Reviews of Orca Dreams Vacations Whale Watching Camp (Travel Agency)

Clarke Wright

Orca Dreams is the adventure travel trip of a lifetime for whale watching and wildlife viewing, plus unique camping in the wilderness of Canada. It is so amazing that the wildlife is all around you! The food is delicious, the accommodations are very comfortable, and the hosts and tour guides, JD and Kelly, make the whole vacation so enjoyable. Highly recommended! 5 stars

Papa Sushi

Well catered, guided and comfy beds. Tons of wildlife action. Awesome!

Natalie Armson

JD and the crew at Orca Dreams are simply fantastic. Visit during the migration season to see Biggs Orcas (transient) and resident Orcas in the Johnston Strait, along with dolphins, porpoises and so many humpback whales you'll almost forget how amazing it is to see them. If you enjoy fishing you can purchase a licence to responsibly fish salmon - and JD will prepare it for you if you don't want to do it yourself - and eat it fresh that day for tea! The camp is a dream, secluded, with your own private beach. The only sound to be heard other than the sea lapping on the single beach, is that of humpback whales surfacing and blowing, day and night. Just magical. Orca Lab is located nearby, where Orcas and whales are monitored 24hrs a day. JD and his crew are responsible and considerate (as all have to be) but they truly believe in this approach. They will not take opportunities to harass whales or Orcas and respect the laws in place. Their small boats are amazing and each trip out is a different experience. We kayaked round the islands and happened straight on a bait ball where we had humpbacks diving deep just in front of us, and eagles circling overhead. All at Orca Creams are hugely knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, they will make your stay better than you could ever imagine. The boat trip from Telegraph Cove to Compton Island (home of the Orca Dreams camp) is yet another opportunity to soak up the most beautiful backdrop. We saw humpback whales and Orcas on all outings both morning and afternoon, countless eagles, seals, harbour porpoises, even a few deer behind the tents on our little island. I would highly recommend a stay (or a double trip if you have the time and money to do so :) !). JD made booking and finding me a space easy despite being fully booked. Travelling solo was no problem, they put me in my own tent and it was bliss. Hot water bottles and extra blankets were provided if needed. Dietry requirements were looked after, and the food was amazing every meal time, breakfast, lunch and tea, everything was made fresh and tasted fantastic. I travelled from Port Hardy to Telegraph Cove by taxi the day I needed to arrive for the 4 day camp, and stayed at Hidden Cove for 2 nights after returning from Orca Dreams to Telegraph Cove. Orca Dreams organise the trip from Telegraph Cove to camp for you which is just for those staying at their camp and is made by water taxi so everything is really easy and stress free. This is the first time you get to meet your fellow campers and a lovely way to get to know each other more! I had to research transport a fair bit, as I flew into Port Hardy from Vancouver I hadn't hired a car as most people do. Taxis between Port Hardy and Telegraph Cove are available from 2 companies - both based in Port Hardy. The cost of taxis is quite high as they have to drive a good 45 mins to an hour to get you at Telegraph Cove, but as you have to pay to park at the marina it was better for me than hiring a car to drive there and pay to park during the camp. Staff at the Telegraph Cove businesses, cafes, and the whale museum are all super friendly, I was travelling alone for this part of my trip, and they allowed me to leave my bags with them to save carrying them around whilst I got food and coffee etc. I was picked up by the owner of Hidden Cove to save me a taxi fare there from Telegraph Cove which was really kind. My only advice is to just go - and to enjoy every moment. Oh - and take a few boxes of wine with you to camp, you'll never enjoy a glass more than when you're sat on your own beach, having a hot hillside shower, or in the open air bath, overlooking the ocean with the sound of humpback whales providing the soundtrack to your evening!!! We even had a few porpoises leap out of the narrow stretch of sea running between our island and the next whilst watching the sunset on our last night. Just magical. Cannot recommend enough, and cannot wait to return. (I'll add photos soon).

Amy Boley

The camp, the people, the food...all can’t be beat. If you love the outdoors and want to have a pampered retreat and see whales, you will love this. I recommend booking a double trip as 3 nights is ok but 6 is much better.

Robert INNES

Amazing, makes you re-evaluate your life to do more like this.

Tony Cheesman

We stayed at Orca Dreams for 4 days in August 2017. The camp is so awesome, built from drift wood and logs that have fallen from ships. The tents are huge and have excellent comfortable beds. The staff are all so friendly and enthusiastic, and catered for all our needs. Nothing was too much trouble, even lending us extra clothing and a heater when the girls got wet and cold. That was so appreciated. Food was all very fresh and well cooked, with a fantastic variety. And then there are the stars of the show... the whales. Saw many Humpbacks, as close as 5 meters away in the kayaks!! And on our last day we saw in excess of 100 Orcas, just about every pod of resident whales in the area. Absolutely stunning. On top of this you can add eagles, bears, stallions and even hummingbirds. I'd love to do this trip again.

Evan Morgan

Orca Dreams is so good. Sleeping in a tent on a small island on Vancouver Island, whale watching, kayaking amongst the whales, fishing - then eating the fish you catch. It's a great experience, a real in-touch-with-nature holiday, with really nice hosts too. Highly recommend. I want to go again!