KAYAKING HAIDA GWAII
Kayaking in Haida Gwaii is a truly unparalleled experience: breathtaking wilderness, serene wildlife sightings, and the profound cultural heritage of the Haida. If you’re seeking an authentic wilderness journey through a vibrant and diverse ecosystem steeped in history, our tours are designed with you in mind.
An Ecological Haven
Separated from British Columbia by the vast expanse of the Hecate Strait, Haida Gwaii—or “Islands of the People” in Haida—stands as a testament to ecological uniqueness. Known as the “Galapagos of the North,” this isolated archipelago is a sanctuary to at least 39 distinct subspecies of plants and animals, found nowhere else on Earth. How many will you spot?
Limited & Exclusive Access to Gwaii Haanas
Experience wilderness the way it was meant to be enjoyed—with wide open spaces and true tranquility. The remoteness of Gwaii Haanas, coupled with a carefully managed allocation system, ensures an exclusive and intimate exploration of this pristine environment. The lands and waters of Gwaii Haanas are stewarded in cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation through the Archipelago Management Board, the first agreement of this kind in Canada.
Begin Your Journey with Kingfisher
At Kingfisher, we pride ourselves on offering an all-inclusive kayaking experience. From meeting one of your guides in K’il Kun (Sandspit) on the evening before your departure, to providing comprehensive gear—including tents, sleeping pads and bags, paddling jackets, dry bags, and all necessary kayaking and safety equipment—we want to ensure your adventure starts smoothly. And with all your meals and snacks provided, you don’t have to worry about going hungry! Your journey with us isn’t just an exploration of the wild and cultural beauty of Haida Gwaii, but also a taste of exceptional convenience and comfort—that’s just the Kingfisher way.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty and tranquility of Haida Gwaii with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures—where every paddle stroke brings you closer to nature’s heart and the rich legacy of the Haida Nation.
Kayak Tours of Haida Gwaii
CENTRAL GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
5 days / 4 nights
Highlights of the Central Gwaii Haanas Explorer tour include soaking in the natural pools at Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island) and kayaking the wildlife rich waters of Juan Perez Sound. This five day tour has a more relaxed pace than our longer Gwaii Haanas Explorer kayak tours.
Price: $2495 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
NORTHERN GWAIIHAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
7 days / 6 nights
The Northern Gwaii Hannas Explorer tours travel between Tanu Island and Burnaby Island in the northern half of Gwaii Haanas. Paddle sheltered channels, secluded bays, and exposed coastline, visit Haida cultural sites T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu) and Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay) and soak in natural hot springs.
Price: $3095 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
SOUTHERN GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
8 days / 7 nights
The Southern Gwaii Haanas Explorer tour kayaks the southern end of Gwaii Haanas, from K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay along the rugged coastline to Rose Harbour. Fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, colourful inter-tidal life, wonderful campsite locations, and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SG̱ang Gwaay.
Price:$3395 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
ULTIMATE GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
15 days / 14 nights
This trip is our longest offering, and provides visitors the opportunity to explore almost the entire Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. This experience starts near the northern boundary of Gwaii Haanas, and culminates near the south end after a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SG̱ang Gwaay.
Price: $6195 CAD per person plus 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- 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 -
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 -
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 -
Amazing Memories on Sea Otter Explorer The Sea Otter Explorer trip was an amazing adventure. We travelled with a group of friends, accompanied by our wonderful guides Jen and Connor. The weather was not the best but they took good care of us. God's Pocket is such a beautiful area and we enjoyed the sea otter sightings. We were also blessed with incredible sightings of a group of wolves on one of the islands. A true highlight!! Food was excellent (gluten-free catering) and the equipment provided was great (particularly liked the paddling jackets). Five-star from beginning to end including assistance from Wendy with administrative details.read moreread less
travelbuddies397/18/2022 -
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 - 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.read moreread less
Julia S.10/02/2022 - 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!read moreread less
Ian H.7/20/2023 - Great experience overall on the 4 day kayak with whales trip! Ample information offered in terms of preparing what to bring, how to get there, etc. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Food was tasty too. Only tip I would offer is to consider bringing your own pillow. Will definitely book another trip with Kingfisher!read moreread less
D T.9/28/2022 - We did the 4 day base camp kayaking and grizzly tour and it was fantastic. The base camp was well maintained, the food at camp was excellent. We saw lots of wildlife. The kayaking guides were very knowledgeable and courteous, Jeff was exceptional. The boat captain for the grizzly tour was lovely. All the guides were always delighted to share fun wildlife facts and never compromised our safety. Constant changing tides and mountain weather affects the waters around the island and the day to day itineraries, so you may not get to kayak every day. The only reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that we are Australians and did the camp with a local Canadian family. At times, I felt like my partner and I were a bit of an afterthought to the two younger guides. They seemed much more focused on chatting with the Canadian family, and a lot of the conversation was content we couldn’t really join in on. It left me feeling kind of awkward and, honestly, a bit like a pest (like we were intruding just by being there). That said, I know this is just my personal take on the social dynamic. Aside from that, I’d still absolutely recommend the company and the experience. It’s clearly a well-run operation and overall was a great trip.read moreread less
Nicole F.7/30/2025





