Steffi Montoya
The Queen Charlotte Islands, officially renamed Haida Gwaii in 2009, are a group of islands nestled under the Alaska Panhandle. They are the ancestral home of the Haida Nation, the West Coast Aboriginals who have lived there for thousands of years. The islands are known for their dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Getting to the islands can be tricky, but they are accessible by plane, ferry, or seaplane. Air Canada offers daily flights from Vancouver to Sandspit Airport on Moresby Island, while BC Ferries provides sailings from Prince Rupert to Skidegate on Graham Island. Alternatively, visitors can take a seaplane from Prince Rupert to Masset Airport, a 30-minute flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Off the coast of northern British Columbia, Canada |
| Number of Islands | 138-150 |
| Main Islands | Graham Island and Moresby Island |
| Main Communities | Village of Daajing Giids, Hl, Gaagilda (Skidegate), and Masset |
| Average Annual Temperature | 8ºC (46ºF) |
| How to Get There | Ferry, plane, seaplane, or car |
| Ferry Provider | BC Ferries |
| Ferry Route | Prince Rupert to Skidegate |
| Ferry Duration | 6-7 hours |
| Ferry Cost | C$39 for a passenger, C$140 for most passenger vehicles |
| Plane Provider | Air Canada Jazz |
| Plane Route | Vancouver to Sandspit Airport |
| Seaplane Provider | North Pacific Seaplanes |
| Seaplane Route | Prince Rupert to Masset |
What You'll Learn
Getting to Haida Gwaii by ferry
Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago of 138 islands located approximately 80 miles off the coast of northern British Columbia. It was renamed in 2009 as part of a historic reconciliation agreement between the Haida Nation and the province of British Columbia.
BC Ferries operates a scheduled ferry service between Prince Rupert on the mainland and Skidegate on Graham Island, the northern island of Haida Gwaii. The ferry crossing from Prince Rupert takes about 6 to 8 hours, depending on the source, and can be quite rough. The sailing time also varies depending on sea and weather conditions. Ferries run 3 to 6 times a week, round trip, depending on the season. Reservations are required.
From the Skidegate terminal on Graham Island, another 20-minute ferry ride connects to Alliford Bay on Moresby Island, the southern island of Haida Gwaii. Alliford Bay is 15km (9 miles) south of Sandspit and the airport. There are 13 daily round trips between Skidegate and Alliford Bay.
One source suggests taking the scenic route by travelling by vehicle up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy and taking a ferry from there to Prince Rupert. This route takes about 20 hours. From Prince Rupert, follow the directions above to get to Haida Gwaii.
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Getting to Haida Gwaii by plane
Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago of around 150 islands located off the coast of northern British Columbia, Canada. The islands are accessible by plane from Vancouver, with flights to Sandspit Airport on Moresby Island and Masset Airport on Graham Island.
Air Canada
Air Canada offers daily flights from Vancouver to Sandspit Airport on Moresby Island. The flight time is approximately two hours. Sandspit is located about 125 km south of Masset on Moresby Island. Car rental services are available at the airport.
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Pacific Coastal Airlines provides daily flights from Vancouver's South Terminal to Masset Airport on Graham Island during the summer months. During the shoulder and winter seasons, they offer three flights per week. The flight time is approximately two hours. Car rental services are available at the airport.
North Pacific Seaplanes
North Pacific Seaplanes, based in Prince Rupert, offers floatplane service to Masset and Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City. The flight time from Prince Rupert to Masset is approximately 30 minutes.
Floatplane Service from Vancouver
In addition to the above options, floatplane service is also available from Vancouver to Masset. The flight time is approximately two hours.
Yacht and Helicopter Transfers
For those arriving by yacht, helicopter transfers are available from Sandspit to lodges and other destinations within the islands.
Getting Around Haida Gwaii
A 20-minute ferry ride connects Graham and Moresby Islands. The Skidegate-Alliford Bay ferry operates 12 daily sailings between the two main islands, with a fare of C$6 each way or C$14 per vehicle.
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Haida Gwaii Pledge
The Haida Gwaii Pledge is a commitment to respect and care for the Haida Gwaii, a group of islands off the coast of northern British Columbia, Canada, that was officially renamed in 2009 in recognition of the history of the Haida Nation, the indigenous people of the region. The pledge is an agreement between visitors and the Haida Nation to uphold the Haida Ways of Being, which include:
- Respecting all beings
- Acknowledging Haida Title and rights throughout Haida Gwaii
- Speaking kindly and listening thoughtfully
- Only walking, driving, parking, and camping in permitted areas
- Maintaining a safe distance from wildlife
- Asking permission before taking photographs of people and places
- Being mindful of one's environmental impact and leaving visited places cleaner than they were found
- Taking only what is necessary and leaving behind natural objects such as rocks, feathers, and sand
- Supporting local businesses and giving back to the community
The pledge also encourages visitors to contribute to the Haida Gwaii Stewardship Fund, which supports activities related to tourism, with a recommended donation of 1% of one's total travel costs.
By signing the Haida Gwaii Pledge, visitors demonstrate their respect for the Air, Ocean, Land, and People of Haida Gwaii and are welcomed as guests by the Haida Nation.
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Driving to Haida Gwaii
Driving to Prince Rupert
One option is to drive to Prince Rupert, from where you can take a ferry to Skidegate on Haida Gwaii. Driving to Prince Rupert on Highway 16 is a good choice if you want to bring your vehicle to Haida Gwaii on the ferry. The drive is long but scenic, taking you beside the Skeena River and through the coastal mountains.
Driving from Vancouver
If you are driving from Vancouver, you will need to drive to Horseshoe Bay, north of the city, and take the regular Vancouver Island ferry to Port Hardy. During the height of the vacation season, it is recommended to arrive at Horseshoe Bay early in the week if possible to avoid line-ups. From Port Hardy, you can either take the ferry to Prince Rupert and then on to Haida Gwaii, or travel to Haida Gwaii via Vancouver Island and the Inside Passage route.
The Inside Passage Route
The Inside Passage route is one of the most scenic ways to get to Haida Gwaii. This 16-hour cruise departs from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and takes you along the coast of British Columbia, with the chance to see all kinds of wildlife. You will arrive late in the day, so you will need to stay overnight in Prince Rupert before taking the ferry to Skidegate. This route is a good option if you want to bring a vehicle to Haida Gwaii.
Driving on Haida Gwaii
Once you have arrived on Haida Gwaii, you can drive between the different communities on the islands. Most towns are on Graham Island, including Queen Charlotte, Skidegate, Tlell, Port Clements, and Masset. However, keep in mind that rental car companies may limit where you can drive. For example, you may not be able to take a rental car on forest service roads or beaches like North Beach. If you want to explore more freely, it may be better to bring your own vehicle on the ferry.
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Haida Gwaii's climate
Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, has a generally mild climate moderated by moist Pacific air throughout the year. The average annual temperature is 8°C (46°F), with a 20-degree Celsius variation throughout the year. The climate is characterised by a warm Pacific current from Japan, resulting in no extreme temperatures.
Summer temperatures range from 15°C to 20°C, with May, June, and July offering 18 to 20 hours of daylight. August is the warmest month of the year, and both August and May generally have the most sunshine. However, summer also experiences a fair amount of rainfall. Winter months are mild, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 8°C. While precipitation in winter is usually in the form of rain, there can be some snowfall. Conditions can become severe without warning, and Masset, located in Haida Gwaii, has recorded wind gusts of up to 160 km/h (100 mph).
The annual rainfall in Haida Gwaii is approximately 150 centimetres, and the average snowfall is 28 centimetres. The area also experiences a constant breeze, predominantly from the southeast.
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Frequently asked questions
Air Canada offers daily flights from Vancouver to Sandspit Airport on northern Moresby Island. In the summer, they operate two flights per day. You can also fly with Pacific Coastal Airlines, which offers daily service from Vancouver during the summer and three flights a week during the winter.
BC Ferries offers around six sailings per week from Prince Rupert to Skidegate, which is a five-minute drive from Queen Charlotte City. The crossing takes between 6.5 and 7 hours and can be rough, so take precautions if you're prone to seasickness. Ferries run daily in the summer.
A one-way high-season ticket costs C$39 for a passenger and C$140 for most passenger vehicles.
The islands are home to dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, including more than 500 archaeological sites. There are also several villages, including Daajing Giids, Skidegate, and Masset, all located on Graham Island. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is located in the southern islands and can only be accessed by boat or seaplane.
The islands are the ancestral territory of the Haida Nation. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge and learn how to travel to the islands respectfully. It is also recommended that visitors arrive fully vaccinated.
