Trip Highlights Seaotters Water Taxi Waterfall Caves Paddle With The Whales

Nootka, Native North Americans whose language belongs to the Wakashan branch of the Algonquian-Wakashan linguistic stock. The Nootka proper are a small group on the west coast of Vancouver Island, but the name is also used to refer to the Aht Confederacy, which formerly included more than 20 tribes. Traditional Nootka culture was fundamentally that of the Northwest Coast area; they fished for salmon, lived in long wooden houses, and created elaborate totem poles. In 1991 there were some 4000 Nootka in 15 bands in Canada. The so-called Nootka hats of woven fibre were common among other tribes of this area. With the exception of the Makah and a few of their neighbours, they were the only Native Americans on the Pacific coast who hunted whales.

Nootka Sound, inlet of the Pacific Ocean and natural harbor on the west coast of Vancouver Island lying between the mainland and Nootka Island. The mouth of the sound was sighted 1774 by Juan Perez the Spanish explorer. The sound itself was visited by Capt. James Cook 1778, who was the first European to land in that region. John Meares, the British explorer, established a trading post on Nootka Sound in 1778. Its seizure by Spaniards in 1789 became the subject of a controversy between Spain and England over claims in the region. The Nootka Convention 1790 resolved the dispute and opened the North Pacific coast to British settlement.

Nootka Sound

Itinerary:

Day 1: We meet in Campbell River (airport pick up included) in a comfortable B&B to get to know the group and talk over the next exiting days.

Day 2: With our van we will travel from Campbell River over logging roads to Zeballos, an old gold town on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Here we transfer all our gear onto our water taxi. A 2 hour boat ride will bring us right into the Nuchatlitz Marine Park where we set up camp. After a kayak orientation discussing kayak safety, as well as how to load your kayak we start for an evening paddle.

Day 3 - 6 : Our exact destinations and how often we move camp will be determined by the weather and the ability of the group. On the agenda is the exploration of caves on Catala Island and a trip to Jurassic Point , where you might find some fossils. More highlights are the Nuchatlitz archipelago and the Inner Basin with waterfall. Rafts of a hundred sea otters are not a rarity in this area; home to one of the largest otter populations in the world. The area is also rich with natural predators like black bear, bald eagles, wolves and more, creating abundant wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. Salmon and lingcod are plentiful in the sound. On the outer waters we have the opportunity to watch grey and humpback whales.

Day 7: In the early afternoon our water taxi will pick up our kayaks and provide us with our backpacks and fresh food. This is also your opportunity to leave or join the group. Depending on the weather and the tide we spent the night in Louie Bay , where we have a good chance to watch humpback or gray whales, or hike to the open pacific ocean to Third beach.

Day 8-12: The Nootka Trail, also called the wild West Coast Trail, was marked by hikers from the Strathcona Park Lodge in the 60's. It remained basically unknown till 1996. In 2001, 400 visitors were counted. Native people have been living in the area since 4300 years. Hiking through untouched rainforest, along white dream beaches, sea caves and wildlife viewing of wolves, whales, eagles and more will make this trip to a unique experience.

Day 13: Around noon we will reach Friendly Cove, the end of our hike. A 2 hr. boat trip will bring us back to Zeballos . Here we spent our last night in a comfortable hotel to round up our fantastic journey.

Day 14: With our van we reach Campbell River around noon.