Queen Charlotte Islands BC, Canada

HAIDA GWAII
Situated 100 miles off the northwest coast of British Columbia, the Queen Charlotte Islands are a large archipelago, consisting of 2 main islands and a myriad of smaller ones. Prior to the 1970’s, the natural and cultural wonders of Moresby Island, the southerly of the two large islands comprising most of the Queen Charlottes’ land mass, were little known except to a handful of biologists, archaeologists, and the Haida Natives. In 1979, we started the first sea kayaking tours in the Charlotte’s and began to discover the never ending magic of the place the Haida elders referred to as Gwaii Haanas, meaning ‘place of  wonder’. In 1988, the Islands Protection Society, its friends, and supporters, were successful in winning a hard fought battle that saw the creation of Gwaii Haanas Archipelago National Park Reserve.
What are some of the things that make the Queen Charlotte Islands so incredible? They possess a biological treasure that is duplicated nowhere else on earth. South Moresby has one of the richest Temperate Marine Zones in the world. It is also one of the most ideal sea kayak areas on our coast because of its convoluted shoreline and countless islands. The area’s biological treasures include towering ancient forests of Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, and Red Cedar carpeted in thick mosses, scenic bonsai bogs and easily accessible alpine that harbor endemic plant species, 25% of B.C.’s nesting seabirds, one third of B.C.’s population of peregrine falcon, a stronghold of bald eagles, major salmon runs, rich and diverse intertidal populations, the largest Stellar sea lion population in B.C., as well as other wildlife including seals, whales and porpoise.
Another treasure of the Queen Charlottes is the Haida heritage. The Haida have inhabited the islands upwards of 10,000 years and habitation sites of various vintages are clearly visible, such as Windy Bay (Hlk’waah), Burnaby Narrows and T’anuu.  view short video (Quick Time)

We offer three itineraries by sea kayak or sailboat in the park during the prime summer months.