Orca Dreams offers Canada’s first whale watching camp, with BC packages that include 4 days of luxury camping. Orca Dreams has twenty years of experience hosting people from around the world in the wildlife-rich waters of Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago, off the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Watch surfacing humpback whales, pods of orcas, dolphins, eagles, sea lions or a curious seal pass by while sipping your morning coffee from your waterfront safari-style tent. Whale watch from camp or boat, while kayaking, surrounded by the rich wildlife of coastal BC.

Orca Dreams is situated within the traditional territory of the Mamalilikula-Qwe’Qwa’Sot’Em First Nation, on Compton Island on the edge of Blackney Pass, one of the most wildlife-rich marine ecosystems in the world. Blackney Pass connects Queen Charlotte Strait with Johnstone Strait where the strong currents churn up nutrients from deep below, feeding everything from small herring to the 40-ton humpback whales.

Blackney Pass is also one of the best places in North America to view Orcas – also known as Killer Whales – as they make their way to and from Johnstone Strait and the rubbing beaches of Robson Bight on Vancouver Island.

Orca Dreams
Box 353
Heriot Bay
Quadra Island, BC
V0P 1H0

Phone: 250-202-2765
Email: info@orcadreams.com
Website: www.orcadreams.com

 

 

Kayak the realm of the whales in British Columbia

This expedition is a professionally-guided 6-day kayaking journey exploring the beautiful Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait area of British Columbia. This is a one-way tour, which means no back tracking, and experiencing something new every day. This region is famous for its abundant wildlife, including orca, humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, diverse intertidal life, spectacular scenery and rich history.

Camp on remote beaches, view wildlife in their natural habitat, eat gourmet meals prepared by your guides, and then watch the sun go down with a warm cup of tea in hand after a great day of fun, sun and camaraderie with your fellow kayakers. No experience necessary.

We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. We also offer several 4-8 day trips for all experience levels in famous Desolation Sound, the Nuchatlitz Provincial Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and in the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast.

If you are more into ‘Glamping’ style, join our luxury 4-day base-camp tour in Johnstone Strait. Kayak the realm of the orcas and relax in our wood-fired hot tub with the best view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Unique and breathtaking.

Our adventures are for everyone, and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected.

Our groups are small, ranging from 8-13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. High-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.

The Paddler’s Inn in Simoom Sound, Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada.

Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, and prepare delicious, organic and local meals. All of them have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.

Spirit of the West Kayaking
P.O. Box 569
Heriot Bay
Quadra Island, BC
V0P 1H0

Phone: 250-285-2121
Fax: 1-888-389-5736
Toll Free: 1-800-307-3982
Email: info@kayakingtours.com
Website: www.kayakingtours.com

More about Kayaking around Vancouver Island.

Hot Springs Cove is a splendid hot spring located in Maquinna Provincial Park on Vancouver Island in the remote northern end of Clayoquot Sound. The undeveloped natural hot mineral spring pools are still enjoyable in their natural state, reached via a pleasant two-kilometre boardwalk through old-growth rainforest from the landing on Openit Peninsula.

This part of Vancouver Island rests on an unstable portion of the earth’s crust, known as a fault. This major fault, extending offshore from Mate Island north along the west side of Hot Springs Cove to Hesquiaht Lake, is associated with intense heat and pressure generated from deep within the earth.

The hot springs are created by surface water flowing through a fault in the earth’s crust to a depth of about five kilometres. The water is heated to a temperature of 109 degrees Celsius and forced back to the surface by hydrostatic pressure, where it discharges through a fissure at an average temperature of 50 degrees C (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

The west coast of Vancouver Island was rocked by a 4.8-magnitude earthquake that hit 18 kilometres east-northeast of Tofino at a depth of 24 kilometres on Wednesday, 7 January, 2015. No property damage was reported, but officials from the Hesquiaht First Nation community of Hot Springs (Refuge Cove) village on the west side of the cove reported that the spring’s water was cool the day after the quake, and the sulphur smell was absent.

This news was chilling for the numerous adventure companies in Tofino, Ahousaht and Hotsprings Village that offer tours and transportation to Hot Springs Cove, which is only accessible by water or air. Equally distraught were the thousands of visitors from around the world who flock to the fabulous springs every year for a relaxing soak.

Fortunately, what nature takes away she is sometimes generous enough to restore, and by the Friday, just two days after the shake, the water was starting to warm again, and by the following day, Hot Springs Cove was back to its normal, steaming, blissful 50-degree best.

Plank on the Boardwalk to Hot Springs Cove. Clara said Yes! Photo: Ocean Outfitters, Tofino

This is not the first hot spring to suffer the consequence of an earthquake in British Columbia. Following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Haida Gwaii on Saturday October 27, 2012, the three hot-spring pools on Hot Spring Island, or Gandll K’in Gwaayaay, were cold and empty. The shifting tectonic plates and reorganization of stress had evidently affected the pathways the water took to the surface. However, staff from Gwaii Haanas National Park announced in May 2014 that there was increased water flow, higher temperatures, and greater thermal activity than at any time since the earthquake, so the springs on Hot Spring Island could also return to normal over time.

More Information:
Hot Springs Cove
Maquinna Provincial Park
Tofino

Photos Above:

Relaxing soak at Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island. Photo: West Coast Aquatic Safaris, Tofino

Fast, safe and comfortable boat for the Hot Springs Cove tour. Photo: The Whale Centre, Tofino

The Boardwalk to Hot Springs Cove. Photo: Remote Passages Marine Excursions, Tofino

EMR Vacation Rentals is a fully-licensed Travel Agency offering fully-furnished BC vacation homes, condos, suites, and estate rentals in Victoria, Vancouver, Tofino, Whistler, the Okanagan, and on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. EMR has a large inventory of unique properties to select from, including properties that feature oceanfront, beachfront, breathtaking views, private hot tubs, luxurious settings and much more.

EMR strives to provide excellence in service to the highest ethical standards, based on honesty and integrity for their accommodation and activity operators and to ensure that they meet and exceed their customers’ expectations. EMR would be happy to serve all of your holiday and recreation needs as they keep and maintain an excellent selection of properties, self-catering rentals and activity providers.

Office Location:
EMR Vacation Rentals Inc.
#106-1016 McCallum Road
Victoria, BC
V9B 4C6

Contact Details:
Phone: 250-483-6790 Victoria
Fax: 530-660-3079
Toll Free: 1-866-800-8880 Canada/USA
Email: contact@emrvr.com
Website: www.emrvacationrentals.com

More on Accommodation in British Columbia

Located beachfront on spectacular Cox Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Pacific Sands Beach Resort sits on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park, a short scenic drive from Long Beach as well as the charming, seaside village of Tofino – famous for local culture and artisans.

Blessed with over 40 acres and 1,000 feet of sandy beach, and built on family, romance and fun, guests have revered and returned to Pacific Sands for decades. From s’mores and board-games around the gazebo, to surfing adventures and boardwalk strolls to Pettinger Point, it’s a hotbed of history and memories.

Breathe in the intoxicating ocean air as you relax on your private deck. Enjoy home-cooked meals from your fully-equipped kitchen or venture out to a variety of restaurants for local flavours. Renowned for year round activities, explore summer fishing, whale watching and golf, winter storm watching, and all season beachcombing.

From wise, old-growth forests and the relentless melody of pounding surf, to make-yourself-at-home resort services and hospitality, experience Pacific Sands Tofino accommodations – the perfect convergence of land, sea and simple pleasures.

Pacific Sands Beach Resort
1421 Pacific Rim Highway
Box 237
Tofino, BC
V0R 2Z0

Phone: 250-725-3322
Fax: 250-725-3155
Toll Free: 1-800-565-2322
Email: info@pacificsands.com
Website: www.pacificsands.com

More on Accommodation on Vancouver Island
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Victoria Regent Waterfront Hotel & Suites is an exclusive downtown waterfront property offering luxury condominium styled penthouses and spacious suites that provide spectacular views overlooking Victoria’s picturesque inner harbour and the adjacent marinas.

The Victoria Regent is amongst the most beautiful hotels in Victoria BC, located directly on the water, overlooking the scenic inner harbour. Step onto your balcony, and a bustling harbour with its colourful boats lies before you. Their choice location allows easy exploration of downtown Victoria’s shops, restaurants, theatres, museums and galleries.

Victoria Regent Waterfront Hotel & Suites
1234 Wharf Street
Victoria, BC
V8W 3H9

Phone: 250-386-2211
Fax: 250-386-2622
Toll Free: 1-800-663-7472
Email: reservations@victoriaregent.com
Website: www.victoriaregent.com

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