... Discovery Expeditions kayak tours est. 1986 ... Discovery Expeditions kayak tours est. 1986 ... Discovery Expeditions kayak tours est. 1986
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"One of our first trips back 1980 with a wonderful family and folks from afar"
For over two decades, under the leadership of the Owner/Operator Larry Roy Discovery Expeditions has been offering fully serviced sea kayaking expeditions to remote wilderness destinations along the West Coast of British Columbia. It is the breathtaking beauty of the islands, inlets and sounds of this landscape that inspired us to develop our touring company. It has provided vast opportunities to share a wilderness experience with our guests for more than twenty-three seasons.
Sea Kayaking is the best way to access these areas; it is unobtrusive to the wildlife and provides an intimate means to explore hidden passages and waterways. It is from personal experience that we have selected our unique destinations. Each of these areas in unique from; the unmistaken sounds of a surfacing Orca Whale in Johnstone Strait; the sensitive approach of the spirit bears of the Great Bear Rainforest of Princess Royal Island; the howling of coastal wolves of the Inside Passage: the Gray and transient Orca of Hoop Bay at the mouth of Smith Sound; the pristine aqua blue waters of the many cayes of Belize, CA are but some of natures uniqueness.
Over the past twenty plus years these are the destinations that kept luring us back for another memorable experience. Near and dear to our hearts are trips to destinations on the BC Coast. Each summer has brought with it a never ending list of memories that we have shared with a great number of people. Discovery Expeditions has been maintained as a local owned Vancouver Island Business. We take great pride in supporting Vancouver Island businesses in small town along the coast and strive to ensure that our kayak tours respect all aspects of the environment code and the ecosystems we visit. Overall our trips are about harmony with nature.
With more than 23 years in business, and over 32 plus years of kayaking experience along the coastlines of British Columbia you can be assured that the staff of Discovery Expeditions have the experience to ensure that your kayak trip will become a lifetime memory.
Image leaving behind the idea that later is better and letting the wind, water and waves determine the pace of your day. Paddling a kayak can be rhythmical and yourmind can wonder to take in the beauty of the area, and at times the most important visual is watching an eagle catch breakfast to start another day in its' life. Our trips make you wonder who might have visited this inlet before us. Our trips challenge your skills and make you grow in the few days you share a paddling excursion with us. We have built our business on the sense of wonder and a earned respect that we only have one environment.
Early on in our history we were quick to come to the aid and support of any cause to help the areas were operating in to remain wild and maintain and intact ecosystem. Although we have refined our commitments, we remain a company that still financially and politically support the cause for conservation of the wilderness.
Within our company we have refined our approach to safety, quality of our service and level of challenge on each of our sea kayak trips. We have learned to provide sheltered camping sites, exciting wildlife encounters at a acceptable distance from the animals as not to change their behaviour and a high quality of service with our equipment, personal skills and menu. We have matured in our abilities to approach cultural interactions, preservation of sensative sites and education ourselves on the natural history of an area. Now and in the future we remain committed to offering first quality service and a large element of fun on each of summer/winter trips.
Discovery Expeditions starts with leadership
Larry the company owner was an original founding member of the Sea Kayaks Guide Alliance of British Columbia. The SKGABC has become a professional organization that offers courses to ensure that guides are formally trained in the necessities of working in the water environment. Larry was instrumental in developing the safety standards the SKGABC stands for. He embraces all the SKGABC is about and maintains the necessary standard to continue guiding at the ripe age of 60. He has taught a vast number of people about paddling in one way or another. His passion is spending everyday with nature. He believes that harmony with nature. wether it be paddling rivers, paddling the ocean or skiing in the backcountry can be achieved. He remained committed to being a practicing professional in guiding, first aid and weather forecasting. His experience is forever growing. International trips to Mexico, Baja and Costa Rica for both river and ocean paddling satified one of this lifes enderours. He started with paddling most of the coastal area of Vancouver Island, Haide Gwaii and the Central Coast of British Columbia. He then founded his company with a retail store, North Island Water Sports. He guided for eight years in the Queen Charlotte Islands, five years on the Central Coast and now twenty four seasons in the northeaster coast of the Vancouver Island and the Inside Passage. He now backs all this with ski patrolling on a local mountain where he can enjoy skiing and maintain an active first aid career in the winter months.
As a local company we take great pride in supporting local businesses and providing financial support to Coastal communities on Vancouver Island (Port McNeill) and the Inside Passage. (Bella Bella & Klemtu)
You are important to us. Everything we do will be with YOU in mind and to provide you a safe and quality sea kayaking experience. For your security and comfort, we have arranged safe and easy to use equipment, environment-friendly campsites & a personal touch to each and everyday of your trip. The sooner we can get into harmony with your surrounding the happier we will be. We know the power of this statement and set each days experience to be spontaneous and exciting. Our guides are experienced professionals who live a lifestyle that follows a natural path.
To maximize your experience, we will help you interact with the culture and environment, and also share insights on cultural and environmental preservation. We invite you to join us, as we guide you through a fun sea kayaking trip, amidst breathtaking nature and intimate encounters with wildlife. Are you planning a trip of a lifetime? Let us help you. Call us today toll-free 1-888-756-0099, or for International Calls - 1-250-756-0094. Or email: info@orcaseakayaking.com.
Our location in Johnstone Strait...
This is our best feature!!! Not all the Tour Companies can brag about a prime location that offers a bit of everything. In 2009, we were subject to the area being protected by the provincial government. It is now under provincial parks and is known as the boat bay conservancy. We are the only company to be permitted with a fixed basecamp and maintain a stewardship with the authorities to use the island for camping purposes.
Unique Location - located on Sophia Island our base camp offers
Whales of all species love to visit our base camp
Privacy
Prime campsites with views
Great facilities - ( washrooms) ( private shower stalls with hot water)
Great beaches and secluded area
Reefs and kelp beds for those brave enough for a swim
Hydrophones to listen to the whales
excellent camp kitchen so we can prepare fantastic meals
Excellent area to launch daily kayak trips, many points of interest are within easy kayaking distance.
Observation Point to view the Whale Reserve and Johnstone Strait - about a 10 minute kayak trip and a short hike
Approx 2 mi to kayak to the reserve and Rubbing Beach
Approx 2.5 mi to visit the researchers at Swaine Point
Approx 1.5 mi to Blackney Passage which offers another kayaking adventure
Quick 20 min boat ride from Telegraph Cove
Sport Fishing even from your kayak around the base camp. Bring your gear and see if you can land a salmon.
Safe dry area if needed. Yes there are times when the rain and wind does come and our base camp provides a safe area as needed
Equipment such as weather radio's, generator, are all located at our base camp which offers comfort and safety as needed
This is a typical camp site and we utilize large roomy tents. All tents are situated on platforms offering you a level of comfort and a dry home. We use quality three person dome tents situated in various locations on a remote island to offer privacy, great views of Robson Bigth and Mt. Derby, shelter from wind and rain, and shade from the often hot summer in the afternoons. All our tents are within hearing distance of Orca Whale Blows, and mornings start with the awaking sounds of Eagle often in the tree above you tent sites. Camp facilities offer you solar shower and composting toilet conveniences.
The views from the various tent locations are remarkable. From the warm foggy mornings the weather progressing into clear sunny afternoon with light breezes and lots of paddling. Most guests spend the first few minutes of the day taking in the scenery.
Some trips are all about spending time with family or friends that you would not usually do back home.
Sometimes our trips are about sitting and listening to the sounds of nature.
Our camp is located on one of the Sophia Islands and as shown on the marine map below the area surrounding the base camp are rich in marine life and during low tides many wonders can be seen just minutes away. Killer Whales will often cruise this area as numerous kelp beds exist. Its not uncommon to see whales just feet from our base camp.
We are now back in Germany and could not check the mail account before.We really had a great time with Larry and Trevor. As soon as we will have all pictures available and sorted we will give you an invitation to our web album to share our impressions. Attached picture was taken in Campell River on our way back to Nanaimo. Hope to be able to return to Vancouver Island within the next years...Orca Explorer, July 2009, Manfred & Christiane, Galgenberg, Germany
Having just returned to Toronto, I wanted to thank you for setting up what was a terrific vacation. What made the trip really great was your team on the ground, all of whom were amazing. In particular, the guides were great.. I’m looking forward to a return to Belize...Belize, CA Adrian Mares, Toronto, ON
We loved the trip!!! Karen and Brendan were exceptional cooks, great guides and super hosts! - Orca Galore, August 2003, Micaelia & Dave Brummett, Palo Alto, CA
Excellent; the island; the cliffs; the indian village and the ORCA – the best viewing possible. The menu was truly a wilderness cuisine, especially the salmon and crab. - Orca Classic, August 2004, Jim McGlynn, Fort Churchill, Manitoba
Never expected to see such wonderful colors and images. The loveless songs of the birds around Bolkus Island is what I remember the best. Also, the views of the fog and mist covering the tops of the San Christoval Range at sunset are still vision I remember of our Queen Charlottes, - Gwaii Haanas 2, August 2001, Joan Fogarty, Burnaby, BC
I was asked to go on this trip by a friend. Never did I image it would have such an impact on me. The Haidapeople are special and made the visits to the Heritage Sites unique and interesting. The knowledge and friendliness of your guides was a highlight of my trip…thanks again - Charlottes - Gwaii Haanas II Nancy Skinner, San Francisco, California
Jan and I envisioned long adventurous days and quiet restful nights. Thanks to you and your guiding we were not disappointed. Each day was a memory in itself but the days we remember the best were our soaks in thehot pools and sitting around the fire pit with Wes at Windy Bay - Gwaii Haanas II Steve Goh, West Vancouver, BC
My daughter and I were in Telegraph Cove just a few weeks ago. Looking back now I still miss it. You and I gabbed, philosophized, and solve a few world problems one afternoon of our trip. Those are memories I will not forget. I know that a whole lot of people who have been up to northern Vancouver Island leave different that when they came.- Orca II Tony Cowan, Albuquerque, N.M.
I’ve had to request six more copies of your brochure for potential customers so maybe you’ll get to know more folks from Hayward. Maybe I’ll come back with the rookies to show them the ropes…Orca I Linda Kewith, Hayward, WI.
Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip to the Johnstone Strait. The team at Discovery was first class and did everything to make our trip enjoyable. I did not expect to see Orca the first day. The paddling and the weather was enchanting… Orca I Christine Marsden, McMahont, Sidney, NSW
We loved the trip!!! Karen and Brendan were exceptional cooks, great guides and super hosts!
- Orca II August - Micaelia & Dave Brummett, Palo Alto, CA
I thought of you while reading this article today. Hoping all is well with you and yours. I’ll have to say that I really missed the whales this past August - Orca I Rocko Myer, Long Beach, California
First of all I would like to tell you that my husband and I had a wonderful time on our 3 day ORCA WEEKEND - it was marvelous!! Thank you for providing such a unique experience - you have definitely found your niche and calling." Felicia & John Serpico, Plantation, Florida
Imagine leaving behind the idea that later is better and letting the wind, water and waves determine the pace of your day.
We provide this experince everyday we are on the water. If this sounds like an experience you would like to be a part of then contact us at your leisure.
Discovery Expeditions was one of the first locally owned sea kayak companies on the west coast. We started with a half a dozen sea kayaks and managed to do trips to the Broken Islands, Clayoquot Sound and Johnstone in our first years of operation.
Contact Us
Office 1-250-756-0094
Fax 1-250-756-1908
Cell 1-250-619-2714
email us at: larry@orcaseakayaking.com
