At the Waters Edge Adventures
At the Waters Edge Adventures
At the Waters Edge Adventures
5
Multi-day Tours • Boat Tours • Equipment Hire • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view

About
AWE Adventures offers multi-day kayaking tours and kayak rentals for Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and the Broughton Archipelago from our base in Telegraph Cove, BC. Northern Vancouver Island is one of the best places on earth for kayaking with whales. Our expedition-grade kayaking gear is the best in the business, so your paddling experience will be superior. Self-guided tours available.
Telegraph Cove, British Columbia, Canada
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
At the Waters Edge Adventures
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
88 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
sheps121
Edinburgh, UK2 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
This is the best trip I have ever been on.
Our guides (Kevin and Ricci) were incredible! They were very knowledgeable about all of the local wildlife and were brilliant fun to hang out with. They were very flexible with regards to where we went and what we did, matching the enthusiasm and interests of the group. Their knowledge of the tides and the forecasts enabled us to have smooth paddling throughout our 5 day trip. Not only did they take us to amazing campsites but they also cooked wonderful meals each day which were all delicious.
During the trip we saw otters, seals, sea lions, eagles, humpbacks, orcas, dolphins and porpoises.
On one night the guides kindly took us out for an evening paddle where we were able to see bioluminescence which was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.
This was a fantastic trip that I will never forget! I can’t thank Kevin, Ricci and everyone at AWE enough.
Our guides (Kevin and Ricci) were incredible! They were very knowledgeable about all of the local wildlife and were brilliant fun to hang out with. They were very flexible with regards to where we went and what we did, matching the enthusiasm and interests of the group. Their knowledge of the tides and the forecasts enabled us to have smooth paddling throughout our 5 day trip. Not only did they take us to amazing campsites but they also cooked wonderful meals each day which were all delicious.
During the trip we saw otters, seals, sea lions, eagles, humpbacks, orcas, dolphins and porpoises.
On one night the guides kindly took us out for an evening paddle where we were able to see bioluminescence which was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.
This was a fantastic trip that I will never forget! I can’t thank Kevin, Ricci and everyone at AWE enough.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ATS
Vancouver, Canada7 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
OK, we have been kayaking up here for a long time and for some reason we had not hooked up with AWE until 2023. This is the only group to go with for a number of reasons. Wesley and their team were great, from the initial planning phase to jumping in the water. The location could not be better - THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BEACH - nothing more to be said unless you like to line up to load your kayaks in the marina area with gas and oil floating from all the boats - Wesleys team was so helpful when we got their and made sure we were all set up - the great thing was that they left us alone to pack and their was no time constraint - magical little cove and if you are headed down the straight it knocks off a 40 minute slug fest coming out of the marina. I have alot of kayaking experience with the required courses so we were able to rent kayaks on our own - don't be frustrated with the process as this is for your own safety. I have seen this area as calm as glass and then change to a wicked storm in an hour where you can't even paddle - you need to be dialed in on backcountry kayaking before you ask to rent. These guys know the area and provide amazing tours - don't hesitate to jump on board with Wesley and AWE team whenever looking to kayak out there. We will be booking with AWE every year. Thanks Wesley !!
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia B
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Friends
Our trip was perfect - the perfect set up of boats, the best guide ever, fabulous wildlife viewing, fabulous food. Our guide, Kev, was knowledgeable and eternally vigilant. He paid close attention to everyone's skill levels and chose paddling partners for us that optimized our ability to move around. He kept close watch on reports of nearby wildlife so that we saw everything we dreamed of. He also accommodated 3 different dietary restrictions and made great food that everyone could enjoy. Didn't hurt that the weather was also perfect. It was a small group too. Highly recommended.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas D
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Friends
We just enjoyed an incredible 7-day trip to the Broughtons. This place is magic--we were blown away by the beauty of the region and non-stop wildlife encounters. AWE exceeded our expectations and worked hard to make the trip as memorable as possible. Rob helped us book the right trip option for our group and went out of his way to provide delicious, fresh food while accommodating challenging food allergies. The kayaks and gear provided by AWE were high quality and made for good paddling and comfortable camp life.
I can't speak highly enough of our guide, Kevin. He worked sunrise to sunset to make sure we got the most out of our 7-day trip. His navigational, kayaking, and natural history experience were inspiring and he made sure we got to experience the best campsites and wildlife hotspots in the area. To top things off, he closely tracked whale movements using marine radio. Thanks to his knowledge, we were able to see orcas pass within a few meters of our kayaks on the last day of the trip (while making sure we were following protocols and looking out for the safety of the animals and us). Thank you, AWE!
I can't speak highly enough of our guide, Kevin. He worked sunrise to sunset to make sure we got the most out of our 7-day trip. His navigational, kayaking, and natural history experience were inspiring and he made sure we got to experience the best campsites and wildlife hotspots in the area. To top things off, he closely tracked whale movements using marine radio. Thanks to his knowledge, we were able to see orcas pass within a few meters of our kayaks on the last day of the trip (while making sure we were following protocols and looking out for the safety of the animals and us). Thank you, AWE!
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissMandas
Lethbridge, Canada11 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
At the Waters Edge:
Where do I begin??
HOW do I even begin to say how wonderful this experience was?
I wanted to surprise my partner and my 9 year old son with an ocean kayaking trip, and all the reviews led me to AWE Adventures. From the beginning communication was clear, concise, and courteous. Wesley was friendly and quick to respond to all my inquiries, and I had many! The lists and documents and suggestions provided were extremely helpful and I took them all very seriously, much to my partner's dismay, and I stayed warm and (mostly) dry.
Let me tell you about our guides Marc, Ricci, and Dennine:
Our guides were so patient and encouraging with our 9 year old son. They graciously listened to his stories, readily answered his many questions (and they were MANY), and matched his enthusiasm at his request to help with various tasks. They kept him busy just as much as he kept them on their toes. They were wonderful.
Marc, the man with a 5 star plan. On departure day Marc explained his plan and outlined his expectations for the trip. Marc had a plan for every day taking into account the tides, currents, and weather. He was extremely knowledgeable and kept us safe and on schedule in accordance with the ocean currents and tides. He was enthusiastic, and patient, and he makes a damn good cup of coffee.
Ricci, the girl with 5 star knowledge on inter-tidal marine life, and a heart the size of a Giant Pacific Chiton! To say Ricci is passionate about inter-tidal marine life would be an understatement. Ricci was eager to show us all the things she knew about inter-tidal life. She was quick to answer my son's MANY questions, and if she didn't have an answer, she had a book and we would look it up together. Ricci radiates positivity and always had a smile on her face.
Dennine, the girl with the spontaneous adventure streak, 5 star neck massages, and all the local plant based remedies and knowledge. Dennine was our local indigenous guide and it was such a blessing to have her there with us. Her knowledge, experience, and passion for the land and the ocean was invaluable. Dennine has a generous and peaceful soul and offered us much balance on our journey.
OMG, and the FOOD!!!!
The food. All I can say is WOW. I wish I would have taken pictures of the food! Quite honestly it looked and smelled so good, and I was so hungry that I could not be bothered to take pictures. I am amazed at the quality of the meals we were served while on an island in the middle of nowhere. They were incredible. The meals provided also catered to dietary restrictions. We were beyond impressed.
And of course we saw all the wildlife. whales, porpoise, sea lions, otters, you name it. Our guides were all so knowledgeable and knew where to look and what to listen for to make sure we all got a chance to see the animals in this incredible place.
I could go on, but I've probably lost many of you by now...
We will book again as soon as we can make it happen. 10/10 recommend AWE Adventures.
TLDR:
Great guides. Great food. 5 stars. Book here.
Where do I begin??
HOW do I even begin to say how wonderful this experience was?
I wanted to surprise my partner and my 9 year old son with an ocean kayaking trip, and all the reviews led me to AWE Adventures. From the beginning communication was clear, concise, and courteous. Wesley was friendly and quick to respond to all my inquiries, and I had many! The lists and documents and suggestions provided were extremely helpful and I took them all very seriously, much to my partner's dismay, and I stayed warm and (mostly) dry.
Let me tell you about our guides Marc, Ricci, and Dennine:
Our guides were so patient and encouraging with our 9 year old son. They graciously listened to his stories, readily answered his many questions (and they were MANY), and matched his enthusiasm at his request to help with various tasks. They kept him busy just as much as he kept them on their toes. They were wonderful.
Marc, the man with a 5 star plan. On departure day Marc explained his plan and outlined his expectations for the trip. Marc had a plan for every day taking into account the tides, currents, and weather. He was extremely knowledgeable and kept us safe and on schedule in accordance with the ocean currents and tides. He was enthusiastic, and patient, and he makes a damn good cup of coffee.
Ricci, the girl with 5 star knowledge on inter-tidal marine life, and a heart the size of a Giant Pacific Chiton! To say Ricci is passionate about inter-tidal marine life would be an understatement. Ricci was eager to show us all the things she knew about inter-tidal life. She was quick to answer my son's MANY questions, and if she didn't have an answer, she had a book and we would look it up together. Ricci radiates positivity and always had a smile on her face.
Dennine, the girl with the spontaneous adventure streak, 5 star neck massages, and all the local plant based remedies and knowledge. Dennine was our local indigenous guide and it was such a blessing to have her there with us. Her knowledge, experience, and passion for the land and the ocean was invaluable. Dennine has a generous and peaceful soul and offered us much balance on our journey.
OMG, and the FOOD!!!!
The food. All I can say is WOW. I wish I would have taken pictures of the food! Quite honestly it looked and smelled so good, and I was so hungry that I could not be bothered to take pictures. I am amazed at the quality of the meals we were served while on an island in the middle of nowhere. They were incredible. The meals provided also catered to dietary restrictions. We were beyond impressed.
And of course we saw all the wildlife. whales, porpoise, sea lions, otters, you name it. Our guides were all so knowledgeable and knew where to look and what to listen for to make sure we all got a chance to see the animals in this incredible place.
I could go on, but I've probably lost many of you by now...
We will book again as soon as we can make it happen. 10/10 recommend AWE Adventures.
TLDR:
Great guides. Great food. 5 stars. Book here.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorrie J
2 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Won a trip for 6 from Marine Education Research Society but after family had to cancel it ended up just my hubby and I for a day on the zodiac(hubby is not a kayaker). We still had a great time with guide AJ: orca, humpbacks, otter, phalaropes, anklets. Even having rain in the am didn't dampen our fun. Had lunch on land at their ecosummer camp base! Thanks for a great day!
Written August 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
j K
Wijk bij Duurstede, The Netherlands7 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
We only had time for a day trip, but it was wonderfull. The organisation is or feels at least as a family business. And I prefer that above the more commercial organisations. We started with a fog at sea but that cleared up quickly. The guide was nice. We had a great day with fantastic weather. The lunch is fantastic even with my gluten allergy. Only pity we had is that we did not have time for a longer trip.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie E
1 contribution
Jul. 2023
WOW! This was a trip of a lifetime! Orca camp at their 4-day Ecosummer tour was sooo much more than I could have possibly imagined!
We saw and kayaked with all the sea life imaginable! I will never forget all the whales, sea lions, seals, eagles, otters, fish, porpoises, dolphins, all swimming right up to our kayaks!
We shared our trip with an amazing group of three incredible guides and guests, becoming a family by the end! I also haven't laughed as hard as I did on this trip. From the gourmet food, glorious campsite, beautiful ocean kelp forests, and soo many games and smiles shared, this trip was magical!
We saw and kayaked with all the sea life imaginable! I will never forget all the whales, sea lions, seals, eagles, otters, fish, porpoises, dolphins, all swimming right up to our kayaks!
We shared our trip with an amazing group of three incredible guides and guests, becoming a family by the end! I also haven't laughed as hard as I did on this trip. From the gourmet food, glorious campsite, beautiful ocean kelp forests, and soo many games and smiles shared, this trip was magical!
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline L
Alton, UK3 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
3 day kayak trip was AMAZING! Mark, the guide, was brilliant, really knowledgeable and made the trip fun. Food was delicious. Loved the gentle pace of the trip, but still covered 38km! and the different campsites were beautiful. Two teenage kids said it was the best thing they have done in Canada (and we have done quite a lot!!)
Organisation of trip was perfect and Wes answered any questions we had prior to going really quickly.
Would definitely recommend.
Organisation of trip was perfect and Wes answered any questions we had prior to going really quickly.
Would definitely recommend.
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl S
Minneapolis, MN4 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
My husband and I are still replaying so many wonderful parts of our 3 day kayak trip on Johnston Strait. We had the most amazing guide, Maia,who went above and beyond to make this a positive memorable trip. The first day and a half was rainy but the area is so gorgeous that it did not matter. All of our gear from kayaks to tents to rain clothes were top of the line. We had low fold out cots and inflatable sleeping mats that were game changers for two 60+ year old campers! In fact, we are going to go right out and buy our own of these cots. We each had our own camp chair to sit in which also was a very nice addition. Maia was great at adapting the trip pace to what our small group of 4 could do. And then on top of it all, she made 3 amazing meals a day for us! The food was fresh, healthy and delicious. I particularly liked her extensive knowledge of the area. She was so calm, encouraging and relaxed. The humpback sightings on the last day were just icing on top of an already delicious cake! I cannot recommend this outfit enough!
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience