One hundred kilometres west of BC’s north coast, lie the magical, awe inspiring islands of Haida Gwaii.The southern portion of these islands, once threatened by clear cut logging, are now Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.

Located on the edge of the Pacific Continental Shelf, with its shores bathed in the nutrient rich waters, these islands have been dubbed the "Canadian Galapagos".Because the Haida First Nations people had such an abundance of food, they had time to develop one of the world’s most powerful and creative aboriginal cultures.The Haida culture is a large part of the focus of our Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), British Columbia trips in Gwaii Haanas National Park.

We hope that your visit to Haida Gwaii will either begin or end with a visit to the Haida museum in Skidegate, where in 2001 the Haida raised 6 new poles in a memorable ceremony at the site of Qay’llnagaay (Sea Lions Town).The museum and cultural centre is a great introduction to Haida culture or a wonderful complement at the end of the trip. The new Haida Heritage Centre was opened in the summer of 2007. If you wish to visit the museum, we will be happy to provide you with a complimentary admission.

On the first day of your Queen Charlotte Islands Motor Yacht Cruise you will either join us on board our ship in Sandspit or Queen Charlotte City, or, we will fly you to meet us on the ship inside Gwaii Haanas National Park. After everyone is settled on board and we’ve had a safety briefing, and a briefing about the Park’s protocol, we set off on a magical voyage of discovery.

The focus of our trip

During our travels into the Park we visit (weather dependant of course), the old Haida villages of Skedans, Tahnoo, Sgang Gwaay, (a World Heritage Site) and also Gandll K’in, (Hot Springs Island).In each of these sites, Haida Watchmen, (interpreters) will greet and share with us the life and culture of each of these awe inspiring and very spiritual places.

Stories told by these Haida interpreters will take you back to a time when these villages were bustling with the activity of thousands of Haida people.You will be able to walk alone on trails, if you wish, through these old villages and have the time to see, hear and smell, all that makes these sacred places so special!Bring plenty of film/cards for your cameras!

Haida Gwaii has been separated from the mainland for so long, much of the land escaped the last ice age, therefore many unique and genetically different species that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada, exist on these islands.Even the larger black bears found here are genetically different from their relatives on the mainland.

These islands are a bird watchers ‘eden’: you may see tufted puffins, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, sand hill cranes, murrelets, shearwaters, cormorants, oyster catchers, some of which only come on land to nest in the summer, spending the rest of their lives at sea.

Whaling was once an important industry in the south of these islands.Those days are thankfully long gone and the whales have returned!It is not unusual for us to spend hours, surrounded by groups of Humpbacks -- just a short distance from the ship.Minke whales are often seen and Dall’s Porpoises and Pacific White Sided Dolphins love to join us for a ride on our bow wave.

A “float” through Burnaby Narrows in the zodiac and kayaks, at nearly low tide, is one of the highlights of these trips.Below you, in the tidal channel, stretches an endless carpet of sea life: tiny bat stars, small to huge sun stars, anemones, sea cucumbers, clams of every description, mussels, some tiny and some the size of your hand, clinging to the seaweed drenched rocks, colourful red turban snails, and huge moon snails.hermit and rock crabs scurry along the colourful bottom looking for their next meal.

A trip to the natural hot springs on Hotsprings Island, (Gandll K’in), is always welcome.Take a shower in the bathhouse and then walk the seaside trails, cut into the salal matted rocks, in search of the pool with the perfect temperature.As the warm water of the pool envelopes you, you will see sweeping, ocean vistas stretch out before you.Where the salal flowers hang like tiny pink droplets of water, you may see hummingbirds come for a treat.The Haida say that hummingbirds are "spirit messengers". They are definitely busy setting up their nests and defending their territory!Time and weather permitting we may have a dinner here with our Watchmen friends.

Back on board our ship, Great Bear II, sit on deck and enjoy the wonder of these magical islands or take one of our kayaks and explore the shoreline of the anchorage—all this while your next meal is being prepared.

Your chef will create fresh and delicious dishes using the finest ingredients available that have been flown to the ship.Breakfasts include such delights as smoked salmon frittatas with fresh fruit and home baked bread; buffet lunches; and dinners including fresh seafood such as salmon with a miso glaze, roasted Dungeness crab, or the "catch of the day" with salsa verde and roasted vegetables.White chocolate/macadamia nuts cookies, freshly baked cheesecake with strawberries, chocolate mousse, crème brulée, apple crunch pie with whipped cream…..a few of our deserts to tempt you.

All snacks, appetizers, meals, and beverages, (including a selection of some of B.C.’s finest wines with dinners), are included in the price of your trip.Those wishing a drink before dinner are welcome to bring their own with them—to enjoy only when we are at anchor.Anyone with any special dietary requirements, should discuss this with the chef at the time of booking—depending on the requirements, a surcharge may be applied.Meals included in the trip are lunch on the first day to breakfast/brunch on the last day.

Our vessel

Our 54-foot Hatteras Long Range Cruiser is a world-renowned powerboat, designed to cross any ocean.It is a Transport Canada certified as a passenger vessel, carrying all the latest navigation and safety equipment.Her Captain and owner, Eric Boyum, (a professional firefighter when not chartering), is a Transport Canada certified Captain, also certified in wilderness first aide, as well as all the other tickets necessary as a firefighter.We feel very fortunate to have a great Haida friend, Jaada, as our crew person for 2010.Jaada has worked as a Watchman in both Skedans and Sgang Gwaay, and will be a great addition to our team.

Guests enjoy private accommodation (based on double occupancy).There are two full bathrooms on board, each with electric flushing toilets—(no hand pumps on this ship!)Bath towels and facecloths are provided for guests, as well as linens including pillows with cases, bottom sheets, duvets (non down filled) with duvet covers.Fresh hand towels are put out in each of the bathrooms daily.On board our vessel, guests can lounge in the spacious comfort of our salon/galley area, as magnificent scenery passes by outside.A large, cozy couch for sitting and reading, for visiting with other guests, or for an afternoon siesta, is a much sought after spot on board.Across from the couch an L-shaped settee with a table, offers a spot to look at your latest photographs on your laptop, play cards or just have a cup of tea and a cookie.Across from the galley itself, is a ‘coffee bar’, complete with a selection of teas, coffee, hot chocolate, along with a large bowl of fruit, granola bars, home made cookies or other treats to entice you—all available to you to help yourself, whenever you like

Guests love dining in our "revolving restaurant"—sitting at the dining table in our pilot house with virtually a 360 degree view, as the boat turns in the tide at anchor, or as we make our way to our next location.As we travel, guests are welcome to join the Captain in the pilothouse for briefings on points of interest, wildlife sightings, navigation instruction, or even to take a turn at the wheel.Whether it’s getting involved in the ship’s steering or navigation or just sitting with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a freshly baked treat, guests seem to love hanging out in the pilothouse.

Outside, the foredeck affords plenty of space for photographers trying to get the amazing whale photo or just for lounging on the settee and watch the amazing landscapes slip by.The covered aft deck is also the entrance to the ship, and provides a dry/shady place for guests to enjoy and stow outdoor gear (and the chef’s herb garden).  All in all, there is plenty of room on board for our guests to enjoy each other’s company or to find some solitude in a private spot.

Our trips offer the lowest number of guests (4-6 guests per trip compared to upwards of 9 guest on other boats), and the highest crew: guest ratio.We feel that the smaller groups enable us to provide not only greater safety and privacy to our guests, but much less impact on the wilderness, the old villages we visit, and the animals we see.

After a trip to these magical, awe- inspiring islands, you will understand why the Park was named “Gwaii Haanas”— meaning "Place of Wonder"

Our seven day Queen Charlotte Islands motor yacht cruise to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site begins and ends in the community of Sandspit in British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands, also known as Haida Gwaii.

Included in our scheduled cruises is a seaplane flight either to or from our ship, to reduce travelling time and allow our guests more time to experience the very unique Gwaii Haanas National Park. Your home for this amazing voyage of discovery is our 54-foot motor yacht, equipped with all the latest navigation and safety equipment, a 16-foot Zodiac for excursions and tours ashore, and kayaks for experiencing the inter tidal life and the serenity of our coastal anchorages.

What is icluded:

• A seaplane flight either from the ship to Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City or to the ship from Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City, (to cut down on travelling time), is included in the price of the trip.
• Accommodation in private staterooms based on double occupancy
• All meals from Lunch on first day to breakfast on the last day.
• Professional Services of Captain/wildlife guide, Chef, and Jaada, our Haida crew person
• Use of safety vests, kayaks etc. on board.
• Use of fishing gear on board. (You will need to purchase your own fishing licence prior to coming to the ship.)
• All bedding, linens and towels, (except beach towels)
• A selection of shampoos, Conditioners and Body Washes for showering on board
• Park permits fees
• All guided excursions ashore 
• Smallest group size of charter companies: (4-6 guests maximum)
• Admission to museum in Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate if you wish. Please notify us prior to your trip if you’d like us to set aside a ticket for you.

What is not included:

• Transportation from you home to Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City and return home
• Accommodation in Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City before/after the trip or as a result of travel interruption due to poor weather, etc.
• Excess baggage charges for overweight baggage on seaplane
• Any extra charges as a result of poor weather, ie. delays or cancellations of flights or other logistical challenges
• A “Saltwater fishing licence with a Salmon Tag” if you wish to fish—must be purchased prior to coming to the ship.
• Special First Nations traditional dinners in Skidegate.
• Gratuities for Captain, chef, and crew person, customary in the charter business

Our small groups allow a more personal experience

With our small group sizes of 2 to 6 guests, our guests enjoy a more personal experience wherever we travel... in front of the mortuary poles in Sgang Gwaay... as you discover the colourful carpets of sealife in Burnaby Narrows... as you stand in front of the ancient remains of the longhouses in the old village of Tahnoo... as you witness a towering potlatch pole at Skedans... or as you soak in the pools and enjoy the sweeping ocean vistas at Gandll K'in... our guests are never part of a crowd.

Visit the new Haida Heritage Centre

Our Queen Charlotte Islands adventures may begin or end with a visit to the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate where in 2001, the Haida raised 6 new totem poles in a memorable ceremony at the site of Kaay llnagaay, (Sea Lions Town). The price of admission to the Museum is included in the price of our trips. In the summer of 2008 the new Kaay Ilnagaay Heritage Centre officially opened. This important heritage centre celebrates the living culture of the Haida people, and includes an interpretive centre, carving sheds, theatre, and art school.

See old haida village sites and speak with Haida Watchmen

During our travels south, into Gwaii Haanas, we visit the old village sites of Skedans, Tahnoo, Sgang Gwaay, (a World Heritage Site), and also Gandll K'in, (Hot Springs Island). In each of these sites, Haida Watchmen will greet and share with us the life and culture of each of these awe inspiring and very spiritual places. You will be able to walk alone on trails through these old villages, and have the time to see, hear, and smell, all that makes these sacred places so special!

Unique flora and fauna: a bird watcher's ‘Eden’

Because Haida Gwaii has been separated from the British Columbia mainland for so long and much of the land escaped the last ice age, there exist many unique and genetically different species that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada. Even the larger Black Bears found here are genetically different from their relatives on the mainland. The Queen Charlotte Islands are a bird watchers 'eden': you may see tufted puffins, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, murrelets, shearwaters, cormorants, oyster catchers, some of which only come on land tonest in the summer and spend the rest of their lives at sea.

Whale watching

Whaling was once an important industry in the islands. Those days are thankfully long gone and the whales have returned, and the whale watching is great! Off the southern islands, we have often found ourselves surrounded by large groups of Humpbacks - as many as 50 whales! Minke and Fin whales are often seen, as well as Dahl's porpoises and pacific white sided dolphins, who love to join our cruise for a ride on our bow wave.

A close-up of the prolific marine life

A "float" through Burnaby narrows in the Zodiac or kayaks, at nearly low tide is one of the highlights of every ocean trip. Below you, in the tidal channel stretches an endless carpet of sea life: tiny bat stars, small to huge sun stars, anemones, sea cucumbers, clams of every description, mussels, some tiny, and some the size of your hand, clinging to the seaweed drenched rocks, colourful red turban snails and huge moon snails. Hermit and rock crabs scurry along the colourful bottom looking for their next meal.

Relaxation at its finest

A trip to the hot springs is always welcome! Take a shower in the bath house and walk the seaside trails in search of the perfect hot pool. Once in, you'll not only be soaking up the warmth, but the ocean vistas that stretch out before you!

Join our Queen Charlotte Islands Motor Yacht Cruise!