Discover British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands in the lush Gwaii Haanas National Park, on the border of Alaska's panhandle. Because of the remoteness, few visitors ever find this gem. The protected inlets and sounds offer a safe area to master the art of kayaking, while exposed coasts give you a chance to experience the power and beauty of the ocean. Wander through the totem poles and moss-covered remains of the long houses in Skedans, an ancient Haida village. Paddle through Darwin Sound, known for the highest concentration of bald eagles in the world. Other places we may visit include Hot Spring Island, Juan Perez Sound, Sedgwick Bay , Tanu Island and Bischoff Island.
Sample Itinerary
Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.
DAY 1: Your trip starts in the late afternoon at the Prince Rupert Ferry Landing. Take the ferry overnight to Skidegate on Graham Island.
DAY 2: Take another short ferry to Moresby Island. Load boats and shuttle to an Island in the heart of Gwaii Haanas National Park. Set up camp, practice kayaking skills, and take a short paddle to visit Hot Spring Island.
DAY 3: Set out in the Juan Perez Sound and head into Sedgwick Bay to set up camp on Bischoff Island.
DAY 4: Paddle along the western side of Lyell Island through Darwin Sound where the highest concentration of bald eagles in the world are found. Head to the southern side of Tanu Island to set up camp.
DAY 5: Kayak to Kunga Island, set up camp. Take a short trip to Tanu, an ancient village of the Haida Indians and see artifacts of Haida Life.
DAY 6: Pack up and head north around Heming Head Point, venturing out onto the open sea for the first time. Camp in either Thurston Harbor or Vertical Point, depending on the weather.
DAY 7: Layover Day! Paddle to Skedans, another ancient village of the Haida. See the totem poles and moss-covered remains of the old long houses, the scene of many Haida celebrations called "potlatches."
DAY 8: Paddle to Moresby Camp, pack up and drive back to the ferry site. After a short ferry ride to Skidegate, visit the Haida museum and boat builders before boarding the ferry for the evening ride back to the mainland.
DAY 9: Arrive at Prince Rupert in the early morning. The trip officially ends here, but most people will want to have breakfast together one last time at a local restaurant.
Travel, Terrain, Etc...
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: The Pacific rain forest is lush and green with vegetation. The red cedars and Sitka spruce tower 3,000 feet over the forest floor. You will paddle on the protected east side of the islands, exploring the bays, inlets and streams. Most campsites are packed dirt and gravel. The Queen Charlotte Islands offer a wide range of route options from very easy to very difficult.
TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will travel in 21-foot Grand San Juan sea kayaks, which hold 2 or 3 people plus all necessary gear. An average days travel consists of 3-5 hours of paddling, depending on weather conditions. Be prepared for the possibility of a wind bound day. Travel distances vary from 8-10 miles per day with the exception of scheduled layover days. To protect the environment, WI uses Leave No Trace camping techniques.
WEATHER: Temperatures in the summer months range from 45 F to 75 F. The climate is moderated by the Pacific Ocean. Rainfall can vary, but you should expect at least a day or two of rain.
ACCOMMODATIONS: This is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in a comfortable Eureka Timberline tent. Typically, there are 3 people per 4 person tent (although other arrangements can be made). Bathroom facilities consist of an outhouse or a foldable commode chair set up in a privacy tent. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.
YOUR GROUP: The group size ranges from 10 to 12 participants, plus 2 or more Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities. Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary kayaking and camping equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Previous wilderness experience and/or paddling experience is recommended. Though not technically difficult, this trip can be physically challenging.
[ Dates & Fees ]
Haida Gwaii, or the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago, 100 kilometers west of the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada. It includes an isolated group of over 200 islands, large and small, totaling approximately 3750 square miles.
Haida Gwaii is perched on the very edge of Canada's Pacific continental shelf. The combined effects of the cold nutrient-rich waters of the northern Pacific meeting with warm offshore currents originating in Japan, results in an environment abundant in natural resources, both in the sea and forests.
Flowering plants, some unique to Haida Gwaii, flourish in high alpine meadows. Giant red cedars, Sitka spruce, western hemlock and yellow cypress thrive in Haida Gwaii's cool, moist coastal climate. These wonders rank with the largest trees remaining on earth.
Large portions of the islands have been saved from industrial logging in the last ten years. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site protects the southern third of the archipelago. In 1987, the Haida were successful in bringing logging to an end in this area and it is now set aside to be preserved in its natural state.
Haida Gwaii's more than 5000 kilometers of coastal shoreline provide an ideal habitat for a great diversity of marine life.
Whales, porpoises, seals, and over one-half of British Columbia's sea lion population thrive in the plankton-rich waters.
Haida Gwaii supports over 25 percent of all nesting seabirds in the Canadian Pacific--up to half a million breeding pairs. Preying upon this abundant food source are Peale's peregrine falcons, which are found here in the world's greatest concentrations. Bald eagles nest in South Moresby in densities unparalleled anywhere in Canada. The islands are a major stopover for migrating waterfowl along the Pacific flyway. Trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes are among the endangered species which find refuge in Haida Gwaii.
Haida Gwaii is the most isolated land mass in Canada. It is sometimes referred to as the Canadian Galapagos. Because of their remoteness, the islands are a natural laboratory for studying evolution. Several species of plants, lichens and moss are unique to Haida Gwaii. Some animals, including the black bear, ermine and the now extinct Dawson caribou represent distinct sub-species with evolutionary traits unique to Haida Gwaii.
Suggested Reading:
Beck, Mary L. (1989) Heroes and Heroines in Tlingit-Haida Legend. Alaska Northwest Books: Bothell, Washington.
Bringhurst, R., Reid, B. The Raven Steals the Light. Douglas and McIntyre Press: Vancouver, B.C.
Carey, Neil G. (1995) Queen Charlotte Islands. Raincoast Books: Vancouver, B.C.
Ince, J., Kottner, H. (1982) Sea Kayaking Canada's West Coast. Raxas Books: Vancouver, B.C.
Visitor's Guide. (1995) British Columbia Accommodations. The Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture: Victoria, B.C.
Visitor's Guide. (1996) The Vancouver Book. Key Pacific Publishers: Victoria, B.C.
White, Charlie. (1992) Living off the Sea. Heritage House: Surrey, B.C.
Please let us know if you have other reading suggestions--we love to read!
For more information, visit these links:
British Columbia Adventure Network
Sandspit/North Moresby Chamber of Commerce
BritishColumbia.com - Queen Charlotte Islands
BritishColumbiaTravel.com - Queen Charlotte Islands
[ Dates & Fees ]
WI is not currently operating Queen Charlotte Islands Kayak trips. Please call (612)676-9400 for more information.
