Trips

Prince Rupert

Welcome to Prince Rupert, Canada! Your adventure begins at 6 pm with a welcome meeting. Prince Rupert is much more than just the gateway to the Haida Gwaii archipelago. It’s a gorgeous city in its own right, with interesting museums and a unique feel. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe head to the Cow Bay Shopping District where historic buildings house boutiques and more. It’s a great place to stock up on souvenirs, or any last-minute items you’ll need in Haida Gwaii.

Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary/Prince Rupert

Today you’ll become part of a small and exclusive club: people permitted entrance to Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, a protected area home to a large population of grizzly bears. In order to protect the bears and their habitat, visits and tours through the area are heavily restricted to all but a few companies. Take a 7-hour tour of the sanctuary (including lunch), cruising through the pristine wilderness and looking out for porpoises, seals, sea lions and bald eagles as well as grizzlies. You guide will illuminate the ecological and cultural history of the area, which was created as a response to the threat logging posed to the environment. Later, you can choose whether visit the Museum of Northern British Columbia or wander around Prince Rupert at your leisure.

Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte)

Depart the mainland and travel 8 hours by ferry to Graham Island. Unlike a traditional cargo ferry, these vessels are built with traveller comfort in mind and thus feature a cafe, a lounge and multiple viewing areas. Depending on the weather, the scenery on this cruise can be captivating. Just in case, make sure you’ve got a good book, a podcast or some sparkling conversation ready to keep you occupied. Arrive in Queen Charlotte – located on Graham Island – in the early evening and perhaps head to one of the local restaurants in the village. The islands are on a salmon migration route, and fishing here is a way of life, so the pink fish is abundant and delicious however you order it.

Haida Gwaii (Naikoon Provincial Park/Old Masset)

Begin your exploration of this incredible archipelago. Drive around 1.5 hours to Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum, a tiny centre packed with artefacts and information about non-Native settlers. Continue to Old Masset, one of places the Haida First Nations people resettled in the 19th century after small pox ravaged other communities. Today, it’s a great place to see the work of Haida craftspeople both lining the streets and in small galleries. From here, venture into Naikoon Provincial Park. The Haida consider this mixture of coastal rainforest, sand dunes and more than 150 kilometres of beach their lifeblood, and the area is co-managed by the Haida Nation. A visit to the Haida Cultural Centre will shed light on the living culture of the Haida, and visits to Agate and North Beach exemplify the remote beauty of the coast. Return to Queen Charlotte (approximately 1.5 hours) and rest up after a long day of exploration.

Haida Gwaii (Louise Island)

Spend the day on Louise Island, immersing yourself in an isolated environment and ancient Haida culture. Your adventure begins on the way there, during a 1.5-hour cruise during which you can look out for kun (whales), kay (sea lions), taan (bears), and the occasional pod of sg̱aana (orcas). Arrive on the island and enjoy a guided exploration of K'uuna Llnagaay (Skedans), where the remnants of totem poles adorned with carvings of grizzly bears are being reclaimed by the forest. Meet the Haida Watchmen who live in the area over the summer, protecting their ancestral home. Enjoy a lunch of fresh-caught salmon, venison, sides and other refreshments on the island, then return to Queen Charlotte.

Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte)

Today you'll have a free day to choose your own adventure. There are plenty of optional activities on offer, so speak to your leader about booking and cost. Perhaps explore the waters around the island on a kayaking tour led by a local Haida guide. Or maybe you would prefer to try your hand at reeling in some of the region’s prized salmon during a chartered fishing trip. Of course, you could always take it easy and enjoy Charlotte by grabbing a coffee and chatting to a local or exploring the historic town on foot.

Prince Rupert

Bid the Haida Gwaii farewell and board the 10 am ferry for return to Prince Rupert. Remember, this is an 8-hour journey, so make sure you’ve got something to occupy you in case you get tired of staring out the portholes. Arrive at around 5 pm, settle into our accommodation and then perhaps find a local restaurant to enjoy dinner. The waterfront has an array of dining options and depending on the season you might see wildlife splashing in the ocean while you eat.

Prince Rupert

There are no activities scheduled for the final day of your tour. Two flights depart today for Vancouver International Airport, one at 11.20 am and another at 6 pm. Please organise these flights prior to departing for your trip.