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.

We did the 4 day orca/grizzly bear tour. The Kayak portion was excellent but I did not like how the cabins were assigned. The guides say, “you figure it out between you” and this resulted in a competitive race to get the cabins. We were left with the tent closest to the kitchen (because we did not join the race) which meant that as a light sleeper, I did not sleep well and it impacted the enjoyment of the trip. Unless there was a change in this process (suggest that people draw numbers and get their choice accordingly), I would choose a different company. If they made a fairer process for tent selection then I would recommend Kingfisher. My advice to future groups is to determine your method for selecting cabins at your pre-trip meeting. For the grizzly tour, know that you cover a lot of ground on the boat and we did not see any grizzlies.

Guiding at it's very best!! Our Whales and Wildlife Kayaking trip was a fabulous experience from start to finish. Our guides, Ben and Jeff were super knowledgeable and friendly. They looked after us all amazingly well and the whole experience totally exceeded our expectations.

My trip with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures was nothing short of extraordinary. The combination of expert guidance, intimate group size, and the stunning scenery of British Columbia made for an unforgettable experience. Each day brought new adventures and a deepened appreciation for the wilderness. Can't wait for my next adventure with them!

North Island Gem - Whales and Grizzles Tour Kingfisher Whales and Grizzlies trip September 13-16, 2025. As folks who have explored and appreciated many areas of the West Coast on land and by kayak for many years, we had high expectations for this trip, and every one of them was met.

The staff on the phone was welcoming and responsive. The pre-trip information was incredibly detailed – right down to ‘packing for a person who is always cold’ versus ‘packing for a person who runs warm’ videos! If you follow their guidelines, you will
arrive prepared for your adventure.

The gear provided was top-notch – dry bag systems for personal gear and bedding; paddling jackets for on the water to keep your personal rain gear dry at camp. Guests had the option of single or double kayaks. Camp on Hanson Island is glamping, to be sure – thick Therm-a-rests and cozy three-season sleeping bags with extra fuzzy blankets ensured everyone was comfortable. Most tents face the ocean, and we awoke each day to either humpbacks or Steller sea lions passing in front of our tent. As someone with food requirements, this was done seamlessly and without fuss. The meals and snacks were exceptional, varied, and devoured. We showed our appreciation by enthusiastically joining in the dishes routine for each meal.

From a wildlife perspective, it felt like we saw everything - transient and northern resident orcas, humpbacks, Dall's porpoise and harbour porpoise, Steller sea lions and harbour seals. We took time to explore the intertidal zone and talk about the importance of the many creatures that call this area home. During meal prep, the guides would call from the outdoor kitchen, 'whale', having heard a blow while preparing our meal, so guests could head to the beach for viewing.

But what made the trip just extra were the guides, Brenda and Babs. From ensuring everyone had the skills to safely launch and land, navigating changing weather conditions, to monitoring hydration and preparing meals, these women did it ALL with calm, grace, and good humour. We were a diverse group of nine guests – couples and singles, a 30-year age span, and different paddling backgrounds.

After our first afternoon exploration, Brenda and Babs facilitated an open and thoughtful conversation about what went well and what everyone thought they needed to feel good about a longer day on the water for the following days. Together, they navigated different needs respectfully and with tact, encouraging us to consider different paddling arrangements and sharing experiences from past trips. They were honest, kind, and encouraging. Brenda’s experience with group development and leadership ensured we got on track with a shared plan that was safe and successful for everyone. Babs generously shared her knowledge and experience as a volunteer with Orcalab and the work done there. Not only did they share what we saw, they also encouraged us to just take it all in and feel how amazing this environment truly is. Our group wrapped it up with a pub dinner back in town after the trip. Many laughs were shared, and Kingfisher’s owner, Andrew, popped in to say hello.

We came to Kingfisher through their generous donation of a gift certificate to the Marine Education and Research Society. Funds raised through their donation help support MERS work. In turn, the opportunity to come to the North Island in September resulted in our annual travel dollars – the balance of our paddling trips costs, hotel stays, restaurant meals, coffee and bakery stops, gas and groceries – all being spent at North Island retailers. Their excellent paddling offering, combined with their support of not only MERS, but also their North Island home and neighbours, is what would keep us coming back and 100% recommend others looking for a paddling adventure to choose to spend their time and pennies with Kingfisher.

Tausend Dank an Kelsie und das Team für die tolle Tour, die wir in den letzten 4 Tagen hatten. Ganz viel erlebt, viele Tierbeobachtungen, tolles Essen, super Betreuung und Anleitung, und dann auch noch sehr gutes Wetter - wenn wir nicht so eine weite Anreise aus Berlin hätten, würden wir immer wieder mit den Kingfishers fahren.

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.

Fabulous Kayaking Hanson Island and Johnstone Strait Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures is the best. My wife and I did the 4-day Base Camp Whale and Bear Adventure. The base camp accommodations with the tent cabins were super comfortable and located on a strategic point where we could see so much just from camp. Brenda and Ben, our guides, were kind, fabulous and shared SO much valuable information about the water, sealife and animal life in and around the Johnston Strait are we were immersed in. We woke up every morning to laughter, hot coffee and breakfast. Our days were filled with great kayaking and animal sightings. We saw everything we were hoping to see during our trip and more - dolphins, sea lions, bears (mama and cub), orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, eagles, and a lot of underwater life. I would recommend these guys to anybody without hesitation.

It was fantastic! We highly recommend the kayak and grizzly tour. We started our vacation with Kingfisher in late August and this tour set the benchmark very high for the rest of our trip through Canada.

Camping on an island close to nature and wildlife was an exceptional experience. The guides made it even better by taking care of us on land and on water, sharing their knowledge with us. Not only did we watch whales, but we also met more marine life and learned about currents and flora. Many thanks to Audrey, Jess and Kayleigh.

Environmentally friendly, with high respect for wildlife, far from mass tourism. Kayaking for beginners and advanced. Nice mix of people and good group size.

The grizzly tour with Sea Wolf Adventures on the last day was a great way to end the tour. Sherry and Brandon shared their indigenous knowledge of the wildlife and islands with us. We watched orcas on the way to see the grizzly bears. Visiting the cultural center in Alert Bay and hearing personal stories was also a highlight! Thank you so much.

I loved it!