Discovery Expeditions The Company...

Larry the company owner was a founding member of the Sea Kayaks Guide Alliance of British Columbia and was instrumental in the development of safety standards for the kayaking industry. He is a fully certified guide with Advanced Wilderness First Aid. He shares a passion for paddling and believes to guide you must be a student of nature. If he is not paddling on the waters of the BC Coast you can find him on our local rivers enjoying a little bit of the white water on Vancouver Island. Your comfort and safety are the most important consideration of each of trips we operate each summer.

As a local company we take great pride in supporting local businesses and provide financial support to insure the Whales of Johnstone Strait will be around for years to come.

 

Our Philosophy is ...

You are important to us. Therefore, 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 top-notch equipment, environment-friendly campsites & a wide assortment of quality Sea Kayaks.

To ensure a positive experience, our guides come out before the season and recert their paddling skills, practice first aid scenarios and take time to get back in touch with nature in the areas they will guide in for the summer. We believe that to be confident on the water you must be fitted to the sea kayak you are going to paddle during our trips. For your safety, all our guides are experienced and trained in wilderness first aid, a type of first aid that is essential for the wilderness setting we operate within. They are trained in the formal use of VHF radio, communication and get naturalist training in the off season. Each of our guides is a capable communicator with a great sense of humor.

To enjoy a trip in the wilderness, we are aware that you need three essentials, a good nights sleep, a variety of fresh food and a sense of wonder about nature. 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 an exciting sea kayaking trip, amidst breathtaking nature and intimate encounters with Humpback, Minke and Orca whales.

 

Our Base Camp 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.

Consider these facts

1. Prime 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 areas
   • 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
2. 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
3. Quick 30 min boat ride from Telegraph Cove - no wasted time fooling with Water Taxis's
4. Sport Fishing even from your kayak around the base camp. Bring your gear and see if you can land a salmon.
5. 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
6. 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 high quality 4 person dome tents situated in various locations on a remote island to offer privacy, great views, shelter from wind and rain, and shade from the often hot summer afternoons. All our tents are within hearing distance of Orca Whale Blows, and of course the morning offer the sounds of birds, Sea Gulls, Seals and more.

Permanent structures like this shower stall are found at our base camp.

The views from the various tent locations are outstanding and most of our guests spend the first few minutes of the day taking in the scenery.

 

Our base 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.

 

 

Location Location well we do have one of the best spots on Johnstone Strait and thats a fact!!!!

Our Transport Boat...

Our 29 ft Landing Craft with dual outboards was custom built for the sole purpose of carrying guests, gear and kayaks and do it with safety in mind. At Discovery Expeditions we feel that our Transport Boat is a fine example of our commitment to our clients. After all, how many tour companies operating in British Columbia have a vessel of this nature with this unique design ( we are the only Kayak Tour Company that can provide this service) that allows us to land on various beaches and off load gear and kayaks safely and quickly. Not even the Water Taxis's ( Most Tour Companies Use) can offer this level of service or expertise. This new transport boat gives our tours the flexibility not found with other tour companies.

All guests transported on our new Transport Boat are provided with Coast Guard approved survival suits to ensure safe water transport to your destination and our boat is fully Coast Guard Certified.

Client Testimonials...

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. Adrian Mares

We loved the trip!!! Karen and Brendan were exceptional cooks, great guides and super hosts! - Orca II August - 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 I July – 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 Charlottes trip - Gwaii Haanas II July, 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 Haida people 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 - Gwaii Haanas II July, 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 the hot pools and sitting around the fire pit with Wes at Windy Bay - Gwaii Haanas II July, Steve Goh, West Vancouver, BC

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