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Haida Gwaii — Queen Charlotte Islands, BC
A 7 Day Haida Culture and Eco Cruise aboard the 54 foot motor yacht Great Bear II
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Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, RATED #1 PARK DESTINATION IN NORTH AMERICA (Read National Geographic's 2005 review HERE.)
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Our seven day trip to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site begins and ends in the community of Sandspit in British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands, (also known as Haida Gwaii.)
Included in our scheduled trips is a seaplane flight either to or from our ship, to reduce travelling time and allow our guests more time to experience the very unique Gwaii Haanas National Park. Your home for this amazing voyage of discovery is our 54 foot ship, Great Bear II, equipped with all the latest navigation and safety equipment, a 16 foot Zodiac for excursions and tours ashore and kayaks for experiencing the inter tidal life and the serenity of our coastal anchorages.
FOCUS OF OUR TRIPS
One hundred kilometres west of BC's north coast, on the edge of the Pacific Continental Shelf, the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, with its shores bathed in warm, nutrient rich waters, is often referred to as the Canadian Galapagos. Because the Haida First Nations People had such an abundance of food, they had time to develop one of the world's most powerful and creative aboriginal cultures. The Haida culture & art and the unique flora and fauna of BC's Queen Charlotte Islands are the main focus of our tours in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
VISIT THE NEW HAIDA HERITAGE CENTRE
Our Queen Charlotte Islands adventures may begin or end with a visit to the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate where in 2001, the Haida raised 6 new totem poles in a memorable ceremony at the site of Kaay
llnagaay, (Sea Lions Town). (Price of admission to the Museum is included in the price of our trips). In the summer of 2008 the new Kaay Ilnagaay Heritage Centre officially opened. This important heritage centre celebrates the living culture of the Haida people, and includes an interpretive centre, carving sheds, theatre, and art school.
SEE OLD HAIDA VILLAGE SITES AND SPEAK WITH HAIDA WATCHMEN
During our travels south, into Gwaii Haanas, we visit the old village sites of Skedans, Tahnoo, Sgang Gwaay, (a World Heritage Site), and also Gandll K'in, (Hot Springs Island). In each of these sites, Haida Watchmen will greet and share with us the life and culture of each of these awe inspiring and very spiritual places. You will be able to walk alone on trails through these old villages, and have the time to see, hear, and smell, all that makes these sacred places so special ! Bring plenty of film for your camera
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UNIQUE FLORA & FAUNA, A BIRD WATCHER'S "EDEN"
Because Haida Gwaii has been separated from the British Columbia mainland for so long and much of the land escaped the last ice age, there exist
many unique and genetically different species that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada.
(Even the larger Black Bears found here are genetically different from their relatives on the mainland.) The Queen Charlotte Islands are a bird watchers 'eden': you may see Tufted Puffins, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Murrelets, Shearwaters, Cormorants, Oyster Catchers, some of which only come on land to nest in the summer and spend the rest of their lives at sea.
WHALE WATCHING
Whaling was once an important industry in the islands. Those days are thankfully long gone and the whales have returned, and the whale watching is great! Off the southern islands, we have often found ourselves surrounded by large groups of Humpbacks - as many as 50 whales! Minke and Fin whales are often seen, as well as Dahl's porpoises and Pacific
White Sided Dolphins, who love to join our cruise for a ride on our bow wave.
A CLOSE UP OF THE PROLIFIC MARINE LIFE
A "float" through Burnaby narrows in the Zodiac or kayaks, at nearly low tide is one of the highlights of every ocean trip. Below you, in the tidal channel stretches an endless carpet of sea life: tiny Bat Stars, small to huge sun stars, anemones, sea cucumbers, clams of every description, mussels, some tiny, and some the size of your hand, clinging to the seaweed drenched rocks, colourful red turban snails and huge moon snails. Hermit and rock crabs scurry along the colourful bottom looking for their next meal.
 RELAXATION AT IT'S FINEST
A trip to the Hot Springs is always welcome! Take a shower in the bath house and walk the seaside trails in search of the perfect hot pool. Once in, you'll not only be soaking up the warmth, but the ocean vistas that stretch out before you!
OUR SMALL GROUPS ALLOW A MORE INTIMATE EXPERIENCE
With our small group sizes of 2 to 6 guests, our guests enjoy a more intimate experience wherever we travel... in front of the mortuary poles in Sgang Gwaay... as you discover the colourful carpets of sealife in Burnaby Narrows... as you stand in front of the ancient remains of the longhouses in the old village of Tahnoo... as you witness a towering potlatch pole at Skedans... or as you soak in the pools and enjoy the sweeping ocean vistas at Gandll K'in... our guests are never part of a crowd.
Experience the Wild in Wilderness
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Testimonials
"...all shown to us with such modest competence--makes me proud to be part of Canada." ~ Phyllis, Toronto, Ontario
"As wonderful as the trips have been, the friendships with you are the most memorable and special aspects of these coastal adventures." ~ Al and Marilyn, Calgary, Alberta
"Your love and respect for these islands and these people are palpable and moving." ~ Margo, Vancouver, Canada
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