Sea kayaking on the Johnstone Strait. Awesome!
Four days sea kayaking on the Johnstone Strait. Awesome!
Day 1: the trip starts from Quathiaski cove on Quarda Island. The sea taxis were loaded with food, our gear, additional camp supplies and ourselves. The 2.5hr trip to West Cracroft island passes through Seymour narrows and ripple rock. Ripple rock was an undersea mountain and extremely hazardous to shipping. In 1958 the rock was dynamited. At the time it was the largest non-nuclear planned explosion and was broadcast on national TV. The area between Vancouver Island and the mainland is characterized by a large inter-tidal range and narrow channels which can result in strong currents. However these currents also oxygenate the sea leading to increased biodiversity. We settled into camp, and checked out the facilities. Tents with pillow and mattress and view towards the Robson Bight ecological reserve, covered dining and kitchen area, ecological toilets, shower and hot tub. In the afternoon we were issued with spray decks, life jackets, paddles and kayaks and then we set out for an acclimatization paddle along the shore. Returning to the harbor we had our first contact with local Dall's porpoise. It is thought to be the fastest cetacean with a swimming speed of up to 30 knots.
Day 2: Robson Bight reserve was created because this is the summer home for a groups of predominantly fish eating orcas. On the opposite side of the strait is Eagle eye, a volunteer station which records cetacean observations and tries to ensure shipping stays a safe distance from the whales. This is a tough job as at slack tide cruise ships pass through the strait. We set off paddling for a beach close to Eagle eye. On the way we saw a Steller sea lion. These are the largest species of sea lions and in common with all the marine mammals in the area they like to eat a lot of salmon. On arriving of beach we were officially welcomed by Ernest and Mike according to the First Nations traditions. Mike and Ernest accompanied us to Eagle eye and shared insights into First Nations culture and local ecology. There are some really big slugs on the island which may cure sore throats. After talking to the volunteer conservationists we paddled back to camp.
Day 3: Very little wind was forecast so it was planned to cross the strait to a beach on the edge of the reserve. We paddled to the narrowest point and crossed in around 40mins. As lunch was being prepared the first group of orcas swam up the strait, followed by a second group during lunch. Orcas form tight-knit matrilineal groups led by the oldest female. We paddled back across the strait and encountered the second pod of whales traveling back down the strait. The sound of orcas blowing is unforgettable and their speed and size close up is impressive. Back at the camp we celebrated our first sighting of orcas in the hot tub only to see a humpback whale swimming up the strait!
Day 4: Early morning paddle and not a breath of wind. Exquisite, looking down into the bull kelp for purple starfish and pink sea urchins. Back at camp the orcas passed again with a display of tail slapping. When the sea taxis arrived everyone of the thirteen person group was sad to leave.
We booked this excursion with Spirit of the West Adventures. We had three fabulous female guides who cooked for us, made sure we were safe on the water, shared with us loads of facts about the local wildlife and made our tour outstanding.
