Guided sea kayak tours to see gray whales in Canada's British Columbia wilderness

The Gray Whales of Cape Caution:

Sea Kayaking British Columbia's Central Coast

"The staff was great. Everyone was not only experienced in kayaking but very knowledgeable about the region, sea life, geology, and more. It was a learning experience. Excellent! I would do it again in a flash." Brad Rodgers, Amarillo, TX

Sorry, but this kayak trip has been discontinued! We will be replacing it in 2008 with a
 Johnstone Strait tour to experience the greatest concentration of orca whales
 and migrating salmon in Canada! Please check back for later details.

Dear Adventurer:

Thanks for your interest in our British Columbian sea kayaking expeditions. This Canadian province is an ideal location for sea kayaking as paddle craft have been the most practical way of traveling its coast for centuries. British Columbia’s shore is a seemingly endless labyrinth of fjords, coves, and islands that range in size from Vancouver Island, the largest in North America, to tiny islets barely dry at high tide. The coastal region is one of the most fertile on the continent, and it would be difficult to say whether the sea or the land is richer with life.

With thousands of miles of glacially-carved coastline to search, our task of finding the best sea kayaking route in British Columbia was difficult. Our first objective was to find those few special places that attract large populations whales during the summer months. Then we sorted among these unique wildlife magnets for proximity to wilderness beaches, uninhabited islands, and intricate waterways. After long and careful research, we selected a very remote location on the central coast called Cape Caution. This ocean-swept headland offers the best blend of abundant whales, magnificent scenery, and wilderness quietude.

Naturally, one of the most exciting aspects of a sea kayaking expedition to Cape Caution is the opportunity to see abundant marine wildlife at close range. In fact, all Sea Quest Expeditions are planned to visit the favorite haunts of whales, porpoises, seals, and seabirds, thereby maximizing your chances for memorable encounters. As for whales, there are two kinds we most often see in our explorations of Cape Caution: the gray whale and orca. These two species represent the full spectrum of whale diversity from the most primitive to the most advanced. Gray whales are so abundant here that a research camp has been established for their study. Other marine mammals, including humpback whales, two species of porpoises, white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, and the threatened Steller's sea lion are common kayaking companions. Overhead, bald eagles seem to perch on every point of land as they patiently await migrating salmon. Marine birds, such as puffins and murres, gather to nest in noisy rookeries. Going ashore, you will see tide pools, teeming with fascinating creatures, come and go in the wake of enormous twelve-foot tides. Upland explorations reveal numerous game trails, tracked by the feet of otters, deer, and bears. Within the ancient forest gallery all sounds seem to be swallowed by the dense foliage and hanging mosses - as if you've entered a towering emerald cathedral. Here survives the largest temperate rainforest in the world.

Sea Quest Expeditions are staffed by experienced sea kayakers and educators. The presence of trained educators makes our trips different from all other outfitters. We believe a knowledgeable biologist or environmental scientist can greatly improve your sea kayaking experience--transforming it into an adventure in learning! We also limit group size to ten participants, thereby ensuring a close-up view of our natural world. Hopefully, we can be a part of your adventure plans and I look forward to serving you in the future. Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Martine Springer
Expedition Director

Introduction to the Area: This is a truly unique trip that is virtually unknown to other sea kayak guides and outfitters. The dynamic shoreline of Cape Caution supports the highest density of gray whales anywhere along the British Columbia coast. Drawn by tiny bottom-dwelling organisms that make up their diet, the barnacle-encrusted gray whales abound in the shallow waters near shore. These 50-foot long whales feast day and night as they layer on fat reserves to fuel the longest mammal migration known, and their arching backs and flailing tails will be a frequent sight as we paddle and camp in their habitat. Other whales of the region include the orca, found traveling in pods of up to 50 individuals in search of migrating schools of salmon, and the humpback whale, a species which prefers to dine on small schools of baitfish and krill in more open waters. Pacific white-sided dolphins are the rowdiest residents, thrilling everyone with their incredible acrobatic displays. Dall’s and harbor porpoises share the same waters, as do harbor seals and the 1500-pound Steller’s sea lion. Marine mammal sightings should be very interesting and plentiful on this expedition.

Thick green rainforests of hemlock and spruce crown the islands and numerous streams flow into the sea. A hike up one of these winding creeks may lead to an deserted hermit’s cabin, or a beautiful swimming pond surrounded by wildflowers. Wildlife abounds, from mink and chickarees up to moose, bear and wolves. The northern Kwagul people called this section of coast their home, and during the course of the trip we will land at several seldom-visited abandoned village sites. At low tide, the beaches still yield exquisite flaked-stone tools and blue glass trade bead. This is a trip of remarkable encounters and unforgettable images.

Who Can Participate: Anyone in average physical condition can participate -- if you can hike, bike, or swim, you can sea kayak! No previous paddling experience is necessary. We use extremely stable tandem sea kayaks, very unlike tipsy whitewater river kayaks. "Eskimo rolls" are not performed in these state-of-the-art crafts and you will be surprised how easy they are to paddle and maneuver. Your staff will instruct you on basic paddling technique and sea kayak safety before leaving the beach. Although our expeditions are not extremely strenuous, we recommend that participants condition muscle groups of the upper body by doing light exercise (calisthenics, rowing, swimming, etc.) prior to their expedition. The only other preparation is to carefully review the pre-trip information and equipment list. Regardless of your age or skill level, you will find that our expeditions offer enough flexibility to make your experience with us safe and rewarding. Families are welcome with the a minimum age of twelve. Children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.

Expedition Staff: Trip directors of our expeditions are notably experienced in both sea kayaking and natural history instruction. They possess an academic degree in one of the natural sciences and have in-depth knowledge of the best spots for sea kayaking and wildlife-watching. They are also great campfire cooks! This high level of skill, plus the fact that we have two guides present regardless of the number of participants, sets us apart from all other outfitters and ensures a more enriching experience for you.

Weather: There's no doubt about it -- coastal British Columbia is a rainy place! But, the abundant precipitation is crucial for maintaining the spectacular rain forests, salmon spawning streams, and powerful glaciers. Of course, there are sunny days in British Columbia, sometimes reaching 75°F or more. But, on most days you can expect temperatures to be in the 50°s and 60°s, perhaps dipping into the 40°s during really foul weather. Our clothing checklist, provided when you make your reservation, takes this into account so that you may enjoy whatever nature produces - even rain! Strong winds are uncommon during summer so wave action should be minimal. The paddling route passes through a mixture of both sheltered and exposed areas. The latter is where we will feel the effects of ocean swells and surf. Summer sea temperature hovers around 45°F so don't plan on doing much swimming unless you have the blood of a polar bear. Divers and snorkelers usually wear drysuits in these waters. Click here to check out some weather links pertaining to this region.

Equipment & Meals: Sea Quest Expeditions provides all of the kayaking equipment, two-person tents, and cooking gear. All of our equipment is of the finest quality and reflects our concern for safety and comfort. Our emergency gear includes communication equipment and expedition first aid kit. A complete personal equipment checklist and packing instructions are provided upon confirmation of your reservation.

Itinerary: Please note that spontaneous changes may occur to this itinerary due to the Mother Nature’s whims!

Day 1: Rendezvous with your guides at the Government Wharf at the foot of Granville Street at 1:00pm. We will meet outside the Coast Guard office located on the wharf. After boarding the MV Akatak we will enjoy a 1½ hour ferry ride across Queen Charlotte Strait. Our destination is our basecamp located in a protected cove at the start of our paddling route. After settling into camp for the evening, we will proceed with a kayaking safety class and orientation.

Day 2: After an early breakfast we load the kayaks and set off northward to wind our way through the myriad small islands that make up the Southgate Group. Our route takes us through waters that are a prime feeding ground for gray whales. Our camp on Bramham Island is adjacent to the gray whale research camp operated by CERF (the Coast Ecological Research Foundation). Research schedules permitting, we will receive a presentation by the biologists on their work and get an opportunity to visit their research camp.

Day 3: Paddling out of camp in the early morning, we make our we along the strikingly rugged shore of Bramham Island. The granite island stands like a fortress against the turbulent forces of the Pacific Ocean. Our destination is Burnett Bay; a four-mile long expanse of sandy beach that is one of the most exceptionally beautiful places on the entire central coast of British Columbia. The remote location, and a boat landing that favors only sea kayakers, means that very few people visit this bay over the course of a year. Burnett Bay is another favorite feeding spot for gray whales and our camp here is an ideal site from which to observe them as they forage through the kelp forests.

Day 4: A day for exploring a few of the splendors provided by Burnett Bay. Daylight hours are quite long and there is time for photography, fishing, beachcombing, or just lounging around. Your expedition staff is available at all times to lead walks, identify flora and fauna, and discuss the natural history of the area. You may choose to hike up the beach to search for interesting flotsam or to observe the whales feeding in the kelp beds just offshore. Or perhaps a hike up the creek next to camp may yield some discoveries. Sharp eyes will spot tracks in the sand that testify to the diversity of wildlife in the area. Those with an interest in history may follow a side trail to a hidden cove and ancient village site, or another that leads to a forsaken hermit’s cabin. The romantics in the group will surely be attracted to the freshwater pool nestled into a meadow of wildflowers for a quick dip. After watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, a crackling driftwood fire will ease our souls.

Day 5: Bidding farewell to Burnett Bay we point our bows south to Slingsby Channel and Nakawakto Rapids. The mountains of the coast range loom over Seymour Inlet at the end of the channel. Your guides will plan the trip down Slingsby Channel to be in harmony with the powerful tides that make Nakawakto one of the world’s fastest tidal rapids.

Day 6: Paddling down Schooner channel, we enter the aptly named Murray Labyrinth, a complicated group of exquisite islands. Working our way through this maze in a southerly direction, we will find an opening that leads to our final campsite. The powder white sand of this unique beach seems like an oasis compared with the relentlessly rocky shoreline of the central coast. At low tide the beach reveals artifacts from the native village of Ahwatse that once stood on this spot.

Day 7: This will be a leisurely morning of packing gear next to the tranquil cove and reflecting on the experiences of the past week. The MV Akatak will arrive at 11:00am to carry us across the Queen Charlotte Strait to Port Hardy. Our arrival time should be sometime shortly after 1 PM.

Trip fee: $1099 with a maximum of ten participants. This price does not include GST tax of 3.5%, travel to Port Hardy, ferry boat transportation of approximately $100, accommodations or meals in town, or optional tipping of guides.

Dates 2006:  late June to early Sept - dates to be announced

Logistics: This expedition begins in the town of Port Hardy on the north tip of Vancouver Island at the end of Highway 19. Vancouver Island is reached via British Columbia Ferries from Vancouver (either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay terminals) or, for those on the "grand tour of BC", from the northern town of Prince Rupert. Sailing from Vancouver is obviously the most popular route, but does require a five-hour car or bus ride north to Port Hardy. Sailing from Prince Rupert is a truly incredible experience as the 15-hour trip cruises the Inside Passage past many remote settlements, finally ending in Port Hardy (so a car/bus would not be needed on this route). You can get to Prince Rupert via air flight, the Alaska-bound ferry from Bellingham WA, or the highways of interior British Columbia. BC Ferry note: waiting lines of several hours is not uncommon during summer so please schedule yourself to arrive early at the terminals. Crossing the US/Canada border by car may also involve a long wait during some busy summer days. Please do not schedule too tightly around either of these particular travel events!

If you would like professional assistance with making your travel and accommodation reservations, including flights, hotels, B&B's, etc., we suggest you speak with Samantha, our recommended travel agent. Samantha specializes in assisting Sea Quest guests and has the unique knowledge about our destinations and programs that make her much more useful than a typical travel agent. She can be reached at 360-378-4600 or via her website http://www.cmagent.net/samanthag.html

Accommodations: Since you will be rendezvousing with us in Port Hardy at 9:00am on Sunday to begin the trip, and have a pre-trip meeting on Saturday night at 8:30pm, overnight accommodations are highly encouraged for Saturday evening. The trip ends at 1:00pm on Saturday, therefore most travelers will have time to begin their travels south on the same day. However, we expect a large number of our guests will want to stay in the area for some additional time to enjoy the surrounding attractions of sport fishing, wilderness hiking in the 40,000 acre Cape Scott Provincial Park, and regional tours. There are many inns and bed & breakfast establishments in Port Hardy. On short notice accommodations may be hard to find, and we recommend that you make reservations as far in advance as possible. The following list of accommodations are all addressed in Port Hardy, BC, V0N 2P0; and have telephone area codes of (250):

Our preferred location is the Seagate Hotel, 8600 Granville St, Box 28; 949-6348 (Allow us to make your reservation so that we can obtain a discount for you from their normal rate.)

Airport Inn, 4030 Byng Rd, Box 2039; 949-9434
The Pioneer Inn, 4965 Byng Rd, Box 699; 949-7271
Pt Hardy Inn, 9040 Granville St, Box 1798; 949-8525
Glen Lyon Inn, 6435 Hardy Bay Rd, Box 103; 949-7115
Thunderbird Inn, 7050 Rupert St, Box 88; 949-7767
Kay's B&B, 7605 Carnarvon Road, Box 257; 949-6776

More Important Numbers:
Tourism British Columbia – 1-800- HELLO BC / 1-800-435-5622
Alaska Marine Highway (800) 642-0066 (the ferry system) & Alaska Railroad - (907) 265-2623
British Columbia Ferries (206) 441-6865, (604) 685-1021, or recorded info (604) 277-0277; http://bcferries.bc.ca/
Recreational Fisheries/Dept of Fisheries & Oceans (604) 666-2768 (ask for regulations & license info)

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