The “Islands of the People,” as these remote islands of British Columbia are known to the Haida, are the ancestral home of the Haida people. They are thick with mossy old-growth spruce forests, rugged mountains, rich tidal pools and ghostly totem poles. The islands’ isolation is noteworthy, for it has created a unique set of circumstances that has encouraged local flora and fauna to develop characteristics that set them apart from their cousins on the mainland. Deer are tiny and tame. Hairy Woodpeckers have grey breasts. And very large Black Bears have unique characteristics. The Queen Charlotte Islands are indeed “Canada’s Galapagos.” Our tour of these islands – formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands – is timed to coincide with favourable Pacific Coast weather and the peak of the region’s summer wildlife activities.
As we move around the archipelago, we’ll find such seabirds as Ancient Murrelets and Tufted Puffins, Peregrine Falcons, and Bald Eagles. Humpback and Fin Whales and Orcas are in their summer waters and Steller’s Sea Lions settle into their rookeries. Summer wildflowers are growing in profusion and add a colourful dimension to an already rich landscape. We’ll start our tour with a day on land visiting Haida communities. Then we’ll board our sailing ketch, which will be our home for the rest of the trip as we meander leisurely among the islands, going ashore to explore tidal pools and sandy beaches, hike through old-growth forests, and enjoy alpine meadows glowing with flowers. Join us as we explore and experience in depth this magnificent example of Canada’s unique cultural and natural heritage: the scenic wilderness areas of the legendary Haida Gwaii, and see why National Geographic selected this trip as "One of the Worlds 50 Best!"
What’s included: Accommodations in double occupancy aboard your vessel, most meals, all activities while on board the ship and ashore, airport transfers if travelling with the group, park entrance fees, services of crew and local naturalist. A $100 sustainability fee and 5% GST are additional.
Ship Information
Sail on board the Canadian registered S/V Island Roamer, a custom
68-foot ketch launched in the early 1980s. The boat's design, safety
and comfort make it particularly well-suited for this trip. She
accommodates 14 passengers in 7 private cabins and has 3 heads with hot
showers, a large comfortable inside lounge with an extensive natural
history library, a well-equipped galley and a large covered seating area
on deck with protection in all types of weather.
The new S/V Island Solitude is 82’ long and 30% by volume larger than the S/V Island Roamer. Like her smaller cousin, she will carry 12 – 14 guests but she provides larger cabins with two lower beds (no upper/ lower bunks) and en suite bathrooms. The on-deck wheelhouse will accommodate the entire group for gourmet meals - surrounded by exceptional views.
The 68-foot ketch named S/V Island Odyssey is the sister-ship to ‘Island Roamer’. Originally built as a luxurious private yacht in 1984, she completed a major renovation in 2003 to update the cabins and all safety systems. It features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers and a comfortable salon with a natural history library. On deck, the large deckhouse provides a comfortable spot to watch for wildlife.