Country Vacations & Resorts

Queen Charlotte Islands or Haida Gwaii – “Islands of the People”

The Queen Charlotte Islands are part of a triangular archipelago, comprised of more than 150 islands, many small and uninhabited. Graham to the north and Moresby to the south, are the largest of the islands, located 80 km (50 miles) from Prince Rupert on the British Columbia mainland. The islands have a warm and moderate climate due warm ocean currents from Japan.

Map: Haida Gwaii Tourism

The islands are inhabited by the Haida people and Haida Nation. Although the Haida kept no written records of their history prior to the coming of the white man, these friendly and welcoming people were first discovered and mentioned by European explorers and traders about two hundred years ago. The two main and authentic Haida villages that remain are Old Masset and Skidegate. Masset, Queen Charlotte City, and Skidegate are the main towns, with numerous small communities scattered throughout the islands.

Haida Gwaii

In an effort to protect these people and the islands they inhabit, the British Columbia government and the Council of the Haida Nation are currently working on sovereignty, economic, and environmental issues regarding use and control over this island chain. So far, the Council is winning which is good news for those wanting to visit these islands as they have been – without dense development and commercial interference.

“Green” and sustainable travel to the Queen Charlotte Islands will help support the Council of the Haida Nation in their efforts to maintain Haida Gwaii as it was meant to be. Home to some of the most diverse combination of mountains, rain forests, and streams in the world, this preservation is certainly justified.

Visit the Haida Heritage Centerr, Queen Charlotte Island Museum, for a detailed history of these long-term Haida residents.

Haida Eagle Carving – Moresby

Getting there

To reach the Queen Charlotte Islands you may travel by air or ferry from Prince Rupert. Direct air service from Vancouver is also available.

Air Canada Jazz offers regular daily flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Sandspit (YZP). Check for other forms of transportation, including info for those visiting via their own boats, here. Lucky you!

Once there, get out the map and take a scenic drive or ride a train through rustic mountains. There is no shortage of routes and methods to travel British Columbia…leave it to your pilot and arrive by helicopter or float plane! These islands offer car ferry service and, a highly regarded commercial bus service is also available to take you on a low-stress journey to the outer regions of BC’s Northern wilderness.

What can I do there?

With the assumption that you are reading this article because you want a rustic, country, outdoor vacation, the Queen Charlotte Islands will not disappoint.

How about biking and mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking? Fishing? How about some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in Canada – some say, in the world? Many charters can also arrange for the cleaning, processing and even shipping of your catch back home. Can it get any easier? Hiking? Whale-watching and wildlife/nature exploration ? All here to see and do on the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Birdwatchers like myself will be encouraged to find that some of the more colorful species to be viewed in the area include: tufted puffins, horned puffins, black-footed albatross, black oystercatchers and pigeon guillemots. With such abundant bird life, raptors are common in the Queen Charlotte Islands. The concentration of bald eagle nests along the coast is second only to Admiralty Island in Alaska.

Dall’s Porpoise
Photo: Eagle Wing Tours

The plankton-rich waters that surround Haida Gwaii provide quantities of food for a wide variety of marine mammals. Humpback and killer whales (Orca) all frequent these waters. Dall’s porpoise often ride the waves, providing spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities. Harbour porpoise are also common in the area along with Steller sea lions. Sea Otters, nearly hunted to extinction in this area, are beginning to make a slow return.

Don’t forget to look (carefully!), for Queen Charlotte Island’s black bear – the largest black bear in the world.

For restaurants and shopping while in the Queen Charlotte Islands, a good place to start is the Village of Queen Charlotte. Their very handy and comprehensive Visitor’s Directory Map should get you headed in the right direction and to the best restaurants, shops, and amenities the city has to offer. Have a look at the village of Masset for additional restaurants and shops.

The Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida Gwaii – have so much to offer as a travel and vacation destination. Get out and get moving this year.