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Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)

Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago of islands on the continental shelf off Canada’s west coast. Join us for an 8-day adventure by land and sea. You’ll explore the famed, rich marine life and rainforests, as well as the Haida culture. Includes the whole archipelago, from north to south, ancient to modern, including Gwaii Haanas and UNESCO World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints).

Explore Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands

Highlights

  • Cruise into Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, a remote and culturally rich landscape on the southern half of Haida Gwaii and the Queen Charlotte Islands.
  • Visit ancient village sites and witness the remains of big houses and memorial poles
  • Listen to the stories and knowledge of Haida Guardian Watchmen who look after village sites and share their culture
  • learn about coastal culture, from Haida earliest culture to the present
  • Explore the region’s beautiful island landscape, remote beaches, rich intertidal life, and old growth temperate rainforest
  • Beach-comb and land on remote islands.
  • Experience humpback whales in their feeding habitat
  • Watch a black bear forage at low tide
  • Investigate the intricacies of Haida Gwaii’s endemic and rare species

 

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Activities

  • Frequent shore trips
  • Moderate walking
  • Small boat rides in zodiacs
  • Marine Mammal Viewing (Stellar Sea Lions)
  • Whale Watching (Humpback Whales)
  • Bird Watching (Millions of breeding birds, including puffins)
  • Natural history through hands-on experience and talks with your naturalist and any scientists encountered on your trip
  • Visit Ancient Village Site, Cultural Interpretation, and story telling
  • Sail when on SV Maple Leaf
  • Explore remote beaches
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing

 

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May and June Are A Peak Season in Gwaii Haanas

July and August are not always the best time to visit the coast. In particular in Gwaii Haanas, May and June have a number of benefits over July and August, if you can swing those dates.

The reasons include some peak seabird viewing times in May, as well as a lack of summer visitors, enabling peaceful visits to the village sites, where you can take your time.

Furthermore, May is actually the sunniest month in Haida Gwaii! 

Read more from naturalist and biologist Trudy Chatwin about travelling here in May and June.

Landscape and Nature

Haida Gwaii is an archipelago of islands separated from the rest of BC by an incredible body of water, Hecate Strait. Formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands the name was changed to represent the heritage and continued cultures of the Haida People who flourish on these islands.

Gwaii Haanas, the southern portion of Haida Gwaii, is rich with culture and natural history.

The Haida welcome us into the ancient village site, such as UNESCO World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), where ancient poles still stand. Others, such as Tanu, where you will marvel at the mossy depressions where big houses once stood.

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Featured Wildlife

Featured Wildlife

  • Baleen whales (humpback, fin)
  • Killer whale / orca
  • Pacific White Sided Dolphin
  • Dall’s porpoise
  • Black Bear
  • Black Tail Deer
  • Bald eagle
  • Sea Stars, Anemones, and Moon Snail

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Cultural History

Cultural History

Get to know the modern villages of Graham Island where Haida culture is alive and flourishing. Witness artwork and carvings recently created. 

Travel deep into Gwaii Haanas “Place of Wonder” where you will walk among ancient monumental poles and house remains.

Haida guides will explain the purpose of the poles and the lives their ancestors lived. The overall sense of power found in these villages is unforgettable.

 

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Canadian Signature Experience

We are proud to have our Haida Gwaii trip listed as one of Destination Canada’s Signature Experiences. 

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Trip Itineraries

Haida Gwaii Tour
Haida Gwaii - Catamaran

Explore remote wilderness where ancient Haida villages can be visited. Spend time with knowledgeable Haida Watchmen who will guide you to see mortuary poles, and remains of long houses. Take in wild sights of humpback whales, intertidal life, and puffins....

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