God's Pocket Kayaking Tour

*Please note that the the following information is meant to provide a general overview of your tour. The specifics of your trip will be contained in a pre-trip letter you will receive prior to your confirmed departure.

Important Trip Details: 

MEETING PLACE:  Government Dock (Seagate Pier), Port Hardy
MEETING TIME: 9:00 AM PST
TRIP MILES: Varies depending on group size, weather and kayaker's abilities
PUT-IN: Government Dock, Port Hardy
TAKE-OUT: Government Dock, Port Hardy
RETURN TIME:  Approximately 11:30 AM PST
THE LAST SUPPER: Join your guide and fellow trip guests for a non-hosted farewell dinner at a favorite local restaurant. 
TRIP LENGTH: 6 days
AGE LIMIT:   Minimum age is 12
BOAT TYPE: Sea Kayak (Tandem kayaks are used unless a single kayak is requested and rented. The use of single kayaks is limited and determined by a variety of trip factors.)
NEAREST AIRPORTS:  Port Hardy (YZT)

God's Pocket Wilderness Resort Kayak Tour Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Port Hardy

Make your way to Port Hardy, a charming waterfront town that can be accessed by road from Victoria and Nanaimo or by flight from Vancouver International Airport to Port Hardy Airport. Settle in at an accommodation of your choice before heading out to explore the bustling fishing harbor and lively main street. If you’re a fan of seafood, make a beeline for one of the local restaurants to feast on salmon, tuna, or shellfish before an early night, ready for the adventures that await in the morning.

Day 1: Boat Ride from Port Hardy to God’s Pocket Resort, Orientation Meeting, Adventure Begins!

Wake early for breakfast at your accommodation or a local cafe before meeting your guides at the Government Docks at 9:00 am. After a brief introduction and receiving your wetsuit booties, you’ll board a water taxi destined for Hurst Island, from where we’ll continue by boat to God’s Pocket Resort. During the 45-minute ride through the waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, you may be lucky enough to spot whales and other marine life playing nearby.

On arrival at God’s Pocket Resort, you will have time to settle into your room before an orientation meeting. This will be followed by a delicious lunch created by our talented chefs. After lunch, your guides will conduct a short introduction to kayaking session, including safety considerations to keep in mind before you launch. Take the opportunity to practice your paddling techniques in the nearby waters prior to your first excursion through Queen Charlotte Strait.

Shortly after returning to God’s Pocket Resort, hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served, followed by dinner. In the evening, settle in around the campfire to listen to your guides as they share their knowledge about the natural history of the region.

• Accommodations: God’s Pocket Resort
• Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2-5: Sea Kayaking, Hiking, Whale Watching, & Tide pooling

The next few days will be spent enjoying the surrounding wilderness, as well as the comforts and cuisine of God’s Pocket Resort. Begin each day with a hearty breakfast in the dining hall before heading out for a hike or a kayak. Around four or five hours will be spent paddling each day, with plenty of stops where you can rest and observe the marine life around you. You may have the opportunity to visit Browning Wall, which is particularly famed for its diversity of invertebrates.

With a gorgeous beach as your backdrop, lunch will consist of a gourmet picnic, complete with baked goods. After lunch, you can stretch your legs during a short walk through the surrounding rainforest and learn about the area’s ancient civilizations.

Some days on the water may be shorter to allow for longer hikes around the lodge, or you may head off for a nighttime paddle to observe the glowing bioluminescence. If you don’t feel like having an active day, you can opt to spend time at the lodge and kick back with a good book from the library. It is also well-stocked with board games, nature films, and ecology resources.

• Paddle Distance: 7-9 miles per day
• Accommodations: God’s Pocket Resort
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Return to Port Hardy

After your final breakfast at God’s Pocket Resort, it’s time to pack your bags and depart from Hurst Island for the boat trip back to Port Hardy, with an ETA of 10:30 am. Guests traveling by car can return home at their leisure while those booking flights to Vancouver International Airport should opt to depart Port Hardy Airport after 12:00 pm.

• Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel to Port Hardy:

The easiest way to get to Port Hardy by air, is to fly through Vancouver International Airport (airport code YVR) to Port Hardy, BC (airport code YZT).  From Vancouver International's South Terminal you can catch a flight on Pacific Coastal Airlines direct to Port Hardy.  Once in Port Hardy, it's just a quick cab ride into town.  Be sure to give yourself 1.5-2 hours between your arriving flight in Vancouver International and your departing flight from the South Terminal to Port Hardy.  You will have to clear customs and take a 15 minute shuttle from the International Terminal to the South Terminal (there should be signs to guide you). The South Terminal Courtesy Shuttle pick-up is located outside the International Terminal Building, you’ll need to exit the International Arrival on level 2 and go to the shuttle pick-up location at Bus Bay 3.   

Airport Transfer:

If you fly from Vancouver to Port Hardy, you will need to arrange for a taxi to take you from the airport to your accommodations. We highly recommend scheduling your taxi in advance of your arrival.  Rates vary, but are typically about $45 CAD. Please remember to bring cash to pay the driver. The taxi companies change regularly, but we recommend Waivin Flags Taxi, 1-250-230-7655 and Town Taxi 1-250-949-7877 on the North Island.

Travel to Port Hardy By Car:

Port Hardy is also accessible by car, via a beautiful drive following BC Route 19 from Nanaimo to Port McNeill.  Vancouver Island can be reached from the Canadian or U.S. mainlands by utilizing one of multiple ferry crossings from the Vancouver metro or greater Seattle areas. The BC Ferries and Washington State DOT Ferry websites are very helpful resources if you are planning to drive to Northern Vancouver Island.

Hotel Accommodations:

The Glen Lyon Inn, Quarterdeck Inn, Kwa'lilas Hotel, Pierside Landing, North Coast Hostel, as well as a few B&Bs are all located near the Government Docks (Seagate Pier) where you will be meeting your guides at 9:00 AM on day 1 of your tour. Make your reservations well in advanced, as the short summer tourist season books up quickly for the limited number of hotels on the North Island. Please note, hotel nights before and after the tour are not included in your tour cost. 

Things to Do In and Near Port Hardy and Port McNeill: 

• Whale Watching: Prince of Whales: Whale and Marine Wildlife Adventures, Sea Smoke Whale Watching
• Grizzly Bear Tours: Tide Rip Tours
• Cultural Tours & Museums: U'mista Cultural Centre, Sea Wolf Adventures, Port McNeill Visitor Centre, Alert Bay Museum, and Sointula Museum
• Parks and Trails: Cape Scott Provincial Park, Raft Cove Provincial Park, Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park, Telegraph Cove, Mount Cain, Sointula on Malcolm Island and Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. As for marine routes one must consider exploring the Johnstone Strait, Broughton Archipelago, Kingcome Inlet, and Knight Inlet.
• Restaurants: Northern Lights Restaurant, Cluxewe Waterfront Bistro, Archipelagos Bistro

Port Hardy Weather

We highly recommend checking the weather prior to your trip for an updated forecast and current conditions. We recommend the following website. 

Weather in Port Hardy, BC - Weather Underground

When To Go? 

The northern resident pods of orca (killer whales) currently number over 220 individually identified whales in 17 separate pods. They are generally found in Johnstone Strait when salmon, their primary prey, come from the ocean to spawn in the rivers of mainland British Columbia. The whales arrive after about the first week in July, and stay through late September. Our tours are scheduled only during the times when the whales have historically populated the area. Transient killer whales are found in the area beyond this narrow summer window, but are fewer in number and offer infrequent sightings. Humpback whales return from their breeding grounds in Hawaii early summer, and remain through the autumn. Though once hunted to extinction from the area, humpbacks have returned to the area as a tremendous success story, and are almost more common than orcas!

ROW Adventures Physical Requirements

Here at ROW Adventures our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirements of the trip you choose. 

All of our sea kayaking trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip.  We ask that you consult your Doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure.  In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:  

• Wear all protective and safety equipment that are required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry wide standards.
• Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.
• Reach the water access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.
• Enter and exit the kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.
• Remain seated and balanced in a floating kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.
• Float on their back when entering moving and still water. The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while under water.
• Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a swim.
• Climb into the kayak, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the water.
• Make progress toward the shoreline or a boat by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the water and ascend the shoreline once reached.
• Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of the trip. 
• Move about the resort on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight accommodations.

Physical Preparedness

Whether you are an avid sea kayaker, or it is your first time, you’ll enjoy these incredible trips, and share in our passion for adventure, commitment to conserving the environment, and relishing unique experiences. For those new to the sport, kayaking is easy to learn in the sheltered waters that we visit, and we provide all of the kayaking equipment and guidance needed. In addition, we keep our groups small to allow you to not only travel intimately among nature, but to ensure you receive the necessary attention from our guides.

God's Pocket Wilderness Resort Kayak Tour Packing List Overview

We are excited to see you soon for your God's Pocket Kayaking Tour with ROW Adventures!  The packing list outlined below is meant to serve as a guide to help you plan, prepare and outfit yourself for your upcoming travels.  We have provided our best recommendations and suggestions. These suggestions are based on the outlined itinerary, the geographic region, our knowledge of British Columbia, and our personal experience.  

Gear Provided by ROW Adventures:

ROW Adventures will provide all necessary paddling equipment including: personal flotation devices (PFDs), all kayaking equipment, and neoprene booties. God's Pocket Resort will also provide all other accommodations.

Provided Dry Bags:

Once you arrive at the meeting place for your tour your guides will provide you with one 10L dry bag. Your guides will provide a full explanation of how to use and pack your dry bag. You will pack your bag each day with any items that you want access to during your day trips exploring the surrounding islands. The rest of your luggage can remain in your room at God’s Pocket Resort. When you depart Seagate Pier on the first day, pack any necessary items you want accesss to in the dry bag. The rest of your luggage will be loaded onto a support boat and be waiting for you at God's Pocket.

If you have any questions or need gear suggestions please don’t hesitate to call the office or shoot us an email.  We are happy to help! 

 

Luggage Recommendations:

ROW Adventures trips are best enjoyed if you travel light. We think it is wise to avoid checking any luggage under the plane. If you do check a bag, make sure that you have everything that is either essential or would be hard to replace, with you in your carry-on.

We recommend packing in one soft sided, roll-on (ideally a non-hard-sided version) or duffle luggage that meets carry-on requirements. You will be able to leave luggage not needed for your kayaking excursions in your room at God's Pocket.

We also recommend bringing one small day pack. This dual purpose pack can serve as your personal item during your flights as well as your day pack for hikes during the tour. Outside zippered pockets are nice and allow you to organize your travel gear. Carry medications, travel documents, important personal items and other essentials or “hard-to-replace” items in this on the plane.

God's Pocket Wilderness Resort Kayak Tour Packing List

 

Essential Items:

• Passport – be sure it is valid for at least six (6) months after the date of your arrival
• A photocopy of your passport, inside a zip lock bag and stowed elsewhere in your luggage (as an additional precautionary measure, consider leaving a photocopy with family or friends at home as well)
• Copy of your air tickets with ticket numbers, placed elsewhere in your luggage
• Cash for gratuities 
• Credit card that works internationally,  ideally with chip technology (Call your bank and let them know where you will be traveling)
• Waterproof watch or small travel clock with alarm (if you are taking a phone, this can serve as your alarm clock)
• TSA-accessible lock for luggage security when not on your person

Active Clothing

*We recommend synthetic or quick-dry materials while kayaking

• One pair of paddling gloves (optional)
• One pair long, lightweight, nylon pants with zipper pockets (zip off legs give you more options) 
• One - two pair nylon shorts or capris (this can double as a swimsuit for the guys) 
• One - two pair(s) synthetic or merino wool long underwear
• Swimsuit 
• One - two short sleeve shirt(s) of tank top(s) (synthetic is best) 
• Two long sleeve shirts with sun protection
• Two - three pair synthetic or merino wool socks 
• One wide-brim, tie-on hat 
• One warm hat 
• One lightweight, packable jacket and/or vest 
• One wool or synthetic sweater or jacket for warmth in the evenings and mornings 
• One waterproof jacket and pair of waterproof pants
• Paddling jacket (optional, if you do not have a paddling jacket your regular rain jacket can be worn while paddling if needed)
• One pair sturdy trail shoes, or running shoes, to use for hiking
• One pair of sandals with ankle straps and closed toes to wear while kayaking, on the beaches, walking around the resort, etc.  (If you elect to wear the provided neoprene booties, sandals can be optional)

Additional Gear and Other Essentials:

• Retaining strap for glasses and sunglasses
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Small day pack or fanny pack for hikes 
• One water bottle, 1 liter or larger
• One carabiner (this is optional but useful for clipping your water bottle to your kayak)
• One buff or bandana for sun protection and cooling off
• Towel (small lightweight towel, backpacking style works great)
• ​Camera and appropriate charging mechanism
• Back up battery pack for electronic devices
• Waterproof camera or valuables case
• Binoculars or monocular 
• Glasses or contacts if needed
• Polarized sunglasses
• Reusable dirty/clean gear bags for wet or soiled items
• ​Small ​​reusable, leak-proof bags for liquid or spillable personal items
• Books or E-reader, pen and notepad, headphones, etc

Toiletries and First Aid

• Standard toiletry kit including general hygiene products, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. (keep liquids under 3.38 oz.(100ml) for carry-on)
• Insect repellent 
• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 15-30
• Prescriptions and any necessary personal medicines (please be sure to bring necessary prescriptions and any needed emergency medicine such as an EpiPen, Benadryl, etc)
• Heavy duty skin lotion for dry, sun-baked, and salted skin
• Small squeeze bottle of hand-sanitizer gel
• Shampoo and soap (we recommend biodegradable, multi-purpose options)

Note on Packing Light: Packing efficiently will make loading your kayaks easy and enable you to quickly find your gear during the tour. Plan to use 1-2 kayaking outfits and 1-2 resort outfits that you will reuse throughout the trip. You are welcome to bring extra clothing for before or after your tour. 

ROW Adventures - Recommended British Columbia Reading List

• Allen, S., Mortenson, J., & Webb, S. (2011). Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
• Bell, C., & Paterson, R. (2008). Protection of First Nations Cultural Heritage: Laws, Policy, and Reform. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press.
• Bernard, H. (1993). The Oceanic Society Field Guide to the Humpback Whale. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books. 
• Carwardine, M. (1995). Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. London, UK: Dorling Kindersley.
• Chadwick, D. (2008). The Grandest of Lives: Eye to Eye with Whales. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint Press.
• Fox, C. (2016). At Sea with the Marine Birds of the Raincoast. Victoria, BC: Rockie Mountain Books.
• Gordon, D., & Flaherty, C. (1992). American Cetacean Society: Field Guide to the Orca. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books.
• Hoyt, E. (1990). Orca: Whale Called Killer. London, UK: Robert Hale.
• Livingstone, R. (1990). Beyond the Gate: Artists’ Journeys to Save the Tsitika Valley and Robson Bight. Vancouver, BC: Western Canada Wilderness Committee.
• Morton, A. (1993). In the Company of Whales. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers.
• Morton, A. (2004). Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us. New York City, NY: Ballantine Books.
• Morton, A. (1990). Siwiti: A Whale’s Story. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers.
• Neering, R. (1993). A Traveler’s Guide to Historic British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Whitecap Books. 
• Proctor, B., & Maximchuk, Y. (2003) Full Moon, Flood Tide: Bill Proctor’s Raincoast. Pender Harbour, BC: Harbour Publishing.
• Vaillant, J. (2006). The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed. New York City, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

Additional British Columbia and Sea Kayaking Information

• Is It Safe to Kayak with Orcas - Find out more about sea kayaking with whales. 

• Birding by Kayak in BC - Read about the birdlife you're likely to see on a BC kayaking tour.

• Weather in Port Hardy, BC - Weather Underground

• Trip Advisor - Read guest reviews.

Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.