Points of Interest
Ports
Cruise Into Gwaii Haanas, Islands of Beauty
Wildlife, Far-flung Places and Coastal First Nations Culture
Explore Haida Gwaii from the northern town of Masset to the southern reaches of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Marine Conservation Area Reserve & Haida Heritage Site.
Highlights in Gwaii Haanas include Haida village sites (access is weather-permitting but typically includes SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), T’aanuu, K’uuna (Skedans), and Windy Bay); ancient rainforest, intertidal life at K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows), whales and other marine mammals, remote beaches, and other special experiences.
Haida Gwaii is a must-see destination for those who love wildlife, far-flung places and northwest coast First Nations culture. This cruise explores it all—from rich intertidal life to rainforests to huge whales that feed here. From hot springs to Haida village sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Site, SGang Gwaay.
Itinerary Details
- Ships: Swell (Converted Tugboat)
- Duration: 10 or 12 Days
- Ports: Sitka, Ketchikan or Petersburg
- Includes a Canadian Geographic Itinerary
Haida Gwaii Sailing Ship Tour
- Maple Leaf
- 9 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Tour kickoff, land-based tour of Masset, Old Massett (G̲aw Tlagée), North Beach, Tow Hill, tour of Graham Island. Dinner and lodge accommodation in Masset area.
Day 2: Tlell, Skidegate, Haida Heritage Centre at KAAY LLNAGAAY, board ship, orientation, cruising south for a Gwaii Haanas tour, whale watching, island anchorage and explore ashore.
Day 3: Enter into Gwaii Haanas, visit T’aanuu village site, K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows) for some of the planet’s densest intertidal life, kayaking, cruising.
Day 4: Sailing southward on the Gwaii Haanas tour, Cape St. James hike (southern tip of Haida Gwaii), Woodruff Bay beach exploration, fishing.
Day 5: Seabirds viewing, UNESCO World Heritage Site visit, SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) on the southern end of Gwaii Haanas, Rose Harbour visit.
Day 6: Cruising, rainforest walk, possible bears. The Haida Gwaii black bear is the largest subspecies of black bear on the planet. It is one example of Haida Gwaii being the “Galapagos of the North”, where species have evolved differently than their mainland counterparts.
Day 7: Sailing Juan Perez Sound, whale watching, visit seabird researchers at seabird colony.
Day 8: Northward on your Gwaii Haanas tour stop at Windy Bay cultural heritage site, whale watching, K’uuna (Skedans) village site.
Day 9: Cruising to Moresby Camp in Cumshewa Inlet and transfer to Sandspit airport.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Haida Gwaii Sailing Ship Tour below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 8 – 16, 2025 | $8,990 | 8 | Masset | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| July 16 – 24, 2025 | $8,990 | 8 | Masset | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| June 13 – 21, 2026 | $9,250 | 8 | Masset | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| June 21 – 29, 2026 | $9,250 | 8 | Masset | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| June 29 – July 7, 2026 | $9,250 | 8 | Kitimat | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| July 8 – 16, 2026 | $9,250 | 8 | Masset | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| July 16 – 24, 2026 | $9,250 | 8 | Masset | Sandspit | Maple Leaf |
| July 24 – August 1, 2026 | $9,250 | 8 | Masset | Kitimat | Maple Leaf |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Haida Gwaii Catamaran Tour
- Cascadia
- 8 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Meet at Vancouver airport for flight to Haida Gwaii (included in trip fare). Tour kickoff, land-based tour of Graham Island. Welcome dinner and lodge accommodation.
Day 2: Tlell, Skidegate, Haida Heritage Centre at KAAY LLNAGAAY, board ship, orientation, cruising into the southern half of the Haida Gwaii tour – Gwaii Haanas, whale watching, island anchorage and explore ashore.
Day 3: Head south to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. T’aanuu village site, K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows) for some of the planet’s densest intertidal life, kayaking, cruising.
Day 4: Seabirds viewing, UNESCO World Heritage Site visit, SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), offshore islets, Rose Harbour visit.
Day 5: Cruising, rainforest walk, possible bears.
Day 6: Sailing Juan Perez Sound, whale watching, visit seabird researchers at seabird colony.
Day 7: Windy Bay cultural heritage site, whale watching, K’uuna (Skedans) village site.
Day 8: Cruising to Moresby Camp in Cumshewa Inlet and transfer to Sandspit airport for your outbound flight (included in trip fare).
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Haida Gwaii Catamaran Tour below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11 – 18, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
| May 18 – 25, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
| May 25 – June 1, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
| June 2 – 9, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
| June 17 – 24, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
| June 24 – July 1, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
| July 1 – 8, 2026 | $12,995, $14,995, $17,350 | 7 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Haida Gwaii with Canadian Geographic
- Cascadia
- 9 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Your 2024 Canadian Geographic Ambassador: Daisy Gilardini, a Canadian Geographic Photographer-in-Residence and Greenpeace Antarctic Ambassador, specializes in wildlife conservation photography, with work featured in National Geographic and BBC Wildlife. David McEown, is an award-winning watercolour artist capturing wilderness landscapes from Antarctica to the North Pole. Both are dedicated environmental advocates and lauded in their field, sharing their expertise and passion through workshops, lectures, and one-on-one instruction. Read more
Day 1: Meet at Vancouver airport south terminal for flight to Haida Gwaii (included in trip fare). Tour kickoff, then land-based tour of Masset, Old Masset, North Beach, Tow Hill, tour of Graham Island. Dinner and lodge accommodation in Masset area.
Day 2: Tlaal, Skidegate, Haida Heritage Centre at KAAY LLNAGAAY, board ship, orientation, cruising, whale watching, island anchorage and explore ashore.
Day 3: T’aanuu village site, K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows) for some of the planet’s densest intertidal life, kayaking, cruising.
Day 4: Sailing southward in Gwaii Haanas, Cape St. James (southern tip of Haida Gwaii), Woodruff Bay beach exploration, fishing. Gordon Group visit via Houston Stewart Passage.
Day 5: Seabirds viewing, UNESCO World Heritage Site visit, SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), Rose Harbour visit (remote community) or Looscoone Inlet estuary exploration and possible black bears.
Day 6: Cruising, sea lion haul-out, rainforest walk, possible bears.
Day 7: Cruising Juan Perez Sound, whale watching, visit seabird researchers at seabird colony.
Day 8: Windy Bay cultural heritage site, whale watching, K’uuna (Skedans) village site, Cumshewa Inlet. Farewell dinner.
Day 9: Cruising Cumshewa Inlet to Morseby Camp. Transfer to Sandspit airport. Flight from Sandspit to Vancouver (included in trip fare).
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Haida Gwaii Catamaran Tour with Canadian Geographic below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9 – 17, 2026 | $14,750, $17,120, $19,500 | 8 | Vancouver | Vancouver | Cascadia |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
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Haida Gwaii Flight Promotion
Flights Included on Cascadia Haida Gwaii Sailings
Book a Haida Gwaii sailing aboard Cascadia, with airfare from Vancouver arranged and covered by us. Step into the natural and cultural wonder of Gwaii Haanas aboard a luxury catamaran crewed by passionate locals and a Haida storyteller.
Terms and Conditions
Offer not transferable to other trips and is not redeemable for cash or credit. Maple Leaf Adventures is responsible for arranging and covering the cost of airfare from Vancouver to Haida Gwaii as a part of this special offer. However, we do not assume responsibility for any matters, including delays, lost baggage, or any incidents that occur during the flight itself.
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Solo Traveller Special
We’re waving the single supplement!
Don’t miss this great opportunity for solo travellers, in their own cabin with no single supplement, to discover the rich culture and natural wonder of the BC coast!
Qualifying Trips (2025)
- Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic, Apr 18-22, Swell
- Desolation Sound, Apr 25-29, Apr 30-May 4, Swell, May 1-5, Cascadia
- Haida Gwaii, May 9-16, May 16-23, Cascadia
- Whales & Wild Isles, Jul 28-Aug 5, Aug 6-14, Aug 16-20, Cascadia
- Great Bear Rainforest, Aug 29-Sep 5, Oct 9-16, Cascadia
- Desolation Sound & Fjords of BC, Oct 20-27, Cascadia, Oct 19-26, Swell
- Craft Beer Cruise, Oct 27-31, Swell
- Wines & Islands, Oct 29-Nov 2, Cascadia
Qualifying Trips (2026)
- Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic, Apr 14-18, Swell
- Desolation Sound, Apr 21-25, Apr 25-30, Swell, May 3-7, Cascadia
- Haida Gwaii May 11-18, May 18-25, Cascadia.
Terms and Conditions
Subject to availability and booking limits on select sailings, as designated by Maple Leaf Adventures. Available in category 1 cabins on Cascadia and category 1 or 2 cabins on Swell (limited availability). Not combinable with other offers, except pay-in-full and standard back-to-back trips.
Experience Haida Gwaii
See Haida Gwaii through the eyes of our guests.
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about our Haida Gwaii tours.
Highlights
Cultural and Natural Wonders of Haida Gwaii
Embark on a Haida Gwaii tour that explores both modern-day Haida Gwaii communities and ancient historical sights in Gwaii Haanas.
Related Stories
Follow our coastal expeditions with notes from the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about our Haida Gwaii itineraries. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.
To reach Masset, you will board with Pacific Coastal Airlines. Pacific Coastal flies from the peaceful South Terminal at Vancouver International Airport. There is a regular shuttle bus that runs between the Main and South Terminals at Vancouver International Airport. Allow at least 60 minutes from door to door, plus check-in time, if you are transferring from another flight. Be sure to bring your luggage as it will not be transferred for you between airlines. Maple Leaf Adventures has pre-arranged your shuttle service from the ship to Sandspit Airport (YZP) at the end of your tour. For itineraries aboard Cascadia, flights between Vancouver and your trip are included.
Our schedule is designed to accommodate incoming flights on the day of departure and most guests will arrive on the day. But, if you would like to arrive a little early to avoid the stress of possible flight delays, you will find recommendations for local hotels and activities in your welcome aboard package.
Haida Gwaii experiences mild and pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from cool to warm. It is a time of transitioning from spring to summer and should prepare for a mix of sunny days, occasional rainfall, and moderate temperatures. Layered clothing is recommended to adapt to changing weather conditions. May through to July is a great time to explore the stunning landscapes and cultural richness of Haida Gwaii while enjoying the comfortable weather.
The best time to visit Haida Gwaii is early summer. May provides excellent opportunities for peak seabird viewing, and both May and June have fewer summer visitors, allowing for peaceful visits to the village sites where you can take your time to explore. It may also surprise you to know that May is also the sunniest month in Haida Gwaii. Naturalist and biologist Trudy Chatwin recommends travelling to Haida Gwaii during this time, and you can read her insights from her about visiting in May and June.
Yes. You will be met at Masset airport by your guide who will take you on a tour of the Masset area, to your accommodation for the night, and continue your tour of northern Haida Gwaii on day two, ultimately getting you to the ship in the late afternoon. All meals and accommodation in a lodge are included.
