Haida Gwaii Kayaking Tours (trip)

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Haida Gwaii Kayaking Tours

  • Sandspit Airport, BC, Canada
  • Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
Canada, North America

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contact Tofino Expeditions:

Period offered: July, August. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $2,495* per person10 DaysJuly, August
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Tofino Expeditions 12 people max
A unique environment and rich culture heritage make Haida Gwaii kayaking tours truly a trips of a lifetime. Sea kayaking routes on the west coast of Canada are some of the best in the world and experienced paddlers regard Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, as the best of the best. Located 80 miles off Canada’s extreme northwest coast (you can see the mountains of SE Alaska from the Islands’ north coast) the islands of  Haida Gwaii (Haida Place) are home to the Haida, a people with a formidable sea-going lineage and a remarkable artistic tradition.

The Islands are referred to as “Canada’s Galapagos” because of their unique ecology and Gwaii Haanas (Place of Wonder) National Park was founded to protect the natural and cultural integrity of the remote southern portion of archipelago. In the summer of 2005 a survey of over 300 park professionals and academics commissioned by National Geographic rated Gwaii Haanas National Park as the top park destination in North America. “Beautiful and intact. A great model for other regions,” said one panelist.

Our Queen Charlotte Islands trips are defined by our more than 19 years experience guiding there. They are timed for the very best weather of the year and visit the very best attractions of the Park. Your guides take you on a multi-day kayak camping journey through the southern portion of Gwaii Haanas, a place where sea lions lounge on rocky haul-outs, gulls, petrels and tufted puffins perch on cliffs. Humpback and orca whales glide through the channels and straits and tidal shallows are scattered with brightly colored sea stars. We stay at beach camps where generations of Haida paddlers landed their magnificent cedar canoes, and the rainforest floors are covered with a thick carpet of moss.

Come along with us and feel the silent power of the standing totem poles at the Skung Gwaii (Ninstints) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Float through the richest inter-tidal life in the world at Burnaby Narrows and soak in the natural hot pools of Hotspring Island. Experience the incomparable blend of landscape, cultural history and wildlife that make Gwaii Haanas National Park truly a place of wonder.

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Locations visited/nearby

Canada, North America

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Tofino Expeditions:

  • Reviewer: Anne Murdock located in Toronto, ON
    Never before in my life have I sent away for a catalogue, bought what was offered and been over 500% satisfied. Tofino couldn’t have given us a more perfect 5 days.
  • Reviewer: Kelli Splain and Jeff Merrel located in Baltimore, MD
    The gear was very well maintained and was of very good quality. The historical anecdotes that the guide provided were very interesting and their knowledge of the flora and fauna was impressive. It was all so perfect, the weather, the guides, the location.. everything!
  • Reviewer: Rhonda Philpott located in Port Coquitlam, BC
    I just wanted to send a quick note to give you some feedback on the sea kayak trip in Baja, California. I had such an amazing time and this is largely due to the amazing guides assigned to lead us down the coast. Marcos and Lino did an excellent job of feeding us well (often with fresh fish), teaching us new techniques for wind and wave paddling and pointing out sea life. They were truly professional, and yet approachable and fun. All in all it was a fantastic trip and I would highly recommend your company to my friends.Thanks again.

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Itinerary

Day 1 ~ Saturday
Arrive in Sandspit on the northeast tip of Moresby Island take either the Airport Shuttle or Sandspit Taxi (250-637-5655) to the Seaport B&B. The balance of the day is free to explore Sandspit, walk the beach and watch some of the many bald eagles that dot the treetops along the shoreline.

Day 2 ~ Sunday
At approximately 6:30 AM (or perhaps later – check with folks at the Seaport B&B) the Moresby Explorers will pick you up drive the group to Moresby Camp a small Bay on Cumshuwa Inlet. There you will board the Moresby Explorers inflatable for the exhilarating 2 1/2 hour trip along the coast of Moresby Island to the Swan Islands in Skincuttle Inlet. After settling into camp there will be a sea kayaking orientation and an exploration of Swan Bay to try out new skills.

Day 3 ~ Monday
After breakfast we start our Haida Gwaii kayaking trip and  set course for Burnaby Strait and Dolomite Narrows (Burnaby Narrows). The dramatic profile of Yatza Mountain dominates the skyline as we round the southern tip of Burnaby Island. Floating the narrows by kayaking we will experience the colorful pageant of this biological wonder at close quarters before returning to our camp on the Swan Islands.

Day 4 ~ Tuesday
An early start. After a breakfast we will load the kayaks and set out. Crossing Skincuttle Inlet the ecological reserve of the Copper Islands is visible to the north as we pass the old village site of Hagi on Bolkus Island, and the abandoned mine works at Jedway. Rounding Deluge Point we head south towards our first campsite.

Day 5 ~ Wednesday
Today we will continue south crossing Collison Bay, the site of one of the earliest European settlements on the islands, towards Goodwin Pt. and on past the Rankine Islands ecological reserve sea bird nesting site towards our campsite, the old village site of Kaidju at Benjamin Pt. A short walk across the point from the protected north cove leads to a remarkable view of the point’s winter storm battered south shore.

Day 6 ~ Thursday
Rounding Benjamin Pt. we get our first view of Kunghit Island. As we swing into Houston Stewart Channel we enter a narrow passageway from Hecate Strait to the Pacific and paddle into the territory of the Kunghit Haida and their last chief: Ninstints. Our camp is on Ross Island.

Day 7 ~ Friday
Riding the tide through the remainder of Houston Stewart we get an expanding view of the Pacific and finally Anthony Island comes into view to the west. Our camp tonight is Louscoone Point, which is an ideal jumping off spot for our visit to the ancient village of Skun Gwaii on Anthony Island.

Day 8 ~ Saturday
A short but dramatic paddle takes us past Adam Rocks and into the protected cove on the west side of the island. Entering the old village one can’t help but be touched by the haunting majesty of the standing poles. We will spend as much time as possible exploring the village and have a visit with the Haida watchmen (The Haida caretakers of the ancient sites in the park who are well known for extending legendary Haida hospitality) before setting out for Ross Island.

Day 9 ~ Sunday
The final day of our Haida Gwaii kayaking adventure. A leisurely morning on Ross Island we pack up personal gear and await the arrival of Moresby Explorers. The return trip, which includes a stop at Hot Springs Is, is scheduled to have participants back in Sandspit by late afternoon.

Day 10 ~ Monday
Departure

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