Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures

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Port McNeill, BC
Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures

Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures offers four to fifteen day sea kayaking tours of Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Great Bear Rainforest.

Kingfisher’s kayak guides are passionate about kayaking and the wilderness and will eagerly share their knowledge with you, ensuring a trip full of memories you will never forget. We pride ourselves on small group sizes, allowing close personal attention and minimal impact on the environment and the wildlife we view from our kayaks.

02/03/2025

A foggy morning paddle in Gwaii Haaanas. We can't wait to be back there this summer!

https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/

01/21/2025

Evening vibes with campfires and starry skies from one of our stunning base camps! Our base camps serve as the perfect launchpad for our Kayak With Whales, Whales and Grizzly Bears, and Family Kayak With Whales tours.

When conditions allow, we gather around cozy driftwood campfires, sharing stories under a blanket of stars. During dry spells, our propane fire pits keep the warmth and magic alive.

Nature, adventure, and unforgettable moments—this is what our base camp evenings are all about.

Learn more about our Base Camp kaya tours at https://kingfisher.ca/base-camp-kayaking/

01/09/2025

End your Gwaii Haanas kayak tour with a culinary experience like no other at Raincoast Breads in Sandspit – Canada’s first restaurant permitted to forage wild ingredients!

Chef Kevin Hennig crafts hyper-local, seasonal tasting menus that connect you to the rich landscapes of Haida Gwaii through every bite.

With Sandspit's limited dining options, we include this unforgettable meal for all our guests – a perfect finale to our Gwaii Haanas kayak adventures.

Many of our guests have called this the best meal they've ever had, and we think you’ll agree!

Visit our website to learn more about our kayak tours and book your 2025 adventure. https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/

To learn more about Raincoast Breads vsit https://www.raincoastbreads.com/

01/08/2025

Visit Haida Cultural Sites and the incredible Haida Watchmen who protect them on our Gwaii Haanas kayak tours!

Choose your adventure:
5-Day Central Trip: Visits Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island).
8-Day Northern Trip: Visits Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay, T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu), and possibly Hlk’yah GawGa (Windy Bay).
8-Day Southern Trip: Visits the iconic SGang Gwaay.
15-Day Ultimate Trip: Explore all of the above!

Each journey promises breathtaking scenery, rich cultural history, amazing wildlife, and memories to last a lifetime.

Visit our website to learn more and plan your unforgettable adventure. https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/

01/06/2025

🚨 New Dates Added! 🚨

Our first Great Bear Rainforest Explorer tour of 2025 SOLD OUT, so we’ve added a second adventure from July 7–16.

Embark on a 10-day journey kayaking through the remote wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. Paddle between the remote coastal villages of Bella Bella and Klemtu, navigating protected inlets, open coastlines, and narrow tidal passages. Experience diverse campsites, from sandy beaches to island shores lined with shells and pebbles.

Please note: This trip is designed for experienced adventurers. Multi-day kayaking and backcountry camping experience is required.

📅 Spots are limited! Visit https://kingfisher.ca/great-bear-rainforest-explorer/ to learn more and secure your place today.

01/03/2025

We are deeply saddened to share that on New Year’s Eve, a devastating fire broke out in Telegraph Cove, destroying approximately a third of the historic boardwalk. Among the losses were the Killer Whale Café, the Old Saltery Pub, and The Whale Interpretive Centre, including its valuable collection of marine mammal skeletons and educational resources.

Fortunately, the cove was closed for the season, so no visitors were on-site, and no one was injured. We owe a debt of gratitude to the heroic fire departments from Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, and Hyde Creek, whose swift and courageous actions prevented even greater destruction.

Telegraph Cove holds a special place in Kingfisher’s history. It was the original departure point for our kayak tours, and even after relocating to Port McNeill, it has remained close to our hearts. Our Family Kayak with Whales tours concluded with visits to the Whale Interpretive Centre and the Killer Whale Café, making these iconic spots a cherished part of our guests' experience.

Since the Whale Interpretive Centre (WIC) opened in 2002, Kingfisher has proudly supported its mission. Our owner, Andrew Jones, contributed to projects such as the necropsy of T044, a large male Bigg’s killer whale whose skeleton was displayed at the museum. He also assisted in recovering a Cuvier’s beaked whale carcass from a remote west coast beach, along with sea lion and sea otter specimens, enriching the WIC's exhibits.

The WIC is committed to rebuilding and restoring its collection and educational resources. We are confident it will emerge even better and stronger. As a registered charitable society, the WIC has always relied on community support to provide marine mammal and environmental education. Now, more than ever, they need our help. Donations to aid their recovery can be made at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/wic-recovery-from-the-fire/.

We also want to acknowledge the tireless dedication of the Graham family, whose efforts have preserved Telegraph Cove Resort’s historic charm, and Jim and Mary Borrowman, whose passion for the Whale Interpretive Centre has been unwavering. Their visions, hard work, and resilience have been pivotal in fostering the Vancouver Island North tourism industry. Their efforts will undoubtedly continue to shape its future.

12/20/2024

A few orca photos from one of our Whales and Grizzly Bears Base Camp kayak tours last August.

Last summer brought one of the best salmon returns to northern Vancouver Island in years (more on that in an upcoming post 👀). Thanks to this abundant food source, the northern resident fish-eating orcas spent a good portion of the summer in Johnstone Strait, Eastern Queen Charlotte Strait, and Blackfish Sound, frequenting the areas around our base camps. Truly unforgettable encounters!

📸 Photos were captured with large zoom lenses and carefully cropped to bring you closer to the action.

Learn more about our Base Camp kayak tours at https://kingfisher.ca/base-camp-kayaking/

12/14/2024

Grizzly bears are incredible feeders, adapting their techniques with the seasons—and even day by day! From munching on grasses and flipping rocks for crabs to crunching barnacles, digging for roots, catching seals, or fishing for salmon, every moment with them is unforgettable.

On our four day Whales & Grizzly Bears Base Camp kayak tours, we team up with the amazing guides at Sea Wolf Adventures, experts in grizzly behavior. On the last day, they pick you up at our base camp in their boat and transport you a couple of hours to pristine grizzly bear habitat. Each trip is different, their guides determining the best viewing areas and methods based on a variety of factors that day. They may choose to remain on the main boat for viewing along the shoreline or transfer to a smaller skiff to explore estuaries. Sometimes, you might even take a guided walk along a river to a prime salmon fishing spot.

While nature is unpredictable and bear sightings are never guaranteed, the effort is always worth it. With Sea Wolf’s expertise, you’ll be in the best place to optimize your opportunities to view these wild giants.

Learn more about our Whales and Grizzly Bears tour at https://kingfisher.ca/whales-and-grizzly-bears-kayak-tour/

12/12/2024

Sometimes, when an eagle catches a fish that's too big to carry or ventures too far into the water, it will swim to shore using its powerful wings.

These incredible photos were captured by our guest, Julius Leuzinger, during a Whales and Grizzly Bears Base Camp trip this past August. Taken with a large zoom lens and carefully cropped to ensure the eagle and its well-earned meal were undisturbed.

Did you know? Many believe eagles can't release their talons in water or mid-air and must be on land to do so. This is actually a myth! While eagle talons have a unique locking mechanism that helps them perch securely and hold onto prey, they can open their grip at any time.

You can learn more about our Whales and Grizzly Bears base camp kayak tours at https://kingfisher.ca/whales-and-grizzly-bears-kayak-tour/

12/09/2024

Humpback whales are a regular highlight of our kayak tours, but they’re especially abundant near our base camps off northern Vancouver Island. Why? The nutrient-rich waters here are teeming with the small schooling fish and krill these majestic creatures feed on!⁠
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In this photo, you can catch a glimpse of the baleen—the natural filter these whales use to sieve their meals from the ocean. ⁠
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Join us for a front-row seat to witness this marine magic. ⁠

Learn more about our tours at https://kingfisher.ca/

12/07/2024

Whenever we kayak and camp in British Columbia, we are visiting lands that have been inhabited for millennia. Many of the places we now consider prime camping spots have likely been recognized as such for generations.

On our Whales and Wildlife Explorer tours through the Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait, evidence of this enduring connection to the land and sea is visible from the water. What might appear from a distance to be a white sandy beach is actually composed of countless shell and bone fragments, remnants of traditional harvesting practices. During very low tides, we may even spot the rock walls of ancient clam gardens—carefully constructed and maintained by First Nations to enhance shellfish harvests.

Our Whales and Wildlife Explorer tours operate within the traditional territories of the 'Namgis, Mamalilikulla, Tlowitsis, and Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nations. We are committed to respecting these culturally significant sites and ask all visitors to do the same by avoiding disturbance to middens or other archaeological features.

You can learn more about our Whales and Wildlife Explorer tours at https://kingfisher.ca/whales-and-wildlife-explorer-kayak-tour/

12/05/2024

Discover the beauty and tranquility of Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island). Nestled in the heart of Gwaii Haanas, this stunning destination has long been a place of comfort, healing, and renewal for both body and soul. ⁠
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Cared for by the Haida Watchmen, these unique hot springs flow from over 26 natural vents, with temperatures ranging from 32° to 77°C—offering the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate after days of kayaking. ⁠
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Join us on our Central, Northern, or Ultimate Gwaii Haanas kayak tours to experience the warmth, serenity, and wonder of this incredible natural treasure.⁠

Learn more at https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/

05/15/2024

A few quiet but ✨️magic✨️ moments on the water...

Everyone loves a sunny day paddling, but there is something to be said about a quiet, foggy paddle. From the thick, soft fog that lays down like a blanket to the delicate tendrils that wind their way through the trees, misty paddles have a special place in our hearts.

👇️ There's magic all around Vancouver Island North if you know where to look—click the link below to get started!

https://kingfisher.ca/kayak-with-whales-kayak-tour/

05/08/2024

Don't mind us spyhopping our way into your midweek...👀

Spyhopping is a behaviour specific to whales and dolphins; it's when they pop their heads out of the water to get a look at whats happening surface-side. It's always a special treat to spot a whale spyhopping—after all, it's not often you can say you went whale watching where the whales were watching you!

👇️ Ready to hop on the water with some of the best wildlife BC has to offer? Click the link 🔗 below to join one of our Kayak with Whales basecamp tours—you never know what you might spot!

https://kingfisher.ca/kayak-with-whales-kayak-tour/

📸 Photo taken with a zoom lens.

04/29/2024

Want to support BC's wildlife, small businesses, artists, AND ongoing marine research and education? We know how! ⬇️ ⬇️⁠
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It's time for the Education & Research Society's annual online auction! With over 130 items from local, sustainable businesses and artists (as well as huge discounted packages from your favourite kayaking company 👀) and proceeds going towards marine research, education, and response, there's never been a better time—or reason—to treat yourself to some one-of-a-kind wares. ⁠
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So mark your calendars: the auction begins on Thursday, May 2nd at noon and ends on Sunday, May 5th at precisely 7:00 PM—that's only 4 days to secure your favourite item(s)!⁠
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👇️ Ready to help the experts help the whales? 🐋 Click the link 🔗 below to check out what's up for grabs and mark your favourites!⁠
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https://www.32auctions.com/MERSAuction2024

Photos taken with a zoom lens.

04/24/2024

There's nothing quite like the feeling when you've outlasted winter, and summer is right around the corner! ☀️ 🙌

Paddling in the rain has its charm, but that moment when the clouds clear and the sun comes out? Unparalleled.

👇️ Whether it's ethereal mist or blazing sun—sometimes all in one day!— any day can be the best when paddling in Gwaii Haanas. Don't believe us? There's only one way to prove us wrong—click the link 🔗 below to join us this summer!

https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/

04/22/2024

It's Earth Day, so let's take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty of the places we call home. 🌎️
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From ancient forests to glittering mountains and shimmering seas, there's a lot to be thankful for here in BC, and we can all play a part in preserving and protecting it for generations to come.

Whether it's picking up litter on your walks, supporting environmental organizations dear to you, or opting for local and sustainable foods, there are so many little ways we can all contribute to a cleaner, greener future—and every effort counts. 🌿⁠
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🌎️ Are you making any Earth Day resolutions? Let us know in the comments!⁠

👇️ Looking to paddle some of the most pristine wilderness Canada has to offer? With trips lasting between 4 and 15 days, we've got the adventure for you—click the link below 🔗 to learn more!

https://kingfisher.ca/

📸 2 & 3: Mul

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1790A Campbell Way
Port McNeill, BC
V0N2R0

Website

https://kingfisher.ca/

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Videos

🔊 Sound on! 🔊 Never mind the weather—any day can be the best day when you have wildlife like this coming by your camp! 👀 It was a misty, damp afternoon at one of the Kingfisher basecamps, but fortunately, whales don't mind the rain, and we were lucky enough to have this incredible encounter with a passing pod of orcas. Did you know? Orcas live in a matrilineal structure, meaning they stay with their mothers throughout their lives. Therefore, any males you see in a pod (those with the taller, straighter dorsal fins) are unlikely to be fathers to the whales around them but rather brothers, uncles, cousins, or nephews! 👇️ Ready to explore some of BC's best marine wildlife habitats? Click the link 🔗 below to join a trip this summer! https://kingfisher.ca/base-camp-kayaking/

A spotlight on the enigmatic lion’s mane jellyfish🪼 While the lion’s mane jellyfish can be found in most colder northern waters around the world, it doesn’t make them any less fascinating, especially when you catch them in water as clear as this! Here’s some of our favourite facts about lion’s manes—share yours in the comments! 🪼 They’re one of the largest species of jellyfish. Their bell (the round dome hat) can grow up to 2.4m, and their tentacles as long as 30.5m—that’s as long as a blue whale! 🪼 They’re identifiable by their colour, which can range from a pale orange to deep red, as well as the distinctive 8 lobes of the bell. 🪼 They’re a great reminder why you should never touch any wildlife! Those long hairy tendrils are covered in thousands of cnidocytes—tiny stinging cells. A lions mane’s sting isn’t fatal, but it is certainly unpleasant. Fortunately, the majority of these cells can be removed with vinegar—but we’re betting the lesson might stick! 🪼 Like all jellyfish, they don’t have a brain! 👉 Hoping to see something that can be even bigger (but significantly less smart) than a blue whale this summer? You never know what the rich waters of Haida Gwaii might provide—click the link 🔗 below to learn more! https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/

A view from the edge of the world... When was the last time you went into the real wilderness? If it's been longer than you'd like, we know some spots where you can get back to that kind of wild adventuring—why not join us this summer? 👇️ Our Southern Gwaii Haanas Explorer brings you into the heart of Gwaii Haanas, and to the very start of the wide-open Pacific. Spaces are filling up fast, so click the link below to reserve your spot while you can! https://kingfisher.ca/southern-gwaii-haanas-explorer-kayak-tour/ 📸 : @Zach Taylor

Don't forget to peek at what's under your boat—you never know what you might be missing otherwise! 🐙 👀 If your goal is to go kayaking through incredible intertidal waters for moments like these, we've got two essential tips: 1. Never underestimate the power of polarized sunglasses to see past the glare on the water. 2. Choose a remote area with less frequent boat traffic for the healthiest, most vibrant underwater ecosystems—somewhere like, say, Haida Gwaii! With the opportunity to paddle through K’iid Xyangs Ḵ’iidaay (aka Burnaby Narrows), one of the most diverse and densely populated marine ecosystems in the world, our Southern Gwaii Haanas Explorer is the perfect place to test your kayak skills in beautiful, lively waters. Who knows what you might see? 👇 Learn more by clicking the link below! https://kingfisher.ca/southern-gwaii-haanas-explorer-kayak-tour/ 🤔 What's your favourite intertidal creature to spot while kayaking? Let us know in the comments!

From sunrise to sunset... Let's just say we know some spots for magic moments like these. 😉 👉 Our Kayak with Whales basecamp combines the best of comfortable camping with spectacular wildlife viewing—sometimes before you even get in your boat. Click the link 🔗 below to secure your spot! https://kingfisher.ca/kayak-with-whales-kayak-tour/