Lonely Planet has announced Canada as the # 1 place to visit in 2017 — it appears we are no longer one of the world’s best kept secrets! Spectacular landscapes, our raw, rugged wilderness, abundant wildlife, and a weak Canadian Dollar pushing down prices, are just few of the reasons travellers will be flocking to Canada (and Orca Camp!) next year. According to Lonely Planet’s destination editor, Alex Howard, “Canada is always popular with us, but there’s so much happening in 2017 that made it number one.”
In case you didn’t know, our beloved Canada celebrates its 150th birthday in 2017. Howard notes, “It’s the country’s biggest birthday party in recent memory with the sesquicentennial next year, and they won’t be shy about celebrating. Now is the time to start planning a trip.”
We couldn’t agree more.
kayakers watching an Orca ahead
Plan Your Canadian Vacation Early
Orca Camp, on north Vancouver Island, is one of our most popular trips, and because our camp capacity is no more than 10 guests, space is always limited. With the increased number of travellers expected next year, you’ll want to book early to avoid missing out on the best dates for your family to come kayaking with whales. Limited availability aside, here are some other reasons to book your Orca Camp vacation early:
Killer whale spyhopping near Ecosummer's Orca Camp
Booking Large Groups is Easier
If you’re considering bringing along the whole family, or your BFF and their kids, NOW is the time to reserve your space at Orca Camp when good availability still exists. Better yet, reserve the entire camp for your group. Once we’re into the new year, only pockets of availability will exist.
Eagle fishing near Ecosummer's Orca Camp
Flying into Port Hardy
There are a finite number of flights into Port Hardy, the closest airport to Orca Camp. According to Travel Best Bets, booking early (like by mid-November) ensures you get a seat at the lowest rates of the year. We all have booked that one vacation where we didn’t buy our flights soon enough, right? And as a result, we paid through the nose. Book early. Avoid steep airfares.
C10 Killer Whale emerging near Ecosummer's Orca Camp
Give Yourself (and the family) Time to Prepare for your Trip
The earlier you book your Orca Camp experience the more time you’ll have to prepare for your trip. Perhaps you’ll want to adjust your gym routine to build up core strength which affects your paddling. If you’re travelling with children, you may want to spend some time researching the animals they’ll see at Orca Camp, pumping them up for this unique family vacation. Or, you may decide to extend your time on Vancouver Island — having booked Orca Camp well in advance of summer means you’re free to book other experiences before or after your time in camp.
Family of kayakers rafted up near Ecosummer's Orca Camp
Book Before December 31 for a Free Whale Watching Trip Before or After Camp
Reserve your space on our 2017 3 or 4-day Orca Camps and we’ll treat you to a guided whale watching cruise aboard the Naiad Explorer before or after your stay at Orca Camp (valued at $120 per person). Valid on all bookings received before December 31, 2016. (Please note, this will require one additional night in Port McNeill at your expense.)
5 Killer whales in the fog near Ecosummer's Orca Camp
An Out-of-the-Box Holiday Gift
More and more travellers are giving (and receiving) unique experiences instead of “things” for the holidays. A 3, 4, or 6-day stay at Orca Camp 2017 is one of the most out-of-the-box gift ideas for this upcoming holiday season. Let us help make the holidays super special this year by booking an Orca Camp vacation in 2017.
Whale watching by kayak
Get a head start on planning your 2017 Canadian adventure vacation. Our reservations agents are standing by. Email us, or call toll-free: 1-800-465-8884 or, locally: 1-250-674-0102 to reserve your space today.