Premier Listings for Queen Charlotte Islands
They lie on the edge of the province’s collective memory like a dream scarce remembered; mythical and elusive, full of meaning and great beauty, yet incomprehensible to the waking mind. Impossible not to marvel at, and revel in, these are the Queen Charlotte Islands, arguably one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world. This group of islands nestled under the Alaska panhandle is the ancestral home of the Haida – the West Coast Aboriginals who have lived here for thousands of years.
The Queen Charlotte Islands were officially renamed Haida Gwaii in December 2009 as part of an historic reconciliation agreement between the Haida Nation and the province of British Columbia. Haida Gwaii was created as an alternative name for the islands to acknowledge the history of the Haida Nation. The name Haida Gwaii translates as “islands of the people” in the Haida language.
Two Islands, Graham Island to the north and Moresby Island to the south, comprise the majority of the land mass. Graham Island is defined by far-reaching beaches along its east side and a rocky, inlet-studded west coast; wilder Moresby Island is home to rugged mountain ranges and some of Canada’s oldest cedar and spruce forests.
The Haida Gwaii islands are reached by a 6.5-hour BC Ferries ride from Prince Rupert. A 20-minute ferry ride connects Graham and Moresby islands and their communities. Scheduled airline service from Vancouver is also available as well as floatplane service from Prince Rupert. The islands’ commercial airport is near the community of Sandspit on Moresby Island.
Visitor Centres are located in Sandspit and Queen Charlotte City. Official visitor guides are available at both, as are brochures for individual businesses. The islands are busy in the summer between May to September and many businesses reduce their hours or stop operating during the winter.
The climate here is mild, moderated by moist Pacific air throughout the year. The average annual temperature is 8ºC (46ºF).
For more information on the Queen Charlotte Islands visit Haida Gwaii.
Location: The Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) are located in British Columbia, Canada, west of the northern BC town of Prince Rupert. Two Islands, Graham Island to the north and Moresby Island to the south, comprise the majority of the land mass.
View map of the area
Circle Tours: See the best of Northern BC and Haida Gwaii on one of the Circle Tours that capture the wonders of the north. The Inside Passage Circle Tour and the Native Heritage Circle Tour include Haida Gwaii by catching a ferry from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands).
Circle Tours in British Columbia.
Premier Listings
Spirit of the West Kayaking
Biographical Info
Kayaking British Columbia is the ultimate way to view BC’s abundant wildlife.
We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. Choose among several professionally-guided 4-8 day trips for all experience levels around Vancouver Island. ‘Glamping’ basecamp-style with wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or expedition-style paddling from camp to camp and paddling between 100s of islands through the Broughton Archipelago, famous Desolation Sound and the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast. Savouring a fresh salmon BBQ in the open air, explore and view fascinating wildlife and wilderness and wake up on remote islands with the sound of the whales. Unique and breathtaking.
Our adventures are for everyone and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Our groups are small, ranging from 8 to 13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. We provide high-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.
Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, prepare delicious, organic and local meals, and have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.
During the Northern Hemisphere winter, we also offer kayaking trips to the glacier-fed South American wildlife paradise, the Chilean Patagonia Archipelago, and multi-day escapes to sun, sand, remote beaches and the warm crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Please contact us for all details of these amazing winter getaways!
