Four departures into remote Haida Gwaii National Park. This package includes airfare to and from Vancouver, BC, pre and post trip accommodation in the Queen Charlotte Islands, all kayak gear, and water taxi or float plane services to and from the kayak put-in point. Some kayak experience is preferred.
Tour Summary
Off British Columbia's north coast lies an archipelago often referred to as "Canada's Galapagos": the Queen Charlotte Islands, or Haida Gwaii (Islands of the People). The archipelago comprises some 154 islands, which lie 80 kilometers off the BC coast and about 50 kilometers from the southern tip of Alaska. The Islands have been inhabited continually for 10,000 years and are the traditional home of the Haida nation, recognized as the prime culture at the time of the arrival of the Europeans. The arts of the Haida people - notably their totem poles and carvings in argillate (a black glass-like aggregate) are world famous.
For those that choose to take our kayak trips in the Queen Charlotte Islands, remoteness, coupled with the lure of this pristine land and aboriginal culture, combine to make this a kayaker's wilderness paradise. Our sea kayaking tours of Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site paddle by some of the most spectacular terrain on the island: from the waters of Hecate Strait, to the open Pacific and then through areas of extraordinary biodiversity and cultural significance.
The areas we kayak range from the long house remains of T'aanuu Linagaay in the north to the gloriously colourful inter-tidal display at Burnaby Narrows in the center of the park. Combined with Kunghit Island and Anthony Island in the south, you will see witness some of the most extraordinary scenery and archaeological sites in the world. As well, each trip visits different Haida Heritage sites including T’aanuu Linagaay, Hotspring Island and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SGang Gwaay Linagaay village on Anthony Island (Ninstints)
The two kayak tours for 2012 described below all operate in the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site:
Trip 1: July 8 to July 17: Gwaii Haanas - Tanu (T’aanuu Linagaay) – Burnaby Island. 10 days including 8 days of kayaking. The red outline on the map markers this route.
Trip 2: July 15-24; July 22-31; July 29-August 7: Gwaii Haanas - Burnaby Island – Ninstints (SGang Gwaay Linagaay). 10 days including 8 days of kayaking. The black outline on the map markers this route.
Midnight Sun Travel supports local environmental initiatives. To this end, $50 of every tour sold will be directed to Save Our Salmon Marine Conservation Foundation.
- Duration
- 10 days, 9 nights
- Departs
-
Vancouver, BC
- Arrives
-
Vancouver, BC
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Max Group Size
- 8
- Accommodation
- Hotel on the first and last night. Camping in between.
- Transport
- By air to and from the Queen Charlotte Islands, zodiac or float plane to the start of the kayak tour, and then by single or double kayak.
- Meals
- - Trip 1: Breakfast beginning on Day 2 through to lunch on Day 9. Breakfast on Day 10.
- Trip 2: Breakfast beginning on Day 2 through to lunch on Day 9. Breakfast on Day 10.
- Activity Notes
- Individuals should be of average fitness with some kayak experience.
Included
Our 10 kayak tours include: professional guides, one kayak tour including double and single kayaks, kayaking gear, paddling jacket, paddling mitts, dry bags, camping equipment and tents, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, sleeping pad (Therm-a-rest) and camp chairs. hotel and camping accommodation, meals as described, return air to Sandspit, BC, from Vancouver, BC, water taxi or float plane services on to and from the kayak put-in point.
Not Included
- Single supplement of $110
- Meals where not stated
- Kayak guide gratuities
- HST
Optional Activities
Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate.
Ask us to book addtional days in the Queen Charlotte Islands and for information on self-guided hikes, float lodges and fishing resorts.
Queen Charlotte Islands 10 Day Kayak Tours Itinerary
Trip 1: Gwaii Haanas - Tanu (T’aanuu Linagaay) – Burnaby Island. 10 days.
This trip travels the more sheltered waters in the northern section of Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site. The northern portion of the park is known for its solitude and offers more sheltered waters than the southern portion. On Day 2 of the trip you’ll be picked up at your accommodation in Sandspit. Your transport to the field will either be by open zodiac or float plane. Upon arrival at the remote campsite, you’ll meet your guides who will provide you with a safety briefing and an orientation to the National Park. You’ll then have a chance to try out your kayaks for the first time, exploring the area close to camp.
The trip starts at the northern end of the park and slowly traverses south along the eastern coast of Moresby Island, slowly exploring the islands as we travel. We travel south through Darwin Sound, crossing Juan Perez Sound to Hotspring Island, where we stop for a visit and soak in the hot thermal pools. Continuing on, we aim for Burnaby Island, with a possible visit to Burnaby Narrows, known for its rich concentration of intertidal life. Highlights also include a stop at the abandoned Haida village of Tanu. If the tides so permit we visit Burnaby Narrows, known for its density of intertidal life. Throughout this area, wildlife is abundant, and it is not unusual to see Bald eagles, black tailed deer, and black bears. On the afternoon of Day 9 you’ll return to your accommodation in Sandspit and the next day it’s time to head off to the Sandspit Airport for your flight back to Vancouver.
Day 1 (July 10) and Day 10 (July 19) are travel days from and to Vancouver. On Day 1 we include your air to Sandspit from Vancouver and hotel accommodation in Sandspit. On Day 9 we include your hotel accommodation in Sandspit and, on Day 10, your air back to Vancouver.
Trip 2: Burnaby Island to Ninstints (SGang Gwaay Linagaay). 10 days.
This trip traverses the southern section of Gwaii Haanas, starting near Burnaby Island and traveling south. It’s an area known for it’s rugged beauty, excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and spectacular campsites. On Day 2 you'll be picked up at your accommodation. Your transport to the field will either be by open zodiac or floatplane. Upon arrival at the remote campsite, you’ll meet your guides who will provide you with a safety briefing and an orientation to the National Park. You’ll then have a chance to try out your kayaks for the first time, exploring the area close to camp.
Heading south from Burnaby Island, we cross Skincuttle Inlet, and pass the abandoned Haida village of Haigi. We also pass by the former townsite of Jedway, a community that developed to extract the mineral deposits in the area. It also has long since been absorbed back into the environment by the magnificent forests of Haida Gwaii. Towards the southern end of the trip, we turn into Houston Stewart Channel, separating Moresby Island from Kungit Island, also the location of Rose Harbour – an abandoned whaling station. We travel southward from the Burnaby Island area, with the ultimate destination being a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site at SGang Gwaay Linagaay (Ninstints).
The route takes through many beautiful areas, including the spectacular gravel beaches along the shores of Burnaby Island, the islands of Skincuttle Inlet, and the rugged headlands of Benjamin and Iron Points. Every trip is different, but we may be able to see the ruins of a settlement in Ikeda Cove, the site of the abandoned Haida village of Kaidju, and the former whaling station of Rose Harbour. Weather permitting, we visit the poles at Ninstints (SGang Gwaay Linagaay).
Our final campsite is usually on the west side of Haida Gwaii, looking out into the open Pacific Ocean. On the last day of the trip, you’ll have time to reminisce about the previous days over a leisurely breakfast. Your transportation generally arrives about midday and whisks you back to Sandspit where you’ll have the opportunity to get together with the rest of your group for a farewell dinner.
Day 1 and Day 10 for the three departures listed are travel days from and to Vancouver . On Day 1 we include your air to Sandspit from Vancouver and hotel accommodation in Sandspit. On Day 9 we include your hotel accommodation in Sandspit and, on Day 10, your air back to Vancouver.
