North Island Kayak

I have been struggling to write this review. When I arrived at NIK for a 4-day kayaking tour, I was turned away because my hips were too wide to fit into any of their kayaks. The guide and the receptionist were very polite - they apologized profusely and I was given a full refund. But I have been on many other kayaking tours and my experience has always been that kayaking companies use a variety of kayaks in order to accommodate a diverse range of people, from tall to heavy. NIK only had kayaks with one size of cockpit, which is unusual from my previous experiences. I was extremely surprised and disappointed, but mostly humiliated. I never even considered to the possibility that I would not be able to fit in their kayaks because it has just never happened to me before in my many experiences kayaking. In my experience, kayaking (including sea kayaking) has been an activity that anyone can enjoy.

I am upset that I had no way of knowing that NIK doesn’t accommodate larger people before I arrived in Telegraph Cove. It is not easy or quick to get there, and I spent a lot of time and effort and money planning my whole trip around this 4-day kayaking tour, so it was devastating to get all the way there only to be turned away. NIK knows that they are remote - their website reads: “travelling to our location will typically require some advance planning” - so I have no clue why they don’t include information about the limits to who they are able to accommodate, so that people can make a proper assessment of their offerings before booking.

What their website does say is that you need to be fit enough to complete the paddling for your trip, but I am fit. I just happen to be both fit and fat. I hope they are not using fit to mean thin, because those are very much not the same thing. I also find it extremely hard to believe that I am the first plus-sized person to book with them, so I am very confused as to how this issue has not arisen before.

I highly encourage NIK to consider using kayaks with a wider variety of cockpit sizes to fit a more diverse array of people in the future. If NIK does not want to do this, I highly encourage them to include information on their website to give plus-sized folks pause before booking. This could be information such as: weight limits for NIK's kayaks; a warning that NIK does not use kayaks with wide cockpits; a warning to reach out to NIK before booking if you are a larger person, so that they can help you try to assess whether they can accommodate you before you arrive in Telegraph Cove.

The NIK employees reacted as best they could in the situation, but NIK as a company appears to be lacking inclusivity for large people. The responsible thing for them to do would be to either increase their inclusivity for large people, or to clearly inform folks of the limitations to who they can accommodate on their tours.

This was a horrible and humiliating experience that I hope no one else has to go through. I am certain that was not NIK's intention, but it was still the effect, and I hope with my whole heart that no one else has to go through this humiliation. I know that I am not the only plus-sized person who enjoys kayaking, so I truly hope NIK considers my comments and suggestions.

Late in the season I got lucky with a spot to go kayaking with guide Phoebe. It was beautiful weather, we paddled together in a two person kayak and Phoebe was awesome at explaining the geography and marine life. I would recommend the experience to everyone and especially if you are lucky enough to go with Phoebe!

North Island Kayak guides were very personable and informative. The water was very clear and we saw more than we expected for marine live. We completed the 8 hour tour, which was excellent. I would definitely recommend using this tour company!

Did an unforgettable 4 day tour with NIK. Our guides Vince and Luca curated an amazing trip for us. They were both full of local knowledge and knew about all the wildlife and flora we encountered. Could not recommend enough. Pay close attention to their packing list as if you bring what they tell you to you'll have a good time!

J’ai réservé un tour de kayak pour nos vacances avec ma copine.
Ils annulent a cause du vent une heure avant. Ils me proposent donc soit d’annuler soit de payer 75$ de plus pour faire le tour en bateau… la blague
Si je prends le tour en kayak c’est pour justement ne pas prendre le bateau moins écologique!
Je leur écris pour avoir une compensation car j’ai perdu du temps et de l’argent.
Ils me disent que c’est pas possible et me nargue en me disant que le bateau que je n’ai pas pris à vu baleine et orques.réaction peu professionnelle!
S’ils m’avaient proposé le tour au même prix j’aurai prix mais de rajouter de l’argent impossible.
Ils me disent que j’aurai du prendre plusieurs jours à Telegraph cove.est-ce eux qui payent mon logement dans ce petit village?
encore un attrape touriste qui pense qu’a se faire de l’argent

Nous avions réservé une journée kayak avec ce prestataire, rdv 9h30 pour un retour prévu 16h. Le temps de explications départ vers 10h30, à 11h30 pause lunch sur une plage, la pause a duré 2h avec une marche proposé par le guide pour aller voir un point de vue! Puis retour en kayak de 13h30 à 15h en longeant la côte, nous avons fait un aller retour vers une plage accessible en randonnée! Coût de la journée 195 dollars par personne pour 2h45 de kayak! Je déconseille vivement ce prestataire!

We made the sunset kayak excursion on July the 29th and it have been an amazing experience. It was the first time for us and the staff have been really helpful. The landscape near Telegraph Cove are impressive, highly recommended tour.

J’ai réservé un tour de kayak pour nos vacances avec mon copain.
Ils ont annulé a cause du vent une heure avant. Ils me proposent donc soit d’annuler soit de payer 75$ de plus pour faire le tour en bateau… la blague
Si je prends le tour en kayak c’est pour justement ne pas prendre le bateau moins écologique!
Je leur écris pour avoir une compensation car j’ai perdu du temps et de l’argent.
Ils me disent que c’est pas possible et me nargue en me disant que le bateau que je n’ai pas pris à vu baleine et orques.réaction peu professionnelle!
S’ils m’avaient proposé le tour au même prix j’aurai prix mais de rajouter de l’argent impossible.
Ils me disent que j’aurai du prendre plusieurs jours à Telegraph cove.est-ce eux qui payent mon logement dans ce petit village?
encore un attrape touriste qui pense qu’a se faire de l’argent

Great half day tour with Lucas and Eva as guides.
Lucas was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting stories and fun anecdotes with us.
The Kayak tour leads to very beautiful spots. We saw seals and salmons. Unfortunately no orchas for us but well. Wildlife is all about patience, so we're optimistic for another time:)

Nous étions trois et avons pris la formule journée. Nos guides Phoebe et Sierra étaient hyper sympas, passionnées, très pédagogues et respectueuses de l’environnement magnifique qui les entourent. Elles ont pris le temps de nous expliquer chaque chose que nous voyions et répondaient à nos questions. Nous avons vu plein d’animaux et avons passé un excellent moment!

Wow! What an incredible 3 day trip we had with North Island Kayak. Wind and rain made the kayaking fairly tough going on day 1, but Bree and Bree kept spirits high with their fascinating local knowledge and delicious and plentiful cooking once at camp - a constant throughout our trip.
Then on day 2 our luck really changed. The sun came out and we had several viewings of humpbacks breaching and feeding as well as numerous other wildlife encounters. After another fantastic dinner at our stunning second camp, a real treat as a pod of orca swam just meters from the shore.
On day 3, after lunch in yet another incredible location on it sadly time to head home. If you are considering booking this trip - do it now!

This was due to be a 4 day trip but because of the weather at the start of the week the first day was cancelled (it sounds like this very rarely happens). The team at North Island Kayak were great in arranging accomodation for us and quickly refunding us for the lost day.

We went for the half day kayak and it was great! Our guide Luca was fantastic, he had a great attitude, he shared lots of knowledge and was happy to answer any questions! It was a beautiful experience to be on the water enjoying the nature and getting to see all the intertidal creatures! We saw lots of beautiful sea stars, sea urchins and even a couple of curious seals! Thanks again!

We did a 2 hour tour with our guides Luca and Cathrine. We absolutely loved it. The guides were very skilled and respectful of both the nature and us. We saw seals that swam past us and a sea lion. The guides were very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

I had a great time on my 4 hour tour. We saw lots of wildlife close up and our guide Luca was amazing, he knew all about the aquatic life and was able to answer any question i threw at him in an interesting way.
I would recommend a North Island Kayak tour to anyone visiting Telegraph Cove

We did a half day tour of the Bausa peninsula and Johnstone strait with Brett, our guide. It was a phenomenal day and we saw eagles, a sea otter and multiple dahl’s porpoises on our journey. Even if you are an experienced paddler, don’t hesitate to go with a guide so you can learn more about the marine life and history of the area.