Travel Guide for Haida Gwaii Kayaking Tours - Queen Charlotte Islands Kayak Trips
General:
Our Haida Gwaii kayaking tours are operated in Gwaii Haanas National Park in the southern portion of Haida Gwaii Formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands. Located 80 miles off the northwest coast of British Columbia, Haida Gwaii / the Queen Charlotte Islands rise from the waters of the open Pacific Ocean and are separated from the mainland by Hecate Strait. Our tours begin in Sandspit, a small town situated on the northeast tip of Moresby Island, one of the two main islands in the Queen Charlotte Archipelago. Sandspit is accessed directly by scheduled air service from Vancouver, BC and by ferry service from Prince Rupert.
Arrivals:
For our Heart of Gwaii Haanas kayaking trip guests can arrive in Sandspit on or before the first scheduled day of the trip (Saturday) and leave on or after the last scheduled day (Monday).
Air Access:
Air Canada Jazz has daily nonstop flights leaving from Vancouver International Airport’s Main Terminal. It is less than a 2-hour flight to Sandspit Airport on Moresby Island. For a current flight schedule and reservations, please call 1-888-247-2262
Ferry Access:
BC Ferries operates the Queen of Prince Rupert, which sails from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing (Graham Island). There are frequent sailings – reservations are required for this route. Please check the BC Ferries website for sailing dates and times, and book well in advance during the peak summer season. For more information on reservations, fares and schedules, please call BC Ferries at 1-888-223-3779 or visit their website at www.bcferries.com for exact times.
For those wishing to extend their trip and see more of coastal British Columbia we highly recommend the ferry trip on the MV Northern Expedition from Port Hardy, at the northern end of Vancouver Island, to Prince Rupert. This all-day trip passes through the glacier carved fjords of the Inside Passage. Travelers overnight in Prince Rupert and the continue the next day to the Islands. A popular option with past guests is take the ferry up to the Islands and then fly back to Vancouver.
Advice:
If you have any questions give our office a call. We’ve traveled to the Queen Charlottes for years and used all of the modes of transportation and routes listed above. We’re happy to advise you on your travel plans and tell you about some our favorite BC places.
The Haida Heritage Center and Museum at KAAY’LLNAGAAY
Located 2 km. from the ferry terminal at Skidegate the new Haida Heritage Center and Museum is a worthwhile addition to a trip itinerary. Along with the many artifacts there are six newly raised totem poles. A visit to the museum adds historical context to the paddling trip. Seeing both the newly carved totem poles at the museum and the older ones on Anthony Island provides insight into the strength and continuum of Haida artistic tradition. For more information visit www.haidaheritagecentre.com or call (250) 559-4643.
