reserve in advance)
“We had a wonderful time! This is a great introduction for our 6-year old kids to this area of the world. It is also great for my 78-year old parents to be able to see all these animals in their natural habitat. Guide Bob was so great with my parents. I know they were in really good hands and Nicole and Mackenzie were awesome with the kids and us!” Alice Yu from San Francisco, USA
Also Available for private group Reservations
If you have a large group that would like to book a the whole tour as a private group, ask us about booking out the whole trip for just you & your group.
Spirit of the West acknowledges and operates in the unceded traditional territory of the Mamalilikulla-Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em, 'Namgis, Tlowitsis, Kwikwasut’inuxw, Nuu-chah-nulth, We Wai Kai, Homalco, Klahoose and Heiltsuk First Nations.
Gallery
Itinerary
TOUR MEETING LOCATION
WHERE & WHEN: ALDER BAY RESORT & MARINA AT 11:30 AM (DAY 1)
On day 1 of your trip you will meet your water taxi driver in Alder Bay on Vancouver Island (approximately a 5.5-hour drive by car north of Victoria or 4 hours north of Nanaimo). Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to park, unload, and carry your luggage down to the launching spot.
RETURN TIME
WHERE & WHEN: ALDER BAY, BY APPROX. 12:30-1:30 PM (DAY 4)
Return time can depend on weather and travel conditions, but is typically between 12 – 2 pm. We try our best to get you back on time for your onward travels or to explore more of what Vancouver Island has to offer.
DAY 1
Meeting in Alder Bay at 11:30 am, we will go over the kayaking basics and essential safety procedures before heading off on our paddling adventure. A certified water taxi will whisk us across the Johnstone Strait to be dropped right at our camp on West Cracroft Island. Our first day will be spent exploring the shores of the Johnstone Strait on the lookout for the Northern Resident killer whales and other marine life. We will enjoy our first delicious dinner together and having a bonfire on the beach – perfect opportunity to share our highlights of the day.
Day 2 & 3
On days 2 and 3 we will paddle the waters of the Johnstone Strait. There is a lot of flexibility on these days and ultimately we will choose the best route based on the weather and the group’s strengths and desires. Each night we will stay at the established West Cracroft Island basecamp, saving the chores of packing up camp each day. For our lunch breaks, we will enjoy picnics on various beaches. These breaks will also give us the opportunity to stretch our legs, discover the creatures that live in the intertidal zone, and explore the lush coastal rainforests with old-growth cedar trees. The evenings can be designed and tailored to your family. Each day will be full of events but also leaves enough time to relax and simply take in all the natural wonders of our surroundings. The cozy camping under the stars and the chance to listen to the blows of the whales passing by is a highlight for every kid (and parent)!
Day 4
On day 4, we will have another hearty breakfast and a morning paddle. After the paddle, we will have a quick lunch and pack up our gear for the water taxi ride back to Alder Bay.
This 4-day adventure is the perfect introduction to sea kayaking in a remote and coastal BC environment. To learn new wilderness skills, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of your family’s everyday life.
FAQ
Below is a list of commonly asked questions. If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call us.
+ WHAT MAKES OUR ULTIMATE FAMILY ADVENTURE SPECIAL?
The Ultimate Family Adventure has been thoughtfully designed for families with kids ages 5-12, while ensuring it will be enjoyed by all members of the family. This experience provides child-appropriate paddling conditions and distances, educational moments, resources to help your family connect to the natural world, and delicious food to be enjoyed by all. Our expert guides take care of your family both on and off the water with extra attention given to the needs of young travellers. Give yourself and your family the adventure of a lifetime in a wilderness setting they won’t soon forget.
+ WHAT IS THE CAMP LIKE FOR THE ULTIMATE FAMILY ADVENTURE?
The Ultimate Family Adventure, while in a wilderness setting, offers many amenities to make your family’s stay comfortable and relaxing. Amenities include a covered dining area, a camp library with books, games and children’s puppets, large walk-in wall-style tents on lifted tent platforms, beds with supportive foam mattresses, optional cots for children, pillows, towels, easy-to-use private outdoor toilets, a wood-fired hot tub, and two hot water showers with ocean views.
+ WHAT SORT OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE DOES MY FAMILY NEED TO HAVE? HOW LONG ARE THE PADDLING DAYS?
No experience is needed. The Ultimate Family Adventure has been designed to be a great introduction to kayaking and spending time in the outdoors while also satisfying more experienced folks. Base camping provides the flexibility to paddle as much or as little as you wish. Actual paddling time will vary depending on each unique tour, our daily route, weather conditions, and the group’s abilities and interests. Generally, we aim to be exploring by kayak for between 3-5 hours each day with lots of time to to stretch our legs on the beaches, explore a nearby trail and of course time for snacks, snacks and more snacks! We typically have our lunch out on one of the beaches nearby and come back to our camp for dinner. There is also always the option to stay back and relax or play at camp if you or your children aren’t feeling up to a day of paddling.
Keep in mind, day one and day four will have less time on the water due to water taxi transport and camp changeovers, with days 2 & 3 being full days of paddling and adventuring.
+ Is there a minimum age for the Ultimate Family Adventure tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 5 years old. The Ultimate Family Adventure has been specifically designed for guests 5-12 years old and their family members.
+ HOW MANY PEOPLE SLEEP IN EACH TENT?
Each tent contains two twin beds complete with a comfortable foam mattress and pillows (no bedding included, please bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from us). For families travelling with younger children who you would like to have in your tent with you, we have folding cots and therm-a-rests that help everyone to snuggle in together. Some of our tents are also close enough to each other that you would hear your kids if they were up in the night, if you wanted them close by but not sharing the tent with you – great for older kids who crave a bit of independence. If you would like to discuss tenting arrangements more, please contact us.
+ CAN I RENT RAIN GEAR OR SLEEPING BAGS THAT ARE KID-SIZED?
Absolutely! We have rentals to fit the whole family. We have a limited quantity of children’s rain gear and sleeping bags that must be reserved in advance of your trip. If you are interested in adding a rental to your booking, please contact our office.
+ IS THERE CELL SERVICE OR ELECTRICITY AT THE CAMP?
The Ultimate Family Adventure basecamp sits just outside normal cell service areas, so you can enjoy your time with us free from digital distractions. If you need to find a signal to check in, you can find service as you paddle or discuss with your guides the options at camp as we do have a small cell booster (no wifi).
We have a limited supply of electricity supplied by solar panels and a battery bank. When the weather is sunny, we have more power; when it’s cloudy, we have less. Everyone should be able to charge a camera or phone battery at least once while on the trip and possibly more, but it’s wise to be conservative with your batteries to ensure the power is there when you need it (eg. avoid using the display unless you need it, don’t review photos in your tent at night, keep your camera off when not using it, etc.). We also highly recommend bringing your own personal battery bank as our power is not always guaranteed.
+ WHAT IF I HAVE A PICKY EATER?
You can look forward to hearty, healthy, and satisfying food that is prepared largely from scratch, allowing us to customize meals as needed. Need the sauce on the side, plain pasta with butter, or raw carrots versus cooked? Hey, we get it. We are parents too! Please feel free to review a sample of our menu here and let us know as soon as possible (at least 30 days before your tour) if there are any foods your child may not enjoy eating and we will ensure there is something that will keep everyone happy. There is also no shortage of tasty snacks for everyone to help themselves whenever they please.
If you have a specific dietary/kid-friendly request you’d like to discuss for your family, please contact our team.
+ WHAT IF MY CHILD CAN’T SWIM?
We require the provided PFDs (personal floatation devices) to be worn by everyone at all times when on or near the water and the group is never left unattended while out kayaking. We do not expect everyone who comes on tour to be able to swim, however, we ask that you disclose your family’s abilities and comfort levels with your guide team to ensure they can support you in the best way possible.
+ IS THE CAMP SET UP CHILD-PROOF?
The Ultimate Family Adventure basecamp is in a remote wilderness setting overlooking Johnstone Strait. As with most outdoor environments, it is important for everyone to be aware of their surroundings. You will encounter uneven terrain, unsupervised rocky and slippery beaches, and bluffs overlooking the ocean. Upon your arrival, a camp orientation with your guides will ensure all guests are familiar with the site, hazards, and boundaries. While we will all work together to keep an eye on the kids while at camp, you will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of your own children. Kids must be supervised at all times in the hot tub. Our guide team will help facilitate the experience for both you and the kids but are unable to offer childcare services.
+ WHERE IS THE TOUR MEETING SPOT?
Tour meeting location: Alder Bay Resort & Marina at 11:30 am (Day 1)
On day 1 of your trip you will meet your water taxi driver in Alder Bay on Vancouver Island (approximately a 5.5-hour drive by car north of Victoria or 4 hours north of Nanaimo). Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to unload, carry your luggage down to the dock, and arrange parking (if necessary) to leave your vehicle for the duration of your tour.
+ CAN WE FISH FROM CAMP?
Unfortunately we are unable to fish from camp as this area is part of a Rockfish Conservation Area which makes it off-limits to all fishing.
+ MORE FAQS
Head to our main FAQ page for more Frequently Asked Questions.
Reviews
We're proud of our great reviews - but don't just take our word for it, see what people are saying over on Trip Advisor. View Reviews
Kids' reviews
“The trip was incredible. The guides made it very special and enjoyable. Their knowledge and enthusiasm was lovely, especially for the kids. The location was stunning. A truly once in a lifetime experience.”
Adam and Vicki Neaves
August 2022
“We felt very welcomed and informed from the first meeting up. Camp was a great set up and food was plenty and delicious. We really appreciate how willing our guides were to engage with our kids and play with them. Our son has special needs and they all accepted him, and kept him involved with group activities. Thank you! We will definitely recommend this unique trip to our friends in the UK.”
Colin Campbell
August 2022
“Beautiful location, amazing guides, abundance of wildlife. Food was abundant and delicious! So much variety of food too! Guides were so informative and answered so many questions - very knowledgeable and fun! They had a great positive attitude and really engaged with our kids in lovely ways.”
Julia MacIsaac
August 2022
"The best trip ever! Say thanks to the awesome guides!"
Gabriel, 10 years
"We had great guides and they were super nice!"
Skye, 11 years
"Very fun, exciting and so adventurous!"
Julia, 12 years
"Very cool and great food and a fun experience overall!"
Ruby, 13 years
Parents' reviews
"A wonderful experience. Love learning new things and our guides were very knowledge-based."
Misty Rorrer
"Excellent knowledge and skills shown by our guides!"
Pedro Dedesma
Book Now
Our online booking system allows you easy access for booking your tour with Spirit of the West Adventures, any time of day.
Before finalizing your reservation, please carefully read over our Terms & Conditions, as these terms will apply to your booking. We also highly recommend that you look into Travel Insurance options to protect your travels before booking your tour as some types of insurance (such as Cancel for Any Reason insurance) can only be accessed within a limited period of time after paying for any portion of your tour.
If you think that you would like to book a trip, but need time to look into other travel arrangements, please contact our office and we will place a temporary hold on your spaces. We also offer real humans to speak with if that’s your preference, so feel free to call our office at 1-800-307-3982 (from within Canada and the U.S) or 1-250-285-2121 (from overseas). We can be reached by email at [email protected]. If, for any reason, you are having trouble booking your trip, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help!
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
We are happy to accommodate many dietary restrictions. However, dietary restrictions add additional complexity and costs to preparing for your tour. Please see below for some of the dietary restrictions we can accommodate and the associated costs for substitutions.
- $75 fee: gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and vegan (please add by pressing the blue + beside “Dietary Accommodation” when booking)
- No additional cost: vegetarian, no red meat, no pork, no fish, no seafood
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies not listed above, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss if we are able to accommodate your needs and any additional charges. We take great pride and pleasure in serving you the best food we can for your adventure!
