Your kayaking basecamp adventure starts in the early morning , so ideally you would spend this night in Telegraph Cove. The Cove is small and has very little inventory, so chances are, depending when you book, that you will need to overnight in nearby Port McNeill (approx. 25 min. away) or even Port Hardy (approx. 45 min. away). Please try to get as close to the Cove as you can. Please keep in mind that the water taxi to Robson Bight Basecamp can’t wait for you in case you should be late and you would have to make your own way into camp at your expense.
This is the day you’ve been waiting for – Your first opportunity to sight whales and other marine mammals in their natural wild habitat will take place aboard the water-taxi bound for Warden Beach, home to Robson Bight Basecamp and your staging ground for adventure. It's a half-hour boat ride past the sparsely populated shores of northern Vancouver Island — eventually all signs of civilization fade away and wildlife sightings abound: sea lions sunning themselves on rocky outcrops, eagles fishing for salmon, Pacific Whitesided dolphins dancing on the ocean's surface, Humpback and Killer Whales — they all call this place home. The water taxi will depart at 10:00 am from Bauza Cove which is located in Telegraph Cove (follow our signs to our base in Telegraph Cove). Please arrive at 9:30 so you can unload your car with your gear and park. Parking is free at our base for our 4 night journey to Robson Bight Basecamp.
Our guides are quick to welcome you to camp, helping you becoming oriented to life in the wild. Learn all about bear-proofing your gear, selecting your tent, and where the outhouse is located. Join the rest of the group gathering at the beach where talk of the first paddling session gets underway. Learn to enter and exit your kayak, the "right" way to paddle and steer and before you know it you're off! The remainder of the day is spent exploring the near shores, keeping a watchful eye out for whales. In the afternoon you will most likely travel from Warden Beach to Kaikash Creek. When you return to camp, tuck into a hearty dinner, prepared seaside and if weather and whales permit, explore the coastline by kayak after dinner, flexing your muscles in preparation for tomorrow’s adventures.
Days that are measured in wildlife sightings shots on your camera begin and end at base camp. Off the grid, unplugged, disconnected from urban living, this is where you’ll reconnect with the natural world…and with each other. Fuel up with a hearty breakfast, spend your days kayaking and exploring the Johnstone Strait, and your nights reliving your adventures around the campfire at Robson Bight Basecamp. IIf weather conditions allow, we will navigate the Johnstone Strait and proceed towards Blackney Passage, which is renowned for its abundant population of feeding humpback whales. This particular area is characterized by powerful currents, making it an ideal spot to pause for a meal while observing various marine mammals. Despite its challenging currents and distance from the camp, many kayak companies refrain from venturing into Blackney Passage. Fortunately, our camp and experienced guides boasts the skills to navigate such an area, and our basecamp has a strategic location that enables us to easily access Blackney Passage and increase our chances of observing humpback whales and other marine creatures in their natural habitat. Additionally, the resident Orcas frequently transit through Blackney Passage, making it an ideal location to witness the majestic creatures feasting on salmon amidst the prevailing currents.
Spend your day exploring the Johnstone Strait, embracing the various encounters you are bound to experience. Witness porpoises, sea-lions, leaping salmon, and eagles engaged in coastal fishing. Weather permitting, we will navigate across the Johnstone Strait towards the Qwiquallaaq/ Boat Bay Conservancy. This conservancy lies within the ancestral territories of the Mamalilikulla-Qwe'Qwa Sot'Em, Namgis, and Tlowitsis First Nations. The Boat Bay Conservancy safeguards forested terrain, sheltered bays and inlets, petite islands, and cliffs, which will serve as our domain for the day, should the weather remain favorable. Moreover, we have the opportunity to embark on a hike to the Eagle Eye Research Station, a seasonal monitoring center and hub for Orca whale research, situated in North Vancouver Island during this immersive day tour emanating from Basecamp.
Day Four – Sunrise Paddle - 3-Hour Whale Watching - Telegraph Cove
In the morning, there will be an opportunity to embark on a sunrise paddle before breakfast. The sunrise paddle commences at 7:00 AM, providing an optional experience for participants. Following this, a delightful breakfast will be prepared and served promptly at 8:00 AM. Once breakfast is finished, we will meticulously clean our tents and gather our belongings, preparing to transport everything to the beach. The arrival of our custom landing craft at approximately 11:00 AM will signal the start of an exciting process. Firstly, we will assist in unloading the new incoming guests before promptly loading our own gear onto the water taxi. We will jump on the boat with our luggage and head out on a fascinating 3-hour whale watching and sightseeing tour. We will venture beyond the Johnstone Strait and towards Blackfish Sound. Returning to our exclusive beach in Telegraph Cove around 2 PM, a delightful packed lunch will be provided on the boat. Enjoy the delectable meal while marveling at the majestic whales and witnessing the incredible abundance of wildlife from our custom landing craft.
Activity
Meals
Meeting place at 9:30 am morning of departure:
Kayaking day trip, afternoon return to camp