Premier Listings for Robson Bight
The sheltered waters along Vancouver Island’s northeast coast are amongst the best places in the world to view orcas in their natural surroundings.
Robson Bight (Michael Biggs) Ecological Reserve, 20 kms south of Telegraph Cove in Johnstone Strait, provides ocean adventures with a sure thing when it comes to whale watching.
In this case it’s actually killer whale watching (large dolphins called orcas).
Pods of orcas come to this part of Johnstone Strait each summer to rub themselves on the barnacle-encrusted rocks, pebbles and gravel seafloor at Robson Bight. As the top predator on the inland-water food chain, they are also attracted by the annual salmon runs that funnel through the strait beginning in late June. There are few sights more thrilling than a killer whale in the wild breaking the surface and shooting spurts of mist from its blowhole.
The marine portion of Robson Bight Ecological Reserve was established in 1982 in recognition of the importance of this area to killer whales. An upland buffer zone was subsequently added to provide further protection for the whales, increasing the total park size to 5,460 hectares.
Although this Johnstone Strait ecological reserve is closed to the public to reduce disturbance of the whales, the areas surrounding the park provide an excellent opportunity for camping, boating and whale watching.
Camping is permitted at Telegraph Cove and Kaikash Creek on Vancouver Island, and at Boat Bay or Growler Cove on West Cracroft Island. The latter two sites offer good anchorages and are ideal locations for whale watching.
Tours to view whales, bears and other wildlife can be arranged from Telegraph Cove and several other locations in the area. Long-term parking can be arranged in Telegraph Cove for those setting out on extended boating trips in Johnstone Strait. Telegraph Cove, one of the last boardwalk communities on eastern Vancouver Island, is well worth a visit even if you’re not planning to do any offshore exploring.
Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve is located 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Port McNeill, on the northeastern shore of Vancouver Island, and incorporates Mt. Derby, Mt. Sir John and the Tsitika Mountain. Access to Robson Bight Provincial Park is prohibited. Whale watching is restricted to access in Johnstone Strait – be sure to follow the Federal Watching Guidelines.
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Biographical Info
Kayaking British Columbia is the ultimate way to view BC’s abundant wildlife.
We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. Choose among several professionally-guided 4-8 day trips for all experience levels around Vancouver Island. ‘Glamping’ basecamp-style with wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or expedition-style paddling from camp to camp and paddling between 100s of islands through the Broughton Archipelago, famous Desolation Sound and the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast. Savouring a fresh salmon BBQ in the open air, explore and view fascinating wildlife and wilderness and wake up on remote islands with the sound of the whales. Unique and breathtaking.
Our adventures are for everyone and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Our groups are small, ranging from 8 to 13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. We provide high-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.
Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, prepare delicious, organic and local meals, and have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.
During the Northern Hemisphere winter, we also offer kayaking trips to the glacier-fed South American wildlife paradise, the Chilean Patagonia Archipelago, and multi-day escapes to sun, sand, remote beaches and the warm crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Please contact us for all details of these amazing winter getaways!
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Sea Kayak in comfort based from our ocean-side, or float-house accommodations in the wilderness of the Broughton Archipelago, a kayak paradise. The phrase ‘Walking Softly in the Wilderness’ has always been a guiding principle for our homesteading lifestyle and approach to developing our inn. Paddlers Inn has earned a Gold rating from Green Tourism Canada for our efforts to continually reduce our impact on the environment, while supporting others to do the same. We also offer Acupressure massage on-site. Surround yourself with ocean, beaches, trails, an inland lake, and quiet beauty.
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Wildcoast provides memorable kayak vacations for adventure travellers that combine spectacular scenery, scrumptious food, and abundant wildlife encounters, including whales, dolphins, bears and eagles. Kayak with Killer Whales at our Orca base camp in Johnstone Strait, or take one of our kayak expeditions to Desolation Sound or the Discovery Islands. Our top-rated service caters to both local and international clientele. All kayak tours are fully inclusive and no kayaking experience is required. Only have a day? Visit our storefront for paddleboard and kayak Rentals or Day Tours in the stunning vistas surrounding Quadra Island.
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Explore BC and Southeast Alaska with Bluewater Adventures aboard our 70′ yachts sailing the BC Inside Passage, the Queen Charlotte Islands, Gwaii Haanas National Park, the Great Bear Rainforest, and Vancouver Island. You’ll see whales, Grizzly, Black and Kermode bears, and experience ancient native villages and Haida culture, primeval forests, wilderness, and amazing coastal wildlife.
