Your adventure starts with a stunning boat cruise from Port Hardy past rugged mountains, forested islands, and the wildlife rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, before arriving at God's Pocket Resort. The moment you step onto the dock you'll appreciate the charm of this rustic island resort, located in the heart of God's Pocket Provincial Park. Its seven rooms provide comfort, all the amenities of home and ocean views that take your breath away. Our guides instruct you in sea kayaking basics, and then we spend days paddling the protected waterways surrounding the many islands that make up the park while watching for whales, porpoises, seals and eagles. You can take a day off from kayaking anytime, or follow one of the hiking trails into the island's lush rain forest. Don't forget to greet the resort's resident octopus in the cove out front.
At the end of the day, you'll return to the resort to enjoy a hot shower in your room and a fabulous dinner featuring locally caught seafood (try the smoked salmon), fresh baked goods and regional wines in the resort's main lodge. Watch the sunset and relax in an outdoor hot tub on a waterside deck. Then sleep blissfully in a comfortable bed.
"I felt like I was at a five star resort eating meals at the lodge. The chef was especially accommodating to people with special diets". -- Barbara Yaschik, God's Pocket.

Other enjoyable activities include natural history talks, a campfire on a nearby beach and a short night paddle. If you wish to experience kayak touring in Canada's Inside Passage without having to camp, you'll find our Wilderness Islands lodge-based trip at God's Pocket appealing.

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God's Pocket Resort lodge-based kayaking includes five nights lodging, kayaking gear, neoprene booties, meals, boat shuttle to the resort and guides. Meet in Port Hardy.
6 days/ 5 nights  $ 1,750   
2008 Dates
06/23-06/28    06/30-07/05    07/07-07/12
07/14-07/19    07/21-07/26    07/28-08/02
08/04-08/09

Price does not include a Canadian Goods & Service Tax (GST) of  2.5%

Day 1: We'll have a morning orientation meeting at a hotel in Port Hardy where you'll meet your guides. Then, we'll take a boat for the shuttle to God's Pocket Resort. Upon arriving at the resort, there is a brief lodge orientation and checking into your room. On the dock after lunch, the guides will give an orientation on kayaking and safety before leading a short paddling excursion.

Days 2-5: Each day, after a scrumptious breakfast in the dining room, we will depart on daily paddling excursions to explore the adjacent islands and passages of Queen Charlotte Strait. Typically we will paddle for 2 hours in the morning, take an hour or two for lunch on a scenic island beach, and spend another 2 hours in the kayaks before returning to the comforts of the resort. If you need a break from kayaking, you have the option to spend the day exploring island trails on foot or beach combing deserted beaches.

Day 6: After breakfast, we will check out of our rooms and board the boat for the return to Port Hardy.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

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How to Get There

The God's Pocket Resort kayak trips meet in Port Hardy. Port Hardy is located on northeastern Vancouver Island and is accessible by road from the south or by scheduled air service from Vancouver, British Columbia. Please call our office if you need assistance on deciding how to get to Port Hardy. We are familiar with traveling to Vancouver Island and we'll be happy to help you select the best way there.

Entry into Canada: Passports are required. No visa is necessary, but a tourist card will be issued during your flight.

Air Flights: Pacific Coastal Airlines (800) 663-2872, www.pacific-coastal.com, has scheduled flights daily from Vancouver to Port Hardy airport and North Island Taxi Service, 250-949-8800, will take you to the hotel.

Car: The approximate travel time from Seattle to Port Hardy is 11 - 12 hours (8 - 9 hours from Vancouver to Port McNeill) including the ferry ride. The driving time between Nanaimo and Port McNeill is 6 hours. You can view a road map of Vancouver Island online at www.hellobc.com/bcescapes/maps/maps_islands.asp.

Ferries: Vancouver Island is accessed by ferry service from the mainland. The most direct route is from the Tsawwassen BC ferry terminal south of Vancouver to Nanaimo. There is also service to Nanaimo from the Horseshoe Bay terminal in northwest Vancouver. BC Ferries schedule information (604) 277-0277 or check out their website at www.bcferries.com.

Car Rental: You can rent a vehicle on a weekly basis from any of the major car rental agencies located at Seattle International or Vancouver International airports. Free parking is available at the hotel in Port Hardy.

Bus and Shuttle Service: Island Coach Line (800) 663-8390 operates a daily bus service between Vancouver and Port Hardy. Quick Bus (800) 665-2122 operates a daily shuttle service between Seattle International airport and Vancouver International airport, including stops to hotels.

Weather: Summers in Port Hardy are generally sunny with day-time temperatures averaging 68 to 78 degrees and night-time temperatures averaging 50 to 60 degrees. The summer months are usually drier than the rest of the year but precipitation can occur infrequently in the form of rain, showers or drizzle. Foggy mornings are common in mid-August and September. The water temperature averages 48 degrees.