Most of our trips begin and end in the town of Sandspit, which is located on Haida Gwaii - a remote archipelago off the northwest coast of British Columbia, Canada. The region was previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.
There are numerous transportation options for your journey to Haida Gwaii. Options include travel by air, sea, train, bus, or car.
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 provides direct flights between Vancouver and 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 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.
Air Canada provides flights directly to Sandspit from Vancouver BC. We suggest making flight reservations as early as possible; the small planes serving this route sometimes sell out. It's also best to reconfirm your seat assignment a few days before the flight and check-in early.
Pacific Coastal Airlines provides scheduled service to Masset (on the north end of Haida Gwaii), where you can rent a car or hire a taxi.
Alternatively, 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.
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).
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.
There is bus service to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, where you can catch a ferry to Prince Rupert and then transfer to a ferry bound for Haida Gwaii.
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.