Here you will find important information about how to get here, how to get around and what you need to know before arriving. Feeling adventurous? Haida Gwaii is a spectacular place full of life and culture. Some roads have a small shoulder or oftentimes no shoulder. Air Canada offers daily flights year-round from Vancouver International Airport to Sandspit. This park is a great spot for watching sunsets and features a Bird Tower with amazing views of the Yakoun River estuary. The scenic road trip from Skidgate to the southernmost point of the park is approximately 30 minutes. To cross between Alliford Bay and Skidegate, the ferry will cost $9.10 per adult and $21.10 for a standard-size vehicle. I would have about a 5-6 days (not counting transit time). Thats about a third of the size of Vancouver Island! There are lots of beaches and trails around Sandspit that you can explore. Depressions in the ground mark where houses once stood. Of course, if you only have a few days to visit, you can still make the trip. If you cant afford the tours of Gwaii Haanas, Naikoon Provincial Park is an affordable alternative that still offers tremendous beauty. One of the best parts about Haida Gwaii is all of the excellent camping locations. You can stick to the paved roads or venture into the wilderness on the forest service roads. In our opinion, yes. The Haida people have worked hard to protect Haida Gwaii, leading to the creation of Gwaii Haanas, one of the most beautiful protected areas in Canada. Haida culture is found everywhere across the archipelago, from moss-covered totem poles in ancient forests to culturally-managed trees to the vibrant communities that continue living on the islands today. Haida Gwaii Scooter Rentals 250.640.6474, Masset Its a whole different world compared to the rest of the province. As a result, this list doesnt include all of the wonderful places you can visit in Haida Gwaii. For dinner, consider heading to Kay Bistro for warm butternut squash soup or head to Keenawiis Kitchen for a seafood feast. Best place to stay on the Sunshine Coast? Start your first day early, pack a lunch, and jump straight into the car, taking Highway 16 to Naikoon Provincial Park. Several standing memorial and mortuary poles show impressions of their former carvings in the decaying wood. Also, you wont find as many indoor recreation services (e.g. You can check Drive BC to find out road conditions, or ask at the local visitor information centers in either Queen Charlotte,Port Clements,Sandspit, or Masset. With immense beauty and rich culture, Haida Gwaii embodies the true essence of British Columbia. You can camp on almost any beach, walk through ancient forests, fish for delicious seafood, explore rugged coastlines, and more. Haida Gwaii would not be what it is today without the Haida people (known as Xaayda,Xaadas,Xaad, orXaat in the Haida language). Cycling is a great way to experience Haida Gwaii for experienced cyclists. Learn More. To get to the shipwreck, youll need to walk the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail, which starts near Tlell. Travel insurance and/or trip cancellation insurance is always recommended. You can also enquire at the Visitor Information Centres in Daajing Giids, Kil Kun (Sandspit), Gamadiis/Waan Kun (Port Clements) and Masset. 2023-06-21T07:00:00.0000000Z. Off the northwest coast of British Columbia, youll find a group of mystical islands known as Haida Gwaii, one of the greatest treasures of Canada. Moresby is the second largest island, just south of Graham Island. Haida Gwaii means islands of the people or islands of the Haida in the local language. Its all there. So to help you get the most out of your trip, here is a quick guide to help you find the rightHaidaGwaiiexperience for you. The winter season is the social season, full of concerts, artisan fairs, coffee houses and events throughout the Islands. Off-season (October-April) tours are sometimes available by advance arrangement they vary by operator. Or, there is the Sunset Park Trail through Sunset Park. The Golden Spruce Trail serves as a reminder of the importance of old-growth forests. Head over to Jags for delicious coffee and a hearty breakfast to fuel your day of adventuring. Longer days. 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. You cant help but immerse yourself in the colourful history of the Haida First Nations people, as you discover ancient carved totem poles and fallen longhouses. Accommodation varies from rustic off-grid beach cabins to modern and natural lodges, and extraordinary camping in old growth or on the beach. As well, there are many totem poles throughout Old Massett that you can view. Numerous carved poles lined the edge of the water in uuna Llnagaay, and the villages 26 to 30 longhouses were home to over 700 people. 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. Stop in at the Daajing Giids Visitor Centre for expert advice, gifts, and see the interpretive saltwater aquarium. Additionally, you should also bring a warm toque and long underwear. Haida Gwaii - worth the effort of getting there? Everyone on Haida Territories shares the responsibility to care for the Air, Ocean, Land and People. 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. Daajing Giids/Sandspit Gwaii Taxi & Tours 250-637-1162. More time with the sun up means more time fishing, touring, and having fun! Most people explore Gwaii Haanas with a multi-day kayak tour, either camping or using a mothership (a boat that serves as your home base). Check flights to Seattle too. The communities have locally-owned restaurants and coffee shops, but there arent many chain businesses. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Haida Gwaii is an ideal destination to experience the rugged and remote wilderness that British Columbia is known for. Many of the communities have marinas, boat ramps and services catering to recreational boaters. SGang Gwaay is located in the far south west of Gwaii Haanas and is the most difficult village site to access. 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. The 726 square kilometers of, boast a diverse array of geographic wonders, from lush coastal rainforest, to a vast shoreline and unique wildlife. These waters are challenging to cross, with massive waves that stop even the largest boats from crossing during storms. Here is the Moresby Island (Alliford Bay)toGraham Island (Skidegate) ferry schedule on the BC Ferries website. Haida Gwaii only has about 140 km of paved roads. www.portclements.ca/village-office/visitor-information/, Northern Haida Gwaii (Masset) Visitor Information Centre WebRT @ParksCanada: Its #WorldRainforestDay! However, you can visit Haida Gwaii at other times of the year. Most communities do have vehicle rentals or a taxi service. Nearby, you can walk the Spirit Lake Trail, climb the lookout tower at Jungle Beach, or view the small but impressive Rock Sitting Creek Waterfall. Sometimes, people will visit Haida Gwaii and never want to leave. No way. Biking is a great way to get around Haida Gwaii! Start your research with: https://www.ladyrosemarine.com/. For the most up-to-date information on whether Haida Gwaii has any travel restrictions, you can check the COVID information pages from either the Council of the Haida Nation or Parks Canada. Where Exactly Is Haida Gwaii in British Columbia? daajinggiidsvisitorcentre.com, Waan Kun/Gamadiis (Port Clements) Museum & Information Centre A photo posted by Destination British Columbia (@hellobc) on Aug 21, 2015 at 4:56pm PDT. Many artists live in the area, often selling art out of their homes. Check out our, There is no road access to Gwaii Haanas it is limited to float plane or boat access. If you are looking to experience some of the most stunning wilderness and ocean landscapes in British Columbia, youd be hard pressed to find somewhere more perfect than this. 2023-06 We highly recommend a combination of an Arcteryx jacket, down jacket, and rain pants. Haida Gwaii cannot yet be designated as wheelchair-friendly, but communities are working towards that goal. Island Auto Rentals 250.559.4118 While youre in the village, take a casual stroll down the incredibly scenic Queen Charlotte Seawalk, enjoying breathtaking ocean views. Use this page to get your preparations under way. Not only are June days the longest, but they are also the driest in Haida Gwaii! We advise all visitors to keep their vehicles off the beaches. Cell service is often spotty outside of each community. A photo posted by Destination British Columbia (@hellobc) on Aug 6, 2015 at 9:48am PDT. Its a phenomenal place to explore, especially between May and September when theres actually a high probability of sunshine for days, if not weeks at a time. There are harbours in Kil Kun (Sandspit), Daajing Giids, Gamadiis/Waan Kun (Port Clements), and Masset. This windswept, sandy beach is gorgeous, and even features a shipwreck! Some months even get up to 300mm of rain! The beach is mostly sand, making it an excellent spot for relaxing and enjoying the amazing ocean vistas. Here, you can stand among the massive trees of the old-growth rainforests, walk along never-ending sandy beaches, kayak through sheltered inlets with whales, and explore the ancient villages and totem poles of the Haida people, who call the land home. Many people will ask the question, How many days should you spend in Haida Gwaii? However, the answer really depends on how much time you have and what you want to get out of the trip. Here are your options for getting around: Masset Mile Zero Taxi 250-626-8999 August is the hottest month of the year (15C), and the driest month is July (50mm). Artist Patrick Wesley was born and raised on Haida Gwaii, a 155-mile-long torch-shaped archipelago slung off British Columbias North Coast. One of the must-see places in Haida Gwaii is the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay, which celebrates the Haida people. Even so, many places will still feel quite empty. It never gets too hot, but it also doesnt get that cold. 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. And it is a really beautiful area! Yes. Spring is also a good time to go surfing. After a busy day one, theres no time to slow down! Haida Gwaii offers an experience that you wont get anywhere else in British Columbia. Rose Spit Ecological Reserve is located within Naikoon Provincial Parks boundary, at the northeastern-most tip of Haida Gwaii. As well, the Golden Spruce lives on in a small sapling in Port Clements, grown from a seed salvaged from the original tree. The waters around Masset and Old Massett have awesome sportfishing. Masset is just to the east of Old Massett, linked by a road and sidewalk. The beach is also an amazing spot to look for Japanese glass ball floats, shells, and driftwood. Half of the population of Haida Gwaii are Haida First Nations. And, if youre brave, you can venture into the cold waters for a swim (you might want a wet suit)! A trip to Haida Gwaii would not be complete without a visit to its spiritual centre, the Gwaii Haanas National Park. Gwaii Haanas has some of the best kayaking in the world. . The community also has other attractions nearby, such as St. Marys Spring, Anvil Trail, and the unusual Green Man. There are many attractions by Port Clements. Yet, once they learn about this remote group of islands, they are often drawn to Haida Gwaiis shores, seeking to be immersed in its powerful, wild beauty. Believed to be an ancestor who was turned into a tree, Kiidkyaas was sacred to the Haida people. Below, we cover some of the places to see in Naikoon Provincial Park! 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. Lucky for you, the. Budget Car & Truck Rentals 250.559.4641 And it's on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Instead, you can access the beach near Tlell on the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail. There are many forest access roads, but these roads are in varying conditions. Haawa for your understanding. The cost of living in Haida Gwaii is fairly average. Gwaii Adventure Campers 778.260.2227, HlGaagilda (Skidegate) Gwaii Taxi & Tours 250.559.2380 & mobile 250.637.1162 The weather is also very unpredictable and variable. Grocery prices are similar to other parts of Northern BC. We are a small archipelago with limited availabilities. reviewed Spirit Lake Trail. If you are seeking the ultimate wilderness adventure, Haida Gwaii has everything that you will ever want and more. 7 Reasons Why June is a Great Month to be in Haida Gwaii. Tourist services usually start running in May. The surfing season also starts up around October. To get between Moresby Island and Graham Island, youll have to take the ferry. Population: More than 4,500 worldwide Language: Haida, three dialects still spoken Evelyn (Kujuuhl, left): "I am a weaver in a long family line of weavers. Naikoon Provincial Park protects most of the northeastern side of Graham Island, Haida Gwaii. WebHaida Gwaii is an ideal destination to experience the rugged and remote wilderness that British Columbia is known for. In autumn, youll see fewer tourists than in the summer, but youll still get some nice days and some tourist services. It is beautiful, yet often cloudy and wet. Over 200 islands of various sizes make up this archipelago, with about 10,180 km2 (or 3,931 square miles) of land. March is the coolest (5C) and wettest (130mm rain), while May is the warmest (9C) and driest (70mm rain). After that, you will want to get back in the car and make your way north to, for cant-miss ocean views keep your eyes peeled for blowholes! Discover this yourself by However, the park is usually just referred to as Gwaii Haanas, meaning Islands of Beauty in the Haida language (Xaayda kl). It's very costly as well. Time Also, it may not be the easiest travel destination to get around. Here are some of the best hotels, accommodations, and lodges in Haida Gwaii. Sitting in the northernmost coast of British Columbia, Haida Gwaii is often referred to as the Galapagos of the North home to more than 200 bird species, half of British Columbias sea lion population, and the most diverse marine wildlife in Canada. Separated by 48-140 km of open water (Hecate Strait) from the mainland islands, the Haida Gwaii are among the most isolated islands in Canada. There are no chain stores, fast food franchises or large hotels on the Islands of the People. WebTHE HAIDA GWAII Gwaii Haanas provides one of the best places in the world to experience Indigenous culture, with opportunities to explore ancient Haida village sites Thinking of doing a little exploring in British Columbia? Its a mystical, magical, wild place, offering the ultimate outdoor adventure and an authentic cultural experience. About 250-300 people live in Sandspit, and the community is located near a historic village site called Kil Llnagaay, near Haans Creek. A photo posted by Destination British Columbia (@hellobc) on Aug 7, 2015 at 5:14pm PDT. After a busy day one, theres no time to slow down! A History with Pandemics. To the east, the shallow but wide waters of the Hecate Strait separate Haida Gwaii from the rest of BC by up to 125 km. McGuire notes that a visit to the museum is often the catalyst for people to ask questions around repatriation. Taanuu Llnagaay (Tanu) was once a large, thriving village on Tanu Island of over 500 inhabitants. For a trip to remember, book accommodation six months to a year ahead of time to ensure availability. Haida Gwaii has unpredictable weather, even in the best summer months. I'd consider (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? is open until 8pm on Saturdays, so dart back to Skidgate for the evening and give yourself 2-3 hours to explore the immersive displays. To the south of Haida Gwaii, youll find the waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, separating the archipelago and northern Vancouver Island by about 200 km. March 2, 2022. Follow leave no trace practices when visiting Haida Gwaii, especially in backcountry areas. Temperatures are warmer (12C to 18C) during the summer, and there is more sun, more daylight, and less rain. Haida Gwaii has so many beautiful locations and places to see that its hard to list them all. Haida Gwaii is remote and isolated from the rest of BC. Make sure you check and abide by those directives. 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Outside of each community a list of licensed tour operators is haida gwaii worth visiting including floatplane service visit! Of beaches and trails around Sandspit that you wont get anywhere else in British Columbia, you can visit Haida! ) tours are sometimes available by advance arrangement they vary by operator have marinas boat. Area, often selling art out of their former carvings in the ground mark where houses once stood ( 3,931... Saltwater aquarium access roads, but it also doesnt get that cold in. International Airport to Sandspit between ferry terminals, it may not be the easiest travel destination to get your under! Off-Grid beach cabins to modern and natural lodges, and usually, there will be 100-200mm rainfall per.... 30 minutes features a shipwreck would have about a 5-6 days ( not counting transit time.... Have and what you need to walk the Pesuta shipwreck Trail a reminder of the Haida people just... 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