Participants are requested to arrive in Sandspit at least one day prior to trip departure and make return travel arrangements for the day following the trip, or later.
Guests are encouraged to enjoy additional days on the Queen Charlotte Islands before and/or after their kayak tour. 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 additional travel opportunities on the Charlottes, including visits to museums, beach hiking, fishing and exploring the Islands' communities. We highly recommend the new Haida Heritage Centre at Qay'llnagaay - the focal point of Haida culture in Skidegate.
Numerous transportation options exist for your journey to the Queen Charlotte Islands:
Travel by Air
Air Canada Jazz provides daily flights from Vancouver BC to Sandspit.
Pacific Coastal Airlines, Hawkair and West Coast Resorts may provide discounted seasonal flights from Vancouver to the Queen Charlotte Islands.
Alternately, enjoy a short flight from Vancouver to Port Hardy, then take ferries to the Queen Charlotte Islands:
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 the Queen Charlotte Islands - between Prince Rupert and Skidegate, with a connection to Alliford Bay (near Sandspit).
Phone BC Ferries toll free: 1 888 223-3779 or 250 386-3431
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 the Charlottes.
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 the Charlottes.)
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 the Charlottes.
Travel by Car
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 requires advance reservations. There is free parking at Seaport B&B in Sandspit.
For air ticketing, trip cancellation insurance, travel medical insurance and other tour arrangements, you are welcome to contact our preferred travel agent:
Great Expeditions
1 800 663-3364
tours@greatexpeditions.com
Accommodation in Sandspit
Guests will require accommodation in Sandspit before and after the tour. We recommend Seaport Bed & Breakfast.
Guests are picked up by taxi at Seaport B&B on the first day of the kayak tour. If you are lodging elsewhere, please be sure to arrive at Seaport B&B in time for the taxi departure.
Accommodation in Sandspit is limited, especially on weekends; we encourage you to make reservations as soon as possible.
Alternate Accommodation in Sandspit
Captain Ron's Guest House & Hostel
The Inn at Sandspit
Accommodation on Graham Island
If you're interested in exploring other regions of the Queen Charlotte Islands before and/or after your kayak tour, recommended accommodation options are listed below. It is generally advisable to stay in Sandspit the night before and the night after your kayak tour. (Guests may depart early on the first day and/or return late on the last day of the tour.)
