Choose Haida Gwaii Adventure Tours And Travel For The Experience Of A Lifetime

By Sally Delacruz


If you're not the kind of traveler who enjoys lying on a busy beach, sipping pina coladas and doing nothing else, you probably prefer destinations where you can be active and indulge in your sense of adventure. A wild, rugged, out-of-the-way place is just the thing for you. This is why Haida Gwaii adventure tours and travel will provide you with the experience of a lifetime.

Lying between Canada's Vancouver island to the south and Alaska to the north, Haida Gwaii is a remote little paradise. It's an archipelago consisting of about 150 small islands. The largest and most developed of these are Graham Island and its southerly neighbor, Moresby Island.

Until 2010 the islands were officially called the Queen Charlotte Islands. The new name pays homage to the indigenous population, the Haida people. Their ancestors came here many centuries ago and today nearly half of the inhabitants are of indigenous descent. IN the village of Kaay Ilnygaay you'll find the Haida Heritage Centre, which will tell you more about the people's culture and history. There are also totem poles and ancient little villages dotted throughout the islands.

The original inhabitants were renowned sailors and water-based activities are still a popular pastime. Rent a kayak or take a boat cruise to explore the coastline and get to the more remote parts of the archipelago. There are some good surf breaks too. If you're in the region at the right time, you can go whale watching or fishing for a variety of species.

Much of the island group consists of national parks and conservation areas. This means that wildlife abounds and you may be able to see native species such as black bears and otters, as well as beavers, raccoons and other animals. Bird-watching is good too and there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking and camping throughout the islands.

Summers are cool and are the most popular time to visit. However, winter and spring are mild enough for a range of outdoor activities too. For instance, winter is the best time to go steelhead fishing. The islands don't see much snow but during the fall, rainfall is quite heavy. Luckily there are wonderful art galleries and museums such as the Haida Gwaii Museum, the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum and the Port Clements Museum to visit when the weather is miserable outside. Especially in the larger towns there are also many restaurants, coffee shops and pubs where you can find comfort food and something to drink to drive away the cold.

Even though the island group is quite remote, getting here is easy with regular flights from Vancouver. The nearby mainland town of Prince Rupert is the place from where to catch a ferry or, for travel with a difference, a seaplane. Once you're on the islands, choose from the many taxi services or shuttles to get around.

One way to make exploring easier is to book a tour with one of the local tour operators. They offer something for everyone, from cultural tours to bear-watching trips and guided wilderness hikes. You're also spoiled for choice with accommodation options from campsites and cabins to hotels and guest houses. Remember though that in summer, it's best to book online well in advance.




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