Exploring Telegraph Cove’s Wild Coastline
Vancouver Island is known around the world for its dramatic coastlines, lush rainforests, and thriving marine ecosystems. For paddlers, there is no better way to explore it than by kayak. Along the island’s northeast coast lies Telegraph Cove, a picturesque harbour that serves as a launch point into some of the most wildlife-rich waters on Earth. With its calm coves, emerald forests, and abundant marine life, kayaking Vancouver Island is an experience that connects you deeply to nature.
From May through September, the surrounding waters of Johnstone Strait become a living stage of movement and sound. Northern resident and transient orcas patrol the coast, humpback whales feed on schools of herring, and Dall’s porpoises dart playfully through the waves. Bald eagles circle above while harbour seals nap on rocky outcroppings. Even the quiet moments are full of life, with the soft splash of a paddle and the distant call of a loon carrying through the mist.
The Johnstone Strait is part of the traditional territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples, who have lived along these shores for thousands of years. The strait itself is approximately 110 kilometres long and serves as a vital passageway for migrating salmon, one of the main reasons orcas frequent the area each summer.
For those looking to immerse themselves in this wild landscape fully, our basecamp expeditions offer the perfect balance of comfort and exploration. Guests paddle from Telegraph Cove to a remote wilderness camp, surrounded by old-growth forest and pristine beaches. The camp provides cozy tents, hearty locally sourced meals, and guided day trips that lead deeper into the strait’s marine ecosystem. Evenings often end with the sound of whales breathing offshore, a truly unforgettable soundtrack to the coastal wilderness.
Whether you are new to paddling or an experienced kayaker, Telegraph Cove offers access to some of the most breathtaking and biodiverse waters in Canada. Kayaking Vancouver Island is more than an adventure, it is a journey into the heart of the Pacific coast!
