Northern Vancouver Island is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sea-kayaking areas. It’s a place where deep green forests meet swirling currents and a maze of wild islands. From the sweeping waters of Johnstone Strait to the quiet coves of Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park, this corner of the coast offers some of the richest marine life in the world. As owner of Spirit of the West Adventures Rick Snowdon explains, “The main draw of the area, other than scenery, is wildlife… you’re going to see whales, otters, seabirds, and so much more. It’s fabulous.”
Spirit of the West offers guided excursions in Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound and Rick has been guiding these waters for decades. He says the big animals such as orcas, are a huge draw for his clients but “the whole area is rich with intertidal life. I always encourage people to slow down, especially during low tide, and paddle slowly through intertidal areas where you’ll find all kinds of creatures you’ve never seen before.”
Andrea Mandel-Campbell, founder of Karibu Adventures, agrees Vancouver Island North offers some of the best marine life watching anywhere. “Every time you go, there’s always something that blows your mind. This past August we had been kayaking around Hanson Island when we went ashore at a spot that overlooked Johnstone Straight. There was a bunch of different currents coming together and two pods of orca came through. There were about a dozen in total. Then four humpbacks appeared, and then a huge pod of white-sided dolphins came through! It was out of this world. We sat there for one and a half hours just watching while the whales and the orcas kept moving and circling.”
For good weather and exceptional wildlife viewing, the summer and fall months are ideal. July and August bring the return of both resident and Bigg’s orca, huge numbers of humpbacks, sea lions, dolphins, and sea otters. But as incredible as the wildlife viewing is, this area of the world needs to be treated with respect. Beginner and intermediate paddlers should strongly consider hiring a local outfitter, as navigating this wild coastline requires knowledge of tides, weather systems, marine forecasts, and safe crossing protocols.
5 Best Sea Kayaking Trips Around Vancouver Island North
1. Telegraph Cove to Blackfish Sound Loop
Best for: wildlife lovers, first-timers with a guide, multi-day explorers
Telegraph Cove is the most popular starting point for trips on the eastern side of Vancouver Island North because it offers instant access to Johnstone Strait. From here, paddle northeast toward the mouth of Blackfish Sound, one of the most reliable places in British Columbia to spot humpbacks, orcas, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Andrea Mandel-Campbell describes the area as “a predictable place to sight whales,” thanks to the convergence of currents and nutrient-rich waters.
Camp along the shoreline of Hanson Island and spend your days exploring tight island passages, kelp forests, and quiet beaches. Depending on conditions, loop back via Weynton Passage, watching for eagles, seals, and otters along the way. This trip combines accessibility with world-class wildlife viewing, making it ideal for paddlers joining a guided tour.
2. Alder Bay to the Broughton Archipelago
Best for: scenic island-hopping, cultural interpretation, beginners with a guide
Launching from Alder Bay lets you skirt the Vancouver Island shoreline before making the three-kilometre crossing toward the Broughtons. Many outfitters will use Alder Bay as a launching point to ferry paddlers across the Straight by water taxi, thereby avoiding the exposed paddle. Once inside the archipelago, the paddling becomes calmer, more intricate, and endlessly rewarding.
The Broughtons are a labyrinth of islets, narrow channels, and sheltered coves, full of intertidal life and perfect for slow exploration. Many outfitters partner with local Indigenous communities, offering visitors a chance to learn about the rich Kwakwaka’wakw cultural heritage of the region. Andrea says she works “with my indigenous partners because it’s so important to understand where you are and the context of the place. The Kwakwaka’wakw people’s culture is very much alive…they are a strong people and very clear on where they’re going. Combining that with paddling in a beautiful part of the world is simply unbelievable.”
3. Blackfish Sound to Robson Bight
Best for: peak-season whale encounters, novice paddlers with a guide
For paddlers seeking the iconic Johnstone Strait experience, this route travels along one of the most storied whale-research coastlines in the world. Begin near Blackfish Sound and travel southeast toward Hanson Island. The southeast corner of the island is the home to the famous OrcaLab and has long been a hotspot for orca research. From there, continue toward Robson Bight, which is renowned for its orca rubbing beaches. These unique, pebbled shorelines are used by orcas to rub their bodies to exfoliate ski and remove parasites.
Andrea says this area is where you’ll find a confluence of different species from huge humpback whales to small sea otter pups. Granted, encounters aren’t guaranteed, but Andrea admits this area consistently delivers some of the best wildlife viewing in British Columbia.
4. Sedge Islands and the Western Edge of the Broughtons
Best for: intermediate paddlers, navigation practice, fewer crowds
For a quieter Broughtons experience, set your sights on the western outer edge of the archipelago. Rick highlights the Sedge Islands because the tight, rocky passages make it one of his favourite paddling areas anywhere.
The maze-like islets offer perfect opportunities to practice navigation and wildlife sightings can be exceptional. Expect everything from minks and otters to unusual intertidal species revealed during low tides such as huge starfish species in the world. This route is slightly more exposed than inner-archipelago routes, so comfort with currents and wind is an asset.
5. The Cape Scott Marine Trail
Best for: expert paddlers seeking a true outer-coast expedition
For an unforgettable adventure, the Cape Scott Marine Trail delivers a full taste of the Pacific’s raw power. Spanning approximately 96 nautical miles, this route typically takes about 14 days and is rated Class 4, meaning only experienced sea kayakers should attempt it. The trail can be paddled counterclockwise from Port Hardy to take advantage of prevailing northwesterly winds, or west-to-east with a launch from Coal Harbour.
The coastline here is dramatic and varied: you’ll find towering cliffs, wave-battered headlands, expansive white-sand beaches like Shuttleworth Bight, and remote surf beaches such as San Josef Bay and Nels Bight. In between, small islands, sea stacks, and rocky reefs make every day an adventure. However, the trip also demands constant vigilance, strong navigation skills, and careful tidal and weather planning. As Rick notes, “you’ve got no option but to go around the outer coast area” so there are no places to hide from wind, swell, and limited landing zones.
For those who do embark on the adventure, you can expect sea lions and sea otters to watch you with curiosity as you paddle past, and the marine highway sometimes brings whales or transient orcas into view. Many of the trail’s 46 designated campsites link with sections of the North Coast Trail, making this one of the most spectacular combined paddle-and-hike routes in the province.
Because of its exposure, remoteness, and commitment, this route should only be attempted by paddlers with substantial outer-coast experience, excellent planning skills, and a flexible, safety-first mindset. For more about the Cape Scott Marine Trail, visit: bcmarinetrails.org.
