Whales and Grizzly Bears
Four Days
Base Camp Kayaking
Begin Your Adventure
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Four Days
Base Camp Kayaking
Begin Your Adventure
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Four Days
Base Camp Kayaking
Begin Your Adventure
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Four Days
Base Camp Kayaking
Begin Your Adventure
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Four Days
Base Camp Kayaking
Begin Your Adventure
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Four Days
Base Camp Kayaking
Begin Your Adventure
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Whales and Grizzly Bears
Base Camp Kayaking
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Base Camp Kayaking
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Base Camp Kayaking
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Base Camp Kayaking
Whales and Grizzly Bears
Base Camp Kayaking
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WHALES AND GRIZZLY BEARS – BASE CAMP KAYAKING

Seeing a humpback whale lunging through a school of bait fish, a grizzly bear chasing salmon in a shallow river, or a pod of killer whale, also known as orcas, surfacing in unison are often considered once in a lifetime experiences and all three are possible on Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures’ “Whales and Grizzly Bear” base camp tour.

There is no better place in the world than the Johnstone Strait to kayak with orcas and humpback whales while having convenient access to one of BC’s most impressive land mammals—the grizzly bear. This area is recognized as one of the most predictable places in the world to see these great marine mammals, and Kingfisher’s base camps are located on an island covered in old-growth rainforest in the heart of these wildlife-rich waters.

We spend the first three days of this tour viewing diverse marine life by kayak, taking our lunches on secluded beaches, and returning in the late afternoon to the comforts of our base camp. Since our camps are located along routes frequently used by our local cetaceans, it’s not unusual to see orcas and humpback whales pass the camp, often during the morning’s first cup of French-press coffee or dinner. Don’t worry; we’re always ready to take our plates to the perfect spot to admire our local wildlife at camp! These waters are also home to harbour seals, porpoises, minke whales, and rich intertidal life. A number of bald eagle nests and Steller sea lion haulouts are all within easily paddling distance of camp, and it isn’t uncommon to see humpback whales lunging through schools of small fish as they fatten up for their winter migration south.

Kingfisher’s guides are well acquainted with the natural history, whales, and other wildlife of British Columbia’s coast, knowledge which they eagerly share. While it’s hard to miss an orca’s six-foot dorsal fin as it passes your kayak, your guides also help you spot the less obvious whales, seals, porpoises, and dolphins, as well as share their knowledge about the other creatures that inhabit these waters, such as sea stars, urchins, anemones, and other spectacular intertidal life.

Early on the fourth morning, a boat will arrive at camp to take you farther up Knight Inlet for a day of grizzly bear viewing. As you travel on the way to some of Western Canada’s best grizzly hot-spots, you’ll be looking out for whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and bald eagles. Along the way, you’ll hear your First Nations guides’ interpretations and stories of the local landscapes and ancient villages once occupied by the Musg̱a̱makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w people.

This intimate, immersive wildlife experience in traditional territories is primarily boat based, as the grizzlies will be foraging on sedge grass and overturning rocks on the beaches looking crabs and mussels. Later in the season, when the salmon return to the rivers, we may have opportunities to view these magnificent animals from land.

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