Wiinipaakw Tours Solidarity Cooperative

Eeyou Istchee Baie-James·Waskaganish (terre crie)·★ (no Google reviews)

Wiinipaakw Tours Solidarity Cooperative — photo 2

Wiinipaakw Tours Solidarity Cooperative — photo 3

Wiinipaakw Tours Solidarity Cooperative — photo 4

Wiinipaakw Tours Solidarity Cooperative — photo 5

About

Run by and for the Cree communities, Wiinipaakw Tours opens James Bay up to travellers. Certified Cree captains take you on ecotourism cruises leaving from the coastal villages of Waskaganish and Wemindji, in Eeyou Istchee James Bay. On a half-day (2 to 3 hours) or a full day (6 to 8 hours) aboard the Silver Dolphin, you skirt nearly untouched coastal islands, set foot in two major bird sanctuaries and keep watch for belugas, seals, caribou and the elusive polar bear. Charlton Island, the Paint Hills Islands, the Maquatua River delta, the historic Cree site of Old Factory: every outing comes with interpretive walks on ground steeped in history. The cooperative also offers guided walleye and pike fishing on the Rupert and Broadback rivers, by the half day or the full day, plus charters of its vessels for private cruises, corporate events or research expeditions. Departures run from Waskaganish from June to mid-July, then from Wemindji from mid-July to October.

Non-exclusiveTerritory

By road · By boatAccess

Jun 15 – Oct 30Season

Guides availableGuiding

Packages

Fishing

Included

Local Cree guides who know the best places to fish
Boat and navigation
Boating-safety briefing and life jacket provided

Not included

Taxes (5% GST + 9.975% QST)
Fishing licence

Detailed rates

Guided fishing — half day$298

Guided fishing — full day (8 hours)$498

Activity

Included

Certified Cree captain
Interpretive walks on the islands
Boating-safety briefing and life jacket provided
Enclosed toilet cabin on board

Not included

Taxes (5% GST + 9.975% QST)
Lunch not included (picnic-style) — bring your own or pre-order a meal at extra cost

Included

Experienced Cree guide / captain
Interpretation of the region's wildlife, plants and history
Boating-safety briefing and life jacket provided

Not included

Taxes (5% GST + 9.975% QST)

Included

Certified Cree captain
Boating-safety briefing and life jacket provided
Enclosed toilet cabin on board

Not included

Taxes (5% GST + 9.975% QST)
Lunch not included (picnic-style)

Included

Experienced Cree guide / captain
Interpretation of the region's wildlife, plants and history
Boating-safety briefing and life jacket provided

Not included

Taxes (5% GST + 9.975% QST)

Included

Charter of the Silver Dolphin with crew
Tailor-made itinerary

Not included

Taxes (5% GST + 9.975% QST)

Prices are set by the outfitter and can change without notice. Confirm rates and availability with them before you book.

Location & access

Waskaganish (terre crie) (51.4890, -78.7463)

Access : By road · By boat

Two departure bases, both in coastal Cree villages on James Bay reached by road, then boarding by boat. Waskaganish: departures from June to mid-July, at the WTSC Coolbox located at 12 JSC Watt. Departure times there depend on the tide — the boat cannot sail when the tide is too low — and are confirmed no later than the day before the activity. Wemindji: departures from mid-July to October (through 21 October for charters). The operator advises booking your lodging before the trip and allowing at least 3 hours of driving if you are staying at km 381 of the James Bay Road or in Radisson. In both cases you must be on site 45 minutes before departure (1 hour indicated for Wemindji) for the safety briefing and to sign the risk-acceptance form; arriving late means no boarding. A boating-safety briefing is given and a life jacket is issued for the duration of the outing. Bring warm clothing, snacks and a reusable water bottle; an enclosed toilet cabin is available on board. Coordinates of the communities served: Waskaganish 51°12′N, 78°46′W; Eastmain 52°14′N, 78°30′W; Wemindji 53°00′N, 78°49′W.

Fishing zone 22