Located in Telegraph Cove on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, BC, North Island Kayak has been providing travellers with the opportunity to kayak with whales and other marine wildlife in this spectacular, remote part of British Columbia since 1991.
5 consecutive years of consistent high ratings from travellers
Leaders in
Professional tour guides & boats
Leaders in
Quality service & experienced kayaking guides
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Wildlife Marine Sightings
Wonderful 3 day kayak trip We had the best time! Heather and Josh were the most perfect guides! Answered all our questions and told us a lot about the animals and nature. We had perfect food served, 3 course menu for dinner, all regional products served with so much love, and gluten allergy was taken very well care of. The camp sides are very good equipped, and with beautiful views!
We had a magical 2nd day, saw orcas 3 times that day, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, bold eagles. This was our big dream, coming all the way from Germany. We have no words for this experience!!!
Many thanks again to Heather and Josh, you were wonderful and obviously you love your job!!
markusfN5100BL
8/08/2022
Exceptional Experience! There were many wonderful moments on my 4 day tour but what really stands out is the passion and skill of our guides (Mark and Reed) . These guides put our safety first and foremost while making sure we had a great time. Reed lights up when he gets to talk about the various creatures in the area and has a natural talent for teaching. Mark cares deeply about his guests having fun while staying safe. The food on the trip was also wonderful and exceeded all expectations! There is a lot of hard work that goes into these trips before, after, and during. Be prepared to give it your all and at the end of the day enjoy the views!
annielea32
8/02/2022
3 Day Base Camp Tour - All you could ask for Having done quite a few guided multi-day nature tours, can say Marc & Sierra are some of the best guides we've every had. Knowledgable, competent, friendly and very funny.
We saw several whales and other wildlife while having all the 'routine' camping things taken care of for us. My partner is a self-described "city girl from NYC" and she went from "this is not my thing" at the beginning to "want to do this again, I loved it".
The camps and gear were all in good shape. Food was amazing. Perfect for folks that want to camp but not 'rough it'. From a physical standpoint, I'd guess any middle-aged, decently active person can do the 3 day enjoyably.
Highly recommend!
jasonlU3520VE
7/31/2022
Three days in Paradise Just returned from a three day trip. Our guides Heather and Luca were fantastic. They took care of every detail, they were friendly, knowledgeable and excellent cooks! The food was outstanding. The campsites were beautiful and remote. We saw lots of wildlife including humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, seals, eagles, herons, and deer. One of the highlights was linking arms on the last day and looking out over the water and sharing a moment of gratitude on the last day with friends new and old. An experience to be treasured forever. Thank you to Heather and Luca for an incredible experience.
N7361BPnicolew
7/30/2022
Great paddle showcasing Beautiful BC! Thank you to Todd who led an informative and entertaining 2-hour kayak tour for my husband, myself and our 19yr old daughter out of Telegraph Cove. We encountered several curious Sea Lions and a bald eagles but alas no whales nearby (tho we did see one spout about 3km away). The spectacular beauty of the pristine coastline and serenity of the sea were the real superstars today. The light rain at the end really made us feel at home! Would like to return one day for a multi day expedition which may yield more possibilities to see more wildlife and marine life. Best of luck to you Todd!! …
Terri T
8/26/2021
3 day Kayak Adventure Just got back from a 3 day trip with Matteo and Shail. What an amazing experience. Their combined knowledge of the area, the currents and wildlife made for a safe and unforgettable experience. The food was plentiful and we were completely spoiled but the two of them. If you are looking for an adventurous trip that isn't too strenuous this one fits the bill. You will definitely have a great time. I would recommend that you stay the night before in one of the Telegraph Cove Resorts. They are basic and a bit pricey but make the first morning much easier. …
Judy M
8/02/2021
Paddle Paradise I just completed a 4 day Kayak trip and have to say it exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Brie, was the key to our experience on and off the water. Her knowledge of the area, tides and animals made each day interesting. Her passion for the history of the peoples of the region, past and present, added a whole new dimension to our trip. While we saw whales, dolphins, seals/pups and sea lions, she also made sure we didn't miss what was going on in the tidal pools which had a lot of creatures to behold. Our meals were fantastic and varied. …
Don H
7/17/2021
Paddle Paradise I just completed a 4 day Kayak trip and have to say it exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Brie, was the key to our experience on and off the water. Her knowledge of the area, tides and animals made each day interesting. Her passion for the history of the peoples of the region, past and present, added a whole new dimension to our trip. While we saw whales, dolphins, seals/pups and sea lions, she also made sure we didn't miss what was going on in the tidal pools which had a lot of creatures to behold. Our meals were fantastic and varied. …
A Tripadvisor Member
7/17/2021
Exceptional 4 night/ 5 day Trip From Start to Finish From the moment our trip began on the docks at North Island Kayak and we were in Bree and Heather's care, we were in the best hands. From their deep knowledge about local ecosystems, Indigenous history of the area, kayaking and how to teach it, safety, weather and climate of the region, to gourmet cooking and hosting skills, these two blue ice out of the water every single day. We loved the base camps that are setup, they are expertly crafted and extremely thought out. the heater at 'Squatch was a big hit! Could not recommend North Island Kayaks or Bree and Heather any higher! …
Josie G
7/13/2021
Exceptional 4 night/ 5 day Trip From Start to Finish From the moment our trip began on the docks at North Island Kayak and we were in Bree and Heather's care, we were in the best hands. From their deep knowledge about local ecosystems, Indigenous history of the area, kayaking and how to teach it, safety, weather and climate of the region, to gourmet cooking and hosting skills, these two blue ice out of the water every single day. We loved the base camps that are setup, they are expertly crafted and extremely thought out. the heater at 'Squatch was a big hit! Could not recommend North Island Kayaks or Bree and Heather any higher! …
North Island Kayak would like to acknowledge that we operate on the traditional territories of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw tribes. We are aware that the adventure tourism industry which drives our passion for the outdoors could not happen without the use of the land and water that we camp, paddle and recreate on. North Island Kayak would like to acknowledge that our tours operate on a vast array of areas from what we know today as Telegraph Cove to the Broughton Archipelagos and the many islands between Vancouver Island and the coast of the mainland. The traditional territories we frequent the most include but not limited to; the ʼNa̱mǥis, Kwaguʼł, Mama̱liliḵa̱la, Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w, Ḵwikwa̱sutinux̱, & Ławitʼsis.
To learn more about the traditional peoples and the history of this land you will recreate on while touring with North Island Kayak, we recommend designating time to visit The Village of Alert Bay, and the U’mista Cultural Centre.
Consistently recognized by high ratings from travellers since 2014
2, 3, 4, & 5 Days
