Had a wonderful time seeing humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, seals and eagles. The crew members were very informative, friendly and were able to tell you interesting information about all the animals we encountered.

My husband and I did an outing with them on July 27. We liked that it was an afternoon tour, and the price was right. We saw at least five resident orcas, two humpbacks, and a whole raft of sea otters! The captain was very friendly and the naturalist, Marieke Knierim, was excellent.

I actually never wanted to do a touristic whale watching tour, out of respect to the wildlife but this particular family business is really respectful toward animals! This tour was incredible! We saw so many different species! Dolphins, Orcas, Humpback….. The owners had quite a lot to teach and explained that they are invested in wildlife protection! Thank you so much for this great and fun moment to Donna and Bill!!! 🌈🙏🫶🌺 The Frenchies

On September 10th, my wife and I went on a tour with Mackay Whale Watching. I had already read a lot of positive things about Captain Bill, and we can only confirm that: a very personable and friendly person. You just have to like him. It's truly a family business. The tour was absolutely fantastic. We saw several humpback whales, a minke whale, a large group of Northern Resident Orcas, and two large male Orcas that came very close to the boat. There was also an otter and many seabirds. We were able to photograph everything perfectly. Captain Bill is very knowledgeable about the waters and also communicates with the other operators about what's happening. A very great tour. Highly recommended

Went on a whale watching trip yesterday - although we have seen wheels in the past; it’s something you have to do on the West Coast! We saw Orca whales, Minke Whales, Humpbacks, seals, Sea Lions, Eagles, Otters and porpoises….. Of course it would always be nice to be closer however we respect shuffle Animals And distancing! Although it was raining on and off the scenery is always breathtaking and the company fantastic. The staff are super knowledgeable, open to answering questions and talking about what they know. I highly recommend it, bring some snacks and drinks and enjoy the ride!

Marieke and Captain Bill were amazing, so knowledgeable and fun! We saw sea otters, stellar sea lions, humpback whales, an eagle and orcas! Thanks to MacKay Whale Watching, we learned so much about all the marine life we saw and also heard the orcas on the hydrophone. This was definitely my best experience whale watching and I can’t wait to go back! Such a perfect day on the water!

Captain Bill Mackay is a seasoned veteran of these waters and a naturalist. On our tour we say orcas, humpbacks, sea lions and dolphins. Though I had some reluctance about going on a whale watching tour, I felt we always stayed respectful of these beautiful creatures and we learned a lot about them from Captain Bill's knowledge and decades of experience. I gained a deeper appreciation and love for the orcas and the Salish Sea after this tour. Highly recommended!

Our trip was the highlight of my entire stay in Canada – four perfect days! We saw so many animals: humpback whales, seals, deer, bald eagles, oystercatchers, salmon, starfish, jellyfish, and even orcas. Our guides Wendi, Kailey, and Emma made the experience unforgettable. They shared their vast knowledge about the ocean, tides, sea life, plants, and wildlife, and also gave us great paddling tips that made kayaking easier and more fun each day. The camp on Hanson Island has several beaches where you can watch wildlife. The tents are well spaced out and very comfortable, and there’s an outdoor kitchen with a big table where meals are enjoyed together when at camp. In good weather, we also had meals on the beach or at a viewpoint on the rocks – simply magical. The food was outstanding – fresh, creative, and delicious, with three meals a day plus snacks and desserts. As vegans, we were always provided with special dishes that were just as tasty and inventive as everyone else’s. At night we could hear whales blowing near the camp – an incredible experience. Sea kayaking was new for us, especially with the pedal-operated rudder in addition to the paddles, and it was so much fun. I would book this tour again without hesitation and recommend it wholeheartedly. Michèle

Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures is the best. My wife and I did the 4-day Base Camp Whale and Bear Adventure. The base camp accommodations with the tent cabins were super comfortable and located on a strategic point where we could see so much just from camp. Brenda and Ben, our guides, were kind, fabulous and shared SO much valuable information about the water, sea and animal life we were immersed in. We woke up every morning to laughter, hot coffee and breakfast. Our days were filled with great kayaking and animal sightings. We saw everything we were hop[ing to see and more - dolphins, sea lions, bears (mama and cub), orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, eagles, and a lot of underwater life. I would recommend these guys to anybody without hesitation.

We did the 4 day base camp kayaking and grizzly tour and it was fantastic. The base camp was well maintained, the food at camp was excellent. We saw lots of wildlife. The kayaking guides were very knowledgeable and courteous, Jeff was exceptional. The boat captain for the grizzly tour was lovely. All the guides were always delighted to share fun wildlife facts and never compromised our safety. Constant changing tides and mountain weather affects the waters around the island and the day to day itineraries, so you may not get to kayak every day. The only reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that we are Australians and did the camp with a local Canadian family. At times, I felt like my partner and I were a bit of an afterthought to the two younger guides. They seemed much more focused on chatting with the Canadian family, and a lot of the conversation was content we couldn’t really join in on. It left me feeling kind of awkward and, honestly, a bit like a pest (like we were intruding just by being there). That said, I know this is just my personal take on the social dynamic. Aside from that, I’d still absolutely recommend the company and the experience. It’s clearly a well-run operation and overall was a great trip.

Kingfisher Whales and Grizzlies trip September 13-16, 2025. As folks who have explored and appreciated many areas of the West Coast on land and by kayak for many years, we had high expectations for this trip, and every one of them was met. The staff on the phone was welcoming and responsive. The pre-trip information was incredibly detailed – right down to ‘packing for a person who is always cold’ versus ‘packing for a person who runs warm’ videos! If you follow their guidelines, you will arrive prepared for your adventure. The gear provided was top-notch – dry bag systems for personal gear and bedding; paddling jackets for on the water to keep your personal rain gear dry at camp. Guests had the option of single or double kayaks. Camp on Hanson Island is glamping, to be sure – thick Therm-a-rests and cozy three-season sleeping bags with extra fuzzy blankets ensured everyone was comfortable. Most tents face the ocean, and we awoke each day to either humpbacks or Steller sea lions passing in front of our tent. As someone with food requirements, this was done seamlessly and without fuss. The meals and snacks were exceptional, varied, and devoured. We showed our appreciation by enthusiastically joining in the dishes routine for each meal. From a wildlife perspective, it felt like we saw everything - transient and northern resident orcas, humpbacks, Dall's porpoise and harbour porpoise, Steller sea lions and harbour seals, grizzlies and black bear. We took time to explore the intertidal zone and talk about the importance of the many creatures that call this area home. During meal prep, the guides would call from the outdoor kitchen, 'whale', having heard a blow while preparing our meal, so guests could head to the beach for viewing. But what made the trip just extra were the guides, Brenda and Babs. From ensuring everyone had the skills to safely launch and land, navigating changing weather conditions, to monitoring hydration and preparing meals, these women did it ALL with calm, grace, and good humour. We were a diverse group of nine guests – couples and singles, a 30-year age span, and different paddling backgrounds. After our first afternoon exploration, Brenda and Babs facilitated an open and thoughtful conversation about what went well and what everyone thought they needed to feel good about a longer day on the water for the following days. Together, they navigated different needs respectfully and with tact, encouraging us to consider different paddling arrangements and sharing experiences from past trips. They were honest, kind, and encouraging. Brenda’s experience with group development and leadership ensured we got on track with a shared plan that was safe and successful for everyone. Babs generously shared her knowledge and experience as a volunteer with Orcalab and the work done there. Not only did they share what we saw, they also encouraged us to just take it all in and feel how amazing this environment truly is. Our group wrapped it up with a pub dinner back in town after the trip. Many laughs were shared, and Kingfisher’s owner, Andrew, popped in to say hello. We came to Kingfisher through their generous donation of a gift certificate to the Marine Education and Research Society. Funds raised through their donation help support MERS work. In turn, the opportunity to come to the North Island in September resulted in our annual travel dollars – the balance of our paddling trips costs, hotel stays, restaurant meals, coffee and bakery stops, gas and groceries – all being spent at North Island retailers. Their excellent paddling offering, combined with their support of not only MERS, but also their North Island home and neighbours, is what would keep us coming back and 100% recommend others looking for a paddling adventure to choose to spend their time and pennies with Kingfisher.

I did the 4 day family base camp whale watching tour with my husband and 2 kids (6 yrs and 9 yrs) and it is one of the best things we've ever done. The guides were amazing, the food was delicious and we were lucky enough to see humpbacks and orcas. Andrew the owner was super accommodating of all our needs and was so passionate and knowledgeable about the local wildlife and the local area, and we loved our guides who made the whole experience so smooth and fun. Definitely book a family tour with Kingfisher if you want a unique experience with your kids that they'll always remember.

The 6-day kayaking tour exceeded our expectations. Declan and Babs were the best guides you could wish for for this experience. They gave us ALL THE INFO on camping and kayaking. We saw whales every day and learned a lot about life on and in the water. We expected a lot or fun and a good time but surely didn't expect a trip this spectacular and full of so many interesting facts. The camps were chosen daily depending on the group and the weather, and we always felt included in the decision-making process. We were very comfortable with the group, especially given thé small size. The food was always delicious and varied. We definitely recommend this tour. Once in a lifetime experience.

We did the 4 day orca/grizzly bear tour. The Kayak portion was excellent but I did not like how the cabins were assigned. The guides say, “you figure it out between you” and this resulted in a competitive race to get the cabins. We were left with the tent closest to the kitchen (because we did not join the race) which meant that as a light sleeper, I did not sleep well and it impacted the enjoyment of the trip. Unless there was a change in this process (suggest that people draw numbers and get their choice accordingly), I would choose a different company. If they made a fairer process for tent selection then I would recommend Kingfisher. My advice to future groups is to determine your method for selecting cabins at your pre-trip meeting. For the grizzly tour, know that you cover a lot of ground on the boat and we did not see any grizzlies.

Love the Island Aurora Ferry; great staff both on the ship and at the booth. Super service and always on time. Also, the hours have recently been extended to accommodate more of work and shopping hours going from small islands to the big island.

We loved all the experience! The ferry was clean and quiet. Service is good! Fun, convenient, fast!

Very efficient, ran on schedule on both crossings.

Friendly and helpful staff, beautiful ride.

Great place to stock up on provisions for a north Islad sailing adventure

Be early it fills up quickly. People where gerat

Such a nice day to catch a ferry to see the Fam Jam

Some sites report this as closed, but it is open for it's a roadside attraction. An interesting site with some good history BUT don't expect much as the burl has been covered in fiberglass to protect it... so you don't get the full affect if a true burl.

Wow, it really is massive! It caught fire a while back but still standing and quite impressive to see. Easy to find at its new location with lots of parking for a quick stop if going thru Port McNeill.

Over 500 years old and really freaking huge. We almost missed it, in the middle of nowhere. Nothing else around to see, found it on our way to another destination closer to Port Hardy. Good to get out and stretch them bones 💪

The roof is no longer there and it appears that someone lit a fire so there is some damage to the burl... Which is sad.

After some fire damage The Burl is still here. Not much fan fare but maybe someday.

Strange, used to be on the highway. Now there seems to be a fibreglass replica just off the highway on a busy logging road, the. Another, smaller burl in a random car park, in marked in the town. Hmmm

We were disappointed for a number of reasons. 1. The Burl had recently been set on fire and there there were barricades around it. 2. The location was pretty sad and run down looking. I wish there had been flowers and information available.

Great tour!!! In the beginning we saw a big black bear on the beach and when we went looking for a pod of transient orca's. We followed them around an island looking for food and saw a nice orca breach!!! After the orca show we went to a humpback feeding ground with a lot of humpbacks around our boat. On this trip we also saw seals and sealions. The boat was also very comfortable and the staff very friendly. We definitely recommend this tour and if we ever come back we will join them again. The bonus for us was that they took pictures and mailed them afterwards.

What a wonderful day we had on the zodiac with Dave in September 2019. An abundance of wildlife, seals, dolphins and eagles a bonus to the main attractions of the Orcas and Humpbacks. Spending time tracking a pod of Orcas and then sitting in the sound with hump backs "fluking" all around us was a magical experience. We have been on similar trips in Canada, US and South Africa, the personable and knowledgeable approach from Dave and his crew with local knowledge and culture, makes this by far the best we have experienced.

Awesome trip with Dave on North Island Tours. My first adventure on a Zodiac but it sure won't be my last. So much to see I didn't know which way to look. A bear on the beach, eagles, seals, an inquisitive sea lion and of course whales. Many many whales!

An amazing afternoon on the water with Dave and Celine. Dave found us harbor seals, stellar sea lions, a pod of orcas ( who he followed closely and carefully for at least 30 mins) and humpbacks. We were able to sit with the engine off in the late afternoon and just listen to the caucophony being made by all these beautiful sea animals who live offshore. This is an experience not to be missed by a wonderful tour guide and his assistant Celine...Kudos to you for operating such a phenomenal small business.

It's 2023, get a website. Unless it's actually permanently closed as Trip Advisor says. In which case...don't bother 😆

Great day on the water, saw so many orcas and humpbacks!

(Translated by Google) Great 4 hour tour! Dave has always lived in Port McNeill and has many stories to tell. Being surrounded by whales is a magnificent spectacle and doing it in a 10-seater boat with a local is even better. I recommend 100% (Original) Super tour de 4h! Dave a toujours vécu à Port McNeill et a beaucoup d'histoires à raconter. Être encerclée par des baleines est un spectacle magnifique et le faire dans un bateau de 10 places avec un local, c'est encore mieux. Je recommande à 100%

An absolutely amazing experience overall! We set out for grizzlies on probably the worst day in regards to weather, but Rolf went above and beyond to ensure that we still had plenty of value on the tour. He took us out of the typical route to show us mesmerizing landscapes and we were not disappointed. We really enjoyed talking with Rolf along the way and picking his brain about the local wildlife - the man is a wealth of knowledge and practices the environmental ethics he preaches through and through. After a long day, we were rewarded with a mother sow & cub grazing along the shore as we returned back to dock. It was the absolute best end cap to what we had already experienced. We will definitely be using Rolf in the future as we explore more of BC!

What an impressive day in the Canadian countryside. Rolf shows how to live in harmony with nature. His years of experience and knowledge are inexhaustible. Respect for the animals is paramount. Sarah provided us with delicious food from her own organic farm. This tour remains an unforgettable experience and I can absolutely recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity. Don't miss it! Thanks and best wishes !!

Great photo tour. An opportunity to get to see Grizzlys safely. Small boat provides a nice personal touch and when the engine is off and you are just bobbing about watching the animals it is sensational. Highly recommended.

If you want to experience a beautiful day on the water, viewing all kinds of wildlife, this is the person you should book with. My friend and I booked a Bear Photography tour with Rolf, in May, and we were not disappointed. It is clearly evident that Rolf wants his customers to have a fantastic time, and he does everything he can to make sure that happens. Rolf certainly knows his way around all the islands, and is quite knowledgeable about the wildlife in the area. He has many interesting stories. We were lucky enough to see several grizzly bears (got some great pictures), as well as sea lions and loons. We couldn't have asked for a better day, or a better guide! Thank you, Rolf, and thanks to your very helpful assistant that day. Really appreciate everything that you and he did for us.

Unfortunately it wasn't open due to covid but I knew Rolf personally when we were neighbors in port mcneill! He is an amazing person with some amazing stories! I would recommend anyone that goes to the north island to stop and see his work its really breath taking! Thank you Rolf for being a great human!

I have been following this amazing photographer for many years. He creates visuals so real that you want to experience them from his vantage point. One day I hope to be back in beautiful British Columbia to go on one of the tours with him. It would be such an honor!

(Translated by Google) Hello Rolf and Sarah! So here's our report from this fantastic Knight Inlet tour! If you want to avoid the big tourist boats, you can't go past Vancouver Island Tours... it doesn't get more exclusive than this! With a maximum of four participants, the group is pleasantly manageable, and everyone on board feels very personal and intimate. Rolf is a true expert with decades of experience in photography and wildlife! He's also a great boat driver, of course! He knows where the bears are, or where the whales are swimming... plus all sorts of interesting facts about the First Nations... The home-grown food on board... nothing more needs to be said. It's all worth every dollar! The fact that Rolf is also a true Bavarian made it even better for us! All in all, I highly recommend Vancouver Island Tours!!! Hopefully, our paths will cross again sometime...! Thanks again for this wonderful day! Greetings, Mitch and Sandy (Original) Servus Rolf und Sarah ! Also hier mal unser Bericht von dieser traumhaften Knight Inlet Tour! Wer den großen Tourischiffen entgehen will kommt an Vancouver Island Tours nicht vorbei .. exklusiver gehts nicht !! Mit Max. 4 Teilnehmern ist die Gruppe angenehm überschaubar und es ist alles sehr persönlich und familiär an Bord. Rolf ist ein echter Fachmann mit jahrzehntelanger Erfahrungen in Fotografie und Wildlife! Boot fahren kann er natürlich auch bestens! Er weis wo der Bär läuft , oder der Wal schwimmt… dazu noch allerhand interessantes rund um die First Nations.. Die Verpflegung an Bord aus eigenem Anbau… mehr muss man nicht sagen . Das ist alles jeden Dollar wert! Das der Rolf auch noch a gestandener Bayer ist machte es für uns noch besser! Alles in allem kann ich Vancouver Island Tours nur wärmstens empfehlen!!! Hoffentlich queren sich unsere Wege irgendwann mal wieder..! Danke nochmal für diesen wunderbaren Tag! Greetz Mitch und Sandy

Wow, what an incredible experience on the boat with Steve and Diane! The dives were stunning, Steve is very knowledgeable about the sites and found us the best spots for calm dives and maximum underwater viewing. For our SI we cruised around the islands to see orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, otters and seals. Diane had hot homemade soup and drinks prepared, it felt like a VIP experience! They were incredibly accommodating and flexible, everything was amazing from start to finish. The boat is very comfortable as well. Highly recommend coming to Port McNeil to dive with Sun Fun, the dives are fabulous and you'll be well taken care of!

Amazing dive operator. Steve is very knowledgeable about the area and will make sure the divers get the best experience possible. Diving in port hardy and port McNeil is some of the best in the world. Additionally there is hot soup and beverages on the boat to enjoy in between dives while searching for whales and sea otters!

Sun Fun Divers assisted us to review damage to our boat and replace our damaged propeller in their capacity as Commercial Divers. Steve and Trudy work as a fabulous and friendly team. Steve was outstanding in skill, knowledge and professional every step of the way. I would also feel incredibly safe doing a sport dive with them! Thanks for your care of our boat and repair, Steve and Trudy!!

Great boat and Steve is a great captain. He knows all of the local dive spots and where to get the best experiences. There are a lot of strong currents created by tides in the area so you need to be careful. Steve has a big safe warm dive boat with hot soup and hot chocolate. Fun weekend away. Back for my second trip. We saw Orcas, SeaLions, Seals, and Humpbacks. Amazing.

Fun, Safe, and extremely knowledgable Captain. Great dive boat. Waited 20yrs and 3800 dives to experience diving in this area and picked the right crew to do it with. Thank you, Steve and Trudy for the best diving experience of my life!

Absolutely wonderful! Trudy was so generous with her time and wisdom, sharing a plethora of incredible dive sites in the area we could shore dive from. Her knowledge about the region and welcoming attitude really made our dive trip worth while. I’ll definitely come back to dive with Sun Fun the next time I find myself in the area!

The friendliest and most knowledgeable instructor you could imagine. Always a pleasure to visit Sun Fun Divers.

We used Silver King in May for an educational group and booking with them was easy and would definitely use them again!

Very helpful staff. Helped us plan our trip to Alert Bay, even had a list of restaurants there. Knew the ferry times and fees and had advice on how best to spend our time. If you're doing anything in the area you should stop by for advice.

What a welcoming experience and a great deal on parking. On the phone and arriving in person, I was made to feel welcome in a professional, friendly and helpful way by the counter person and then the incoming manager. This office is a perfect example of how to treat tourists well in a competitive tourism market. It will help to bring me back to Port McNeill.

I am doing a 2 month kayak trip in the area and the wonderful folks at the information center made it possible. They are friendly, knowledgeable, helpful warm people. My fellow Americans could learn a lot from them. What great ambassadors for Canada! If you want to know anything about the area, or a welcoming place to dock and explore the surroundings, I highly recommend them.

Stopped in yesterday at 430pm which is the time they close and two people were walking out the door. I asked for a map and the response was "sorry can't help you the alarm was set". Stopped back by today and waited until they reopened from lunch break at 1pm. As of 135pm nobody showed up. At least 2 other folks wanted to speak with someone in the office as well. Whoever is working there obviously does not care about helping visitors to the town and should find a job they are able perform better.

Friendly staff but the harbor restrooms are strange. Locked security gates and limited servicing make them pretty sketchy. Needs a new shower/restroom facility closer to the harbor. Both separate harbors have lettered docks so it is confusing which marina you are assigned to. Be sure to ask.

Genuinely friendly and helpful staff. Reasonable rates. Docks are in great shape and well maintained. Several good places to eat, groceries and general store all within easy walking distance.

Great staff, and beautiful views of the harbour.