Queen Charlotte Islands Information


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Totem Circle Tour is a 2500km (1550mi) tour perfect for those interested in exploring the rich culture of British Columbia's First Nations people. Passing through historic sites and villages will bring you face to face with diverse people, unique art, centuries old stories and fascinating history. Witness the province's most beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery as you travel over land through the heart of the province and sail the Inside Passage down through the coast's magnificent fjords and rainforests.

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Totems, QCI - Photo Tourism BC The moody, misty islands of the Queen Charlotte archipelago (called Haida Gwaii by the Haida people) are 300 km (180 mi) long and located 100 km (60 mi) off the northwest coast of British Columbia. The two main islands, Graham Island in the north and Moresby in the south, are divided by Skidegate Channel and separated from mainland BC by Hecate Strait. The islands have developed in isolation from the rest of the province and were spared the effects of the ice that covered the rest of BC until 10,000 years ago. As a result, the coastal rainforests, wetlands, sand dunes, beaches, rugged mountains, streams and lakes of the Queen Charlottes nurture an extensive population of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth. In fact, because so many unique life forms have developed, the islands are referred to as Canada’s Galapagos. The endless opportunities to experience the unique wilderness of the Queen Charlotte Islands include ocean kayaking, scuba diving, flight seeing, birding, wildlife observation, traditional canoeing, Llama trekking, cycling and hiking.

Getting to and from the Queen Charlotte Islands is as easy as walking onto a ferry or a plane. The BC Ferries ferry ride between Prince Rupert and Skidegate is six and a half hours. The alternative is to fly from Vancouver International Airport or Prince Rupert to Sandspit Airport. On the Island, Highway 16 is the main road stretching from Old Masset to Skidegate. Traveling by car, however, is not very easy as most of the roads off Highway 16 are unpaved logging roads.

Queen Charlotte City - Photo Tourism BC Nestled on the southern tip of Graham Island, Queen Charlotte City was the first registered town site on the Islands. It is the largest community on the island and has a range of services to make your stay enjoyable and is also the jumping off point for many adventures to more remote parts of Haida Gwaii. Queen Charlotte City is located 4 km (2.4 mi) west of the BC ferry dock at Skidegate Landing. Visitors can relax, unwind and enjoy warm friendly ambiance of this small coastal community.

Raven Totem, QCI - Photo Tourism BC Aside from the wilderness, every visitor should explore the cultural heritage unique to the Queen Charlotte Islands. As the land of the Haida people, you will be greeted by Haida artistry throughout the Islands. Including world renowned totem poles and carvings. The most compelling reason to visit is to explore the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve Haida Heritage Site. It offers an inspiring glimpse of rugged coastal beauty blended with rich coastal ecology. An astonishing reserve, this park encompasses 137 smaller islands of the Queen Charlotte archipelago. More than 500 ancient Haida sites can be found among these islands, which offer a glimpse into the past of BC’s predominant aboriginal peoples. To access the park, visitors would be wise to plan several days in advance. Special arrangements by boat or plane should be made, as there is no vehicle access. Also, you are required to have reservations, as there is a limit on the number of people who can use the park at any given time. Visitors who have not been to the park in the past 3 years are required to take in as 90-minute orientation session. Visitors who invest the time to discover the deep heritage of the Queen Charlotte Islands will be handsomely rewarded. Here, there exists a unique opportunity to peer into 10,000 years of history left behind by the Haida nation. Exploring this park is arguably the number one reason for coming to – and returning to – the Queen Charlotte Islands.

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