Kayaking Tours

What Kayaking Tours does

Spirit of the West Adventures, doing business as Kayaking Tours, is a family-owned Canadian sea kayaking tour operator founded in 1997 and headquartered in Heriot Bay on Quadra Island, British Columbia. The company offers guided multi-day sea kayaking trips (4 to 19 days) in four formats: basecamp glamping, expedition, mothership, and family tours. Core product regions include Johnstone Strait, Broughton Archipelago, Great Bear Rainforest, and Desolation Sound in BC, with international expansion to Patagonia (Chile), Baja Mexico, and the Bahamas. The portfolio includes premium offerings such as the Whales and Wilderness Glamping experience on a private island in Blackfish Sound and a wellness-themed kayak retreat, with a maximum group size of 10 guests per tour.

The business is direct-to-consumer, selling tours through its own website (kayakingtours.com) and phone/email reservations with no third-party distribution. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quoted on inquiry. Revenue streams are multi-day guided tour fees and gift certificates. Differentiators include SKGABC-certified guides, professional chefs, an in-house basecamp with hot tubs and glamping amenities, and tenure-based certifications (Biosphere Sustainable, GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Gold Level since 2015, WTTC Safe Travel Operator, 1% For The Planet member since 2007). The company has received industry recognition including the 2018 Tourism Industry Association of BC Remarkable Experiences Award, a 2018 Sunset Magazine Travel Award, and a 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award. Operations were paused for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 and have since resumed; the business is privately held by co-owners Rick Snowdon and Breanne Quesnel with no outside equity investment disclosed.

Name

Kayaking Tours

Legal name

Spirit of the West Adventures

Website

https://kayakingtours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spirit of the West Adventures (dba Kayaking Tours) is a family-owned Canadian operator offering guided multi-day sea kayaking tours (4–19 days) in British Columbia and internationally, serving adventure tourists, families, and wellness seekers with small group sizes and certified guides.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tourism Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Coastal Tours (THAAAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Tours (Guided/Paddling Excursions) (THAJAJAF)

Keywords

• Guided sea kayaking tours
• Multi-day kayak expeditions
• Whale watching tours
• Wilderness glamping trips
• Adventure tourism services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brentwood Bay

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Multi-day Sea Kayaking Tours: Guided sea kayaking tours ranging from 4-19 days in duration. Tour styles include basecamp (glamping), expedition, mothership, and family tours. Revenue generated through tour fees paid by guests.
2. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold for tour experiences, providing another revenue stream for the company.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Spirit of the West Adventures (DBA Kayaking Tours) operates guided multi-day sea kayaking tours ranging from 4 to 19 days. Tour styles include basecamp glamping, expedition, mothership, and family tours across British Columbia (Johnstone Strait, Broughton Archipelago, Great Bear Rainforest, Desolation Sound) and international destinations (Patagonia, Bahamas, Baja Mexico). All tours include professional SKGABC-certified guides, kayaks and gear, meals prepared by on-site chefs, and small groups of up to 10 guests.

Product overview

Spirit of the West Adventures operates a portfolio of guided sea kayaking tours ranging from 4 to 19 days. The product lineup includes basecamp-style glamping tours (Whales & Wilderness Glamping, Johnstone Strait Glamping), expedition tours (Johnstone Strait Expedition, Desolation Sound, Nuchatlitz Expedition, Great Bear Rainforest Expedition), specialty tours (Wellness in the Wilderness, Ultimate Family Adventure), and international mothership expeditions (Patagonia, Baja Mexico, Bahamas). All tours include professional guides, kayaking equipment, meals, and camping gear. The company also offers private custom tours and gift certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Whales & Wilderness Glamping 5-day basecamp glamping experience in Blackfish Sound featuring kayaking and whale watching, with luxury amenities including canvas tents, real beds, hot tub, and gourmet meals prepared by an on-site chef.
• Johnstone Strait Glamping 4-day basecamp glamping tour in Johnstone Strait offering kayaking and wildlife viewing with comfortable tent accommodations, hot showers, and dining facilities.
• Wellness in the Wilderness 4-day wellness kayaking retreat in Johnstone Strait incorporating mindfulness practices, meditation sessions, yoga, journaling activities, and group connection exercises.
• Whales & Wilderness Expedition 6-day one-way expedition through Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago featuring multi-day paddling with camping at different locations each night.
• Johnstone Strait Expedition 4-day affordable expedition kayaking in Johnstone Strait focusing on killer whale territory and wildlife viewing.
• Desolation Sound 5-day expedition in Desolation Sound, British Columbia's largest marine park, featuring warm-water paddling beneath the Coast Mountain Range.
• Ultimate Family Adventure 4-day family-focused kayaking tour designed for families with children to experience ocean paddling in a safe, guided environment.
• Nuchatlitz Expedition 6-day remote expedition on the west coast of Vancouver Island featuring sheltered islands, sea otters, and wilderness camping.
• Great Bear Rainforest Expedition 8-day adventurous expedition kayaking on the wild coast of the Great Bear Rainforest with boat support.
• Ultimate Patagonia 12-day mothership-based kayaking adventure through Patagonia featuring a support vessel for logistics while paddling through glacial landscapes.
• Ultimate Patagonia Extended 19-day extended mothership journey among the volcanoes and glaciers of Patagonia covering more distance and remote areas.
• Kayak Isla Espiritu Santo 9-day expedition in Baja, Mexico exploring Isla Espiritu Santo Marine Park by kayak with camping on white sand beaches, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing.
• Southern Exuma Cays Expedition 6-day warm-water expedition through the Bahamas' Southern Exuma Cays featuring tropical paddling and beach camping.
• Private Tours Custom private group kayaking adventures designed to the specifications of the group with flexible itinerary and scheduling.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificate offerings available for purchase to give as gifts for kayaking tour experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $143,000 donated to environmental non-profits since 2007
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 1% For The PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Member since 2007, committing 1% of annual sales to environmental causes. Collectively donated over $143,000 to non-profit organizations devoted to protecting BC's west coast.
• Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll guides certified by SKGABC, a non-profit society setting standards for professional kayak guides in BC. Certification determines guide eligibility to lead different types of trips based on remoteness, exposure, and difficulty.
• We Wai Kai NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in. Company acknowledges and operates in unceded traditional territory of We Wai Kai Nation.
• Homalco NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in. Company acknowledges and operates in unceded traditional territory of Homalco Nation.
• Klahoose NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in. Company acknowledges and operates in unceded traditional territory of Klahoose Nation.
• Mamalilikulla NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in. Company acknowledges and operates in unceded traditional territory of Mamalilikulla Nation.
• 'Namgis NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in, particularly in Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait areas.
• Tlowitsis NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in.
• Kwikwasut'inuxw Hax'wamis NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in.
• Nuu-chah-nulth NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory the company operates in along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
• Heiltsuk NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations community whose traditional territory includes the Great Bear Rainforest expedition area.
• Hayfire MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVideography partner that has produced promotional videos for the company over multiple years, documenting tours in Johnstone Strait, Broughton Archipelago, Desolation Sound, and Great Bear Rainforest.
• GreenStep Sustainable TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertifying organization for sustainable tourism practices. Company maintains Gold Level Certification since 2015.
• Biosphere SustainablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational certification body for sustainable tourism. Company certified for demonstrating action and commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Wilderness Adventures: BC-based broader adventure tourism operator offering multi-activity packages including kayaking, rafting, and hiking. Comparable BC geography and customer demographic, but diversified beyond sea kayaking.
• Adventure Canada: Canadian small-ship expedition cruise operator offering coastal itineraries that include zodiac and kayak excursions in similar BC and Canadian Arctic waters. Comparable customer and destination overlap but a fundamentally different delivery model (ship-based vs. kayak-based).

Regional players

• Ocean River Sports: Vancouver Island-based kayak school and tour operator offering courses, day tours, and multi-day trips in BC waters. Comparable in geography and certifications (Paddle Canada), overlapping at the lower price tier.

Direct peers

• Mothership Adventures: BC-based kayak outfitter running mothership-format expeditions along Vancouver Island and the central coast. Closest direct comparison on the mothership tour format that Spirit of the West uses in Patagonia and is developing domestically.
• Moresby Explorers: Haida Gwaii-based guided sea kayak expeditions combining cultural experiences with wilderness paddling. Comparable in remote-expedition product positioning and partnership-with-Indigenous-communities model.
• BC Sea Kayaking Adventures: BC-based sea kayaking tour operator offering guided multi-day expeditions, courses, and rentals along the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands coast. Most direct head-to-head competitor to Spirit of the West's BC basecamp and expedition offerings.
• Bluewater Adventures: BC-based operator of multi-day sea kayak and kayak-hike expeditions in coastal BC including the Great Bear Rainforest. Directly comparable portfolio, geography, and customer segment.
• Sea Kayak Adventures (San Juan Islands): Multi-day guided sea kayaking tours in the US Pacific Northwest (San Juan Islands, Baja, Greece). Comparable in business model, premium small-group positioning, and international destination strategy.
• Discovery Sea Kayaks: San Juan Islands-based outfitter running guided multi-day sea kayak trips focused on wildlife viewing (orcas, eagles, seals). Comparable in wildlife-led small-group sea kayak experience.
• North Island Kayak: Multi-day guided sea kayaking tours in the Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait area of BC. Overlaps Spirit of the West on geography and product (basecamp and expedition whale-watching kayak trips).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@spiritofthewestadventures
• Instagraminstagram.com/spiritofthewestadventures
• Xx.com/kayakingtours
• Facebookfacebook.com/spiritofthewest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spirit-of-the-west-adventures

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kayaking Tours