REMOTE GLAMPING - WEST COAST KAYAKING AND WHALE WATCHING
Length:
5 Days
Location:
Blackfish Sound, British Columbia
For Who:
Everyone, focus on whales and diverse paddling
* Kayaking trips & tours are priced and charged in Canadian dollars and are subject to 5% GST and $25 / person environmental sustainability fee. Please see our Terms and Conditions for complete terms. To check live availability on any trip, click the Book Now tab and select a trip date.
WIDE OPEN SPACES, FRESH SEA BREEZEs, AND ABUNDANT WILDLIFE
Want to get out camping, kayaking, and wildlife watching in the BC wilderness? Join us kayaking and glamping on Swanson Island in the heart of Blackfish Sound.
RELAX, RECHARGE, AND ADVENTURE RESPONSIBLY
Our comfortable outdoor basecamp allows us to enjoy stunning and remote locations – exploring by kayak by day, and relaxing in comfort every evening.
Virtual tour created by 360º Immersion
YOUR ACCOMMODATION – GLAMPING
We have all the details covered. The only thing you have to do is to arrive, relax, and enjoy every moment.
Imagine beautiful, big white cozy tents set against the backdrop of towering fir trees and the blues and greens of the ocean lapping at your doorstep. The sounds of silence interrupted only by the occasional blow of passing whales or the songs of the birds as they wake with the sun.
Tents are large 10×12′ (3×3.6m), bright and spacious cotton canvas tents complete with real beds, private outdoor toilets and sinks, and sweeping views of the forest and/or ocean. The tents are perched off the ground on cedar platforms spaced out throughout the forest for privacy. The beds (twin or king-size bed settings available) each have a 6-inch thick soya foam mattress, 2 pillows (one thick and one thin), crisp white linens, a warm duvet, and fleece blankets for those cooler nights. We have 8 tents available for each tour (if you are traveling solo and would like your own private tent, please indicate this at the time of reservation). The camp also has multiple hand washing sinks, 2 hot water showers, a comfortable lounge and hot tub both overlooking the ocean.
The Setting
A stunning private campsite on remote Swanson Island. We have exclusive rights to the use of this little piece of heaven. The site overlooks Blackfish Sound which is renowned for its biodiversity including being home to many humpback and orca whales. This site offers extraordinary land-based whale watching, sunrises and sunsets, and diverse kayaking at the edge of the Broughton Archipelago.
The Area
Sandwiched between the mainland mountains and Vancouver Island, tidal currents stir up the water column and create an environment rich with nutrients and oxygen. Abundant marine life of all shapes and sizes make their home here, from the smallest crustacean to the largest whales. From our camp, we have the opportunity to look out into the open waters of the Sound and paddle among the small islands and narrow passages, an ideal combination for the wildlife enthusiast.
What’s cooking?
Fresh, hearty, and locally inspired. Some of the perks that come with the basecamp site are a full-time chef and a well-established kitchen which allows us to prepare tasty food while easily maintaining food safety. Enjoy locally caught wild fish, fresh garden veggies and so much more. Meals will be enjoyed under a covered but open-air dining area overlooking the ocean or on one of the many beaches. Learn more about our menu on our Food page.
Endless PADDLING Options
Kayaks are a great way to get outside together and explore. Your guides will share their love and passion for the coast and kayaking with you.
The days on the water are flexible based on the abilities and desires of each group. Longer explorations or shorter excursions are both an option as long as we maintain our guest-to-guide safety ratio. Your guides will always make sure to keep an eye on the weather conditions and help design each day’s activities appropriately.
We’ll head off in our kayaks to explore the many nooks and crannies of the shoreline. Keep your senses alert for the tell-tale blow of some of the area’s more famous residents like orcas and humpback whales.
The Best Place for Whale Watching in BC
In addition to orcas, we are lucky to share the ecosystem with humpback whales, bears (it is not uncommon to see black bears foraging along the shores for seafood during low tide), deer, cougars, shore and seabirds, minks, river otters, dolphins, and porpoise – to say nothing of the abundant, vibrant and colourful intertidal life one can see below the surface. Witnessing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is truly breathtaking.
Trip HIGHLIGHTS
- This camp location provides a great chance of viewing orcas, humpbacks, bears, and all sorts of wildlife in their natural habitat
- Explore the coastal environment responsibly and safely by kayak with our wonderful, highly trained guides
- Flexible paddling distances and speeds; paddle as much or as little as you wish or stay and enjoy the camp – you choose.
- AlumiTubs hot tub overlooking the ocean
- Private toilets and hand-washing sinks right at your tent
- Outdoor hot showers with ocean views
- Delicious and locally-inspired meals
- Attention is given to the smallest details to make for the perfect trip
- Large bright spacious tents, comfortable beds, warm duvets
- Responsible ecotourism, sustainably run operation that gives back to research and conservation in the area
- So much open space to relax and recharge. The supernatural beauty of BC is all yours to enjoy!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Professional guiding service
- Kayaking as much or as little as you wish
- All kayaking equipment (including kayaks, PFDs, paddles, pumps, ropes, dry bags, and sponges)
- All meals and snacks (dinner day 1 to lunch day 5) and wine to accompany dinners
- Everything you need for a wonderful glamping experience: spacious tents, comfortable beds, all linens, and towels, private toilets and sinks, hot showers, flashlight/headlamp, a library of natural history books, camp binoculars, and more
- Private return water taxi service from Alder Bay
- Park and land use permits
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Flights, airport transfers, ferries, or any transport required to get to our meeting spot
- Accommodation before and after your tour
- Travel/medical insurance (Please read our guide – Travel Insurance)
- Carbonated beverages and alcohol (a glass of wine is provided at dinner, guests are welcome to bring other drinks as well)
- Rain gear (may be rented if you prefer; laundered between every guest)
- Personal items (toiletries, clothing, etc.)
- Gratuities (if you feel you had exemplary service)
Also Available for private group Reservations
If you have a large group that would like to book the whole tour as a private group, ask us about tour/camp buy-outs.
Fully Booked?
Check out our other basecamp-style tour: the 4-day Johnstone Strait Ultimate tour.
Spirit of the West acknowledges and operates in the unceded traditional territory of the Mamalilikulla-Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em, 'Namgis, Tlowitsis, Kwikwasut’inuxw, Nuu-chah-nulth, We Wai Kai, Homalco, Klahoose and Heiltsuk First Nations.
