Multi-Day Sea Kayaking Tours on BC’s Wild Coast
Small-group guided kayak trips from Quadra Island through Johnstone Strait, the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound. Choose a glamping basecamp in orca territory or paddle deep into the backcountry. Either way, you’ll eat well, sleep under the stars and come home with a story.
Since 1997 | Proudly owned by the Wei Wai Kum First Nation
Two ways to experience the wild coast
Wildcoast Adventures is a guided sea kayaking company based on Quadra Island, British Columbia. Since 1997 we’ve led small groups through Johnstone Strait, the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound, where orcas, humpbacks and eagles make their home and the only traffic is the tide.
Choose a glamping basecamp with a few creature comforts, or paddle campsite to campsite for a whole lot more adventure. Every trip includes certified guides, all kayaking gear and fresh, chef-designed meals, and no previous kayaking experience is required.
Operating season: late May to mid-September
Glamping Adventures
Wilderness by day. Wood-fired sauna by night.
Base yourself at our remote oceanfront Orca Camp, tucked into coastal rainforest beside the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. Sleep in safari tents with real beds, unwind in the wood-fired hot tub and sauna, and gather around the campfire. All paddles are optional, which makes Orca Camp our most beginner-friendly option and ideal for first-time paddlers, couples and families with kids 10 and up.
Orca Camp Glamping
4 Days / 3 Nights | July – mid-September | Departs Campbell River
Our flagship getaway. Paddle in prime orca territory by day, then soak in the wood-fired hot tub and sauna by night. Gourmet meals, safari tents and up to three optional guided paddles a day.
The Ultimate Whale Experience
7 Days / 6 Nights | Late June – August | Departs Campbell River
Start with a 6-hour whale watching safari, then boat to Orca Camp for kayaking, hot tub evenings and chef-prepared meals. Three hotel nights in Campbell River are included.
Whales & Grizzly Bears Adventure
7 Days / 6 Nights | Late August – mid-September | Departs Campbell River
Watch grizzlies feed on salmon in Bute or Toba Inlet with Indigenous guides from the Homalco or Klahoose First Nations, then paddle orca waters from Orca Camp. Three hotel nights in Campbell River are included.
Wilderness Expeditions
New island. New campsite. Every night.
Leave the roads behind and paddle campsite to campsite through the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound, launching from our home base on Quadra Island. These off-the-grid journeys take you into remote coastline rich in wildlife and cultural history, led by guides who know these waters inside and out. Expect up to five hours of paddling a day: no experience is required, but previous kayaking experience and a good level of fitness are recommended.
Whales, Wildlife & Wilderness Expedition
5 Days / 4 Nights | June – August | Departs Quadra Island
A 4-hour wildlife boat tour into remote waters beyond the reach of kayaks, then three days of guided paddling and island camping through the Discovery Islands. Includes a resort night on Quadra Island.
Discovery Islands Expedition
6 Days / 5 Nights | Late May – September | Departs Quadra Island
A true expedition through one of National Geographic Canada’s 50 Places of a Lifetime, with a new island camp each day. Best for curious, capable paddlers.
Desolation Sound Expedition
6 Days / 5 Nights | June & September | Departs Quadra Island
Calm, warm water, waterfalls and towering mountain backdrops, timed for the quiet shoulder season. A beautiful choice for newer paddlers ready to camp the coast.
Explorer Expedition
3 Days / 2 Nights | July – August | Departs Quadra Island
Short on time, big on adventure. The perfect introduction to sea kayaking and wilderness camping around Quadra Island, scanning the shoreline for seals and eagles.
All prices are per person for 2027 departures and subject to 5% GST.
Glamping or expedition: which is right for you?
| Glamping (Orca Camp) | Wilderness Expeditions | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | Safari tents with real beds, same camp every night | Expedition tents at a new remote campsite most nights |
| Paddling | Easy; up to three optional guided paddles a day | Moderate to strenuous; up to five hours a day between camps |
| Experience | None needed; best for first-timers | None required; experience and good fitness recommended |
| Comforts | Wood-fired hot tub, sauna, hot shower and camp chef | Rustic campsites; chef-designed meals cooked by your guides |
| Group size | Up to 18 guests | 6 to 10 guests |
| Minimum age | 10 | 12 |
| Trip length | 4 to 7 days | 3 to 6 days |
| Departs from | Campbell River | Quadra Island |
| Price from | $2,807.25 CAD | $1,044.84 CAD |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need sea kayaking experience?
No. None of our trips require previous kayaking experience, and our certified guides teach paddling and safety before your first launch. Orca Camp is our most beginner-friendly option, with all paddles optional. Wilderness expeditions are more strenuous, with up to five hours of paddling a day, so previous experience and a good level of fitness are recommended.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 10 for Orca Camp glamping trips and 12 for wilderness expeditions. Guests aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
How big are the groups?
Every trip has at least one guide for every six guests. Wilderness expeditions take a maximum of 9 or 10 guests (6 on the Explorer Expedition), and Orca Camp hosts a maximum of 18 guests in 9 safari tents.
Where do trips start, and how do I get to Quadra Island?
Wilderness expeditions start at the Wildcoast Shop, 685 Heriot Bay Road on Quadra Island, a short walk from the Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal. Quadra Island is a short BC Ferries crossing from Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and Campbell River is about a 45-minute flight from Vancouver. Orca Camp trips depart from Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River. See our Getting Here page for details.
What is included?
Every trip includes certified guides, kayak instruction, kayaks and paddling gear, and all meals during the trip. Expeditions include expedition tents, sleeping bags and dry bags, and most include a resort night on Quadra Island before you launch. Orca Camp includes safari tents with real beds, the boat transfer from Campbell River and the wood-fired hot tub and sauna. Travel to the start point, alcohol and travel insurance are not included.
When is the best time to go?
Our season runs from late May to mid-September. Orcas are most often seen in Johnstone Strait from July to early September, grizzly bears gather to feed on salmon from late August, and Desolation Sound is at its quietest in June and September.
Will I see orcas and other whales?
Wildlife is wild, so sightings are never guaranteed. Our trips run when and where sightings are historically most likely, and Orca Camp sits beside the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, one of the best places in the world to see orcas from a kayak. Guests also regularly see humpback whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, bald eagles and bears.
Can I travel solo?
Yes, solo travellers are very welcome. On wilderness expeditions there is no single supplement and you get your own tent. At Orca Camp, a $600 single supplement applies in peak season for a private safari tent.
Can you accommodate dietary needs?
Yes. We accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets as well as food allergies, at no extra cost.
What about booking, weather and cancellations?
Full payment is required at booking, and popular dates, especially at Orca Camp, often sell out by March. We operate in most weather, and our guides adapt each day’s route for safety. See our Terms & Conditions for the full cancellation policy.
Not sure which adventure is right for you?
Tell us what you’re dreaming of – whales, bears, mountains, a little luxury or a lot of solitude – and we’ll help you pick the perfect trip. Call us at 1-250-285-9453 (toll-free 1-855-485-9453), use the chat at the bottom of your screen, or email hello@wildcoastadventures.com.