Kayaking Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Great Bear Rainforest
Welcome to British Columbia, one of the premiere destinations for sea kayaking in the world. Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures has been running fully outfitted guided kayak tours on the coast of British Columbia since 1999. Our experienced guides will take you on an adventure through stunning waterways and lush temperate rainforests, with incredible wildlife sightings.
We pride ourselves on keeping our group sizes small, allowing for close personal attention and minimal impact on the environment and wildlife we view from our kayaks. Our experienced kayak guides are passionate about kayaking and the wilderness and will eagerly share their knowledge with you, ensuring that your trip is full of memories that will last a lifetime.
With 25 years of experience, we offer unparalleled sea kayaking adventures in some of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the world, including northern Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Great Bear Rainforest. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or just starting out, we have the perfect tour for you.
Experience the unparalleled beauty of British Columbia from the comfort of your kayak. Book your sea kayak tour with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures today and discover the natural wonders of this breathtaking region.
KAYAK WITH WHALES
Base Camp Kayaking
4 days / 3 nights
Imagine waking to the sound of a humpback’s breath as it glides past your tent. Later, take in a moment of awe watching a pod of orcas from your kayak, while the rest of the day is filled with the soft huffs of seals and quiet wingbeats, as bald eagles swoop over the water in search of salmon.
WHALES AND GRIZZLY BEARS
Base Camp Kayaking
4 days / 3 nights
Seeing a humpback whale lunging through a school of bait fish, a grizzly bear chasing a salmon through a shallow river, or a pod of killer whales surfacing in unison are often considered once in a lifetime experiences and all three are possible on this tour..
FAMILY KAYAK WITH WHALES
Base Camp Kayaking
4 days / 3 nights
Searching under rocks for crabs, watching humpback whales feed on a school of small fish, or being surprised as a harbour seal pops up right next to their kayak, are all memories children cherish for a lifetime. This kayak tour is designed for families with children aged six to fourteen.
WHALES AND WILDLIFE EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
6 days / 5 nights
Sea kayaking in the wildlife-rich waters of Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and the Broughton Archipelago is unforgettable. Paddle past clam beaches harvested for millennia by First Nations, spot black bears flipping rocks for food, and watch humpback whales feeding as you explore these stunning coastal landscapes.
SEA OTTER EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
6 days / 5 nights
Watching a sea otter crack open a sea urchin, waking to fresh wolf tracks on the beach outside your tent, or silently observing a humpback whale feeding along the tideline are unforgettable moments. These experiences connect you to the natural world, immersing you in the beauty and wonder of the wild, leaving lasting memories.
CENTRAL GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
5 days / 4 nights
Highlights of the Central Gwaii Haanas Explorer tour include soaking in the natural pools at Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island) and kayaking the wildlife rich waters of Juan Perez Sound. This five day tour has a more relaxed pace than our longer Gwaii Haanas Explorer kayak tours
NORTHERN GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
8 days / 7 nights
The Northern Gwaii Hannas Explorer tours travel between Tanu Island and Burnaby Island in the northern half of Gwaii Haanas. Paddle sheltered channels, secluded bays, and exposed coastline, visit Haida cultural sites T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu) and Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay) and soak in natural hot springs.
SOUTHERN GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
8 days / 7 nights
The Southern Gwaii Haanas Explorer tour kayaks the southern end of Gwaii Haanas, from K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay along the rugged coastline to Rose Harbour. Fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, colourful inter-tidal life, wonderful campsite locations, and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SG̱ang Gwaay.
ULTIMATE GWAII HAANAS EXPLORER
Expedition Kayaking
15 days / 14 nights
This trip is our longest offering, and provides visitors the opportunity to explore almost the entire Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. This experience starts near the northern boundary of Gwaii Haanas, and culminates near the south end after a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SG̱ang Gwaay.
GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST
Expedition Kayaking
10 days / 9 nights
Stretching for 400 kilometres along British Columbia’s central coast, the Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. This beautifully rugged coast offers the adventurous traveller with diverse kayaking routes, abundant wildlife, and a rich First Nations culture.
PRIVATE GROUP TOUR
Base Camp or Expedition Kayaking
varies
We offer two types of tours for those wanting to organize a private tour for their own group of family, friends, colleagues, or paddling club.
- I did the 4 day family base camp whale watching tour with my husband and 2 kids (6 yrs and 9 yrs) and it is one of the best things we've ever done. The guides were amazing, the food was delicious and we were lucky enough to see humpbacks and orcas.
Andrew the owner was super accommodating of all our needs and was so passionate and knowledgeable about the local wildlife and the local area, and we loved our guides who made the whole experience so smooth and fun.
Definitely book a family tour with Kingfisher if you want a unique experience with your kids that they'll always remember.read moreread less
Sarah J.8/09/2023 -
Perfekt 4 days Our trip was the highlight of my entire stay in Canada – four perfect days! We saw so many animals: humpback whales, seals, deer, bald eagles, oystercatchers, salmon, starfish, jellyfish, and even orcas. Our guides Wendi, Kailey, and Emma made the experience unforgettable. They shared their vast knowledge about the ocean, tides, sea life, plants, and wildlife, and also gave us great paddling tips that made kayaking easier and more fun each day.
The camp on Hanson Island has several beaches where you can watch wildlife. The tents are well spaced out and very comfortable, and there’s an outdoor kitchen with a big table where meals are enjoyed together when at camp. In good weather, we also had meals on the beach or at a viewpoint on the rocks – simply magical.
The food was outstanding – fresh, creative, and delicious, with three meals a day plus snacks and desserts. As vegans, we were always provided with special dishes that were just as tasty and inventive as everyone else’s.
At night we could hear whales blowing near the camp – an incredible experience. Sea kayaking was new for us, especially with the pedal-operated rudder in addition to the paddles, and it was so much fun.
I would book this tour again without hesitation and recommend it wholeheartedly.
Michèleread moreread less
Michèle F.8/16/2025 -
WOW - The best experience with a professional no what they are doing company! From start to finish, our trip exceeded all expectations. Every detail of the trip was even better than we imagined. The guides fantastic, made us feel safe and looked after their knowledge and expertise on the surroundings and wildlife, The equipment - 5 star, The camp and food fantastic. We all have family memories to cherish and its a trip our 10 year old will never forget especially eating at camp watching & listening to the Orca's.read moreread less
Camper207414119799/10/2025 - Best food we had on the base camp tour ever, not even hotels can match this taste an quality. Besides that, the guides where awesome and always managed based on weather conditions a wonderfull paddeling tour each and every day through the stonishing landscape of hudson isalnd. Defently a recommendaitonread moreread less
Dominik S.10/01/2023 - The 6-day kayaking tour exceeded our expectations. Declan and Babs were the best guides you could wish for for this experience. They gave us ALL THE INFO on camping and kayaking. We saw whales every day and learned a lot about life on and in the water.
We expected a lot or fun and a good time but surely didn't expect a trip this spectacular and full of so many interesting facts. The camps were chosen daily depending on the group and the weather, and we always felt included in the decision-making process. We were very comfortable with the group, especially given thé small size. The food was always delicious and varied. We definitely recommend this tour. Once in a lifetime experience.read moreread less
Jennifer F.7/21/2025 -
I'd definitely go again I went on the 3 night 4 day Whales and Grizzly Bears trip. The guides were superb, very friendly and professional. They shared their knowledge about the environment and the First Nation people, went out of their way to ensure everyone in the group (6 of us) were feeling comfortable about the paddling and prepared some excellent meals. I hadn't really thought about the food to be honest, but it was excellent! Overall it was a magical experience.read moreread less
152carolinec7/26/2024 - It was fantastic! We highly recommend the kayak and grizzly tour. We started our vacation with Kingfisher in late August and this tour set the benchmark very high for the rest of our trip through Canada.
Camping on an island close to nature and wildlife was an exceptional experience. The guides made it even better by taking care of us on land and on water, sharing their knowledge with us. Not only did we watch whales, but we also met more marine life and learned about currents and flora. Many thanks to Audrey, Jess and Kayleigh.
Environmentally friendly, with high respect for wildlife, far from mass tourism. Kayaking for beginners and advanced. Nice mix of people and good group size.
The grizzly tour with Sea Wolf Adventures on the last day was a great way to end the tour. Sherry and Brandon shared their indigenous knowledge of the wildlife and islands with us. We watched orcas on the way to see the grizzly bears. Visiting the cultural center in Alert Bay and hearing personal stories was also a highlight! Thank you so much.read moreread less
Julia S.10/02/2022 -
Amazing Kayaking experience off Northern Vancouver Island The Whales and Wildlife Expedition trip with Kingfisher was the highlight of my summer. From the pre-departure videos guiding my packing list to the amazing guides, Claudio and George and the stunning environment - it was a fabulous experience. Kingfisher provided us with reliable camping equipment. The camp sites were wonderful and the kayaking itself was just challenging enough. Claudio and George took such good care of us - with humour and deep care and delicious food! I would highly recommend this trip !read moreread less
Pam J.11/10/2023 -
Incredible experience and trip! Wow! This was such an amazing trip. Our guides, Liz and Renee, were so incredible. They were welcoming, funny, knowledgeable, and great cooks. I learned a lot about marine wildlife and how to kayak better (I had some prior experience but not a ton). Renee prepared a detailed kayaking plan each day that felt safe, the right amount of exercise, and ensured we saw some cool nature.
The base camp was great, beds were comfortable, tents were nice, and the food was delicious. The camp is situated right between the Orca/Humpback “highway” so we sat and watched whales all evening after finishing kayaking and could hear them breathing all night long. Truly magical.
The kayaking was fun, safe, and we saw some amazing wildlife from the kayaks, the boat tour, and camp. My guess is 100 orcas, 50 humpbacks, hundreds of porpoises, 3 grizzlies, some otters, + tons of seals, sea lions, and eagles! We also lucked out with a really fun tour group that loved playing games and hanging out together! I would love to go again at some point!read moreread less
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