Travel Options
& Sandspit Accommodation
There are numerous transportation options for your journey to Sandspit on Haida Gwaii ~ Queen Charlotte Islands. Options include travel by air, sea, train, bus, or car & ferry.
Depending on which option you choose, traveling to Sandspit can be reasonably economical yet lengthy, or a little more pricey but brief. Few people visit these isolated North Pacific islands; your journey to Haida Gwaii becomes an investment in an uncrowded experience.
Air Canada's direct flights between Vancouver and Sandspit are convenient, although Pacific Coastal Airlines' flights to Masset are generally more economical. (From Masset, you can take a bus or taxi to Sandspit.) There are many more travel options to choose from, including cruising British Columbia's Inside Passage with BC Ferries.
Kayak tour guests and expedition participants are requested to arrive in Sandspit at least one day prior to trip departure and make return travel arrangements for the afternoon of the day following the trip, or later.
Guests are encouraged to enjoy additional days on Haida Gwaii before and after their kayak trip. You may prefer to schedule your arrival two days early, in order to have extra time to deal with the potential for delayed baggage, or missed flight connections.
There are many things to do on Haida Gwaii, including visiting museums, beach hiking, fishing and exploring the Islands' communities. We highly recommend the Haida Heritage Centre - a focal point of Haida culture in Skidegate.
Travel by Air
Air Canada provides daily flights
directly to Sandspit from Vancouver BC.
Alternately, Pacific Coastal Airlines provides scheduled service to Masset (on the north end of Haida Gwaii), where you can take a bus or taxi to Sandspit.
You may prefer to enjoy a short flight from Vancouver to Port Hardy where you can board a ferry to Prince Rupert, with a connection to Haida Gwaii.
Travel by Sea
BC Ferries cruises through the spectacular Inside Passage, from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, to Prince Rupert on the northern mainland coast. BC Ferries also provides service across the Hecate Strait to Haida Gwaii - between Prince Rupert and Skidegate, with a connection to Alliford Bay (near Sandspit).
Travel by Train
VIA Rail provides scenic, connecting service from Vancouver BC and across Canada, to Prince Rupert, where you can catch a ferry to Haida Gwaii.
Amtrak provides rail service to Vancouver BC from many locations in the United States.
Travel by Bus
Greyhound provides connecting service to Prince Rupert from across Canada and the USA. (In Prince Rupert, you can catch a ferry to Haida Gwaii.)
There is also bus service between Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and Port Hardy (on Vancouver Island), where you can catch a ferry to Prince Rupert and then transfer to a ferry bound for Haida Gwaii.
Travel by Car & Ferry
You may prefer to enjoy a scenic drive to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, or through the interior of BC to Prince Rupert. In either of these locations, you may park your car and walk onboard the ferry, or you may drive onboard. With a few extra days, you could enjoy a scenic "circle route" by taking the Inside Passage ferry northward and driving back through the interior of BC.
BC Ferries' northern routes generally require reservations. There is free parking at Seaport B&B in Sandspit.
Sandspit Accommodation
Guests will require accommodation in Sandspit before and after the kayak trip; we recommend Seaport Bed & Breakfast.
Seaport B&B is located on the waterfront, only a 15-minute walk from the Sandspit airport. This establishment is owned and operated by Moresby Explorers; the same company we charter for speedboat transport to Rose Harbour. Guests can store items at Seaport B&B during the kayak trip.
As an alternative, the Moresby Island Guest House and Bayview Garden B&B provide economical lodging nearby. Our groups are picked up by van at Seaport B&B on the morning of the first day of the kayak trip. If you are lodging elsewhere, please be sure to arrive at Seaport B&B in time for the trip departure.
Recommended Sandspit accommodation
- Seaport Bed & Breakfast Sandspit is a small town with limited accommodation options; we encourage you to make reservations as soon as possible.
Alternate Sandspit accommodation
- Moresby Island Guest House; a two minute walk from Seaport B&B.
- Bayview Garden B&B; a five minute walk from Seaport B&B.
Graham Island accommodation
If you are interested in exploring other regions of Haida Gwaii before or after your kayak trip, recommended accommodation options are listed below. Additional options can be found on the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre website. It is generally best to stay in Sandspit the night before and after your kayak trip, as you may depart early on the first day and return late on the last day.
You are welcome to contact Gord if you have any questions.