Remote wellness kayaking retreat in the Johnstone Strait
Length:
4 Days
Location:
Johnstone Strait
For Who:
Everyone, focus on scenery and relaxed pace
* Kayaking trips & tours are priced and charged in Canadian dollars and are subject to 5% GST and $25 / 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.
YOUR WELLNESS RETREAT IN BC’S WHALE TERRITORY
This wellness-focused kayaking tour aims to deepen your connection with yourself, community, and the natural world. Through daily kayaking excursions, you will engage with nature in a way that fosters mindfulness, presence, and a sense of flow, helping you reconnect with yourself as you explore the beauty of the Johnstone Strait and Northern Vancouver Island.


Both land and camp-based activities further amplify these experiences through meaningful exercises designed to enhance self-awareness, foster connection with the group, and encourage a deeper relationship with the natural world. With ample time for reflection and movement, this getaway offers a balance of group interaction and personal introspection, helping you cultivate a deeper sense of harmony within and around you.
RECONNECT TO YOURSELF, COMMUNITY + THE NATURAL WORLD
Connection to Self: This kayak-centred tour, combined with nature-led well-being, offers an opportunity to explore your thoughts and emotions, deepen self-awareness, and nurture emotional balance.
The challenges and adventures of sea kayaking serve as a powerful metaphor for personal growth. Navigating unfamiliar waters and meeting obstacles with intention allows space for reflection and supports greater self-empowerment and resilience.
Connection to Community: While participating in guided meditation and movement, and by setting a personal intention for your experience, you are invited to explore your thoughts and feelings. This fosters a sense of community as you connect more deeply with yourself and, in turn, with others throughout this shared experience.
Connection to the Natural World: Witnessing magical encounters with wildlife, vibrant landscapes, and active participation in the natural world reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but an integral part of it.
Through water-focused mindfulness and nature-led well-being, your connection to the natural world is deepened with the intention of inspiring not only appreciation, but a lasting passion to preserve nature – during this retreat and for years to come.


OUR BASECAMP ACROSS FROM THE ROBSON BIGHT/MICHAEL BIGG ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Built on a rocky bluff overlooking the Johnstone Strait, the camp offers generous outdoor space with unobstructed ocean views. Whether you’re seeking a quiet place to sunbathe, practice yoga, read, or simply take in the beauty around you, there are many peaceful spots to enjoy this intentional adventure when off the water. The camp also features a communal dining area and a comfortable, covered ocean-view lounge – perfect for restorative evenings – along with an oceanside hot tub.
Comfortable amenities include spacious walk-in tents set on wooden platforms, complete with comfortable beds and cozy linens. Each tent has a designated composting toilet, power for charging devices, and shared use of heated outdoor showers.
Things to note: Although our camp is well developed, it is on a remote island without access to typical infrastructure. There is limited 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 underfoot.
WHAT IS THE WELLNESS COMPONENT?
This kayak-focused adventure is intentionally designed to promote wellness through a holistic blend of nature-led well-being, water-focused movement, and meaningful connection. Daily kayak excursions immerse you in the natural beauty of the Johnstone Strait, complemented by land-based activities that encourage reflection and connection.


While nurturing physical health through a variety of movement practices – kayaking, yoga, and exploring nearby beaches and trails – you will also enjoy nourishing meals and restorative, land-based activities. With a focus on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, this journey offers the opportunity to reset, reflect, and recharge in a supportive and inspiring environment.
exercises & activities offered:
- Mindfulness & Meditation: Daily sessions led by a skilled wellness professional, designed to foster inner calm, deepen self-awareness, and nurture a grounded connection with nature.
- Movement: Paddle with presence through guided kayaking, complemented by daily yoga, gentle stretching, and opportunities to explore nearby trails and beaches.
- Solo Time: Intentional opportunities for solitude allow guests to explore personal reflection, reconnect with their thoughts and feelings, and return to their individual intentions – within a safe and supportive environment.
- Group Connection: While all activities are optional, guests are invited to participate in shared experiences that foster community, support, and meaningful connection
This retreat is designed to support wellness, relaxation, and connection. Participants are invited to approach the experience as a wellness-focused journey and a conscious adventure. All movement, meditation, and mindfulness practices are thoughtfully offered to meet individuals where they are. No previous experience is required, and participants of all backgrounds are welcomed and supported.


Your Wellness Professional
Alongside a team of highly qualified kayak guides, this tour is made especially unique by the presence of wellness expert and yoga instructor Josephine. With over 500 hours of yoga teacher training, training in multiple healing modalities, and more than fourteen months dedicated to intensive silent meditation practice, Josephine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every session. She offers classes, personalized sessions, and private retreats, sharing her expertise with warmth, intuitive wisdom, and a light-hearted sense of humour that enriches every experience. Josephine supports our team in fostering wellness and self-care throughout the busy season. Learn more about Josephine and her offerings here.

WILDLIFE
The Johnstone Strait has long been known for marine life. Marine mammals, including sea lions, orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises, can often be spotted in the region. The shores of West Cracroft Island are rich in vibrant and unique intertidal life and we always keep an eye out for the variety of shorebirds and seabirds flying overhead. It’s not uncommon to witness a black bear foraging for crabs or a river otter or mink scampering along the shoreline.


What’s Cooking?
The highlight of any camping trip is often what’s cooking. With a blend of fresh, local ingredients and healthy options, your multi-talented guide team serves up a variety of delicious meals. Start your day with a hot breakfast and drinks, then enjoy a picnic lunch during a relaxing break on one of the stunning coastal beaches while you’re out on your paddle. After a day of fun on the water, return to camp for tasty appetizers and a wholesome dinner, all topped off with a nightly sweet treat—because, after all, dessert tastes even better in the wild! Learn more on our Food page.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Guided kayak excursions, guided meditation and movement (gentle yoga)
- 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 bed, linens, and a pillow (based on double occupancy if you are traveling with another person)
- Your designated composting toilet with a sink/wash area
- Access to a hot tub overlooking the ocean
- Outdoor heated showers and towel
- All meals from lunch on day one to your final day
- Park & land use permits
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Rain jacket & rain pants (rentals available) *
- Personal items (clothing, toiletries, etc.)
- Alcoholic and carbonated beverages (BYO welcome)
- Personal transport to/from our meeting point in Alder Bay
- Accommodation before and after your tour
- Travel & medical insurance
- Guide gratuities
*Rain gear may be rented (please reserve in advance)
Fully Booked?
Check out our other tour hosted at this camp: the 4-day Johnstone Strait Glamping tour.
Spirit of the West acknowledges and operates in the unceded traditional territory of the Mamalilikulla, 'Namgis, Tlowitsis, Kwikwasut’inuxw, Nuu-chah-nulth, We Wai Kai, Homalco, Klahoose and Heiltsuk First Nations.









































