Haida Gwaii Tours Offer A Unique Experience

By Olivia Cross


There is nowhere else like Haida Gwaii. It is an archipelago near the west coast of Canada with a unique people and unique natural history. To explore the islands visitors an take a range of different Haida Gwaii tours or drive themselves around to see their extraordinary beauty and experience a unique people.

Taking just a two hour flight from Vancouver can transport you to this distinct place. Some organised tours take place mainly on land and some are aboard yachts and cruisers. This depends on your preferences and whether you want to see more of the culture or more of the wildlife.

Once on the islands tourists are amazed at the natural beauty. They have been nicknamed the "Galapagos of the North" as they have many endemic species which have evolved in isolation. The seas are also extremely rich with fish, birds and mammals, such as whales and dolphins. Historically fishing and arts and crafts have been the main sources of income.

Gwaii Haanas National Park was nominated by National Geographic as the best national park in North America. It contains and incredible range of eco-systems, ancient forests with trees over a thousand year old cover ninety percent of the area. Then there are alpine tundra, lakes, fjords and wetlands. It is a paradise for adventure lovers with unparalleled hiking, kayaking, caving and fishing opportunities.

The Haida culture is a fascinating and unique one. A good place to start getting to know it is the Haida Heritage Center in Skidegate. They have examples of the local canoe construction, oral story telling, displays of the many local crafts and, of course totem poles.

Art is an integral part of the culture of the islands and the visitor can enjoy a variety of traditional crafts and modern art styles. For the Haida art was a way to join their culture with their land. They use lots of wood and are experts in various carving styles. There is an art route which has an online brochure available. In addition to native arts Haida has attracted a number of creative people over the years and there are also modern galleries to explore.

Many tours include a boat trip but they can also be arranged individually. This is surely one of the best ways to experience the archipelago. Many of the wild beaches, abandoned villages and forests can only be accessed from the sea. These are truly remote and special places to see.

There are a number of companies offering package tours on the islands. There are general ones which include a bit of everything or specialist ones for adventure seekers, natural history and art and culture. Most companies can also offer bespoke tours for small groups and families. Independent travel is possible but there is no public transport on the islands.




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