Transfer and Other Options:

Day 0: Arrival in Port McNeill by vehicle or by air via Port Hardy & taxi to Port McNeill. Proceed to the hotel. There is an evening orientation meeting in the hotel lobby where you will meet your guides.

Day 1: In the morning, we'll take a taxi to the launch site, listen to an orientation on kayaking and safety, and begin paddling to our first camp.

Days 2-5: We will be kayaking throughout Orca territory and exploring the adjacent channels and islands near Robson Bight Orca Preserve. We will have three different camps, so we may not move camp every day. On an average day, we will be kayaking for two hours in the morning after breakfast, stop for lunch on a beach, and spend another two hours kayaking and exploring before arriving at camp by the afternoon. Evenings and dinner in camp.

Day 6: After breakfast and breaking camp, we will spend the day kayaking to our take-out at Telegraph Cove, stopping for lunch along the way. We'll take a taxi to Port McNeill in the afternoon after unpacking the kayaks. We recommend that you overnight in Port McNeill and join us for a farewell dinner with your group.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

Please Note: This is the best place on earth to see Orcas, and June through September are the prime Orca viewing months. Although there is a very good chance we'll see Orcas throughout the week, the frequency and proximity of sightings will ultimately be determined by the Orcas' travel patterns. Our guides know the best places to see these magnificent creatures. Orcas have never bumped a kayak or attacked a swimmer.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

Follow this list when packing.  On most of our tours, we'll be paddling totally self-contained, which means we carry our food and water in the kayaks.  Please keep in mind that your gear (with exception of sleeping bag and pad) has to fit in the waterproof bags handed out at the group meeting, so we recommend following our list below.  Casual, comfortable camping clothes are perfect.

Duffel bags make good traveling luggage.  Use a small one for your clothes and essential items and take as carry-on luggage.  Suitcases, duffels and travel clothing may be left at the hotel.   Please note that airlines are imposing stiffer restrictions on the number and size of carry-on luggage.

A roomy two-person dome tent, warm rectangular sleeping bag with clean sheet and thermarest-style inflatable pad are provided for your convenience as well as a comfortable camp chair.  We recommend you bring your own snorkeling gear, or you can rent it from us as well as wetsuit - ask us for details.

CLOTHING

___ 1 pair light cotton/synthetic blend pants (no jeans)              

___ Swim suit (& sports bras)

___ 2 pair shorts (quick-dry nylon)                                       

___ 2-3 t-shirts

___ 1 pair long underwear top & bottom (polypropylene)    

___ 1 fleece jacket or wool sweater

___ 1-2 long sleeve lightweight cotton or SPF synthetic      

___ 1 rain jacket/windbreaker

        shirts for sun protection                                                 

___  Sun hat with broad brim

___ 1 pr lightweight water shoes (aquasocks, keens)                

___ Warm (fleece or wool) hat

___ 1 pair sandals with ankle straps for camp                        

___ 2 Bandanas (multipurpose)

___ 1 pair running/walking shoes and 2 pairs socks for camp

___ Underwear

___  rash guard top & leotards or similar for snorkeling

For Dec-Feb trips, add another warm fleece/wool long-sleeve top and rain or wind pants to the list above as nights can be 45 degrees F, and omit some t-shirts.

TOILET KIT  (all gels in 3 oz trial sizes go in one quart ziplock bag if you put in a carry-on bag)

___ Personal medicines/prescriptions                                       

___ Sunscreen SPF 15-45

___ Toiletry kit w/toothbrush & paste, etc                            

___ Lip balm SPF 15-30

___ Biodegradable soap & regular shampoo                         

___ Dry skin lotion

___ Small camp towel & wash cloth                                     

___ Pre-moistened towelettes

___ Contact lens solutions   freshening up - feels great!

___ Insect repellent if prone to insect bites (rarely needed)  

___ Extra eyeglasses/contacts

MISCELLANEOUS GEAR

___ 1-2 Water bottles (1 quart capacity each)                        

___ Camera/film/batteries

___ Binoculars (in plastic ziplock bag)                                 

___ Headlamp/batteries/bulb

___ Sunglasses with retaining strap                                      

___ Reading material

___ Gloves  (quick dry; to prevent blisters/sunburn)            

___ Mask, snorkel & fins

___ 2-4 Zip-lock baggies & 2 garbage bags                         

___ Personal snacks, protein bars or meat

___ Fanny pack w/water bottle holders (optional)                 

       jerky if desired (we do provide trail mix)

___ Wetsuit (even if weather hot, ocean is cold Dec-April) 

___ ID & valuables

___ Pillowcase (handy to stuff with clothes to make a pillow)

Note:  There will be no opportunity for fresh water showers once we leave the hotel.  However, bathing with salt water, regular shampoo & towel does the job well and will not leave your skin feeling sticky.

Passports
Passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers).
Note: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon.
Note: (a) Children under 18 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada. (b) Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Passport Note
Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognized for travel to Canada.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in chart above (visitor or transit) for stays of up to six months except the following:
(a) 4. holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’;
(b) 5. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania;
(c) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The Government of Canada refuses admission to: (a) holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

(a) A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA. (b) Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: free. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details. For further information on payment methods, contact the high commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Validity
Up to six months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre at least three weeks before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission)
Working Days Required
10 days are required from receiving applications, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person. Same-day processing is available for applications made in person and 24-hour processing for those using the drop-in service.