BC WILDERNESS ISLANDS/Nigei Island Circumnavigation (New Trip!)

Why this trip: Sea Kayak Adventures is the lone outfitter to tour these remote islands. Includes a water taxi ride one-way to extend further into the wilderness.

Port Hardy, British Columbia -- Sea kayakers have long been seeking another wilderness paddle destination to equal the heady mix of wildlife encounters and stunning scenery they have found in British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait.  Outfitter Terry Prichard claims the search is over:  his company, Sea Kayak Adventures, is running two 2008 departures in the remote waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, in BC’s newest marine park God’s Pocket Provincial Park (founded 1995).  “In Johnstone Strait, being a part of the Inside Passage, you see whale watching tours, many fishing boats, and lots of commercial kayak groups.’ Says Prichard. “But in this remote jewel of an island archipelago just northeast off Port Hardy, BC, you won’t see anybody else.” Guests can see humpback, minke and killer whales, porpoises, seals and sea otters while paddling their kayaks through the wild, uninhabited island chains and intricate channels making up God’s Pod’s Pocket Provincial Park in Queen Charlotte Strait.  The Park, with its famous Browning Wall, was proclaimed by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best cold water SCUBA diving spots in the world.  Guests will thrill to the amazing underwater life from our kayaks.

Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc developed the trip itinerary, and is the only outfitter doing so.

The meeting point for the 6-day trip is the North Vancouver Island town of Port Hardy.

A water taxi takes participants deeper into the wilderness of the park, where the snow-capped mountains of mainland British Columbia create a stunning backdrop to their return journey.  After dodging the whale flukes, seals, sea otters and curious porpoises, they’ll set up camps on the pebbly, driftwood-strewn beaches of secluded islands like Bell, Hurst, Nigei and Vansitart bordered by Goletas Channel and Queen Charlotte Strait.  Other activities include: exploring tide pools filled with vibrant sea stars and anemones, trekking into lush rain forests, visiting islands rich in native history and remote camping.

 Trips depart August 11-16 and August, 18-23, 2008.

Cost: $1195 including water taxi from Port Hardy.  Includes guides, meals, all camping and kayaking gear.  5% GST tax and airfare to Port Hardy is not included.  The outfitter is the only outfitter to offer lodge-based sea kayak tours in God’s Pocket Provincial Park.

Outfitter: Sea Kayak Adventures, (800) 616-1943, www.seakayakadventures.com. # # #