A great campsite with no shortage of Orcas. Tents were comfortable and other amenities, hot tub... read more
A great campsite with no shortage of Orcas. Tents were comfortable and other amenities, hot tub... read more
Such an amazing trip from start to finish. Fabulous company, guide (thanx Morgan) and group... read more
I went on the 7 day luxury Orca Camp with WildCoast and can say, without a doubt, that it was the best holiday I have ever had.
In a world where customer experience so often comes second to profit making, WildCoast takes a refreshing approach to their clients. From the moment we booked Val and Damon went out of their way to answer our questions and ensure our experience was to be enjoyable. This continued at Orca Camp with our fantastic guides; Clay, Calvin and Julie. They have an in-depth knowledge of the wildlife you encounter, and ensure the guests' comfort is prioritised at every point.
My partner and I had never kayaked before, and were with a group where several members had kayaked extensively, which didn't matter at all. The kayaking is a sedate way to see the incredible coastline and scenery, and allows guests to get close to the rocks to see the wildlife.
It is almost too difficult to explain how it feels to see orca in their natural environment: we were lucky enough to see different pods at least twice a day. Our best sitings were from the beach at camp, where the kelp line attracts the orcas close to the shore in pursuit of the salmon. We saw several breeches as the pods left the rubbing beaches just a few hundred metres from the camp. While we were in the kayaks we were also surprised by a humpback whale surfacing only several metres away from us. We also saw bald headed eagles, dolphins and sea-lions.
The food is all provided by Gowlland Harbour Resort, which was the perfect place to start and finish our trip from. At orca camp there is a hot shower on the beach, and a sauna, though sadly we couldn't benefit from this as there is a fire ban in BC due to the arid conditions. We were lucky with the weather (sunny and warm every day) but if it was chilly the main dining tent warms up very well with the wood stove: this was also an ideal place for drying damp clothes or towels.
The beds are raised from the ground and very comfortable: clean sleeping bags are provided for each guest and come with a liner for those that may feel the cold. The loo facilities are also first class - probably the most scenic loo you'll ever use.
I really cannot recommend WildCoast and Orca Camp enough: my only criticism - how am I ever going to beat this holiday?
Our trip with Wildcoast was a blast. My brother, his sons and my son enjoyed the views, the paddling and the food was excellent. Damon and Val are very knowledgable and easy to work with. if you get the chance, don't miss the opportunity to spend time with Wildcoast
Can we give 6 stars? I will echo the reviews written here. Orca Camp is everything they say it is - quiet, remote, stunningly beautiful, peaceful, restful, fun, exciting. What sets it apart from the other outfitters is the staff at Wildcoast. From Val and Damon back on Quadra Island to the tireless guides who never seem to stop coming up with yet another way to please and amaze their guests. Put this trip at the top of your bucket list, then sit back and let Wildcoast do their thing. You won't be disappointed.
Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words! We are so glad you were a part of this incredible season. While our job is to make sure we provide an awesome outdoor adventure, the icing on the cake is getting to meet wonderful people like yourself. We certainly have an excellent team of guides that bring their all to each and every trip. Thank you for sharing your experience with Wildcoast with other travelers, and we hope we get the chance to host you again!
Adventure on,
Valerie, Damon and the entire Wildcoast team.
I just returned from Orca Camp with Wildcoast Adventures. It was an incredible experience. The location is remote - about two hours by boat from Campbell River - a comfortable tented oasis tucked between the towering evergreens. No tv, no wifi - just the sounds of the stream behind the camp, of pine needles dropping onto your tent and the sound of fellow campers excitedly yelling "ORCA" when the killer whales appear. The tents are large, on platforms and comfortable - even on the coldest night, the freshly laundered sleeping bags were cozy and warm. The kayaking was fabulous and well paced, with picnic lunches and even a hike to a lovely waterfall included on one excursion. The food was fantastic - inspired by the amazing chef at the Gowlland Harbour Resort - fresh salmon, local herbs and vegetables - even eggs benedict on our final morning for breakfast. Plus, hot coffee, tea and snack available around the clock. But best of all - the guides - Kory, Clay and Julie. Hard working, funny, encouraging, kind and clearly passionate about killer whales, the outdoors and their guest's experiences. They kept us safe, well-fed and opened our eyes to the vast beauty of the Robson Bight area.
This was a bucket list trip for me - so I feel very grateful that I found such a fantastic group of fellow travellers, that I saw whales almost every day and that I went with Wildcoast Adventures. It was beyond my expectations!!
I spent early August at the Orca Camp which is beside the Robson Bight ecological reserve. The camp is in a beautiful location and it is definitely not camping in the traditional sense. The tents were spacious with cushioned mattresses on cots and full size pillows and sleeping bags provided. I was warm and cozy. The dining tent is nice and big and has a wood burning stove. Coffee/tea and snacks are always available, meals were great and the guides were very helpful. Also, loved the outdoor heated shower :) The headliner was of course the Orcas which we saw everyday, on one day 3 times! All in all a great vacation, enjoyed the kayaking, camp amenities and the incredibly beautiful scenery and wildlife. Go, you won't regret it.
Waterfalls thundering, purple sun rises and sunsets, fog as thick as cloud, water as smooth as glass. The smell of cedar and the taste of amazing food, warm beds and a wonderful hot shower. Loons calling, ravens catching crabs, mink fishing, hawks perching. Eagles flying, seals watching, bears passing, otters diving. Sea lions swimming, salmon jumping. Turning rocks to find sea cucumbers, guppies, suction fish, star fish, anemones. Most of all, pacific white-side dolphins hunting, humpbacks diving and orca, the orca. I heard them calling, watched them blowing, watched them feeding their young, and most of all, seen them free.
Five stars doesn't appropriately sum up the last week. If your thinking about booking, just do it. It is SUCH an experience
Thank you to Bender, Calvin, Julie, Kory, and Val. It has been amazing. Until next time xx