Looking to get away? Consider Haida Gwaii, one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secrets and the ideal place to disconnect. Surrounded by wildlife and towering mountains, with echoes of the Indigenous life that has thrived here for centuries, you’ll reemerge days later with a renewed outlook on what wonders our world holds.
Live the Culture
The southern region of Haida Gwaii - Gwaii Haanas, or “Place of Wonder” - is rich with culture and natural history. Get to know the Haida Guardian Watchmen, as they share their stories and local knowledge of the land and how they look after the village sites.
Listen to tales from Haida earliest culture to today. Explore ancient village sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), where you’ll see the remains of memorial poles (while most poles topple from natural decay after 100 years or so, these have stood since the 1830s). In Tanu, see the mossy sites where big houses once stood.
At the Haida Heritage Centre (accessible only by seaplane or boat), designed like a traditional village, admire bold local art, showcased through carvings, screen printing, painting, weaving and jewelry making. Visit local galleries in Old Massett and hear the artists’ stories as you marvel at their intricate works.
Wonder at Wildlife
There’s nothing like watching a black bear amble along the rugged shoreline, foraging for its dinner at low tide. Be a silent observer of these majestic animals, as well as the many other endemic and rare species that reside here, both flora and fauna.
Go whale watching to see humpbacks feeding in their natural habitat. Watch for fin whales, orcas, the Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall’s porpoises and seals. Look to the skies and highest treetops for bald eagles and their huge nests. And search at low tide for sea stars, anemones and moon snails.
Nod to Nature
Hike through old-growth temperate rainforest, marvel at the tiniest marine life in tidepools and make your way to remote beaches that feel like you’ve reached the ends of the earth. Walk to Spirit Lake. Explore the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve with your camera, hiking boots and adventurous spirit. Hike in Naikoon Provincial Park through mossy, emerald forests, and alongside the Tlell River to an eerie, beautiful shipwreck from 1928. Or make your way through hushed forest to a secret cove and enjoy the beach to yourself.
Why Should I Sail by Small Ship to Haida Gwaii?
Small-ship cruises to Haida Gwaii allow a more immersive cruise experience than you may be used to. Anchor in different bays each evening, venturing out at twilight to explore the shoreline by kayak. Every day, set out by Zodiac to visit various islands, marveling at how remote and quiet they are. Visit the home of a local carver for a feast of traditional foods. Meet Haida artists in their workshops. Travel alongside a Haida interpreter who will enrich your visit with stories of the islands, wildlife and cultural sites you’ll see along the way.
If you’re seeking serene and secluded, this mesmerizing amalgam of natural beauty and cultural history checks the right boxes. We have the inside track on which small-ship operators are sailing there, when they’re going and what you can expect. Consider a 15-day remarkable journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii with Lindblad Expeditions aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird or Sea Lion (62 guests). Or an intensive 10 day journey specific to Haida Gwaii with Adventure Canada abroad the SV Island Solitude (12 guests total). Let’s chat. Or sign up for my small ship experience newsletter: