Sea kayak with whales on our tour of humpback waters in beautiful Johnstone Strait. Humpbacks are frequent visitors in the Strait and we see greater numbers every year. Join us for a fully-catered, fully-guided, and fully-supplied tour in extraordinary wilderness to see these majestic mammals.
Kayaking with whales is a breathtaking experience. Rarely do humans view these awesome animals in their natural environment, unfettered by motorized propulsion. In humpback whales, we behold a remarkable vision of preservation and perseverance. Whaling nearly destroyed the Pacific Northwest population of humpbacks in the first half of the 20th century. In 1967, the last remaining 13 humpback whales of Vancouver Island were killed. For 15 years, humpbacks avoided the area until a lone wanderer drifted toward Johnstone Strait in 1982. This humpback became the forerunner of a slow recovery of a devastated population.
Humpback whales are active and acrobatic, but are particularly known for their "whale songs," long and complex underwater vocalizations that can last for hours at a time. Despite the tentative recovery of the species, the whales of Vancouver Island remained mournfully quiet for decades. Then, in 2007, researchers recorded the first true whale song that shattered 40 years of post-whaling silence and indicated a landmark for the population's recovery. While still threatened by foreign whaling practices, humpbacks have become frequent visitors in Johnstone Strait. We see greater numbers every summer from June through September as they return from their winter grounds of Hawaii.
Join us on our Humpback Whale Kayak Odyssey to explore old growth forests, pristine waters, and experience the captivating presence of these peaceful baleen whales first hand. The non-invasive, sturdy sea kayak offers a unique, respectful glimpse into their underwater world. Watch the humpbacks breach or listen to their underwater serenade while eagles soar overhead, dolphins frolic, and seals delight, all in the stunning backdrop of the Vancouver Island wilderness.