Northern Haida Heritage Sites - 8 day Kayak Expedition
Most Equipment Provided
All Meals Provided
Friendly & Certified Guides
Venture into Northern Gwaii Haanas National Park for an 8-day adventure through the nutrient rich waters of Haida Gwaii
On this 8-day long tour, we will start on the Northern end of Gwaii Haanas National Park to delve south towards Burnaby Narrows. The Haida Heritage tour traverses through many bays and islands to reach most of the watchmen sites in the central part of Gwaii Haanas National Park. Along your travels during this trip you will stop at three of the five watchmen sites (Tanu, Windy Bay, and Hotsprings Island). We will be on the constant lookout for whales, seals, Orcas, ancient murrelets, black bears, and other wildlife. Enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs half-way through this expedition, while taking in the scenery of Juan Perez Sound.
The Tour will end near the famous intertidal zone of Burnaby Narrows. We will move to a new campsite each night, but of course, this is weather permitting. This tour is designed for kayakers looking to see hidden inlets, old-growth forests, old Haida village sites, endless beaches, migrating birds, and an abundance of wildlife.
Highlights
Experience Gwaii Haanas National park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site extensively by kayak - the least invasive form of transportation in the area
Use expedition-level equipment (high quality kayaks, paddles, paddling gear, paddling clothing, camping gear)
All guides are highly experienced with the area and have professional training outside of their guiding certifications regarding risk management, hazard analysis, interpretation and more
Experience the abundant wilderness of the area: bears, birds, orcas, sea lions… Without a doubt, you’re bound to be speechless throughout your adventure
An extended 8-day tour that will take you away from the hustle of busy day life and immerse you in nature’s finest element and the culture of the Haida
All of your meals are included in the tour price so that you don’t have to worry about various extra costs
Must bring your own sleeping bag, Thermarest, and paddling gear. All other gear is included (Tent, paddle, kayak, skirt, PFD, group gear)
Trip details
Price
$2799 CAD per person
Meeting time
7:30AM
Meeting point
At your accommodation in Sandspit, BC
Season
June – September
Dates & Availability
- June 11 – 18: 6 spots
- June 29 – July 6: 8 spots
- July 24 – July 31: 8 spots
- August 5 – 12: 8 spots
- August 23 – August 30: 6 spots
Please note: Availability subject to change. Please Contact Us for availability.
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Group size
2 minimum, 8 maximum
Participation requirements
- Due to the remote and lengthy nature of this trip, we recommend that participants are 16 years and older and have some experience with remote, self-supported trips.
- Minors (under 19) will require a parent/guardian signature for our waiver, and all participants must fill out a medical form before booking.
- If you have any doubts or questions, please contact us.
- We ask all who come to bring a respectful attitude towards the natural environment and your fellow kayakers. The weather and wildlife are out of our control, but our attitudes are not!
Included
- Tents, Tarps, paddles, sprayskirts, PFDs and group gear
- All meals, from lunch on day one to lunch on the last day
- Gwaii Haanas National Park entrance fee
- Two-way speedboat transport between Sandspit and Gwaii Haanas
- Top-level guides certified by the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of British Columbia, recognized internationally as a leader in the sea kayak industry
- Seaward single or double kayak
Paddling equipment
- Kayaks
- Paddles
- Sprayskirts
- Safety gear
- PFD
- Paddling jacket & pants
Camping equipment
- Tents
- Sleeping bags & mats
- Cots
- Camp chairs
- Cooking & kitchen gear
Food
- Day 1: lunch, dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, appetizers and snacks
- Day 2: 3 meals, snacks, appetizers, drinks
- Day 3: breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks
Whats not included
- Transportation between your home and Sandspit, British Columbia
- Accomodation and meals in Sandspit prior to and following the kayaking trip
- Gratuities are entirely optional and always greatly appreciated
- Each person loads and unloads their kayak, as well as sets up and takes down their tent
- Each person provides their own sleeping bag and sleeping mat, appropriate outdoor clothing, and items of personal nature
- Arriving with appropriate clothing is essential to each guest’s comfort and personal well-being during the trip. A detailed clothing and equipment list is provided upon registration
- If a tour guest or expedition participant misses our chartered speedboat, alternate transportation costs are not included
Optional speedboat transportation to Sgang Gwaay is not included- Almost all guests are able to kayak to Sgang Gwaay. If conditions are unsuitable for kayaking, an optional charter boat may be arranged so guests are still able to visit the ancient village site
- In the unlikely event of delayed transportation due to weather or other factors on the first days of the trip, additional expenses such as accommodation and meals in Sandspit are not included.
Cancellation policy
We will try to reschedule or refund. Please check our terms & conditions for more information.
Overview of our 8-day Haida Heritage Expedition
Day One
If you’re looking for the complete experience that will take you on an extended journey through the incredible and untamed wilderness of the Haida Gwaii coastline, then look no further. We’ll start our tour in Sandspit, British Columbia, the location of Haida Gwaii’s main Airport. A bright and early morning presages the start of the tour. Guests are picked up in the morning at Seaport B&B (or another sandspit accommodation of your choice) for the one-hour van ride to Moresby Camp. Here, you board a large Zodiac-Style speed boat for transportation to the Northern Tip of Gwaii Haanas for a 45-Minute thrilling zodiac cruise along the scenic coast of Moresby Island. They will bring you to our starting point at Kunga Island which is located across from the old village site of Tanu to begin your kayak exploration. This area will offer the ideal location to get comfortable in your kayak through an orientation once you’ve settled into camp.
Days Two to Seven
The Watchmen Site tour takes you to a number of rarely visited Haida watchmen sites remote beaches, some with exposure to the open Pacific, making them a beachcomber’s dream. This tour traverses through many bays and islands to reach most of the watchmen sites in the central part of Gwaii Haanas National Park. Along your travels during this trip you will stop at three of the five watchmen sites (Tanu, Windy Bay, and Hotsprings Island). Enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs half way through this expedition, while taking in the scenery of Juan Perez Sound. We will then paddle down to Burnaby Narrows to end our trip which is an ecological hotspot known for the high density of invertebrates in the intertidal zone. We will end the trip near Burnaby Narrows where Moresby Explorers will pick us up by Zodiac. The overall length of this expedition is around ~40 NM (~75 km).
Day Eight
The speedboat arrives in near a beach close to Burnaby Narrows to transport the group to Sandspit. At the end of the day, you are returned to Seaport B&B, or another Sandspit accommodation of your choice.
Note
This tour involves eight days of kayaking, and some of those days, we paddle as much as 20 km or more and camp in remote areas with very no developed services. It is best for ages 16 years old and above, especially those who have experience with remote, self-supported trips. Routes and itineraries remain very flexible to accommodate changeable west coast conditions.
Please contact us directly if you are interested in this adventure and do not have previous experience.
