2027 DATES ARE LIVE | NEW FOR 2027: 8-DAY SOUTHERN SG̲ANG G̲WAAY̲ | NEW: LEVEL 6 SURGE DRY PANT ADD-ON - PADDLE IN THE GEAR OUR GUIDES WEAR & RECOMMEND
The Kunghit Challenge is the most demanding and committing expedition offered by Butterfly Tours. TOUR COMING 2028: Please send us an email with details about your kayaking experience, whether you own a drysuit, and whether you’re interested in joining the trip. We vet all guests for the Kunghit Challenge to ensure everyone is prepared for the demands of this expedition. We recommend that guests have previously completed either our Great Bear Rainforest or 8-day Southern Gwaii Haanas trip. The Kunghit Challenge is an Expert Level expedition and requires strong sea kayaking skills and experience in remote coastal environments as you can see from our video below.
Over 10 days, our goal is to circumnavigate Kunghit Island, travelling through the remote southern reaches of Gwaii Haanas and along some of the most spectacular outer coastline in Haida Gwaii. This is not a typical kayaking holiday with a guaranteed route, predictable campsites or a fixed daily itinerary. It is a genuine expedition where the ocean, weather and conditions play an active role in every decision we make.
The route takes us into exposed Pacific waters where swell, wind, currents and surf can create challenging paddling conditions. We may encounter long open-water crossings, committing headlands, complex landings and launches, surf zones and extended periods where we wait for conditions to become suitable for travel.
Our intention is to complete the circumnavigation, but the full route is never guaranteed. Good expedition decision-making means being willing to change plans, wait for weather, turn around or choose a different objective when conditions demand it.
For the right paddler, however, the rewards are extraordinary.
Kunghit Island and the surrounding outer coast offer an exceptional wilderness experience. Remote beaches stretch between ancient rainforest and the Pacific Ocean, while cliffs, sea stacks, offshore islands and surge channels create a dramatic and constantly changing coastline. Wildlife encounters can include humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, albatross and large concentrations of seabirds, with the possibility of experiencing long stretches of coastline with little sign of human presence.
This expedition is for paddlers who understand that sometimes the best part of an adventure is not knowing exactly what each day will bring.
The Kunghit Challenge is designed for strong, experienced sea kayakers with previous multi-day expedition experience.
You should be comfortable spending full days in your kayak, travelling and camping in remote locations and managing your personal equipment throughout a multi-day expedition. You should also have experience paddling in exposed coastal environments and understand that conditions can change quickly.
This is not a trip that requires you to be fearless or an elite athlete. However, you do need to arrive with solid paddling skills, good fitness, sound judgement and an honest understanding of your own abilities.
The Kunghit Challenge takes place in a Class IV sea kayaking environment.
The southern and western shores of Kunghit Island are influenced by the open Pacific Ocean. Depending on the weather, paddlers may experience significant swell, wind-driven waves, confused seas, strong currents and surf conditions.
Potential conditions may include:
Conditions will vary throughout the expedition, and participants will not necessarily encounter all of these environments. However, everyone joining the trip must have previous experience paddling in challenging coastal conditions and understand that significant conditions are possible.
This is not the place to experience large swell, surf or highly exposed coastal paddling for the first time. We ask that guests have drysuits and their own kayaking gear for this type of expedition.
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Trip Essentials (PDF)
You should be comfortable with:
A positive expedition mindset is just as important as technical ability. This trip is best suited to paddlers who can remain patient, adaptable and engaged when conditions change.
The coastline will not always give us what we planned for. The ability to adapt, contribute to the group and enjoy the experience regardless of the final route is an important part of what makes this expedition successful.
We will try to reschedule or refund. Please check our terms & conditions for more information.
Our adventure begins at the crack of dawn in Sandspit, British Columbia. Guests will be picked up from Seaport B&B or any other preferred accommodation in Sandspit at 7:30 am, ready for an invigorating one-hour van ride to Moresby Camp. Afterward, we'll board a remarkable zodiac-style speedboat which will take us on a three hour ride to the southernmost part of Gwaii Haanas.
As the afternoon approaches, we draw closer to the charming town of Rose Harbour, and excitement builds. Nestled across from Rose Harbour lies the starting point of our extraordinary kayaking expedition. Here, we partake in a kayak and camp orientation while immersing ourselves in the captivating atmosphere of this historical town. Rose Harbour's captivating location serves as an excellent launch pad for our exploration and subsequent journey towards the South end of Kunghit Island where the notorious Cape St. James is.
After our first night in Rose Harbour, we begin preparing for the expedition ahead. Once the group and guides are ready, we launch into the southern waters surrounding Kunghit Island and begin our journey toward the exposed outer coast.
The first days of the expedition allow us to settle into expedition life, establish our group rhythm and begin reading the conditions that will shape our journey around the island.
We continue exploring the rugged southern reaches of Kunghit Island, travelling between remote beaches and exposed sections of coastline.
Depending on conditions, this may be a significant travel day as we work toward the outer coast. We remain flexible, choosing campsites and objectives based on the weather and the conditions available to us.
Our expedition moves onto the spectacular west coast of Kunghit Island, where the open Pacific Ocean meets one of Haida Gwaii's most dramatic shorelines.
Sea stacks, cliffs, surge channels and wild beaches define this section of the journey. This is one of the most committing parts of the expedition, and our progress will depend entirely on the weather and sea state.
We continue north or south along the outer coast as conditions allow, exploring one of the most remote and wildlife-rich sections of the expedition.
This may be a long travel day if a favourable weather window opens, or an opportunity for a double camp and local exploration if conditions keep us in place. Wildlife sightings may include humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, seabirds and other marine life.
As the expedition continues, we work toward the southern waters surrounding SGang Gwaay.
This section may involve some of the most exposed paddling of the trip, including open-water travel and challenging headlands. The conditions will determine whether we continue along the intended route, wait for a better opportunity or adjust our expedition plan.
If conditions and our route allow, we reach SGang Gwaay Llnagaay, one of Haida Gwaii's most important cultural sites.
We take time to visit and experience this remarkable place while continuing to explore the surrounding waters. Depending on our timing, weather and Watchmen schedules, this may be a travel day, a day of exploration or an opportunity to establish camp nearby and spend more time in the area.
After reaching the southern waters of the expedition, we begin making our way back toward the more protected eastern side of Kunghit Island.
The coastline, currents and conditions continue to shape our route as we travel through remote wilderness toward Rose Harbour. Depending on the progress made earlier in the expedition, this day may involve significant travel or a more relaxed pace exploring the coastline.
Our final full day on the water brings us back toward Rose Harbour, completing our journey around Kunghit Island if conditions have allowed us to follow the full circumnavigation.
We return to the harbour with time to reflect on the expedition, celebrate the journey and enjoy our final night together in this historic and remote corner of Haida Gwaii.
Over eight days of paddling, our route may take us around the entire island—or lead us somewhere completely different. That is the nature of the Kunghit Challenge: the expedition is guided by preparation and experience, but ultimately shaped by the coast itself.
On the final day of your kayak journey, enjoy a leisurely breakfast while reminiscing on the incredible experiences you've had. Excitement fills the air as the speedboat pulls up to the Rose Harbour area, ready to whisk you and your group away to Sandspit. If conditions allow, you may even get to journey back through Burnaby Narrows. After a day of adventure, you'll be returned to your cozy Seaport B&B - or another Sandspit accommodation of your choosing.
This year, we are excited to partner with Raincoast Breads in Sandspit for our farewell dinner. As the first Canadian establishment permitted to use foraged wild ingredients, this exquisite dining experience is an extraordinary way to conclude your Haida Gwaii adventure, and it is already included in your tour package.
This tour involves eight days of kayaking, and some of those days, we paddle in swell that can be 1-2 meters. We 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. However, we appreciate the universal benefits nature has on every one of us. 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.