ECO TIPS Queen Charlotte Islands "Not long ago the notorious stretch of water known as Hecate Strait was paddled by the Haida during raids on mainland tribes. Legend has it that following an attack, the Haida canoes would turn and head towards Haida Gwaii, the Queen Charlotte Islands, leaving their less seaworthy adversaries bound to the mainland for fear of crossing the strait. Times have changed, but even today the isolation of the islands continues to preserve their natural and cultural wealth. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Gwaii Haanas/South Moresby National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in the southern third of the archipelago. Here the paddler can travel through sheltered bays and inlets, explore ancient forests and Haida villages, and gain a sense of the wilderness and society that have lived together since time began. Gwaii Haanas is an area so distinctive, both culturally and biologically, it is often referred to as the Canadian Galapagos. It is truly one of the world's great paddling destinations."  Taken from Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced TRIP LENGTH: 7 days to 45 days WATER AVAILABILITY: Excellent CAMP SPOTS: Excellent HAZARDS: Limited access, frequent weather changes, many area of potential rough water ACCESS: Flights to Sandspit, Ferry to Skidegate from Port Hardy via Prince Rupert. CHARTS: CHART NUMBER SCALE AREA NAME 3802 1: 200 000 Dixon Entrance 3807 1: 37 500 Atlin Inlet 3808 1: 37 500 Juan Perez Sound 3809 1: 37 500 Carpenter Bay to Burnaby Island 3825 1: 40 000 Cape St. James 3853 1: 150 000 Cape St. James to Cumshewa Inlet 3894 1: 73 026 Selwyn Inlet to Lawn Point TIDE BOOK: Vol. 6 BOOKS: TITLE Coast Kayak Routs of the Pacific Northwest Coast Canoe Trips of BC Sailing Directions Vol. 1 Queen Charlotte Islands Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 The Beloved Island A Guide to the QC Islands Exploration of the QC Islands Fishing the QC Islands Islands for Discovery BC Recreational Atlas Ninstints Haida Gwaii WEATHER: Check out the forecast for this area. NOTES: Advance reservations are required, contact: Super, Natural BC (1-800-HELLO BC), or www.harbour.com/parkscan/gwaii Up to date ferry schedules at www.bcferries.bc.ca **Charts, tide tables, books, and other reference materials are available from Ecomarine Mail Order**