Haidii Gwaii
We took advantage of a free July long weekend to head up to Haida Gwaii. Flew return into Sandspit from YVR. It’s a good opportunity to use Aeroplan points if you have them – only 15K return and no way Aeroplan can rope you into 3 stopovers on this one. If your looking for whales probably better to come earlier during migration season, but we did have great weather.
Upon arrival walked to our b&b (Seaport, run by same co. as tour group, Moresby Explorers). Not much to do here, but relaxed and a couple eagles on the water kept us entertained. Next day we started the two day zodiac tour. There is a bit of a drive with the group (read cramped) to the boat launch on the other side of the island. First stop is an abandoned logging camp now overgrown with rainforest. There was a village site visit that day on Louise Island. The destination was their floating lodge closer towards Gwaii Highlands park reserve further south. It was quite comfortable. Had a nice meal, friendly staff. Jelly fish loved hanging out by the dock, fun to watch. Following day more exploring, over lunch saw the effects of deer in a fenced off region demonstrating all the plant life that should be growing on the island (hunters are wanted here). Visited K’uuna Linagaay (Skedans). The Watchmen here was fairly friendly and this is truly a remarkable site –cultural highlight of our trip. Back on the zodiac to the ferry landing. The bus dropped us off at the ferry over to Graham Island. Walked up to Jag’s, a small breakfast restaurant with rooms, pleasant comfortable accommodations. Next day visited the museum in the morning and then took Eagle transit transfer bus back to Sandspit heading back to YVR.
While it may seem like you spend a lot of time in the zodiac on this trip, it did not feel arduous at all. The variable clouds flowing into the coastal rainforest islands with their peaks and the wide open pacific was really quite memorizing. You truly get a remarkable sense of place in Gwaii Haanas.
Many travellers we chatted with were spending weeks on the islands, fair enough there is a lot to see and very calming place to relax. If you don’t have that kind of time, however, its only a short flight from Vancouver, and certainly worth it for 3 or 4 days. If interested, try and get someone to take you up Mt Moresby, looks like an epic hike, hopefully I can return someday to give it a go. These guys look like a great options also www.oceanhouse.ca