plan your adventure
Download the viriual copy of the Ḵaats’ii Hla | Ḵáats’a Hla | This Is Haida Gwaii Trip Planner. This magazine is filled with local stories, incredible photography, accommodations and places to see on the island. Learn how to get here, where to stay, and what to do when visiting Haida Gwaii. We are grateful for you taking the time to plan your adventure ahead.
Please Visit Responsibly
Haida Gwaii is a spectacular place full of rare ecosystems and rich culture. Everyone on Haida territory shares the responsibility to take care of the land and ocean around us. Please follow the link below to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge before arriving.
Council of the Haida Nation
The Council of the Haida Nation was formed in 1974 to organize members of the Haida Nation into one political entity. Over the past 40 years the CHN has been addressing the land question and has become a National government enacting legislation and policy affecting many aspects of life on Haida Gwaii. The CHN works alongside the collective action of the Haida People to protect their culture and ensure their way of living continues.
get outdoors
Haida Gwaii is an ideal destination to experience the rugged and remote wilderness that British Columbia is known for. Accommodation varies from rustic off-grid beach cabins to modern and natural lodges, and extraordinary camping in old growth or on the beach. All accommodation is small scale and intimate. Each time you book you are talking with an owner who cares passionately about the quality of your experience.
Getting here and getting around
The archipelago of Haida Gwaii is separated from the mainland by the ḴandaliiGwii (Hecate Strait). This means you'll need to book a flight or ferry to get here. Once you land, it's important that you've sorted out transportation logistics ahead of time, as taxi and vehicle rental availabilities are limited. Here's what you need to know.
Arriving By Air
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Air service is available daily from Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
For schedules and fares please check with the following carriers:Air Canada flies daily from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Sandspit International Airport (YZP)
Pacific Coastal Airlines flies daily between Vancouver’s South Terminal (YVR) and the Masset Municipal Airport (ZMT)
Inland Air Charters has regularly scheduled flights between Prince Rupert and the Village of Masset
**Please note: When arriving to Sandspit by plane, it is important to organize transportation to Daajing Giids ahead of time, if needed. Options include renting a vehicle (see Getting Around By Car below), renting a bicycle from the Sandspit Visitor Information Centre (see Visitor Centres below) or pre-booking shuttle service from Gwaii Taxi & Tours.
Arriving By Water
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BC Ferries provides regularly scheduled sailings to the Islands from Prince Rupert, year-round. They also provide daily service between Moresby and Graham island on the Kwuna vehicle ferry.
Connector service is available in Prince Rupert for the Inside Passage route to or from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, or north with Alaska’s marine ferry system.
If you are travelling with a vehicle and/or camper, be sure to make reservations well in advance of your trip – sailings book up fast! Arrive at terminals at least two hours in advance.The Islands have long been known for their excellent recreational boating opportunities. Many of the communities have marinas, boat ramps and services catering to recreational boaters. There are harbours in K’il Kun (Sandspit), Daajing Giids, Gamadiis/’Wáan Kún (Port Clements), and Masset. Enquire with each respective harbour master for visitor berths.
Getting Around By Car
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There are only about 140kms of paved and maintained highways on the islands. There is an extensive network of forest access roads too, some suitable for short distances, and some definitely not advisable. Check out Drive BC for up-to-date road conditions. You can also enquire at the Visitor Information Centres in Daajing Giids, K’il Kun (Sandspit), Gamadiis/’Wáan Kún (Port Clements) and Masset.
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation on island. Most communities do have vehicle rentals or a taxi service.Vehicle Rentals
**Please note: We strongly recommend phoning to book, as online rental opportunities are not yet standard practice. Haawa for your understanding
Sandspit K’il Kun – Budget Car Rentals 250.637.5688
Daajing Giids – Budget Car & Truck Rentals 250.559.4641
Island Auto Rentals 250.559.4118
Haida Gwaii Vehicle & RV Rentals 250.637.1202
Gwaii Adventure Campers 778.260.2227HlG̱aagilda (Skidegate) – Gwaii Taxi & Tours 250.559.2380 & mobile 250.637.1162
Haida Gwaii Scooter Rentals – 250.640.6474Masset – Masset Car & Truck Rentals 250.626.7089
Rustic Car Rentals 250.626.3756
Getting Around By Bike
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Cycling is a great way to experience Haida Gwaii for experienced cyclists.
Haida Gwaii has a very limited network of paved roads, which means that if you choose to stick to the pavement, you won’t necessarily be cycling all that much, and you will also have a hard time getting lost. Some roads have a small shoulder or oftentimes no shoulder. There are also many blind corners and traffic travels at a high rate of speed on many sections of the highway. Make sure you have bright / reflective clothing and lights on.
There is a much more extensive network of unpaved forest access roads that can take you much farther into the wilderness, though they are not for everybody. Make sure you are experienced in bike repair and well prepared for remote travel and in case of emergencies if you want to go to these areas.
Bike Rentals:
Masset – Masset Bikes 250.626.8939
North Beach Surf Shop 250.626.7873K’il Kun (Sandspit) – Sandspit Visitor Centre 250.637.5362
Daajing Giids – Green Coast Kayaking 250.637.1093
Visitor Centres
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There are Visitor Centres in K’il Kun (Sandspit), Daajing Giids, ‘Wáan Kún/Gamadiis (Port Clements) and Masset.
K’il Kun (Sandspit) Visitor Information Centre
250-637-5362
https://lovenorthernbc.com/community/sandspit/business/the-sandspit-visitor-centre/Daajing Giids Visitor Information Centre
250-559-8316
daajinggiidsvisitorcentre.com‘Wáan Kún/Gamadiis (Port Clements) Museum & Information Centre
250-557-4576
www.portclements.ca/village-office/visitor-information/Northern Haida Gwaii (Masset) Visitor Information Centre
250-626-3982
massetbc.com
Accessible Haida Gwaii
Stop in at the Daajing Giids Visitor Centre for expert advice, gifts, and see the interpretive saltwater aquarium.
Walk the trails around the waterfront.
Check out the funky stores and cafes and restaurants on Wharf Walk.
Hike the NansGa Gandlaay K’yuu Gore Brook Trail and if you’re feeling fit and adventurous, try the excellent Kuu Jad TlldaGaaw K’yuu Sleeping Beauty Trail. Always make sure to let someone know where you are going and be fully prepared for all aspects of backcountry hiking.
Haida Gwaii cannot yet be designated as wheelchair-friendly, but communities are working towards that goal. Download our Accessible Attractions PDF to learn more about existing accessible attractions, available equipment, and accessibility projects we have on the go.
Did You Know?
The Haida Heritage Centre and Saahlinda Naay (Saving Things House) Haida Gwaii Museum at Ḵay Llnagaay were designed to be wheelchair accessible. Although the inside of the centre is fully accessible, the outside area where the monumental pole tours are conducted has some challenges due to the uneven ground. In the summer, tours at the Centre include the monumental poles, carving house, Haida canoe and weaving tours.
FAQ
Is there public transit available on-island?
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation on-island. Here are your options for getting around:
Taxis
Masset – Mile Zero Taxi – 250-626-8999
Daajing Giids/Sandspit – Gwaii Taxi & Tours – 250-637-1162
Vehicle Rentals
**Please note: We strongly recommend phoning to book, as online rental opportunities are not yet standard practice. Haawa for your understanding.
K’il Kun (Sandspit) –
Budget Car Rentals 250.637.5688
Daajing Giids –
Budget Car & Truck Rentals 250.559.4641
Island Auto Rentals 250.559.4118
Haida Gwaii Vehicle & RV Rentals 250.637.1202
Gwaii Adventure Campers 778.260.2227
HlG̱aagilda (Skidegate) –
Gwaii Taxi & Tours 250.559.2380 & mobile 250.637.1162
Haida Gwaii Scooter Rentals – 250.640.6474
Masset –
Masset Car & Truck Rentals 250.626.7089
Rustic Car Rentals 250.626.3756
Bike Rentals
Masset – Masset Bikes 250.626.8939, North Beach Surf Shop 250.626.7873
K’il Kun (Sandspit) – Sandspit Visitor Centre 250.637.5362
Daajing Giids – Green Coast Kayaking 250.637.1093
Is there cell service on Haida Gwaii?
Mobile device coverage on Haida Gwaii is good in some areas and iffy at best in others. For the most part you can pick up a reliable signal in each of the communities, however bars drop rapidly as soon as you hit the highway or the backroads. Check out our map for a visual!
Is it necessary to book in advance?
Yes. We strongly recommend booking well in advance (~6 months). We are a small archipelago with limited availabilities. Booking in advance will give you the best selection and opportunity to secure your preferred accommodations and excursions for your dates of travel.
Similarly, all tours on Haida Gwaii, especially to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, should be booked in advance. Most tour companies offer excursions from May to September only. Sometimes tour operators may have an extra seat or two available day-of, but for peace of mind it’s better to secure your spot before you get here. Off-season (October-April) tours are sometimes available by advance arrangement – they vary by operator.
How do I get to SG̱ang Gwaay UNESCO Site?
There is no road access to Gwaii Haanas – it is limited to float plane or boat access. Visitors who come to explore Gwaii Haanas do so either as part of a guided trip, travelling with a licensed tour operator, or on a self-guided adventure. SG̱ang Gwaay is located in the far south west of Gwaii Haanas and is the most difficult village site to access. You have the options of booking with a boat tour company, joining a guided kayak excursion or chartering a float plane to visit SG̱ang Gwaay. For a list of licensed tour operators, including floatplane service, visit the Gwaii Haanas website at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas/visit
Can I drive on the beach?
We advise all visitors to keep their vehicles off the beaches. In addition, rental companies will not allow you to drive their vehicles on the beaches. Make sure you check and abide by those directives. Every year vehicles get stuck out on the beaches. Additionally, irresponsible vehicle driving causes damage to the sensitive beach environment, river crossings, clam beds and more. Better to explore with your feet or by bicycle.
Should I Get Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance and/or trip cancellation insurance is always recommended. Frequently, many transportation routes (both plane and ferry), as well as land and ocean tours on Haida Gwaii are postponed or cancelled due to weather and sea conditions. This applies year-round.
