Sea kayaking routes on the west coast of Canada are some of the best in the world and experienced paddlers regard the Queen Charlotte Islands as the best of the best. Located 80 miles off Canada's extreme northwest coast (you can see the mountains of SE Alaska from the Islands’ north coast) the Queen Charlottes, also known as Haida Gwaii (Haida Place),are home to the Haida, a people with a formidable sea-going lineage and a remarkable artistic tradition.

The Islands are referred to as “Canada’s Galapagos” because of their unique ecology and Gwaii Haanas (Place of Wonder) National Park was founded to protect the natural and cultural integrity of the remote southern portion of archipelago. In the summer of 2005 a survey of over 300 park professionals and academics commissioned by National Geographic rated Gwaii Haanas National Park as the top park destination in North America. "Beautiful and intact. A great model for other regions," said one panelist.

Our Queen Charlotte Islands trips are defined by our more than 19 years experience guiding there. They are timed for the very best weather of the year and visit the very best attractions of the Park. We take our guests on a multi-day kayak camping journey through the southern portion of Gwaii Haanas, a place where sea lions lounge on rocky haul-outs, gulls, petrels and tufted puffins perch on cliffs. Humpback and orca whales glide through the channels and straits and tidal shallows are scattered with brightly colored sea stars. We stay at beach camps where generations of Haida paddlers landed their magnificent cedar canoes, and the rainforest floors are covered with a thick carpet of moss.

Come along with us and feel the silent power of the standing totem poles at the Skung Gwaii (Ninstints) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Float through the richest inter-tidal life in the world at Burnaby Narrows and soak in the natural hot pools of Hotsprings Island. Experience the incomparable blend of landscape, cultural history and wildlife that make Gwaii Haanas National Park truly a place of wonder..

Itinerary
Day1: Guests arrive in Sandspit on Moresby Island and check into the Seaport B&B.

DAY 2: Boat along the coast of Moresby Island to the Swan Islands in Skincuttle Inlet. Kayaking orientation and an exploration of Swan Bay to try out new skills.

DAY 3: Set course for Burnaby Strait and the colorful intertidal display Dolomite Narrows (Burnaby Narrows).

DAY 4: Cross Skincuttle Inlet and through the ecological reserve of the Copper Islands. Pass the old village site of Hagi on Bolkus Island.

DAY 5: Collison Bay, the site of one of the earliest European settlements on the islands, pass the Rankine Islands ecological reserve sea bird nesting site towards our campsite near the old village site of Kaidju at Benjamin Pt.

DAY 6: Rounding Benjamin Pt. we paddle into the territory of the Kunghit Haida and their last chief: Ninstints. Our camp is on Ross Island.

DAY 7: Louscoone Point, an ideal jumping off spot for our visit to the village of Skun Gwaii on Anthony Island.

DAY 8: Visit to the totem poles ancient village of Skun Gwaii on Anthony Island.

DAY 9: Return by boat to Sandspit with a mid-way stop for a soak in the hot pools at the ancient village site on Hot Springs Island.

Day 10: Depart Sandspit.

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