QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS - Haida Gwaii Discovery Tour Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Alaska eighty miles off the coast of British Columbia, the South Moresby wilderness is the most wild and remote of our tours. These islands are the ancestral home of the Haida Indians who call this area Gwaii Haanas (Place of Wonder). Our kayaks give us the freedom to reach abandoned villages of the Haida people and to experience the ghostly presence of their ancient totem poles and long houses in the company of a Haida guide. In addition to the wealth of Haida culture that is present among these islands, there is also an abundance of wildlife. Eagles, the islands' ever-present sentinels, observe our passage from their perch in a giant cedar tree. Peregrine falcons dart about the sky before diving to attack their unsuspecting prey. Immense Sitka spruce tower over the darkened forest floor and remote shorelines are a beachcomber's paradise. Trip 1: Our starting point will be near Hotspring Island in Juan Perez Sound. A luxurious soak in the natural outdoor hot pools of Hotspring Island, with the San Cristoval Mountains forming a spectacular backdrop, will be a fine introduction to the many pleasures of this wonderful part of the world. If you are interested in marine biology this is the trip you should consider. The density of marine life in the intertidal zone at Burnaby Narrows (also known as Dolomite Narrows) is probably without equal anywhere in the world. You might have seen photos of this narrow, river-like passageway on Sierra Club calendars: a kayaker suspended in shallow water above a rainbow explosion of colourful marine creatures. Another aspect of this trip will be an opportunity to hike up into the alpine ridges of the San Cristoval mountains. Part of what makes this hike so interesting is the diversity of botanical zones that we pass through in a matter of a few hours. On this trip we will also pass a number of different sea bird nesting sites including thos of Rhinoceros Auklets and Fork Tail Storm Petrels. We will repeat this route in the opposite direction Trip 4. Trip 2: will continue south past the tiny, isolated community of Rose Harbour, and ends on the southern-most tip of Moresby. From there we can paddle to the abandoned village of Ninstints on remote Anthony Island (Sgan'gwaii). The southernmost tip of the Charlottes is quite exposed to the Pacific weather systems and again our itinerary will be strongly influenced by the weather. This trip and the following trip have the wildest flavour and some of the most wild and beautiful scenery to be found in the Charlottes. We will be paddling in slightly less protected water and the trees have a more humbled appearance to them as a result of their exposure to the fierce storms of winter. Because of its inaccessibility the village of Ninstints is the best preserved of all the Haida villages, with the greatest number of standing mortuary and memorial poles, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small islets of this area are nesting ground for several types of seabird including the tufted puffin and the ancient murrelet as well as hunting grounds for Peregrine Falcons. We may also see harbour seals and Stellar sea lions hauled out on the rocks enjoying a midday siesta. These waters are also home to number of different species of whales. Bring binoculars. We will paddle this route in the opposite direction on Trip 3. Our final week in the Charlottes, Trip 5, starts with a soak in the natural thermal pools at Hotsprings Island. We'll search for ancient fossils along the shorelines of what has been called one of the most scenic areas in the Queen Charlottes. We travel through the Bichof Islands and Darwin Sound, poking our noses into some of the narrow fjords cut into the side of Moresby Island and getting glimpses through the mists of the San Cristovals towering above us. This trip is a bit off of the beaten track that most kayakers travel in the Charlottes. To top off this trip, we end with a visit to the village of Tanu. The moss-covered village of Tanu (Sea-grass-town) has the best-preserved longhouse sites in the North Moresby area. Itinerary Day 1: Saturday This tour begins in Sandspit where guests are picked up at Seaport Bed & Breakfast for the one hour drive to Moresby Camp. Here you board a zodiac style, rigid-hull inflatable speedboat for the exhilarating 2-4 ride to the starting point of your trip. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Day 2 - 7: Sunday through Friday We will spend our days paddling the beautiful waters of the Queen Charlottes. The small coves, remote islets, secluded coves and untouched beaches will offer us plenty of opportunity for exploration. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. Day 8: Saturday Returning on Saturday. The boat arrives to return guests to Sandspit. Breakfast is provided. What is included . . . Professional, experienced and certified guide & assistant guide double kayaks, lifejackets, paddles, sprayskirts, tarps & group cooking gear Food and cooking National Park Reserve entrance fee Van and charter boat transfer from Sandspit to the kayak launch point Charter boat and van transfer from the takeout back to Sandspit 10% off any trip accessories, books or clothing, purchased from Ecomarine before the trip What is not included . . . Transportation to and from your home to Sandspit, BC Accommodation in Sandspit prior to and after your trip Tent, sleeping bag & pad, eating utensils and items of a personal nature Setting up and taking down tents, loading and unloading kayaks A detailed equipment list will be provided upon registration Optional gratuities for guides Expenses incurred due to bad weather / fog / flight delays Tell Me More! Q: Do I need previous kayaking experience? A: No previous kayaking experience is necessary to take part in this trip. Our two-person kayaks are comfortable, extremely stable, and can be safely handled by beginners. Anyone who enjoys moderate exercise and camping outdoors can participate. After some basic instruction on the first day you will quickly become accustomed to travelling by sea kayak. Once you have paddled one of these sleek craft it is easy to see why they are ideally suited for exploring our coastal waters. The kayak's clean lines allow it to glide almost effortlessly across the ocean surface, entering small coves and shallow inlets that are inaccessible to other vessels. Its movement is virtually silent save for the sound of paddles dipping beneath the water. This permits us to unobtrusively photograph and observe wildlife at close range. Unlike many forms of transportation that separate the traveller from the environment, the sea kayak invites us to be actively involved in our surroundings. Q: What type of weather conditions will we likely encounter in the area? A: Weather in the Queen Charlotte Islands through spring and summer can be variable, however, the summer months are generally quite good. The heavy rains and fog, which are responsible for the large stands of spruce and cedar, fall primarily from October to March. Mid-summer may have spells of temperatures ranging from 16° to 22° Celsius (61-72° F), although the sea breeze can have a cooling effect. Evenings are mild. In the summer, extended periods of rain are unlikely, but high overcast skies may persist, which is why the islands’ are commonly referred to as the "Misty Isles." Water temperatures range from 7° to 10° Celsius (45-50° F), so extended swimming and snorkeling require a wet suit. Q: What other activities can I do besides kayaking? A: The Island offers many opportunities to explore tidal pools. The bays are full of inter-tidal life. Beach walks and forest trail walks offer a different perspective to this breathtaking area. Q: Do I have to buy special sea kayak clothing and equipment? A: No. Gearing up for sea kayaking is very similar to camping. As we are in a marine / rainforest environment, synthetic clothing such as fleece and long underwear are a must. We provide all necessary equipment for paddling. Upon registration participants will be provided with a list of the personal equipment they need to bring, including a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent for camping trips. Some rental tents and sleeping bags are available. Advance notice is required for rentals. Q: Is the food good? A: Yes. Our menu is very flexible. We believe that fine food is an integral part of enjoying the wilderness. For us, fine food is also a reflection of an attitude that begins in our herb garden at home and continues through the careful preparation and presentation of each meal on your tour. We take pride in our menus and strive to make each of the three daily meals a dining pleasure. On our summer trips we serve you the fine West Coast cuisine featuring fresh pasta and salads, rockfish with teriyaki sauce and cioppino and much much more. On all our trips, dietary restrictions will be cheerfully accommodated to the best of our abilities. Please let us know well in advance. For more information, please give us a call (1-888-425-2925) or send us an e-mail. To go back to the dates page, please click here.