WHERE TO STAY?
Visitor Info
The Place
Haida Gwaii ("Islands of the People") is one of Canada's undiscovered treasures. Located off the northwest coast of British Columbia it is as far west in Canada as you can go. It is the home and traditional territory of the Haida First Nation .
There are two main islands: Moresby Island, in the south, and Graham Island, in the north. The people who live on the islands are a closely knit group of First Nations and non-Indians. There are several communities: Old Massett (the main village of Old Massett First Nation), Masset, Port Clements, Tlell, Skidegate (the main village of the Skidegate First Nation), Queen Charlotte City and Sandspit. All but Sandspit are connected by the main road on Graham Island. Sandspit is located on Morseby Island. A small ferry travels regularly between Sandspit and Queen Charlotte City.
Haida Gwaii has a mystique and beauty all its own.
Getting There
You can get to Haida Gwaii by air or by boat.
Air Canada has daily flights from Vancouver to Sandspit. From the airport at Sandspit you can either rent a car or take the local airporter. You then catch the ferry over to Queen Charlotte City and Skidegate on Graham Island.
Pacific Coastal Air flies daily from Vancouver to Masset. You can rent a car to travel up and down the island from Massett. There is no bus or airporter from the Massett airport.
North Pacific Seaplanes is a small airline which flies from Prince Rupert to Masset and Queen Charlotte City.
There will also be a charter flight from Vancouver. Seating is limited and the dates for travel are restricted. If you are interested, please contact us.
There are two ferry routes to Skidegate. One departs from Prince Rupert, the other departs from Port Hardy, on northern Vancouver Island and goes first to Prince Rupert and then to Skidgate Landing. Please check the B.C. Ferries website for schedules.
Accommodation
The Totem to Totem Marathon starts and ends at the totem poles outside the Kaay 'llnagaay Heritage Centre, locally known as the Kaay Centre, at second beach in Skidegate. The Kaay Centre is located about 2.5 km south of the main Skidegate Village and about 6 km north of Queen Charlotte City.
It is recommended that for the marathon you find accommodation near Skidegate and Queen Charlotte City and do not go any further north than Tlell, which is 34 km from Skidegate. The villages of Old Massett (108 km), the Village of Masset (100 km) and Port Clements (60 km) are all some distance north of the start line.
There are a few hotels and many Bed and Breakfasts between Queen Charlotte City and Tlell, as well as campgrounds, but accommodation is limited. Please check out the the Visitors Centre as they have the best list of places to stay.
Other Notes
Gwaii Haanas National Park and the Haida Heritage Site are located on Haida Gwaii. Both of these places are jointly protected under federal and Haida legislation. The opportunity to visit them is restricted and arrangements must be made in advance. For more information check with Parks Canada .