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Download the viriual copy of the Ḵaats’ii Hla | Ḵáats’a Hla | This Is Haida Gwaii Trip Planner. This magazine is filled with local stories, incredible photography, accommodations and places to see on the island. Learn how to get here, where to stay, and what to do when visiting Haida Gwaii. We are grateful for you taking the time to plan your adventure ahead.
Download Trip Planner (pdf)
Please Visit Responsibly
Haida Gwaii is a spectacular place full of rare ecosystems and rich culture. Everyone on Haida territory shares the responsibility to take care of the land and ocean around us. Please follow the link below to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge before arriving.
Council of the Haida Nation
The Council of the Haida Nation was formed in 1974 to organize members of the Haida Nation into one political entity. Over the past 40 years the CHN has been addressing the land question and has become a National government enacting legislation and policy affecting many aspects of life on Haida Gwaii. The CHN works alongside the collective action of the Haida People to protect their culture and ensure their way of living continues.
get outdoors
Haida Gwaii is an ideal destination to experience the rugged and remote wilderness that British Columbia is known for. Accommodation varies from rustic off-grid beach cabins to modern and natural lodges, and extraordinary camping in old growth or on the beach. All accommodation is small scale and intimate. Each time you book you are talking with an owner who cares passionately about the quality of your experience.
Getting here and getting around
The archipelago of Haida Gwaii is separated from the mainland by the ḴandaliiGwii (Hecate Strait). This means you'll need to book a flight or ferry to get here. Once you land, it's important that you've sorted out transportation logistics ahead of time, as taxi and vehicle rental availabilities are limited. Here's what you need to know.
Arriving By Air
Arriving By Water
Getting Around By Car
Getting Around By Bike
Visitor Centres
Air service is available daily from Vancouver and Prince Rupert. For schedules and fares please check with the following carriers:
Air Canada flies daily from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Sandspit International Airport (YZP)
Pacific Coastal Airlines flies daily between Vancouver’s South Terminal (YVR) and the Masset Municipal Airport (ZMT)
Inland Air Charters has regularly scheduled flights between Prince Rupert and the Village of Masset
**Please note: When arriving to Sandspit by plane, it is important to organize transportation to Daajing Giids ahead of time, if needed. Options include renting a vehicle (see Getting Around By Car below), renting a bicycle from the Sandspit Visitor Information Centre (see Visitor Centres below) or pre-booking shuttle service from Gwaii Taxi & Tours.
BC Ferries provides regularly scheduled sailings to the Islands from Prince Rupert, year-round. They also provide daily service between Moresby and Graham island on the Kwuna vehicle ferry. Connector service is available in Prince Rupert for the Inside Passage route to or from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, or north with Alaska’s marine ferry system. If you are travelling with a vehicle and/or camper, be sure to make reservations well in advance of your trip – sailings book up fast! Arrive at terminals at least two hours in advance.
The Islands have long been known for their excellent recreational boating opportunities. Many of the communities have marinas, boat ramps and services catering to recreational boaters. There are harbours in K’il Kun (Sandspit), Daajing Giids, Gamadiis/’Wáan Kún (Port Clements), and Masset. Enquire with each respective harbour master for visitor berths.
There are only about 140kms of paved and maintained highways on the islands. There is an extensive network of forest access roads too, some suitable for short distances, and some definitely not advisable. Check out Drive BC for up-to-date road conditions. You can also enquire at the Visitor Information Centres in Daajing Giids, K’il Kun (Sandspit), Gamadiis/’Wáan Kún (Port Clements) and Masset. Unfortunately, there is no public transportation on island. Most communities do have vehicle rentals or a taxi service.
Vehicle Rentals
**Please note: We strongly recommend phoning to book, as online rental opportunities are not yet standard practice. Haawa for your understanding
Sandspit K’il Kun – Budget Car Rentals 250.637.5688
Daajing Giids – Budget Car & Truck Rentals 250.559.4641 Island Auto Rentals 250.559.4118 Haida Gwaii Vehicle & RV Rentals 250.637.1202 Gwaii Adventure Campers 778.260.2227
HlG̱aagilda (Skidegate) – Gwaii Taxi & Tours 250.559.2380 & mobile 250.637.1162 Haida Gwaii Scooter Rentals – 250.640.6474
Masset – Masset Car & Truck Rentals 250.626.7089 Rustic Car Rentals 250.626.3756
Cycling is a great way to experience Haida Gwaii for experienced cyclists .
Haida Gwaii has a very limited network of paved roads, which means that if you choose to stick to the pavement, you won’t necessarily be cycling all that much, and you will also have a hard time getting lost. Some roads have a small shoulder or oftentimes no shoulder. There are also many blind corners and traffic travels at a high rate of speed on many sections of the highway. Make sure you have bright / reflective clothing and lights on.
There is a much more extensive network of unpaved forest access roads that can take you much farther into the wilderness, though they are not for everybody. Make sure you are experienced in bike repair and well prepared for remote travel and in case of emergencies if you want to go to these areas.
Bike Rentals:
Masset – Masset Bikes 250.626.8939 North Beach Surf Shop 250.626.7873
K’il Kun (Sandspit) – Sandspit Visitor Centre 250.637.5362
Daajing Giids – Green Coast Kayaking 250.637.1093
There are Visitor Centres in K’il Kun (Sandspit), Daajing Giids, ‘Wáan Kún/Gamadiis (Port Clements) and Masset.
K’il Kun (Sandspit) Visitor Information Centre 250-637-5362 https://lovenorthernbc.com/community/sandspit/business/the-sandspit-visitor-centre/
Daajing Giids Visitor Information Centre 250-559-8316 daajinggiidsvisitorcentre.com
‘Wáan Kún/Gamadiis (Port Clements) Museum & Information Centre 250-557-4576 www.portclements.ca/village-office/visitor-information/
Northern Haida Gwaii (Masset) Visitor Information Centre 250-626-3982 massetbc.com
Accessible Haida Gwaii
Stop in at the Daajing Giids Visitor Centre for expert advice, gifts, and see the interpretive saltwater aquarium. Walk the trails around the waterfront. Check out the funky stores and cafes and restaurants on Wharf Walk. Hike the NansGa Gandlaay K’yuu Gore Brook Trail and if you’re feeling fit and adventurous, try the excellent Kuu Jad TlldaGaaw K’yuu Sleeping Beauty Trail. Always make sure to let someone know where you are going and be fully prepared for all aspects of backcountry hiking.
Haida Gwaii cannot yet be designated as wheelchair-friendly, but communities are working towards that goal. Download our Accessible Attractions PDF to learn more about existing accessible attractions, available equipment, and accessibility projects we have on the go. Did You Know? The Haida Heritage Centre and Saahlinda Naay (Saving Things House) Haida Gwaii Museum at Ḵay Llnagaay were designed to be wheelchair accessible. Although the inside of the centre is fully accessible, the outside area where the monumental pole tours are conducted has some challenges due to the uneven ground. In the summer, tours at the Centre include the monumental poles, carving house, Haida canoe and weaving tours.
Is there public transit available on-island?
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation on-island. Here are your options for getting around:
Masset – Mile Zero Taxi – 250-626-8999 Daajing Giids/Sandspit – Gwaii Taxi & Tours – 250-637-1162
**Please note: We strongly recommend phoning to book, as online rental opportunities are not yet standard practice. Haawa for your understanding.
K’il Kun (Sandspit) – Budget Car Rentals 250.637.5688
Bike Rentals
Masset – Masset Bikes 250.626.8939, North Beach Surf Shop 250.626.7873
Is there cell service on Haida Gwaii?
Mobile device coverage on Haida Gwaii is good in some areas and iffy at best in others. For the most part you can pick up a reliable signal in each of the communities, however bars drop rapidly as soon as you hit the highway or the backroads. Check out our map for a visual!
Is it necessary to book in advance?
Yes. We strongly recommend booking well in advance (~6 months). We are a small archipelago with limited availabilities. Booking in advance will give you the best selection and opportunity to secure your preferred accommodations and excursions for your dates of travel.
Similarly, all tours on Haida Gwaii, especially to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, should be booked in advance. Most tour companies offer excursions from May to September only. Sometimes tour operators may have an extra seat or two available day-of, but for peace of mind it’s better to secure your spot before you get here. Off-season (October-April) tours are sometimes available by advance arrangement – they vary by operator.
How do I get to SG̱ang Gwaay UNESCO Site?
There is no road access to Gwaii Haanas – it is limited to float plane or boat access. Visitors who come to explore Gwaii Haanas do so either as part of a guided trip, travelling with a licensed tour operator, or on a self-guided adventure. SG̱ang Gwaay is located in the far south west of Gwaii Haanas and is the most difficult village site to access. You have the options of booking with a boat tour company, joining a guided kayak excursion or chartering a float plane to visit SG̱ang Gwaay. For a list of licensed tour operators, including floatplane service, visit the Gwaii Haanas website at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas/visit
Can I drive on the beach?
We advise all visitors to keep their vehicles off the beaches. In addition, rental companies will not allow you to drive their vehicles on the beaches. Make sure you check and abide by those directives. Every year vehicles get stuck out on the beaches. Additionally, irresponsible vehicle driving causes damage to the sensitive beach environment, river crossings, clam beds and more. Better to explore with your feet or by bicycle.
Should I Get Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance and/or trip cancellation insurance is always recommended. Frequently, many transportation routes (both plane and ferry), as well as land and ocean tours on Haida Gwaii are postponed or cancelled due to weather and sea conditions. This applies year-round.
Our 54-foot motor yacht Great Bear II will be your home away from home for our 8-day tours in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. The ship is certified by Transport Canada passenger vessel and is equipped with all the latest safety and navigation equipment. Our 18-foot hard bottomed zodiac is perfect for shore excursions, shoreline exploration, and as a platform for witnessing the spectacular carpets of intertidal sea life in Burnaby Narrows. We also carry kayaks and a row boat for guests to use in the serenity of our coastal anchorages.
FOCUS OF OUR TRIPS
Our Haida Gwaii tours in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve take us one hundred kilometers west of B.C.'s north coast, on the edge of the Pacific Continental Shelf, and to the archipelago of Haida Gwaii. Its shores bathed in warm, nutrient-rich waters, Haida Gwaii is often referred to as the Canadian Galapagos. Because the Haida First Nations People had such an abundance of food, they had time to develop one of the world's most powerful and creative cultures. The Haida culture, art, and the unique flora and fauna of B.C.'s Haida Gwaii are the main focus of our tours in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
VISIT THE HAIDA HERITAGE CENTRE
Our Haida Gwaii adventure tour may begin or end with a visit to the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate where in 2001, the Haida raised six new totem poles in a memorable ceremony at the site of Kaay llnagaay, (Sea Lions Town). This important heritage centre celebrates the living culture of the Haida people, and includes an interpretive centre, carving sheds, theatre, and art school.
SEE OLD HAIDA VILLAGE SITES AND SPEAK WITH HAIDA WATCHMEN
As we travel south aboard our motor yacht Great Bear II into Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, our tour will bring us to the old village sites of Skedans, Tahnoo, Sgang Gwaay, (a World Heritage Site), and also Gandll K'in, (Hot Springs Island). In each of these sites, Haida Watchmen will greet and share with us the life and culture of each of these awe inspiring and very spiritual places. You will be able to walk alone on trails through these old villages, and have the time to see, hear, and smell, all that makes these sacred places so special! Bring plenty of film for your camera!!
UNIQUE FLORA & FAUNA, A BIRD WATCHER'S "EDEN"
Because Haida Gwaii has been separated from the British Columbia mainland for so long and much of the land escaped the last ice age, there exist many unique and genetically different species that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada. (Even the larger Black Bears found here are genetically different from their relatives on the mainland.) Haida Gwaii are a bird watchers 'eden': you may see Tufted Puffins, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Murrelets, Shearwaters, Cormorants, Oyster Catchers, some of which only come on land to nest in the summer and spend the rest of their lives at sea.
WHALE WATCHING
Whaling was once an important industry in the islands. Those days are thankfully long gone and the whales have returned, and the whale watching is great! While it may be possible to enjoy whale watching throughout our tour in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, we have found ourselves surrounded by large groups of as many as 50 Humpback whales along the southern islands. Additionally, we can see Fin Whales, the second largest whales on earth, Minke whales, Transient Orca and if Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dalls Porpoises that sometimes come to play on the ship's bow wake.
A CLOSE UP OF THE PROLIFIC MARINE LIFE
A "float" through in Burnaby Narrows in the zodiac or in the kayaks with our onboard Naturalist at low tide is one of the highlights of our trips in Haida Gwaii. Below you, in the tidal channel stretches an endless carpet of sea life: tiny Bat Stars, small to huge sun stars, anemones, sea cucumbers, clams of every description, mussels, some tiny, and some the size of your hand, clinging to the seaweed drenched rocks, colourful red turban snails and huge moon snails. Hermit and rock crabs scurry along the colourful bottom looking for their next meal.
RELAXATION AT IT'S FINEST
Smaller tour groups allow for a more intimate experience, testimonials.
"...all shown to us with such modest competence--makes me proud to be part of Canada." ~ Phyllis, Toronto, Ontario
"As wonderful as the trips have been, the friendships with you are the most memorable and special aspects of these coastal adventures." ~ Al and Marilyn, Calgary, Alberta
"Your love and respect for these islands and these people are palpable and moving." ~ Margo, Vancouver, Canada
Haida Gwaii Tour Coastal & Authentic
SUGGESTED LENGTH: 7 DAYS
$8,855 (APPROX $6,430 USD) PER PERSON
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY
PLAN YOUR TRIP
About our Haida Gwaii tour:
On our Haida Gwaii tour, you’ll explore an archipelago off the coast of BC that’s filled with treasures. From its driftwood-lined shores to its moss-clad rainforests, the sights on this isle are utterly serene. If you’re looking for meaningfully Canadian indigenous experiences, then you’ve come to the right place. On the island, you can learn about traditional crafts by visiting the workshops of local Haida artists. You’ll visit ancient sites such as the totem poles of Old Masset, enjoy customary fare, and take part in a walking historical tour with a local naturalist. All of the activities here are grounded in the landscape and its people, it makes for a truly timeless journey. Welcome to BC!
A Haida Gwaii Tour with Entrée Destinations:
After a short yet jam-packed stay in Vancouver, you’ll get to the remote Haida Gwaii effortlessly via our private transfers and short-haul flight options. Journeying through the Canadian landscape has never been so easy, and with our 24/7 travel support, we are always by your side. Your itinerary will be built from the ground up to ensure that it’s just the right speed for you. This Haida Gwaii tour is a taster of what is possible, download the full version to find out more!
*Please note the price listed is an estimate, based on the availability of room types and all service providers.
Scroll down for a detailed itinerary
The Entrée Difference
WHAT SETS US APART
Our Attention to Detail: You don’t have to think of anything, we’ve got it covered.
Our In Depth-Knowledge: Working with us means having the top insider knowledge of Canada and Alaska at your disposal.
Our Responsive Nature: We ensure 24/7 support is given to you while traveling, and if necessary, back-up plans are executed seamlessly.
Our Custom Approach: Your trip is tailored just for you, by our expert travel planners.
The Itinerary
1 | VANCOUVER, BC
Upon your arrival in Vancouver, you will be met by your driver and transported to your hotel downtown. Once settled, take some time to explore the city center or go for dinner. We’re happy to assist with reservations, or make recommendations to a number of fantastic nearby restaurants. Vancouver is a culinary epi-center, and offers every cuisine imaginable! Accommodations are at the Wedgewood Hotel in a Penthouse Suite.
2 | VANCOUVER, BC
Spend the day visiting Vancouver’s most iconic destinations. Cruise for culture in Chinatown, marvel at the tall totems in Stanley Park and revisit history in Gastown. The Coast Salish, one of the largest First Nations in the province, inhabits the entire region and their influence can be felt everywhere from art galleries to festivals. Accommodations are at the Wedgewood Hotel in a Penthouse Suite.
3 | HAIDA HOUSE AT TLELL, BC
This morning your driver will collect you for a short transfer to Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal. After a two-hour flight, you will arrive in Sandspit on Moresby Island, where a shuttle and ferry will transport you to Haida House. This is where your Haida Gwaii tour really begins! After a short orientation with your Director of Cultural Services, settle in and explore your surroundings. Haida House sits on the east coast of Graham Island near the village of Tlell, and offers 7 acres of woods with easy beach access. Accommodations are at Haida House.
4-6 | HAIDA HOUSE AT TLELL, BC
Your days at Haida House are filled with local culture, education and warm hospitality. Visit a local Haida artist in their home studio, enjoy a traditional Haida meal by a renowned local chef and discover countless historical sites. Stroll along Agate Beach with interpreters, discover the totem poles of Old Massett and hike Tow Hill (on clear days you can see the Alaskan mountain range). Accommodations are at Haida House.
7 | VANCOUVER, BC
After some morning explorations, you’ll be picked up by shuttle and take the ferry back to Moresby Island and Sandspit Airport. From there, a two-hour flight will transport you back to Vancouver where you’ll catch your connecting flight home, ending your Haida Gwaii tour. Safe travels!
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COMMENTS
Gwaii Taxi and Tours serves the communities of Haida Gwaii, located on the unceded, traditional territories of the Haida Nation. We acknowledge our traditional hosts, and honour their welcome and graciousness to our team and those who seek to travel here.
Welcome! Our Airport Shuttle service provides ground transportation to/from the Sandspit Airport and Daajing Giids/Skidegate. Our service is timed to accommodate Air Canada's daily flight. Depending on load we may use a Bus or a Van. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Gwaii Taxi and Tours serves the communities of Haida Gwaii, located on the unceded, traditional territories of the Haida Nation. We acknowledge our traditional hosts, and honour their welcome and graciousness to our team and those who seek to travel here.
Options include renting a vehicle (see Getting Around By Car below), renting a bicycle from the Sandspit Visitor Information Centre (see Visitor Centres below) or pre-booking shuttle service from Gwaii Taxi & Tours.
Top Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) Tours: See reviews and photos of tours in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), Canada on Tripadvisor.
Top Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) Taxis & Shuttles: See reviews and photos of Taxis & Shuttles in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia on Tripadvisor.
We provide affordable access to the lands and waters of Moresby Island on Haida Gwaii. We focus on the eastern shoreline with its Haida history, forested hills and valleys, wildlife and natural area, and the scenic backdrop of the San Christoval Mountains. Learn More.
All our cruises and boat tours to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site begin and end in Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City. Our 54-foot motor yacht Great Bear II will be your home away from home for our 8-day tours in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.
A Haida Gwaii Tour with Entrée Destinations: After a short yet jam-packed stay in Vancouver, you’ll get to the remote Haida Gwaii effortlessly via our private transfers and short-haul flight options.
Gwaii Taxi and Tours serves the communities of Haida Gwaii, located on the unceded, traditional territories of the Haida Nation. We acknowledge our traditional hosts, and honour their welcome and graciousness to our team and those who seek to travel here.