Gods Pocket: 6 Days
Kayaking with abundant wildlife viewings. Experience the waters that draw Orcas and Humpbacks to feedDates: 6 Days
2025 dates coming soon!
Meeting Place:
Port Hardy
Suitability:
Prior Mulit-Days Recommended
Cost:
$2250
2025 dates are coming soon! Please enquire about private
bookings prior to Nov 1st 2024 ideally!!
Gods Pocket is an exceptional area to explore and to seek out wildlife viewing opportunities. The deep upwelling of cold water and currents offer plenty of food to our larger marine mammals including the Northern Resident Orcas, Humpback whales, and Stellar Sea Lions. Knowing the times of the currents and having local knowledge is incredibly valuable to paddle this area and to at times position ourselves to view wildlife without interfering in their behaviors.
The area is known as Gods Pocket because of its amazing and abundant intertidal and epipelagic zones which are blanketed with a rainbow of colors and species. Exploring these zones at our lowest tide levels will open a world to us that is nothing short of incomparable.
On the trip, all meals are prepared fresh for you and will allow you time to explore the beaches and forests or to find a nice spot to relax with a book. The equipment provided on these trips is high quality, sourced locally, and with your ultimate comfort in mind.
We will meet up the evening prior to our trip to introduce ourselves, discuss further information and hand out additional gear. The following morning, we will paddle out of Port Hardy and make our way to our first camp. We often move camps 3 times depending on the trip to allow for a greater variety of scenery. We will have a water taxi pick us up in God's Pocket on the final day and return us to Port Hardy in the afternoon. On occasion, we may water taxi out and paddle back to Port Hardy. Highlights in the area are most definitely the high probability of whale sightings, sea otters, bears and wolves and discovering the exceptional intertidal life.
If you are looking to get away from everything, this is your trip!
Where We Paddle
Day 1
We will start the trip in Port Hardy. A kayak instructional will be delivered to assure the group has a good understanding of paddling techniques and group travel. The first day will include a morning paddle, lunch and then another hours paddle in the afternoon, before making our way to our first camp.
Day 2-5
These will be full paddling days unless the weather tells us otherwise. Our days will include 2-3 hours of paddling before lunch and another 2-3 hours of paddling post lunch. The routes will vary on group, weather, water conditions and guides decisions. We will switch camps at least 3 times to give the group a greater chance to see more of the islands.
Day 6
The final day will include a full morning paddle and a water taxi back to Port Hardy. After sorting our gear it is always nice to meet in the evening at a local restaurant given everyone's schedule to share in our experiences and round the trip out.
When & Where We Meet
At this time we will review all pre-trip information, including morning departure - meeting place and time, appropriate clothing, itinerary, etc. We will also distribute dry bags, paddle jackets and water bottles for personal packing.
It is important for all participants to be present for the meeting. We find it very beneficial to the organization of the trip. We will also at this time fill out waivers and review any other medical concerns.
What is Included
- Your certified guide
- All kayaking gear and safety equipment
- Paddling jacket
- Camp chair
- Four dry-bags for your personal belongings
- Tent
- All meals and snacks
- Water taxi one way
Please ask about any extra rentals if needed
What to Bring
Clothing should include:
- 1 pair of water shoes - can get wet and most importantly have grip. They need to have ankle straps. I recommend runners, water shoes, Keen or Croc sandals. Closed toed shoes help against stubbing toes on rocks.
- A pair of rubber boots are optional. Perks include your feet staying dry entering and exiting the kayaks. Downside they can flood if a wave fills them. They can also be bulky to wear in a kayak or to store.
- 1 pair of land shoes – runners or another light weight shoe is great.
- 2-4 warm socks
- 2 shorts
- 1-2 pants
- Underwear
- 1 thermal underwear – like the underlays you might wear skiing.
- 3-4 shirts - a mix of short and long sleeve
- 1 sweater – a light/medium weight sweater while on water
- Evening sweater or puffy coat
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants – not necessary but nice to have
- Paddling gloves and on land mitts for those with generally cold hands.
- Buff - for neck warmth and sun protection
- Warm hat/beanie/toque – whatever you know it as! Wool or fleece ideally.
- Sun hat
- Swimsuit – optional
Check out MEC for some good options
No cotton or jeans. These materials can cause rapid transfer of heat away from the body, and do not dry easily.
Wool, or synthetics such as fleece or polyester are better options.
Other Items may Include:
- Sun glasses
- Glasses/Contacts and Solution - consider a back-up if one becomes lost or broken
- Small towel
- Toiletries and menstrual products– biodegradable soaps please
- Baby wipes - for personal cleaning
- A few Band-Aids
- Sunscreen/insect repellent - please spray away from others, not on materials like tents, life jackets and paddle jackets as it leaves stains and ruins the material over time.
- Lip balm – ideally with 15 SPF or more.
- Personal medications - bring extra doses of medication if is critical to you. Separate and duplicate, keeping one set with a partner or guide. A trip can be cut short if there is not enough medication to keep a client safe.
- Wide mouthed water bottle – plastic 1L Nalgene is ideal. They float and do not scratch kayaks. It’s nice to have a carabiner clip attached.
- Electrolyte tablets – these have added vitamins and minerals which can be nice while exercising in the sun especially.
- Book - keep in a Ziplock bag
- Spirits - alcohol may be consumed after the days kayaking only. No glass bottles please.
- Camera - small waterproof cameras are great. If you have a larger camera a hard case is a great way to keep it protected. Alternatively, a camera can be wrapped in a sweater and kept in a dry bag for protection.
- Battery pack/cables
- Ziplock bags
- Headlamp/extra batteries
- Ear plugs - if others are sleeping deeply nearby.
- Camp pillow
- Small pair of binoculars
- Sleeping bag and a 15L max compression stuff sack – Rental option available upon booking. Includes a -10º sleeping bag and liner for 5$ a day.
- Sleeping pad - Rental option available upon booking. Includes a comfortable sleeping mat for 5$ a day.
Please contact us with any further questions at info@nullwildrootjourneys.com
