Haida Gwaii Sailing

The group will meet in the morning following breakfast. Please be sure to check out of your hotel room with luggage in hand, prior to this time. You will be greeted by our shuttle bus driver/guide for your Haida Gwaii land tour. You will be transported to the ferry landing at Alliford Bay to take the ferry across to Skidegate Landing on Graham Island. The ferry crossing takes approximately 25 minutes.

Our first stop will be the renowned Haida Heritage Centre at Kay ‘Llnagaay on Graham Island followed by a traditional Haida lunch at Keenawaii’s Kitchen, hosted by a local Haida family from Skidegate (HlGaagilda). Following lunch, we will have time for a short walk at Spirit Lake before catching the ferry back to Moresby Island. The shuttle will transport the group along the only road to where the vessel will be waiting. It is an active logging road which can sometimes be a bumpy ride – be sure to keep your eyes out for black bears and Sitka deer at the side of the road.

In about an hour’s time, we arrive at Moresby Camp to board the vessel. Upon boarding the ship, you will meet the crew, cabins will be assigned, and everyone will participate in an introductory & safety orientation with dinner to follow. We will spend our first evening anchored nearby and will depart early the next morning into the waters of Southern Moresby Island to explore the Gwaii Haanas.

Haida have lived on these islands since time immemorial, and this rugged landscape offers a rare glimpse into over 12,000 years of human habitation. We will journey through history as Haida Watchmen welcome us to historic Haida villages lining the shoreline of Gwaii Haanas. Haida Watchmen are on-site guardians for the traditional village sites of T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu), K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans), and SGang Gwaay (briefly known as Anthony Island/Ninstints) – a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. They share their knowledge of traditional culture and bring their ancestors’ villages to life under weathered monumental poles and amid the remains of multi-tiered longhouses dug into the earth.

If weather permits, we will also visit Hlk’yah GawGa (Windy Bay) on Lyell Island, which is the site of the first pole raised in 130 years. This 42-foot monumental cedar Legacy Pole was carved by Jaalen Edenshaw and raised in 2013 honouring the 20th anniversary of the Gwaii Haanas Agreement between the Canadian government and the Haida Nation to protect the natural and marine resources. There may also be a chance to visit Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island). This unique location offers the chance for a relaxing dip in natural hot pools with panoramic views.

We will spend most of our time exploring the remote eastern and southern shores of Moresby Island, with much of the tour taking place in Gwaii Haanas. The islands offer an ethereal landscape of beautiful sandy beaches; sheltered inlet shorelines teeming with sea stars; a boggy plateau; and lowland rainforest. Lying at the edge of the continental shelf, Haida Gwaii’s nutrient rich waters are tempered by warm offshore currents. Be sure to keep an eye out as we will encounter a wealth of wildlife at sea, on land, and in the air throughout our journey.

We aim to spot marine life such as whales, porpoise, and Steller sea lions. In addition, K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (briefly known as Burnaby Narrows) is one of the richest intertidal locations in the world. Floating through these waters at lower tides gives us the opportunity to see and learn about a vast array of different intertidal species.

With around 1.5 million seabirds that breed on its islands, Haida Gwaii is a birder’s paradise. Eagles and a wide array of seabirds, attracted by concentrations of forage fish and plankton, will keep birders glued to their binoculars. Long distance pelagic species can often be spotted, and on land many year-round resident birds are unique subspecies. Perhaps there’s even the chance to see a tufted or horned puffin!

During our daily shore or small boat excursions, our naturalist will help identify coastal plants, animals, birds, and marine life. Those who are interested can participate in keeping a species list for the tour.

We hope for a steady wind to raise the sails and enjoy the silence and serenity of nature. The tranquility of the wind and waves against the backdrop of the ancient forests of Haida Gwaii makes for a powerful experience. There will also be plenty of time to explore the protected waters using our stable sea-kayaks – the perfect way to start or finish the day. Each night we anchor in a different, secluded anchorage.

The tour will finish late morning and you will disembark the vessel before noon at Moresby Camp. From there the group will be shuttled back to K'il Kun Xidgwangs Daanaay Airport. The journey by bus takes about an hour. You can expect to arrive in Sandspit (K’il Kun) by midday. You can book an afternoon flight back to Vancouver.