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Guided Kayak Tours For Johnstone Strait

Johnstone Strait or as some Vancouver Islanders say the inside passage is without a doubt the place hottest place on the Coast of British Columbia to encounter the killer whale during the months of June through Sept.  Kayaking in these waters offers one of the greatest thrills and that is close encounters with killer whales. With its great weather - safe kayaking waters this is the perfect place for kayakers of all skill to enjoy watching Killer Whales and other whale species.

Our first tour of 2008 will launch June 16 and generally Whale numbers are at their best late July and Aug. As this is considered prime time those 2 months fill fast so early booking is well advised.

 

Johnstone Strait Facts

Located just a few minutes by boat ride from Telegraph Cove Johnstone Strait is home to the resident Orca Whale, and in recent years even Humpbacks and Minke whales frequent these waters more and more.

While this area does attract a large number of visitors during the summer months the size of Johnstone Strait insures privacy without stumbling into other tours. While Orca watching is the prime activity guests are also welcome to try Sport Fishing for Salmon or Cod, viewing wild life, hiking, and if weather is warm enough swimming.

Each summer, we anticipate the arrival of the northern resident Orcas in late June with peak viewing from mid July into the second week of September. Some resident pods are still in the area in October. Their arrival coincides with the arrival and migration of salmon species heading east through Johnstone Strait to their spawning streams. It is with their arrival that we commence our whale watching tours and operate until early Sept.

 

In recent years there has been an increase in Humpback Whale sightings in the core area to the effect that on most days last summer, July through September, one or more Humpback Whales were sighted. Minke Whales are frequently viewed in the same area as the Humpback Whales. Already this summer, there have been numerous sightings of Humpback Whales including mothers and their calves and Minke Whales. From our Island location in Johnstone Strait Minke and Killer whales have ventured very close to our beaches. Wow what a thrill for the guests.

 

Some Killer Whale Facts

The average male orca grows to 23 feet long and weighs 7 to 10 tons. Females average 21 feet long and weigh 4 to 6 tons.

 

 

Orcas are highly social animals that travel in groups called pods. Pods usually consist of 5 to 30 whales, although some pods may combine to form a group of 100 or more. Orcas establish social hierarchies, and pods are lead by females. The animals are thought to have a complex form of communication with different dialects (slightly different language) from one pod to another.

Like dolphins, orcas use echolocation—bouncing sound off of objects to determine their location—to hunt, and use a series of high-pitched clicks to stun prey. Orcas feed on fish, squid, birds, and marine mammals. Orca pods often work together to catch a meal. Pods sometimes will force many fish into one area and take turns feeding or will beach (slide out of the water onto the shore) themselves to scare seals or penguins into the water where other whales are waiting to feed.

Orca whales are the ocean's fastest swimmers, capable of speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Killer whales live about as long as humans, reproducing over a similar age span. Most females first give birth at age 14 and bear four to six calves over the next 25 years then enjoy life as doting grandmothers, into their seventies and eighties! Males mature also at age 14 and live to about 60 years.

Around the world, orca whales divide into three subspecies (or races) that do not intermingle but neither do they show hositlity between races. "Resident" whales are the best known of the three, navigating directly along coastal passages, feeding exclusively on fish and maintaining highly social family units. "Transient" whales inhabit the same waters, but are markedly less social, travelling alone or in much smaller family groups. These whales are more aggressive and can be identified by their smaller, more pointed dorsal fins with a slight bulge on the leading edge. Transients sem to ignore fish but feed on seals, sea lions, porpoises and other sea mammals. The final subspecies is that of the "offshore" killer whales, which live in large groups of 30-60 or more. Their dorsal fins are crescent shaped with rounded tips. These subspecies thrive independently of each other, despite their overlapping ranges.

 

 

While kayaking it is normal to stay a distance of 100 meters from any whale sightings. Our Guides instruct all kayakers to gather together to form a structure that the Orca can sense. This allows the Orca the option of approaching the kayaks or move off into another direction.

Most often Orca whales will approach quite close to kayaks allowing great opportunities for photo's. During the month of August 2005 some of our tours encountered Orcas very in very close proximity of their kayaks.

While some Orca's known as Transients do visit Johnstone Strait during the summer months the majority of the Orca's in this area are Orca's known as Residents.

Larry Roy owner of Discovery Expeditions has a long standing relationship and passion for the Whales of Johnston Strait.