August 30, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Port McNeill, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Kayaking in Nuchatlitz Inlet on Vancouver Island is an amazing, incredible experience.
I took a 5-day guided kayak trip in late August with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures, a company specializing in multi-day kayak tours to Johnstone Strait, the Broughton Archipelago, Haida Gwaii and the west coast of Vancouver Island. I wanted to get "off the beaten path" so I chose Nuchatlitz Inlet/Nootka Island, a remote area on the north-west coast of Vancouver Island renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing (including sea otters) and spectacular scenery.
The wildlife viewing did not disappoint! We saw colonies of sea otters - sometimes up to 50 or 60 rafted together in kelp beds - and humpback whales lunge-feeding every day. We also saw black bears foraging along the beach, Orcas, porpoises and seabirds.
We paddled for four days and never saw another soul. We camped on remote beaches, ate fresh, gourmet meals (the fresh fruit/chocolate fondue on our last night was a nice touch!) and watched postcard-perfect sunsets.
This trip exceeded all my expectations.