Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures

06/22/2025

Last-Minute Kayak Tour Savings Up to 50% Off

Looking for an unforgettable summer adventure? Paddle through some of the most breathtaking coastal ecosystems on the planet — from Haida Gwaii, often called Canada’s Galapagos, to kayaking alongside whales off northern Vancouver Island.

We’re offering limited-time discounts on select departures – but don’t wait, spots are limited!

Discounts apply to new bookings only and cannot be combined with other offers.

🔥 SAVE 50% with code SAVE50
Whale and Wildlife Explorer | June 29 – July 4
Northern Gwaii Haanas Explorer | July 22 – 29

🔥 SAVE 25% with code SAVE25
Family Kayak With Whales | July 5 – 8 and July 12 – 15
Perfect for families with children aged 6 to 15
Sea Otter Explorer | July 7 – 12 (Only 2 spots left)

Book now at

Book You Kayak Adventure Now Book Now Book Now – Risk Free Use our secure online booking system below to secure your spot(s). Your deposit is fully refundable for 72 hours after your booking. This gives you three days to sort out travel plans and ensure you don’t lose your spot(s). If you can’...

05/16/2025

We just had a cancellation on our peak season August 16–19 Family Kayak With Whales Base Camp Tour, and now have space for up to six additional guests!

This trip is perfect for families with children aged 6 to 15 — a fun and memorable way to experience whales, wildlife, and wilderness together.

Learn more and book online:

Kingfisher’s Family Kayak With Whales base camp kayak tours are designed for families with children aged 6 to 14 and are a great way for the whole family to better appreciate wildlife and nature.

05/06/2025

An article from National Geographic Traveller UK magazine featuring our base camp kayak tours.

Please note, a little bit of artistic license may have been taken by the author as we adhere to whale watching guidelines and maintain appropriate distances from all marine mammals. We also don't paddle around the Discovery Islands, which is much further south, but around Hanson Island.

A sea kayaking journey through the Johnstone Strait offers eye-to-eye encounters with orcas, humpbacks and sea lions.

05/01/2025

We’re getting excited—kayak season is almost here! Our first Kayak With Whales base camp tour of the summer kicks off on June 17.

This four-day adventure offers incredible whale encounters, stunning coastal scenery, and comfortable wilderness camping. It’s the perfect way to experience the wild beauty of northern Vancouver Island.

Learn more and book your spot here at https://kingfisher.ca/kayak-with-whales-kayak-tour/

04/25/2025

They might look dainty, but Red-necked Phalaropes are tough little travellers.

Each spring and late summer, these tiny shorebirds migrate thousands of kilometres between tropical oceans and sub-Arctic breeding grounds - and we’re lucky to spot them feeding in our rich coastal waters along the way.

While kayaking, we often see them by the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands along tide lines - spinning in tight circles to stir up plankton and tiny invertebrates. It’s a feeding strategy that’s as mesmerizing as it is effective.

Keep an eye out for these spinning specks on our kayak tours. They may not be as big or boisterous as the marine mammals we see, but they’re just as fascinating.

Join us on one of our kayak tours and experience the rich biodiversity of the BC coast — from the smallest shorebirds to the largest marine mammals. Learn more at https://kingfisher.ca/

04/23/2025

Humpback whales are frequently seen on all our kayak tours — especially in the waters surrounding our base camps off Northern Vancouver Island.

We’ve started hearing reports of familiar humpbacks making their way back from their wintering grounds, returning to feed in the nutrient-rich waters along our coast.

Each season, we look forward to paddling alongside these ocean giants — spotting returning whales, welcoming new calves, and experiencing the magic of sharing the water with them.

Our tours kick off in mid-June, and we’d love to have you join us on the water for another season of amazing wildlife encounters. You can learn more about all our kayak tours at https://kingfisher.ca/

04/15/2025

The other day we shared a look at the comforts of our Hanson Island base camps — but for those looking for a little more adventure (and a little less comfort), our expedition-style kayak tours offer a true wilderness experience.

These tours are for travellers who want to fully immerse themselves in nature — paddling through remote coastal areas, camping in beautiful wild places, and exploring regions that few others get to see.

Our expedition tours range from 5 to 15 days and are offered in some of British Columbia’s most spectacular kayaking destinations — northern Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Great Bear Rainforest.

Unlike our base camp tours where you return to the same camp each night, our expedition tours travel between different wilderness campsites. Some nights you might camp in the forest, other nights on a pebble or sandy beach, or even on a rocky point overlooking the ocean. Each trip is unique — the exact route and campsites depend on wildlife opportunities, weather, and the group.

We provide high-quality three-season tents, warm sleeping bags with liners, and insulated sleeping pads to ensure a good night’s sleep. Couples are provided with spacious three-person tents, while solo travellers have a slightly smaller tent.

On the water, we use stable fibreglass single and double kayaks with lightweight paddles. Waterproof kayaking jackets, PFDs, and neoprene mitts are provided to help keep you warm and dry on the water.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable wilderness adventure — this is it.

Learn more about our expedition tours and start planning your next adventure at https://kingfisher.ca/expedition-kayaking/

04/13/2025

Looking for a camping experience that’s a little more comfortable — but still immersed in nature?

Our Hanson Island base camps offer the perfect balance of coastal wilderness and comfort. These guided kayak tours are ideal for adventurous travellers — even if you’ve never kayaked or camped before.

Each spacious canvas tent is raised off the forest floor on wooden platforms built from locally milled cedar. The tents are tucked into the coastal rainforest with views of the ocean or surrounding forest. Inside, you’ll find wooden beds with thick Therm-a-Rest mattresses (the widest and most comfortable available), cozy fleece blankets, sheets, full-size pillows, and warm barrel-style sleeping bags. We even provide hot water bottles to keep you warm on cooler nights.

Add to that an on-demand hot shower, a covered cedar dining shelter, a library of wildlife books, and a recharging station for cameras — and you have a wilderness experience that’s both accessible and unforgettable.

We offer three different 4-day / 3-night itineraries:
→ Kayak With Whales
→ Whales & Grizzly Bears
→ Family Kayak With Whales

Learn more at https://kingfisher.ca/base-camp-kayaking/

04/12/2025

Over the last few years, we’ve been seeing more and more sea otters slowly expanding their range from the very northern tip of Vancouver Island down toward Johnstone Strait — right where we run our kayak base camp tours.

We often spot them on the water taxi ride to and from camp (always a highlight!), but it’s still pretty rare to see them from our kayaks on these trips — at least for now.

For the best chance to kayak alongside these incredible animals, we run a special 6-day Sea Otter Explorer trip a little further north, in an area where sea otters are thriving and often seen floating in large rafts.

Our August Sea Otter Explorer trip is already sold out — but we still have space available on our early July departure! If paddling alongside sea otters is on your wish list this summer, be sure to check out https://kingfisher.ca/sea-otter-explorer-kayak-tour/ for all the details and to book your spot.

04/10/2025

We’re getting excited for another amazing season on the water here on Northern Vancouver Island! Our guides are counting down the days to get back out there and share the incredible wildlife, stunning scenery, and special moments that make this coast so unforgettable.

One of our most popular trips is our 4-day / 3-night Whales & Grizzly Base Camp adventure, running from late June to mid-September. It’s the perfect mix of coastal exploration and wildlife viewing — with days spent kayaking through beautiful waters and one full day dedicated to grizzly bear viewing by boat with our friends at Sea Wolf Adventures.

Dates are already starting to fill up for this summer — so if this trip has been on your bucket list, now’s a great time to check out https://kingfisher.ca/whales-and-grizzly-bears-kayak-tour/ for all the details and get your spot booked!

We can’t wait to share another incredible season with you.

03/01/2025

Come to the Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show this weekend and meet Wendy in booth # 1023 to learn more about our kayak tours.

Learn more about kayaking in Gwaii Haanas from Kingfisher guide, Carter Arlette, who will be presenting Sunday morning at 11:15 on the Best of Canada Stage.

02/03/2025

A foggy morning paddle in Gwaii Haaanas. We can't wait to be back there this summer!

https://kingfisher.ca/kayaking-haida-gwaii/