About...
Island Adventure Tours

Island Adventure Tours is based in Victoria, British Columbia on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.

IAT Lead Guide, Jeff Hunter-Smith, is a trained naturalist, has a science degree in ecology and environmental science, and additional training in leadership skills. Jeff has worked for the Provincial Government as a Negotiator for Aboriginal Land claims and Economic Development projects. This role has led him to build many relationships with the Island's First Nations and to develop tourism products featuring aboriginal culture. Jeff's specialities are the towering rainforests, long sandy beaches and sheltered islands of the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Jeff Hunter-Smith

EcoTourism - "Travel to remote and relatively unaltered natural areas that promotes local economic development and the appreciation and conservation of an area's natural and cultural heritage. The practice of touring natural habitats in a manner meant to minimize ecological impact and help sustain the livelihood of the local people."

Island Adventure Tours follows an active program of reducing, re-using and recycling. We are actively trying to find ways to "green up" our business.Our latest initiative is the development of our "Self Guided Walking Holidays of Vancouver Island". These tours rely on existing public transportation such as trains, planes, boats and vans so that clients can leave their cars at home (or not need to rent one).

Jeff Hunter-Smith is an avid outdoorsmen spending over 200 days a year guiding hiking, sea-kayaking and wildlife viewing tours. He also enjoys another 20-30 days per year pioneering new routes and exploring new tour concepts on the island. Jeff is active in promoting tourism to British Columbia, working with local conservation groups, and assisting aboriginal communities. Island Adventure Tours incorporates the principles of sustainable development in its relationships and business practices. Jeff has taken over 1,000 people to the temperate rainforests near Victoria and hundreds more to many remote corners on Vancouver Island. In short, Jeff is passionate about the Island he lives on.

Island Adventure Tours has been featured on the Outdoor Life Network, CTV Inside Travel, and The Discovery Channel.

Island Adventure Tours has also been featured in over 50 publications in Canada, the US and the UK. Island Adventure Tours is a proud member of Tourism Victoria and Tourism BC.

Lead Native Culture Tour Guide, George Taylor from the Tlowitsis First Nation on Vancouver Island is a Director for Aboriginal Tourism BC and the Leader of the Le-La-La Dancers. George's knowledge, insight and sense of humor make him an outstanding guide.

George has a deep appreciation for his culture and is in demand for speaking and perfroming engagements internationally. the July 2002 Issue of National Geographic Magazine has a full 2 page spread picture of George in his Grizzly Bear costume.

Guide Don Barrie is a long-time kayaker and all around lover of the water - no surprise though since he's a Pisces! As a kid growing up in Ontario, he spent most of his time messing around on lakes and rivers. When Don eventually tried out his first kayak in the massive rapids of the Ottawa River in 1979, he was instantly hooked despite experiencing a few epic swims through the rapids during the learning process.

Right after high school, Don moved west to Banff, Alberta and continued to be very active in terms of outdoor pursuits. He worked for a tour company for several seasons and was responsible for showing clients around the Canadian Rockies including numerous trips guiding heli-hikers around the ridges, valleys and glaciers of the world renowned Bugaboos. His love for the outdoors eventually led him to Vancouver Island which he has called home since 1988. What attracted Don to the west coast, among other things, was the fact that the climate allows him to ocean kayak for virtually the entire year while also being able to paddle down the many whitewater rivers that rise on Vancouver Island due to abundant winter rainfall.

Over time, Don undertook numerous courses relating to swiftwater rescue, wilderness first aid and CPR. A certified whitewater kayak instructor and trained ocean kayaking guide, Don has taken courses through the Whitewater Kayak Association of BC, the British Canoe Union, the American Canoe Association and the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. His keen interest in being out on the water is infectious and his ability to safely lead groups in all conditions comes as a result of his many years of experience. Don looks forward to showing you some of the magical spots in BC that can only be seen from atop or alongside the water!

Leeanne Fitzpatrick - IAT Adventure Guide. Leeanne just returned from a year long adventure through South East Asia. She holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a major in Recreation and has been active in the outdoor industry for over 8 years. Instruction in kayaking, canoeing, hiking, ropes courses and environmental education, Leeanne has a varied wilderness background and her contagious enthusiasm and positive attitude infuses incredible energy on any of our excursions..

Kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and diving are Leeanne's favourite pastimes. All of which make her a valuable addition to out IAT team.

From "Lodge-based Kayak Adventures" to "Corporate Adventure Challenge Weekends", Island Adventure Tours ensures the results are nothing less than spectacular.

Island Adventure Tours is located in the gorgeous Parkside House, a 1907 character house and guesthouse. Parkside House is located within a five minute walk from downtown and the Inner Harbour of Victoria.

Search for reviews...

kayak & hiking expeditions the name of the destination you would like to search reviews of into the box below, and Google will find all relevant reviews, opinions, & accounts of personal experience there.