Our journey of exploration takes you into an area of extraordinary wilderness offering secluded kayaking away from other people, scenic campsites and incredible wildlife encounters. See humpback and minke whales, seals and porpoises while paddling your kayak through the wild, remote island chain and intricate channels making up Queen Charlotte Strait.
Experience by kayak a marine environment few others share- bioluminescence glimmering in your wake, the shrill call of an eagle perched in a treetop, vibrant sea stars and anemones below the waterline - this area is magical. Visit islands rich in native history. Your adventure includes a water taxi ride at one end so you can go to places far from civilization.
The meeting point for our 6 days of adventure is the North Vancouver Island town of Port Hardy. The snow-capped mountains of mainland British Columbia create a stunning backdrop as we head out into the Strait. This is more than just a vacation - you want an escape that stimulates and enriches your life. Naturalist guides, gourmet meals, high quality equipment and all the special details we're known for can be found on this trip.

"The trip was a fantastic experience! The whole thing: wilderness, remoteness, wildlife, food, people and guides were excellent". -- Mark Leather, Queen Charlotte Strait

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Wilderness Islands includes six days kayaking, all sleeping/camping/kayaking gear, neoprene booties, meals, water taxi and guides. Meet in Port Hardy.
6 days/ 5 nights  $ 1,195   
2008 Dates
08/11-08/16    08/18-08/23

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

Day 0: You can take the scenic drive up island by vehicle or you can arrive in Port Hardy via a spectacular flight over the coast from Vancouver. Proceed to the hotel. There is an evening orientation meeting in the hotel lobby where you will meet your guides.

Day 1: In the morning, we'll take a taxi to the launch site, listen to an orientation on kayaking and safety, and begin paddling to our first camp.

Days 2-5: We will be kayaking and exploring the adjacent islands and passages of Queen Charlotte Strait. We will have four different camps, so we may not move camp every day. On an average day, we will be kayaking for two hours in the morning after breakfast, stop for lunch on a beach, and spend another two hours kayaking and exploring before arriving at camp by the afternoon. Evenings and dinner in camp.

Day 6 Saturday: Morning paddle, lunch and then a water taxi ride to Port Hardy in the afternoon. We recommend that you overnight in Port McNeill and join us for a farewell dinner with your group.

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. The water taxi ride may occur at the beginning or at the end of the trip.

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How to Get There

The Wilderness Islands 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.