Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert
Haida Gwaii is a wild and untouched archipelago on the west coast of British Columbia steeped in the culture of the Haida People dating back over 10,000 years. Discover the culture both past and present as we explore the dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife of these incredible islands. Visit Haida Gwaii and experience a mystical world of adventure and breathtaking beauty.
As a responsible tour operator, we believe in creating experiences that not only enrich your life but also contribute to the well-being of our planet and its communities. That’s why we will be planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
Embark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Welcome to Prince Rupert, a scenic coastal town, and a gateway to British Columbia's pristine north. Our arrival at the Prince Rupert airport, located on Digby Island, and the following transfer to the main town, located on Kaien Island, introduces the lush coastal temperate rainforest environment that we will explore over the following days. This evening, you will meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby and enjoy a welcome dinner and a meet & greet with your fellow travellers.
We discover more of the Great Bear Rainforest Coast today on our full-day tour on a catamaran boat to view the wildlife of the area. In July, we prepare for a full day of bear watching at the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, part of the Great Bear Rainforest of Northern British Columbia. Upon return, there will be some free time to explore Cow Bay and the many shops and restaurants along Prince Rupert's waterfront. Evening is at leisure for dinner.
After breakfast, we will drive a short distance to the magnificent Northwest Coast longhouse overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour which is home to the Museum of Northern BC. Internationally known for its exceptional collection and quality of its exhibits, this museum draws visitors from around the world. Prince Rupert is in the centre of a culturally rich area and the gateway to the northern part of British Columbia’s coastline with diverse Indigenous groups. The history and the culture of this region find expression in the museum’s existing and expanding collection of artifacts and research material. From the Museum we will drive 25 km to the community of Port Edward, just south of Prince Rupert and the National Historic Site of the North Pacific Cannery, the oldest West Coast cannery still standing. Typical of most canneries in its isolation and operations, North Pacific relied more on Indigenous labour than those closer to urban centres like Vancouver, was slower to adopt new technology, and had lower production costs. Ethnically segregated living and work areas divided Chinese, Japanese, Indigenous, and white workers. There will be a guided walk through the many buildings of the complex and then lunch served in The Mess House within the cannery. This evening there will be some free time to explore Cow Bay and the many shops and restaurants along Prince Rupert's waterfront.
On board a BC Ferry ship we begin our scenic journey across the Hecate Strait to the Islands of Haida Gwaii. Haida Gwaii, meaning "Islands of the People" is an archipelago of over 150 islands with an incredible history surrounding the culture of the Haida People who first inhabited these islands over 10,000 years ago. We sail through the scenic Hecate Straight, named for the HMS Hecate used for surveying these waters in the 1860's. Thousands of years before being named the Hecate Strait, the strait was both a transport route to the mainland land, with its shallow waterways providing a navigational challenge to outsiders and a source of protection for the Haida people. This afternoon we arrive in Haida Gwaii and travel to our modest Queen Charlotte City accommodation.
*Important Note: The planned boat tour excursions in Haida Gwaii are heavily dependent on the constantly changing weather. Our aim is to include these boat tours but please be advised that we could be providing alternative programs if unfavourable weather, wind, and sea conditions. * **Due to the liability reasons, the boat company has the right to refuse passengers if they have mobility restrictions ** This will be this day tour to the village of Skedans or Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay, in the Haida language. Skedans was a village of 26 to 30 longhouses at its height. Today, the poles that remain and the depressions of several longhouses give you a sense of the former grandeur of the village, splayed out along Skedans Bay. We pass through the Laskeek Bay area, where we visit Ḵay (sea lion) rookeries, explore the shoreline, search for taan (bear) and cruise the seas looking for whales. Along the way, our guides will incorporate a combination of storytelling, songs and/or local history, giving guests a unique glimpse into Haida’s heritage. Alternatively, we may go to Windy Bay and Hotspring Island. This evening we plan for our Haida Style dinner experience.
Our first stop on a full day of touring is a visit to the magnificent Haida Heritage Centre. The Haida Gwaii Museum is a magnificent showcase of the Haida People, culture, and way of life, highlighting the traditions of all fourteen Haida Clans. With an interpreter of the museum, we enjoy an interpretive tour of the facility followed by some time to experience the exhibits at leisure. We then visit Balance Rock, a remnant of the Ice Age that looks precariously posed on the coast, but is in fact, firmly in place and immovable. The trail to the rock may be slippery and we may opt to view this from a distance. We drive to Tlell, home to a variety of local artisans and take time at leisure to visit their shops and learn of their crafts firsthand. A short distance from the village of Tlell, here we will visit the town of the local artists. Enjoy a visit at the Crystal Gabin Gallery. Learn about how the Haida Nation creates their art and hear the stories behind each piece. **Accommodation- Haida House offers a Relaxed, breathtaking, beautiful and secluded ocean-side Cabin settings** Haida House offers 2 bedrooms oceanside cabins. Can accommodate up to 4 people per cabin, double occupancy. For Single Occupancy, 2 people per cabin. **Please note, you will have a private bedroom but shared bathrooms. **
Travelling a short distance further to Port Clements, an active forestry area, we visit the Port Clements Museum and learn about the past conditions of the forest industry in Haida Gwaii. Nearby is a short, easy hike from the museum to the Golden Spruce Trail. The trail is named after the Golden Sitka Spruce that grew at the end of the trail for nearly 300 years and had a mutation causing the spruce to grow needles of a golden yellow colour. The tree was cut down by a protester in 1997 leading to a Canada-wide outcry. A sapling was saved when the original tree grew and had been nurtured and grown at the Port Clements Memorial Park which we will visit after our walk along the trail. The village of Masset is located at the entrance to the Masset Inlet, an important centre for sport fishing. A short walk takes us to the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum housed in a restored heritage building. The museum offers a look back at the early settlement and maritime history of the Greater Masset area. We will then do a quick drive through nearby Old Masset, located 2 km north of Masset. The community of Old Masset is connected by road and a well-used sidewalk and sits on the site of three traditional Haida villages. Old Masset is one of 2 villages where the Haida Nation regrouped in the late 1800s, having been forced to leave most of their ancient villages due to their declining numbers, a severe consequence of smallpox introduced by Europeans. The Hudson's Bay Company operated a trading post at the far end of the village from 1869 to 1898. Old Masset is named after Maast Island, a small island in Masset Sound, which is believed to have been named after an early European sailor who was buried on the Island. Today, Old Masset is the administrative seat of the Council of the Haida Nation and is home to about 800 Haida people, including some well-known Indigenous carvers. 10 km east of Masset is an easily walkable boardwalk trail that allows access to a blowhole as well as to Tow Hill, both important landmarks in Naikoon Provincial Park. This evening we will enjoy a full Haida Nation cultural experience with dinner with a local in Masset.
We bid farewell to Haida Gwaii as we board a transfer to Sandspit Airport to begin the journey home.**Due to the remoteness of the area, one group transfer will be arranged to the Sandspit airport for 1 PM, please book your flights accordingly**
(does not include 5% tax)
Note: Arrival flights can be booked to for any time on first day of tour. Departure flight from Sandspit should be afternoon departure to allow for morning transfer. Valid Government Photo ID is required for BC Ferry Crossing. *Check before booking flights
OUR KEY TO EARNING TRUST IS
7 nights hotel accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)Professional Tour LeaderTransportation from local companyMeals Included: 7 Breakfasts, 2 packed Lunches and 5 DinnersExpert local guide
5% provincial tax on top of tour base rateGratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)Meals not listed Attractions not listedCredit card payment fees, where applicable Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)Items of a personal nature
If you still have questions or need more information, feel free to ask! Simply fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you with the answers you need
Ask A Questionor
YOU CAN CALL US ATEmbark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Welcome to Prince Rupert, a scenic coastal town, and a gateway to British Columbia's pristine north. Our arrival at the Prince Rupert airport, located on Digby Island, and the following transfer to the main town, located on Kaien Island, introduces the lush coastal temperate rainforest environment that we will explore over the following days. This evening, you will meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby and enjoy a welcome dinner and a meet & greet with your fellow travellers.
We discover more of the Great Bear Rainforest Coast today on our full-day tour on a catamaran boat to view the wildlife of the area. In July, we prepare for a full day of bear watching at the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, part of the Great Bear Rainforest of Northern British Columbia. Upon return, there will be some free time to explore Cow Bay and the many shops and restaurants along Prince Rupert's waterfront. Evening is at leisure for dinner.
After breakfast, we will drive a short distance to the magnificent Northwest Coast longhouse overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour which is home to the Museum of Northern BC. Internationally known for its exceptional collection and quality of its exhibits, this museum draws visitors from around the world. Prince Rupert is in the centre of a culturally rich area and the gateway to the northern part of British Columbia’s coastline with diverse Indigenous groups. The history and the culture of this region find expression in the museum’s existing and expanding collection of artifacts and research material. From the Museum we will drive 25 km to the community of Port Edward, just south of Prince Rupert and the National Historic Site of the North Pacific Cannery, the oldest West Coast cannery still standing. Typical of most canneries in its isolation and operations, North Pacific relied more on Indigenous labour than those closer to urban centres like Vancouver, was slower to adopt new technology, and had lower production costs. Ethnically segregated living and work areas divided Chinese, Japanese, Indigenous, and white workers. There will be a guided walk through the many buildings of the complex and then lunch served in The Mess House within the cannery. This evening there will be some free time to explore Cow Bay and the many shops and restaurants along Prince Rupert's waterfront.
On board a BC Ferry ship we begin our scenic journey across the Hecate Strait to the Islands of Haida Gwaii. Haida Gwaii, meaning "Islands of the People" is an archipelago of over 150 islands with an incredible history surrounding the culture of the Haida People who first inhabited these islands over 10,000 years ago. We sail through the scenic Hecate Straight, named for the HMS Hecate used for surveying these waters in the 1860's. Thousands of years before being named the Hecate Strait, the strait was both a transport route to the mainland land, with its shallow waterways providing a navigational challenge to outsiders and a source of protection for the Haida people. This afternoon we arrive in Haida Gwaii and travel to our modest Queen Charlotte City accommodation.
*Important Note: The planned boat tour excursions in Haida Gwaii are heavily dependent on the constantly changing weather. Our aim is to include these boat tours but please be advised that we could be providing alternative programs if unfavourable weather, wind, and sea conditions. * **Due to the liability reasons, the boat company has the right to refuse passengers if they have mobility restrictions ** This will be this day tour to the village of Skedans or Ḵ'uuna Llnagaay, in the Haida language. Skedans was a village of 26 to 30 longhouses at its height. Today, the poles that remain and the depressions of several longhouses give you a sense of the former grandeur of the village, splayed out along Skedans Bay. We pass through the Laskeek Bay area, where we visit Ḵay (sea lion) rookeries, explore the shoreline, search for taan (bear) and cruise the seas looking for whales. Along the way, our guides will incorporate a combination of storytelling, songs and/or local history, giving guests a unique glimpse into Haida’s heritage. Alternatively, we may go to Windy Bay and Hotspring Island. This evening we plan for our Haida Style dinner experience.
Our first stop on a full day of touring is a visit to the magnificent Haida Heritage Centre. The Haida Gwaii Museum is a magnificent showcase of the Haida People, culture, and way of life, highlighting the traditions of all fourteen Haida Clans. With an interpreter of the museum, we enjoy an interpretive tour of the facility followed by some time to experience the exhibits at leisure. We then visit Balance Rock, a remnant of the Ice Age that looks precariously posed on the coast, but is in fact, firmly in place and immovable. The trail to the rock may be slippery and we may opt to view this from a distance. We drive to Tlell, home to a variety of local artisans and take time at leisure to visit their shops and learn of their crafts firsthand. A short distance from the village of Tlell, here we will visit the town of the local artists. Enjoy a visit at the Crystal Gabin Gallery. Learn about how the Haida Nation creates their art and hear the stories behind each piece. **Accommodation- Haida House offers a Relaxed, breathtaking, beautiful and secluded ocean-side Cabin settings** Haida House offers 2 bedrooms oceanside cabins. Can accommodate up to 4 people per cabin, double occupancy. For Single Occupancy, 2 people per cabin. **Please note, you will have a private bedroom but shared bathrooms. **
Travelling a short distance further to Port Clements, an active forestry area, we visit the Port Clements Museum and learn about the past conditions of the forest industry in Haida Gwaii. Nearby is a short, easy hike from the museum to the Golden Spruce Trail. The trail is named after the Golden Sitka Spruce that grew at the end of the trail for nearly 300 years and had a mutation causing the spruce to grow needles of a golden yellow colour. The tree was cut down by a protester in 1997 leading to a Canada-wide outcry. A sapling was saved when the original tree grew and had been nurtured and grown at the Port Clements Memorial Park which we will visit after our walk along the trail. The village of Masset is located at the entrance to the Masset Inlet, an important centre for sport fishing. A short walk takes us to the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum housed in a restored heritage building. The museum offers a look back at the early settlement and maritime history of the Greater Masset area. We will then do a quick drive through nearby Old Masset, located 2 km north of Masset. The community of Old Masset is connected by road and a well-used sidewalk and sits on the site of three traditional Haida villages. Old Masset is one of 2 villages where the Haida Nation regrouped in the late 1800s, having been forced to leave most of their ancient villages due to their declining numbers, a severe consequence of smallpox introduced by Europeans. The Hudson's Bay Company operated a trading post at the far end of the village from 1869 to 1898. Old Masset is named after Maast Island, a small island in Masset Sound, which is believed to have been named after an early European sailor who was buried on the Island. Today, Old Masset is the administrative seat of the Council of the Haida Nation and is home to about 800 Haida people, including some well-known Indigenous carvers. 10 km east of Masset is an easily walkable boardwalk trail that allows access to a blowhole as well as to Tow Hill, both important landmarks in Naikoon Provincial Park. This evening we will enjoy a full Haida Nation cultural experience with dinner with a local in Masset.
We bid farewell to Haida Gwaii as we board a transfer to Sandspit Airport to begin the journey home.**Due to the remoteness of the area, one group transfer will be arranged to the Sandspit airport for 1 PM, please book your flights accordingly**
(does not include 5% tax)
Note: Arrival flights can be booked to for any time on first day of tour. Departure flight from Sandspit should be afternoon departure to allow for morning transfer. Valid Government Photo ID is required for BC Ferry Crossing. *Check before booking flights
OUR KEY TO EARNING TRUST IS
7 nights hotel accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)Professional Tour LeaderTransportation from local companyMeals Included: 7 Breakfasts, 2 packed Lunches and 5 DinnersExpert local guide5% provincial tax on top of tour base rateGratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)Meals not listed Attractions not listedCredit card payment fees, where applicable Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)Items of a personal natureGet Full Itinerary with all includes and exclusions
If you still have questions or need more information, feel free to ask! Simply fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you with the answers you need
Ask A Questionor
YOU CAN CALL US ATExpert Guidance at Your Fingertips
8 Days
HAGW Tour Code:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert
18 Days
18WTE Tour Code:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Halifax, Jasper, Montréal, Ottawa, Québec City
13 Days
MMES Tour Code:
Jul, Aug
Baddeck, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, NB, St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Western Shore
5 Days
YABV Tour Code:
Feb, Mar, Nov
Yellowknife
9 Days
NFLD Tour Code:
Sep
Clarenville, Corner Brook, Cow Head, Gander, St. Anthony, St. John's, NL
9 Days
ILRA Tour Code:
Jun, Jul, Sep
Dawson City, Inuvik, Whitehorse
12 Days
12RO Tour Code:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Banff, Jasper, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Port Hardy, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Victoria, BC
