Cancellation Policy

Grey Wolf Expeditions

Cancellation Policy and Reservation Process 

Please review our latest updates, upgrades and changes to our cancellation policy and reservation process. 

Grey Wolf Expeditions is committed to provide a high quality outdoor adventure tour with high quality sea kayak equipment, camping gear and professional kayak & wilderness guides with more then 20 years of professional guiding and whale watching experience, with consistent knowledge updates, upgrades and skill training. Safety, reliability and customer satisfaction is our number one priority.

Sea Kayaking may be limited due to weather hazard. Please be aware, that kayaking might be limited. This is not a kayak expedition style tour. 

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. What can be guaranteed, that you put yourself at the right place at the right time to view orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions and eagles in their natural habitat. 

July and August have the best chance to see our Northern Resident Orcas from our shore, kayak and on our boat excursion into Blackfish Sound. 

Please note, that only 4 day/3 night Orca Camp Tours or Custom Tours include the full day zodiac tour into Blackfish Sound and Telegraph Cove. You may request a shortened tour of 3 days / 2 nights. Please contact us. Additional fees may apply. 

Please note that our trip dates and availabilities are limited, and when we accept your reservation we may be turning others away from booking that trip. We are only able to hold your spot after your initial inquiry for 24 and no longer then 48 hours. If you book and then have to cancel your tour, please let us know as soon as possible. We require a phone call and written email notice of your cancellation. The following fees will apply to cancellations and are calculated as of the date we receive your cancellation, which can be sent by email or phone call.

Cancellation Policy:

If you must cancel your Orca Camp Tour and we receive your cancelation notice:

  • 120 days or more prior to the trip departure date – Full amount is refunded less a $250 cancellation fee.
  • 90-60 days prior to the trip departure date – 50% of total tour price is refunded.
  • Less than 60 days prior to the trip departure date – No refund will be given.

If you must cancel a Croatia Tour, a Custom Tour or Private Tour and we receive your cancelation notice:

  • 150 days or more prior to the trip departure date – Full amount is refunded less a $750 cancellation fee. 
  • 149-120 days prior to trip departure date – 50% refund of total tour price is refunded 
  • 119-90 days prior to trip departure date – 25% refund of total tour price is refunded 
  • 89 days or less – no refund will be given. 

Payment Plans. Interest Free.

Spend $4000 and more and get 6 months interest free payment plan

Spend $8000 and more and get a 12 months interest free payment plan

Same cancellation policy applies. Sorry, no exceptions. 

IMPORTANT Information for all tours: Travel Insurance

Please read carefully before putting down your payment:

We strongly recommend that all clients purchase travel insurance with your local insurance broker. Unexpected circumstances are very unfortunate, but can happen to any of us, at any time. Please contact your travel insurance provider to ensure you have appropriate coverage for your entire trip. If you use a credit card for payment for your tour expenses, you may have trip interruption insurance as part of your card benefits. Please contact your card provider for details. Grey Wolf Expeditions is not responsible to ensure you are adequately insured. Personal equipment, baggage and valuables (gear, phones, laptops, wallets, jewelry, etc.) are entirely the owner’s risk. Grey Wolf Expeditions is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen property.

Grey Wolf Expeditions Inc. reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever. If we have to cancel a tour due to insufficient bookings, you may choose between an alternate trip or a full refund. We will inform all clients of cancellations due to insufficient bookings at the earliest possible point and no later than 30 days prior to the tour departure. If the alternate trip chosen is of a lower value than the originally booked, then you are entitled to a refund of the difference. If the alternate tour chosen is of a higher value, then you will pay the difference in price.

If a tour has to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control such as pandemics, war, natural disasters and/or a circumstance amounting, please contact your travel insurance provider for details on how to start a claim.

Prices & Service

No frills, just thrills! We offer unbeatable tour prices and top-notch services to make your orca dreams come true. We are the only tour company in this region who offers an ultimate Vancouver Island tour package. Including camping, kayaking, whale watching, boat tour into Blackfish Sound and Telegraph Cove, fishing and outdoor spa with over 20 years of experience. Get ready for adventure, fun, and unforgettable experiences with us. Let’s explore the world of whales together!

Sustainability Fee

We are passionate about providing exclusive, luxury outdoor adventure and land-based whale watching tours. And we are committed to becoming even better in sustainability.  We are charging a sustainability fee of $30 per booking, which is non-optional to your trip price. This fee will be donated to local non-profit organizations, to  Orcalab.org and the Marine Education and Research Society for Humpback Whales (MERS) equally.

Our meals are carefully chosen from local farmers, butchers and other small local businesses. By booking Grey Wolf Expeditions you are not only donating money to non profit organization you also support up to 13 other local businesses in this area. 

To provide an even greater improvement in sustainability, we are placing an emphasis on simplifying our packaging and ordering in bulk. We also offer vegetables out of our own garden such as potatoes, lettuce, carrots, kale and more. This will reduce waste and ensure that we are using fewer materials. We are also committed to using biodegradable materials for our packaging whenever possible.

At Grey Wolf Expeditions, we are dedicated to becoming even better in sustainability. Join us on this journey and help us create real change!  Thank you for helping us make a difference!

 
General Information

Wildlife Sightings, Photography & Expectations 

Please be aware, that we are unable to guarantee any wildlife sightings while attending our tours. But we do guarantee, that you are at the right place at the right time to have the highest chance in the world to see certain marine mammals and other wildlife. 

May, June and early July are a great time to view humpback whales, white sided dolphins, sea lions and dalls porpoises. As well as black bears, bald eagles, minkes, martens, deer, elk and squirrels. 

July, especially August is prime time orca season until early September. As salmon is running full force back into the rivers, the Northern Resident Killer Whale are more present, come close to shore to rub their bellies, socialize, feed and play or simply sleep. 

If it is your life long dream to see orcas in the wild, then July, but especially August is your very best chance to do so. And again, there is no guarantee, as they are wild animals. But out of over 20 years experience, mid July and all August are the very best time for killer whale sightings, sometimes even right from our beach as we are one of their many rubbing beaches.

We have been working as land-based whale watching & kayak guides since 2004 in this particular area. Being quit when orcas appear, is key to a great whale sighting. Yelling, screaming, or running over the beach to get closer to them, will most likely disturb them and they will disappear. We highly recommended, for best wildlife sighting results, stay calm but most importantly stay were you are and enjoy. 

Our clients occasionally expressed frustration in the past that their sightings did not turn out the way they had hoped. The whales were too far away, or the images they took are too blurry, or it just didn’t look quite like what they wanted. 

For wildlife photography and wildlife sightings, and especially whales as they are rules and regulations how close we can approach them, a good telephoto lens is required for getting up close shots without disturbing the animals. In many countries including Vancouver Island in Canada, we must maintain a certain distance from a whale or group of whales, orcas, dolphins and other marine mammals. 

The priority of any whale watching trip, should always be the animals safety and comfort – watching orcas and other whales from shore and from a distance when sea kayaking is very rewarding and extremely fun, with the added bonus of knowing you are not disrupting them as they go about their daily lives. 

Kayaking 

Kayaking may be limited due to weather conditions. If you are looking for a kayak expeditions, this is NOT the right trip / company for you. Kayaking is only a small part of this trip, but not it’s main focus. Kayaking is also optional, and not a must. Just an incredible activity to add to your orca dream adventure tour on Vancouver Island! Who knows, you might be even on the water with killer whales while trying out a new hobby? 

Waivers and Releases

All waivers and releases must be signed and submitted 2 weeks prior trip departure for proper trip preparation. No exceptions. 

Medical Forms & Liability Release

Each participant is required to fully fill out medical form and liability release form. Forms must be received by Grey Wolf prior to the trip. Kids under 12 may be added to parents form, only if no food allergies present and medications are needed. 

Food Preferences & Allergies

Each participant is required to fully fill out our form, including food preferences such as vegan diet, vegetarian, lactose free, gluten free etc in order for us to prepare the trip accordingly. In case our clients miss giving us this information, we are unable to accommodate whilst on the trip. Please make sure to let us know on page 2 and 3 of our form, what your food preferences are, but most importantly your food allergies (and others).  Our 5 paged reservation form must be received by Grey Wolf at least 2 weeks prior to the trip departure.

Travel Requirements for Entering Canada

Please check for the latest travel requirements for entering Canada.

Travel Requirements for Entering Croatia

Please check the latest travel requirements for entering Croatia with layover in other European countries.  

Guests Responsibility

Although no previous kayaking or outdoor experience is required on our tours, as with any adventure, there is always an element of risk. We ask that you welcome adventure with an open mind and be able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. We are dedicated to providing safe, environmentally, sensitive, well organized, fun-filled tours. Your comfort is our paramount! 

Accommodations While on Tour

Vancouver Island Whale Watching Tour and Sea Kayaking Camp: Generally tenting is based on double occupancy. If you are a single traveler. You must be willing to share a tent.  Please contact us to find out details. 

Croatia Tour is two people per room occupancy. Single travelers may request single room to extra charge.