Our trip destinations have been chosen for their unique characteristics and attractions. We have had considerable experience in all of these destinations. A brief synopsis of what we do in each area is provided below. If you would like more information, such as full descriptions, prices and dates, for the programs and trips please visit our Trip Calendar or contact us trips@explore-latitudes.com

West Coast of Canada - Spring/Summer Programs
In the spring and summer months, from April through September, we spend our time on the West Coast of Canada. The West Coast is home to some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. With its thousands of miles of intricate bays, fjords, channels and islands, there room for endless exploration - an adventurer's dream.

This region is so rich in natural and cultural history that we make sure we take our time sea-kayaking, sailing, and hiking. From the excitement of seeing orca whales glide beneath your kayak to the awe of watching an eagle catch a salmon in the morning sunlight, the sights and sounds on Canada's West Coast are inspiring.

Johnstone Strait - Broughton Archipelago
Travel by sailboat or sea-kayak through the waters of the wild orca. This is the region where resident orca whales return every summer to the well known 'rubbing beaches' of Robson Bight to feed on salmon and to socialize. Led by expert naturalists you will learn about the whales in their natural surroundings and observe their intriguing behavior from a respectful distance, listening in to their haunting conversations with hydro-phones.

On board our sailing Mothership we explore the Broughton Archipelago. It is locally known as 'the jungle', with hundreds of tiny islands, rocks and channels that are home to relatively-undisturbed wildlife and ancient native village sites.

Clayoquot Sound
This Pacific coastal rain forest destination was recently proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For years, tourists and residents alike have known about the dynamic energy of the West Coast with its long sandy surf beaches, its towering Western Red Cedar trees, and the grey whales that migrate through the waters every spring. For such a well-visited destination, Clayoquot has maintained most of its pristine beauty.

We offer trips in the spring when the Grey whales and other wildlife are most abundant and the summer tourists have not yet arrived. You will feel the raw energy of the open Pacific Ocean as we traverse numerous small islands and channels and enjoy the many long sandy beaches of the outer coast. This coastal rain forest is home to an abundance of flora and fauna including an elusive coastal wolf population.

Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii)
These biologically rich islands are considered the Galapagos of the North - a treasure trove of cultural and natural history with animals and plants found nowhere else on earth. We offer these trips through Ecosummer Expeditions, a pioneer company that has been operating in the Queen Charlottes since 1980. Three classic trips carry participants on a journey within the boundaries of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve - one of the few locally co-managed federal land reserves in Canada. Visit abandoned Haida village sites and learn about the rich cultural heritage that has flourished since the last ice age.

Stare in awe at 100+ year old totem poles still standing in their original positions-their carefully carved killer whale, eagle and bear-mother crests conveying the deep, intimate connection that the people had with the natural world around them. To the Haida, Gwaii Haanas means 'place of beauty'.

This place of beauty is a naturalist's wonderland. The 150 or so islands are home to a quarter of all the nesting sea birds on the West Coast of North America. The islands are home to the largest black bears on the continent and nurture numerous wild flowers and mosses that are unique to the deep forests and wind-swept alpine ridges of the region.

Paddle past breathtaking mountains, old growth forests, natural hot-springs and ancient village sites. Our southern trips highlight the ancient village of Ninstints. Its beautifully-carved cedar totem poles have brought this village international acclaim as a United Nations World Heritage Site. Powerful in spiritual value, it has been compared to other great monuments of past civilizations, such as Machu Picchu in Peru.
The 1000 miles of coastline where we paddle is a complex network of fjords, inlets, estuaries and channels. Participants will have the opportunity to intimately experience this spectacular wilderness.

Gulf Islands
The southern Gulf Islands boast some of the mildest weather on the coast - tucked in the rain-shadow of the insular mountains of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula, they receive half the rain that Vancouver does. We offer short sea-kayaking trips in a wilderness-camp setting and from the comfort of a resort or B&B base. We also travel by Sailboat through the area in the spring when the wildlife is most abundant.

The Gulf Islands are easily accessed from Vancouver and Victoria, and are ideal for guests looking for relaxation, rich wildlife and excellent weather closer to home.

Tropical Fall / Winter Programs
We explore the sub-tropical destinations of the Exuma Cays, the Bahamas in the Caribbean, and the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. These destinations offer warm water and relaxing beaches for real rest and relaxation while availing world-class snorkeling and kayaking opportunities.

Kingdom of Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga is unique in the Pacific. It is the only remaining Polynesian kingdom, having never come under colonial rule. Tonga is an archipelago of more than 170 islands, four hours north of New Zealand and two hours southeast of Fiji (by air). Just west of the International Dateline, it is the first country to greet each new day. The four main island groups of Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u and the Niuas, make up this coral paradise, perched above one of the deepest undersea trenches in the world. This tiny island nation, on the fringe of Polynesia, is home to about 103,000 native Tongans and shares a rich heritage with Hawaii and New Zealand.

Intriguing history of highly-skilled mariners who plied the Pacific waters, navigating only by the stars and currents, to warm, crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful reef life, Tonga is a vibrant gem. You will not find McDonalds here.

Our expeditions operate off the beaten track. The small island group of Vava'u is the protective playground for Humpback whales and their calves who return to these warm waters in their annual migration from the Antarctic. Not just about the whales, this is an excellent kayaking destination, replete with exercise, relaxation, cultural exchange and natural history. Alternatively, join us as we depart in November and December from the small remote island group of Ha'apai. With larger crossings between islands and the potential for more paddling, this trip is suited for those looking for a little more adventure.

The Bahamas
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a small, independent nation consisting of many groups of beautiful, subtropical islands located southeast of Florida. The Bahamas are true coral islands made completely of limestone. They are laid down in ancient reefs and fringed with white coral sands and living reefs of outstanding beauty. The idyllic climate and proximity to the North American continent have made the islands - and particularly the towns of Nassau and Freeport - popular destinations for tourists.

The creation of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which is under the protection of the Bahamas National Trust, has curtailed development in a large part of the northern Exumas. The Bahamas National Trust was created in 1958, and under a 99-year lease, has authority and responsibility for all of the land and sea within the boundaries of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, except for privately owned land. Visitors are few, many beaches are rarely visited, conservation is a priority, and peace and quiet are in abundance!

Our sea kayaking trips explore the heart of the islands along the Exumas - a chain of more than 350 small, mostly uninhabited cays. We offer two itineraries in the Exumas - a one-week trip mainly explorers the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park while travelling between Staniel Cay and Norman's Cay. Our second trip is a more challenging two-week expedition that traverses virtually the entire length Exumas chain from the beautiful old southern port of George Town, to Allan's Cay in the north. These expeditions offer an ideal tropical sea kayaking experience, and are easily accessible from North America.

The cays and our camps exhibit great but subtle variety - some cays have long expanses of white beaches with beautiful shells, while others are small and isolated, occupied by only a few palms and surrounded by coral reefs. Snorkelling is superb - in some areas there will be massive star, brain, and elkhorn corals with their profusion of dazzling tropical fish. Other sites have sea caves, mangrove-lined tidal creeks, or wave-swept rocky reefs covered with swaying sea fans. Two of the cays have extensive hiking trails that cut through dense vegetation to lookouts, sinkholes, and isolated beaches.