Haida Gwaii

With deep moss-covered rainforest and ancestral village sites, Haida Gwaii can feel ethereal.

As of July 1, 2021, Haida Gwaii is open for recreational travel. Before arriving on the islands, visitors are strongly encouraged to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge and learn how to travel to Haida Gwaii respectfully. Visitors are also strongly encouraged to arrive fully vaccinated.

Haida Gwaii is the ancestral territory of the Haida Nation. This storm battered archipelago of 150 rocky islands off British Columbia’s West Coast is tricky to access at times, which only adds to its allure. With its diverse plant and animal life (the area is nicknamed Canada’s Galapagos), and monumental poles and longhouses, there is something new to learn for everyone. 

The islands are home to dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and some of the world’s richest heritage, home to more than 500 archeological sites. Haida Gwaii’s climate produces lush vegetation and abundant wildlife. Groups of Sitka deer feed on the grassy clearings along Highway 16 (the Queen Charlotte Highway), and eagles—often in large convocations—can be seen flying overhead in spring and summer.