Wildcoast Adventures

Go for the fun, stay for the food! Not to insult others who have left unfavorable reviews, but you are camping. You are living in nature, you will come back with memories and mosquito bites. With that out of the way let me get on with it. We had 11 campers and 4 guides. Starting with the Paddle Master Ben our main kayak guide was amazing! He pushed all our skill levels up multiple notches. I have now kayaked in waves that I never thought I was capable of doing. The lunch paddle across the straight, looked so far. Then you just put your paddle in and go. Anna our naturalist showed us the underwater gardens and animals that I otherwise would have overlooked, but am so fortunate to have been made aware of their existence and place in the ecosystem. Laura the youngest, and perhaps wisest showed me that slowing down and taking it all in is sometimes the best way to go. Last but not least was Rob (Bender) who kept us all full and fueled even for the 630 paddle. I was never hungry on any of these trips because the food was so abundant at all times. I and my partner are also pescatarian so I was a little concerned that we would be stuck with beans and rice every meal. We were fed a delicious varied diet of eggs, pancakes, cereal, fruit, yogurt for breakfast. Lunches were salads and wraps out on the paddles (with ample deserts!). Dinners were lavish sit down affairs where we were treated to salmon, red peppers stuffed with quinoa, tofu skewers. All with fresh salads or roasted vegetables. And another round of deserts!
You could warm up in the sauna and or hot tub after a paddle. This was super important for me as I live in San Diego and am very cold natured in general. Cabins consisted of a large tent set up on a wooden pedestal. Even on the August/Sept season transition I was not overly cold at night. You do need a headlamp to get up to the out houses at night, but I found this a refreshing and invigorating trek, not overly cumbersome. Oh yeah and we saw a bunch of orcas! I cannot recommend this place or the staff highly enough. Everyone bent over backward to ensure we had everything we needed to stay safe/ warm/ fed, etc. Damon you have done an amazing job assembling just the right staff to ensure an amazing adventure for your guests. From the bottom of my heart: thank you!

Met all our expecations and more. The campsite location far from people, set in the canopy of the woods and the tents were awesome. Truly an off grid experience. Jeff the cook made sure we were fed well and the food was tasty. The guides.we can't say enough about. Ben, Maria and Jeremy made our trip amazing. Their extensive knowledge, patience and hard work everyday to cater to us on land and sea was top notch. They really made our experience off the charts. An added plus.on top of it all we saw Orca and other wildlife everyday either on the kayak or on their beach.

We booked the Orca Camp trip with Wildcoast Adventures. Our 4 day/3 night adventure started early in Campbell River. When you book a trip like this there is obviously no guarantee to see wildlife (the animals are wild after all!) but we were so lucky to see so much wildlife on our trip.

We had the good fortune to have Quinn take us up to Orca Camp from Campbell River. His enthusiasm and expertise impressed everyone on our boat. He was on constant lookout for wildlife during our three hour boat trip up to camp. Whenever we found something along the way we would stop and take in the moment while hearing all about what we were seeing. He is truly connected to the area and his excitement shows!

When we arrived at camp we were greeted by our incredible guides Ben, Maria and Jeremy. All three were amazing at making you feel welcome right out of the gate. We had a quick tour of camp, had lunch and got out on our kayaks quickly. All kayak trips are optional but I highly recommend going on as many as you can. Ben, our lead guide was so knowledgeable, funny and patient. We were impressed! Our cook Jeff was very friendly and kept us all well fed. You will not be hungry on this trip!

One thing campers should know is this is the wilderness and there are critters in camp. When they say don’t leave food in your tent and to put your things in containers, they mean it. The mice will find there way in.

Our group was a mix of all ages and kayaking experience and I would say the trip is worth it for all. We saw countless jelly fish, sea urchins, star fish, bald eagles, sea lions, dalls porpoises, pacific white-sided dolphins, humpback whales and of course orcas, all from the shores at camp and on our kayaking adventures.

We are coming back from orca camp with new experiences and memories to last a lifetime!

The Discovery Islands sea kayak was an incredible adventure. And challenging to say the least! It poured buckets the first 2 days, but was then followed by 3 glorious days of sun. We saw humpback whales, harbor seals, sea lions, crazy colored sea stars, beautiful sunsets and sun rises. Imagine a whale swimming by your camp, and getting so close during a crossing that you can smell whale breath — so unique.

Our guides, Sean and Ben, were wonderful! They kept our spirits up during the rain and didn’t faulted when we were hoping to see whales. Our group was extremely diverse, from young kids, to first time adults to experienced paddlers. They managed it all, especially those of us who were novices! The food was great and plentiful, during the rain there was no shortage of hot water for warm drinks.

Thank you, Sean, Ben and Wildcoast. It was truly a life changing experience!

Our guides Morgan and Matt were exceptional. They were confident, calm and always happy. We saw so many Whales! And there was an opportunity to swim at every camp site. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Incredible adventures with the coolest team! Our guides were knowledgeable and so kind. They had to be “on” non stop and looked out for us and made sure we were safe and comfortable every waking hour. You cannot control nature but she sure was kind to us. Sunny every day and we saw Orcas, a humpback, dolphins and seals. And just as fascinating, lions mane jellyfish, an orange nine limbed sea star, red urchins and barnacles. Danica inspired such curiosity about the often overlooked creatures of the sea. Zoey with her quiet and calm demeanour made for some serene morning paddling conversation; I could have talked with her for hours. Brandon kept our bellies full and the breakfast and dinners hours were a hit! Nolan… well Nolan was the Leader of our pack and it is this kind of maturity that leaves us older folks hopeful for the future generation. I’d do this experience again… for longer. Thank you for the best bunch of memories!

Great job! Fantastic scenery. The wildlife cooperated and is probably on the payroll. The staff kept us safe and comfortable. Not too much expected distance per day. Highly recommend this experience.

Wildcoast adventures was a once in a lifetime experience. The camp facilities are amazing the staff professional and passionate and the wildlife amazing. We started as strangers and left as friends. Everyone with a common deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and in awe of the orcas.

Had an excellent time on the Whales and Bears tour! The Bear tour, provided through Campbell River Whale Watching in partnership with the Homalco First Nation, was absolutely excellent. Knowledgeable guides, good lunch, and well kept bear viewing platforms.

The 4 day/3 night Orca Camp experience was also very good. Tent facilities had everything needed to be comfortable overnight. The guides were very knowledgeable and engaging - they could even make barnacles seem super interesting and cool! Two minor issues - there was only one toilet (up approx. 3 flights of stairs) for 17 guests. Using the facilities around departure times for kayak excursions could take upwards of 30-40mins. Hot water for the showers went out on the day we arrived. Since the camp is so remote, no one was able to come and fix it - 4 days with only cold ocean/brackish water wasn't the most pleasant, but we made it through.

Would definitely recommend this company and trip to any and all who ask!

What a trip! I'll start by saying my fiance and I are not super outdoorsy people, but she loves orcas so much we decided to book this. The boat ride to camp was an adventure in itself and just being in that area was unreal. Robin, (call sign Batman - awesome right?) dropped facts and stories as we passed by places. He also was very willing to take some detours to see some wildlife. The first we had heard of a humpback in the vicinity, and when we realized it was behind us, Robin turned around so we can get a decent look. The second time, there was a report of orca near camp in the reserve. Before dropping us off, Robin passed by camp so that we can see orca even before we got to camp. Once we got to camp itself - amazing. Our guides - Nolan, Matt, Zoe, and Brandon (chef) - made sure we were always comfortable, well fed, and having a great time. One thing that stood out was they organized for us to go fishing on the rowboat pretty much every night after dinner even with their busy schedules. We had whale sightings about 2x/day and a humpback passed right by us on our beach. A close encounter isn't likely unless they come to you, but being at this prime location definitely gives you the best shot to see whales often. On the boat ride back, we ran into a pod of 75+ white sided dolphins and Tyler circled in the area until they all swam directly underneath our boat. Insane video/photos. Thank you for an amazing trip!

We did the 4 day Orca Camp experience with Wildcoast in August of 2022. First off, they are incredibly easy to work with. Our trip was originally scheduled for August of 2020, but we had to reschedule twice because of Covid. They were super accommodating.

The entire staff was incredibly eager to share their knowledge and experiences. Their appreciation for the entire ecosystem was apparent and infectious. The guides were very respectful of the environment, the whales and the other wildlife. They were very encouraging to our group of mostly beginner kayakers, and were happy to share stories around the fire (or in the hot tub).

The camp itself was incredibly comfortable. Beds were cozy, tents were clean and dry. The food was very fresh, healthy and tasty. Hot tub, sauna and beach area were beautiful and clean.

We were very lucky to see whales several times. We also had sea lions and seals and lots of other cool sightings (jellies, enormous starfishes, eagles). Our boat captain found a happy pod of dolphins for us on our last day trip back to Campbell River.

It can be damp, keep dry clothes in a plastic bag. Pack quick-dry fabrics and extra socks.

We had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend!

Wildcoast offers a once in a life time experience with there Orca Camp! The scenery is breathtaking and the experience is unforgettable. They provide a true glamping experience without shedding any rustic touch. The guides/staff - Steve, Danika, Noland, Brandon, and Ray - are all knowledgeable and accommodating. I came for the Orcas, but left with so much more. You’re in safe capable hands!

Orca Camp with Wildcoast Adventures really was a trip of a lifetime! My fiance took me here as my Christmas gift. We are not outdoorsy people at all, but still had a blast! Our boat ride from Campbell River was with Robin and on that boat ride to the campsite, we saw orcas, porpoise, humpback, and white-sided dolphins! When we got there, we had a tour of the campsite which was equipped with a yurt for each party, a full kitchen, sauna, and hot tub. Each day we had a morning paddle, come back for breakfast, a longer afternoon paddle, lunch, dinner and an evening paddle. We opted out of most of the evening to enjoy the sunset and see orca and humpbacks passing by. We had about 2 orca sightings each day we were there (I counted about 25 total), 3 humpbacks, 3 porpoises, and 100+ pacific white sided dolphins!

This trip wouldn't be anything without the amazing staff. Nola, Zoe, Matt, and Brandon (the chef aka B-Dawgg) were the best! They were so knowledgeable about the land, animals we encountered, and kayaking tips! We were well fed with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The team works so hard and you really feel taken care of. Couldn't be more thankful for them and this amazing trip!

Super voyage à tous points de vue! Paysages magnifiques, soleil au RV, guide vraiment gentils et compétents, très bonne bouffe. Et les baleines étaient là!

Orca Camp - Great amenities but maybe not the best location for whale sightings? I went to Orca camp from Aug 12-15,2022. The camp amenities were great - especially the new sauna but we only had 1 distant Orca sighting (from at least 1/2 mile away - then they turned around and headed away from camp). The guides were great and work VERY hard dawn to dusk.

Camp is located next to a reserve which seems great at first - but this also limits where you can explore both in the water and on land since the reserve can’t be entered on either land or water.

After coming home and doing some more research it seems we may have had better luck if we were in a camp closer to Telegraph Cove because the Orcas were seen in that time frame from whale watching boats.

Which brings me to my other wish. It would have been wonderful if we had the option to do a motorized whale watch from camp given our disappointing sighting since I would have to travel at least 1.5 hours by boat back up the Straight & past camp to see any whales after just getting off the a good portion of that same boat ride.

One other thing not mentioned until at camp- if you see whales while on the water you will need to raft up & this may limit your viewing. (Sadly not an issue for me).

The Wildcoast team was so amazing! Our guides were kind, fun, well-organized and took all the worry out of trouble out of travelling in a group! The Discovery Is package itself is an excellent way to experience the beauty and wildlife the area has to offer. Great people, phenomenal value for money, wonderful food, great equipment…what else can I say but BOOK THIS TRIP!

This trip was all I had hoped for, and more. Excellent guides, amazing food, good quality boats and camping gear. The “rough camping” sites were perfectly adequate. We were very lucky with the weather and marine conditions, but in any case the scenery was lovely. The only thing that could be improved upon was the tone and content of the pre-trip communications. Others in our group expressed the same feelings.

We had a wonderful experience! Arranging the trip was easy, the staff were friendly and helpful.
The trip from Campbell River to Orca camp was beautiful and the the boat captain took time to tell us about what we were seeing as well he was willing to stop if there was wildlife.
We were greeted by the the amazing, hard working staff on arrival. It was a slow time getting off the the boat as the staff rows a boat from the shore to the boat and rows all of the guests as well as luggage to the shore. This needs to be improved. Using a rope or a motorized boat would be much better.
Upon arrival we were fed a lovely lunch and then shown around the beautiful camp. The tents were lovely and the beds had down quilts on the them!
There is also a wood fired hot tub and sauna, which we enjoyed. The staff worked very hard to have them hot. No small feet with wet wood.
The meals were good and I found the servings to be just right.
The kayaking was wonderful, but I would really liked to have had more time in the kayak doing a crossing to see Robson Bight. The weather and the restrictions about being 1km off shore of the bight made it difficult.
Leaving the camp took about 2 hours as once again the staff needed to row a boat to bring the new guests, luggage supplies etc and then load the leaving guests. Once again wishing for a more efficient process.
The boat trip back to Campbell River was wonderful; we saw a humpback and baby as well as dolphins. The captain stopped the boat and let us enjoy the experience.
Overall a great experience for the four of us.

Discovery Islands adventure July 2022. Website describes beautifully the appetizers while we set up tents, ‘campfires warming your soul while you recount your day’, hikes, swimming in fresh water lakes, and quality equipment. We had not a single appetizer nor a campfire, no hikes, and no freshwater lakes but you could swim if you waded in off a rocky beach. One of the sleeping bags we had was quite damp around the top and side and smelled musty, but it was simply in a stuff sack with a plastic bag liner? A dry bag would be a bit more dependable for such an important piece of equipment. The trip was good simply because our group meshed so well and the scenery was pretty awesome - I had never seen an arbutus tree before. The assistant guide was personable and made suggestions about paddling closer to shore to spot starfish and urchins, and her paddling skills are amazing! Previous guides on kayak trips I’ve been on spent time showing us the sea life as well as talking about the area. This lead guide, not so much. I won’t be a repeat customer here.

One of the best trips of my life. Saw killer whales every day, including from the boat, shore, and kayaks. Also saw a humpback, hundreds of dolphins, seal lions, a bear, and much more!

Camp was as nice as, if not nicer than advertised. Excellent food for all the meals, comfortable beds in private canvas tents on raised platforms, wood fired hot tub and sauna.

Guides were awesome: friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. You can tell they are all there because they love it, not just because it's a job.

Shout out to Jeff the chef for amazing food and a contagious attitude. The orca dance and rally hat may have been the highlight of the trip!

Unforgettable trip. Loved every minute of it. The guides were fantastic, very knowledgeable and passionate about the coast and wildlife. Food was great, the group was fantastic. Lots of fun, lots of unforgettable moments.

What an amazing experience! The guides were incredible, the food was great and the views were breathtaking. I had so SO much fun on the Discovery Islands trip. Highly recommend

The Wildcoast team truly handled every aspect of Orca Camp perfectly, and it was an amazing experience:
- The grounds at camp are stunning. It feels like another world! They perfectly balanced maintaining an immersive nature experience with comfortable bedding, tasty meals, and special amenities. You're right on a fresh water creek and the straight plus you can hang out in the hot tub or sauna and watch for whales. Unreal!
- The staff (all the guides and Jeff the Chef) were incredibly knowledgeable, fun to hang around, and clearly had a real passion for their work. On our first day we saw a humpback off the beach and Jeff was able to ID it and tell us its name.
- The paddling was a solid amount and diverse. There are three paddles a day 6: 30-8,10-2 or 3ish, and sunset. You can choose what you go on but we went every time and it was worth it.

We did the Discovery Islands tour. The paddling was easy and camping was all as expected, including the boat hauling. Beautiful area and saw some whales, albeit, the beaches were rough. The boats were adequate but abused, that's what you get for rentals. My biggest complaint was the head guide. She did not offer the education and area knowledge that I had hoped for and requested. She was distant, not engaging and treated us like children. For this reason I would not use Wildcoast again as an outfitter.

Full day tour with Nova was an amazing experience. She's and not only an experienced kayak guide but also an experienced whale tour/bear guide. Lots of interesting insights about wildlife and culture of the area. Highly recommended. Side note: Lunch provided by Island farm to table is amazing!

Our guide was very knowledgeable and competent. She made us feel welcome and gave us so much encouragement along the way. She even showed a a bird I hadn’t seen before. ”oyster catcher”…wonderful.
The price is reasonable …you will certainly feel that you got your money’s worth!

We took in a full day kayak tour around Harriot Bay, it was amazing! Lots to see, Damon shared lots of stories and info about everywhere we paddled, was conscious about our safety at all times, made sure we got breaks in when we needed it. The lunch provided was fresh and delicious. Highly recommend booking with Wildcoast and we will definitely be booking again in the future.

Would recommend this company. Very experienced guides, my family had a great time kayaking, wildlife watching, and learning about the area.

Wildcoast Adventures was great and I would gladly try a different trip with them again. I went on the 4 day whales and wildlife trip. We saw a number of humpback whales, eagles, seals and glided over whirlpool on a zodiac. Shoutout to Tyler from Campbell River whale watching for being so enthusiastic and informative the entire whale watching trip. We hiked to a fresh water lake in the middle of Read Island and it was absolutely stunning. The food provided was delicious and the shrimp tacos even had taco holders! The area was very secluded and we were well taken care of!:)