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Mothership Adventure: 4 & 6 day kayak tour

 

	6 day tour This tour starts from the town of Port McNeil on the north end of Vancouver Island. See below or visit our Getting Here page for details on how to get here. Day prior: We ask that you call us on this day to confirm exact meeting time and location. Day 1: Arrive in Port McNeill by road or air. You will meet your guides around 6:00pm at pe determined meeting location. From here we transfer to the Songhee where you meet the crew and get acquainted with your new floating home. We begin our cruise with an evening of dining and discussing our plans for our upcoming days of exploration. Day 2-5 Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait: Once we leave homeport, we have an advantage over land based trips - the ship can go anywhere within a vast network of remote interconnected islands and channels. We will journey right into the heart of Killer Whale (Orca) country, where nearly 230 of the majestic creatures reside in family groups known as pods. A visit to a research station will help us learn more about the Killer Whales, Humpbacks and other resident whale species found in the region. The kayaks will allow us to get as close as possible without intruding or disrupting the natural surroundings. Each day of our voyage will result in new discoveries. As eagles track our passage, sea lions, dolphins, and seals frolic in the pristine waters. We will visit the remote abandoned First Nations village of Mamalilacula, where a local native historian will thrill us with the legends of his people, who traveled these waters in massive seagoing canoes carved from the towering cedars. Totems carved with eagles, bears, whales and the other creatures who shared the land and sea with the original peoples still stand, silent witnesses to the passage of time and the natural wonders that still define the area. Two experienced kayaking guides, plus a captain, engineer, and deckhand will share their years of knowledge and skills with their passengers, ensuring the trip exceeds expectations. With guests limited to 10, individual comfort and attention is emphasized. Spend the last night in a quite cove or in Alert Bay where we will view the graveyard totems and visit the renowned U'Mista Cultural Centre. day 6: Return to Port McNeill dock in the late afternoon / early evening.   4 day tour This tour starts from the town of Port McNeil on the north end of Vancouver Island. See below or visit our Getting Here page for details on how to get here. Unlike the 6 day tour above, this tour begins in the morning of day 1 of your tour. Therefore, if you are traveling from afar, you will most likely need to get to Port McNeil on the day prior to tour. Day prior: Arrive in Port McNeill by road or air. We ask that you call us on this day to confirm exact meeting time and location. Day 1: Meet your guides around 9:00am at pre determined meeting location. From here we transfer to the Songhee where you meet the crew and get acquainted with your new floating home. We begin with a scenic cruise into Johnstone Strait where we will seek our our first days paddling destination. A thorough kayak orientaion from our skilled guides will get us ready for our first paddle. Day 2 - 3 Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait: Once we leave homeport, we have an advantage over land based trips - the ship can go anywhere within a vast network of remote interconnected islands and channels. We will journey right into the heart of Killer Whale (Orca) country, where nearly 300 of the majestic creatures reside in family groups known as pods. A visit to a research station will help us learn more about the Killer Whales, Humpbacks and other resident whale species found in the region. The kayaks will allow us to get as close as possible without intruding or disrupting the natural surroundings. Each day of our voyage will result in new discoveries. As eagles track our passage, sea lions, dolphins, and seals frolic in the pristine waters. Two experienced kayaking guides, plus a captain, engineer, and deckhand will share their years of knowledge and skills with their passengers, ensuring the trip exceeds expectations. With guests limited to 10, individual comfort and attention is emphasized. Day 4: Return to Port McNeil Return Port McNeil by late afternoon / early evening, taking back memories of one of the most unique waterborne wildlife adventures in Canada.

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About the Songhee - Your new floating home

The Songhee, named after one of our coastal native tribes, is a 95 foot World War II era supply ship specially designed for navigating our maze of islands. Used as a supply vessel for the Royal Canadian Air Force, she serviced army bases scattered throughout the coast. She has now been extensively refitted to carry 11 guests and 6 crew in comfort and style, and at 95ft has more than enough space for everyone to enjoy some privacy. There is plenty of outside deck space for roaming or soaking in our hot tub, and inside, our cedar wood finished lounge has ample room to read, play games, or just relax. The bedrooms (staterooms) are bright and cheery, and each have a sink and comfortable bunks. We have 5 staterooms with 2 bunks, 1 room with a single. Generally we can accommodate you with your own room. On the rare occasion when we have several independent travelers we do our best to match you up with a suitable partner. Three bathrooms and two showers are available for our 10 guests.

Meals while on tour

At Spirit of the West we put a great amount of time and effort in preparing wholesome quality meals. Our chef will delight guests with meals featuring fresh quality produce and local delicacies. Spirit of the West is not licensed to serve alcohol. However, you may bring your own. Please ensure to notify us if you have any dietary concerns, restrictions or food allergies. This should be included in detail on your medical form.

Accommodations before/after tour

We have included a list of places to stay for Port McNeil, if you need assistance with accommodations elsewhere, please contact us at
1 800 307 3982.

 

Port McNeil

Ev's Bunkhouse on the Beach
website: www.pixsell.bc.ca/bb/125.htm.
Phone: 1 877 956 4993

Seaview B&B
website: www.portmcneill.net/seeview/
Phone: 1 250 956 4818

Broughton Manor B&B
website: www.broughtonmanor.com
Phone: 1 250 956 4202

Rosebury Manor B&B
website: www.pixsell.bc.ca/bb/150.htm
Phone: 1 888 956 7673

Tanquil Space B&B
website: www.portmcneill.net/tranquil
Phone: 1 250 956 2002

Haida - Way Motor Inn
website: www.portmcneillhotels.com
Phone: 1 800 956 3373

 

Getting to Port McNeil

For these tours you need to make your way to Port McNeil. Port McNeil is located on Hwy 19a 2.5 hrs drive north of Campbell River, 4 ½ hrs north of Nanaimo and 6 hours north of Victoria. To get to Port McNeil you can drive and ferry, bus and ferry, or fly from Seattle or Vancouver. If you are coming from the mainland, in order to get to Vancouver Island with your car, one must take a ferry. Please note that the ferries can get quite congested during the summer months, so we advise you to get an early start your "travel day" and enjoy the drive up.

If you are flying,you have the option of flying right from Seattle to downtown Port McNeil by Kenmore Air floatplane. This is most costly but most direct. The other option is to fly with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver to Port Hardy (a town near Port McNeil), and from here a 25 minute airport shuttle will take you to our meeting point in Port McNeil.

For details on how to get here, such driving times, flights, ferries, or car rentals you can visit our Getting Here page or you can contact our local travel agency, Uniglobe Rivercity Travel, and they will happily assist you. They can be reached in North America at 1 800 567-6511 or by email at roni@unigloberivercity.com. You are also welcome to call us for travel suggestions and advice.

 

 

Meeting Location - Departure day

Port McNeil
Meeting time 4 Day tour: 9:00am - 9:30am.
Meeting time 6 Day tour: 6:00 - 6:30pm .
Where: Our meeting location is in downtown Port McNeil near the main boat dock, and is in the process of being changed for 2005. You will be informed of the exact meeting location well before your tour.

 

 

 

Most of our sea kayaking British Columbia tours start from beautiful British Columbia. To kayak Quadra Island, please have a look at our kayaking Quadra Island pages to see what to do when visiting Quadra Island including our fantastic kayak Vancouver Island Day Tours. kayaking British Columbia with Spirit of the West.

Sea kayaking Canada day tours on Quadra Island

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Call Toll Free 1 800 307 3982 :: Overseas Call 1 250 285 2121

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