BASE CAMP KAYAKING
Kingfisher’s kayak base camps are situated in the heart of the wildlife rich waters of Johnstone Strait off northern Vancouver Island. There is no better place in the world to kayak with both orcas and humpback whales. This area is recognized as one of the most predictable places in the world to see these great marine mammals.
The base camps offer a very comfortable camping experience, and with Kingfisher’s knowledgeable kayak guides these tours are suitable for adventurous travelers even if they have little or no kayaking or camping experience. Roomy canvas tents, each raised off the ground on wooden platforms, are situated throughout the forest with views of the ocean. The tents provide ample room and are outfitted with wooden beds with the thickest and widest Therm-a-rest mattresses available. Sheets, fleece blankets, full-size pillows, warm barrel-style sleeping bags, and hot water bottles are all provided to ensure a good night’s sleep. A recharging station for digital cameras, an extensive library of natural history books, a hot water – on demand camp shower, and a large covered kitchen and dining area made from locally milled red cedar make for an accessible and enjoyable camping experience.
We offer three base camp tours for you to chose from; two adult oriented tours and one specifically designed for families with children aged six to fourteen.
KAYAK WITH WHALES
Base Camp Kayaking
4 days / 3 nights
Pricing
Double occupancy (shared tent):
$2295.00 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Single occupancy (solo tent):
$2695.00 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
June 15 to 18, 2027
June 22 to 25, 2027
June 29 to July 2, 2027
July 6 to 9, 2027
July 13 to 16, 2027
July 20 to 23, 2027
July 27 to 30, 2027
August 3 to 6, 2027
August 10 to 13, 2027
August 17 to 20, 2027
August 24 to 27, 2027
August 31 to September 3, 2027
September 7 to 10, 2027
September 14 to 17, 2027
WHALES AND GRIZZLY BEARS
Base Camp Kayaking
4 days / 3 nights
Pricing
Double occupancy (shared tent):
$2595.00 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Single occupancy (solo tent):
$2995.00 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
June 26 to 29, 2027
July 3 to 6, 2027
July 10 to 13, 2027
July 17 to 20, 2027
July 24 to 27, 2027
July 31 to August 3, 2027
August 7 to 10, 2027
August 14 to 17, 2027
August 21 to 24, 2027
August 28 to 31, 2027
September 4 to 7, 2027
September 11 to 14, 2027
September 18 to 21, 2027
FAMILY KAYAK WITH WHALES
Base Camp Kayaking
4 days / 3 nights
Pricing
$2050.00 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
June 26 to 29, 2027
July 3 to 6, 2027
July 10 to 13, 2027
July 17 to 20, 2027
July 24 to 27, 2027
July 31 to August 3, 2027
August 7 to 10, 2027
August 14 to 17, 2027
August 21 to 24, 2027
August 28 to 31, 2027
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Amazing Kayaking experience off Northern Vancouver Island The Whales and Wildlife Expedition trip with Kingfisher was the highlight of my summer. From the pre-departure videos guiding my packing list to the amazing guides, Claudio and George and the stunning environment - it was a fabulous experience. Kingfisher provided us with reliable camping equipment. The camp sites were wonderful and the kayaking itself was just challenging enough. Claudio and George took such good care of us - with humour and deep care and delicious food! I would highly recommend this trip !read moreread less
Pam J.11/10/2023 -
Simply a Must Do My Daughter and I have recently returned from the whales and wildlife, 5 night tour.
From a personal perspective, if you do nothing else when you visit Vancouver Island, do this. We cannot over emphasise how knowledgeable and professional our guides were.
Both Nick and Lauren, as well as the close proximity of the whales, made this a trip that will leave a lifetime of memories. Further, the food, especially the fresh egg omelettes, were superb and one can only be impressed with Lauren’s culinary prowess. However, Nicks eloquent talks relating to the First Nation peoples were a wonderful addition and totally unexpected.
To both of you, from both of us, thank you!read moreread less
Fraserrich8/22/2023 -
Experience of a lifetime! Kayaking with the whales with Kingfisher was the experience of a lifetime. It was humbling and inspiring to spend time in a thriving marine environment amongst some of the giants of the ocean. Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures were exceptional hosts and with a very genuine love of nature. They were knowledgeable about the wildlife, local culture and the local waters. We were in good hands paddling with Jen and Ben and had some amazing wildlife encounters. Great days on the water were topped off by good food, good humour and good company. Take a trip with Kingfisher - it will be awesome!read moreread less
Andrea Y.8/15/2024 -
I'd definitely go again I went on the 3 night 4 day Whales and Grizzly Bears trip. The guides were superb, very friendly and professional. They shared their knowledge about the environment and the First Nation people, went out of their way to ensure everyone in the group (6 of us) were feeling comfortable about the paddling and prepared some excellent meals. I hadn't really thought about the food to be honest, but it was excellent! Overall it was a magical experience.read moreread less
152carolinec7/26/2024 -
World class outfitter in out-of-this-world nature Kingfisher's guides, equipment, and hospitality exceeded all expectations. My friend and I did the 6-day Whales and Wildlife Tour. I've done multi-day trips in San Juan Islands and Baja, and I have not had better outfitters. Our guides Declan and Babs were experts in sea kayaking, camping, marine wildlife, conservation, indigenous culture, and hospitality. We felt educated, entertained, cared for. So many awe-inpiring moments and laughs. Can't recommend it enough. Just know you will get rain and you will be putting on soaking wet paddle gear in the morning -- it sucks for 2 minutes and then is quickly over-shadowed by the joy of another day paddling with whales in some of the world's most beautiful landscape!read moreread less
Elizabeth C.9/19/2025 -
Incredible experience and trip! Wow! This was such an amazing trip. Our guides, Liz and Renee, were so incredible. They were welcoming, funny, knowledgeable, and great cooks. I learned a lot about marine wildlife and how to kayak better (I had some prior experience but not a ton). Renee prepared a detailed kayaking plan each day that felt safe, the right amount of exercise, and ensured we saw some cool nature.
The base camp was great, beds were comfortable, tents were nice, and the food was delicious. The camp is situated right between the Orca/Humpback “highway” so we sat and watched whales all evening after finishing kayaking and could hear them breathing all night long. Truly magical.
The kayaking was fun, safe, and we saw some amazing wildlife from the kayaks, the boat tour, and camp. My guess is 100 orcas, 50 humpbacks, hundreds of porpoises, 3 grizzlies, some otters, + tons of seals, sea lions, and eagles! We also lucked out with a really fun tour group that loved playing games and hanging out together! I would love to go again at some point!read moreread less
P2251KWshelbyw8/01/2024 -
Whales and Grizzly Bears Base Camp Kayaking a wonderful experience. I feel very privileged to have been able to stay in such a unique location, teeming with wildlife. Highly recommend the Sea Otter safari add-on too. It is the often the same wildlife, but it's a very different experience for wildlife and viewer from all 3 watercraft types. Guides & facilities excellent. Recommend staying in the Black Bear too, at both ends of the kayaking trip.read moreread less
Tanya J.9/20/2024 -
Kingfisher and Johnstone Strait ROCK! The guides were thorough, friendly and safety-conscious. Base camp was fantastic, with roomy tents, comfy beds, terrific views Paddling distance increased each day to allow us to get used to the boats and improve our skills gradually. Guides made it possible to run the trip easily with everyone from non-paddlers to experienced ones. The amount of wildlife we saw was outstanding. We were able to view humpbacks, transient and resident orcas, dall's porpoises, pacific white-sided dolphins, seals, sea-lions, bald eagles, cormorants, ducks, auks and many species of invertebrates, many of them id'd by our guides. Each night at dinner we helped the guides enter all species seen on the day in a logbook.read moreread less
Doug S.7/31/2025 - I did the 4 day family base camp whale watching tour with my husband and 2 kids (6 yrs and 9 yrs) and it is one of the best things we've ever done. The guides were amazing, the food was delicious and we were lucky enough to see humpbacks and orcas.
Andrew the owner was super accommodating of all our needs and was so passionate and knowledgeable about the local wildlife and the local area, and we loved our guides who made the whole experience so smooth and fun.
Definitely book a family tour with Kingfisher if you want a unique experience with your kids that they'll always remember.read moreread less
Sarah J.8/09/2023







