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Queen Charlotte Islands
- Haida Gwaii
Queen Charlotte Adventures Eco Tours by Boat, Sea Kayak, Land 100% Locally Owned |
2008
2008
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Kayak Tours Need More Information?
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About Queen Charlotte Adventures
Queen Charlotte Adventures offers educational tours specializing in cultural and natural history. Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands is our only area of operations and our passion! We are committed to keeping the adventure in the wilderness as well as augmenting these experiences with a high level of natural and cultural history interpretation. We do tours by kayak, boat, as well providing land tours by van . We also offer accommodation and just about any other tour type activity you might want to do on the Islands. Where Are They? The Queen Charlotte Islands are located about 128 kilometers off the northwest coast of British Columbia and 720 km north of Vancouver. The Islands consist of two main islands and a myriad of some 150 smaller islands. The Islands are also known as Haida Gwaii, a Haida word which loosely translated means "place of wonder."
How Do I Get There? Air Canada offers two direct flights daily from Vancouver in the summer season. Flight time is approx. 1hr 55 min. (Note: Queen Charlotte Adventures is now partnered with Air Canada and through our Vancouver agent can guarantee the lowest fares inbound to Vancouver and Vancouver to Sandspit for clients with a QCA confirmation #.) The BC Ferry Corporation offers service from Vancouver via the Inside Passage - approximately 30 hours (included is a 6-hour drive by road between Nanaimo and Port Hardy). A good highway system connects Vancouver and Prince Rupert - approximately 22 hours direct driving time - where the BC Ferry system is again available for a 6-hour sail to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Seaplane service is offered daily between Prince Rupert and either Queen Charlotte or Masset by Harbour Air. Flight time approximately 50 minutes. On Island Transportation? There is no public on-island transportation system but there are taxi services and an airport limousine service that are available to meet ferry and airplane arrivals. If you are arriving on the islands by plane, the airport limo is parked outside the Sandspit Airport Arrivals area for each flight. For $18 CDN, this service will take you to your hotel in Queen Charlotte. If you are arriving by ferry, taxis wait at the terminal and take people on a first come first serve basis. If no taxi is waiting please call from the pay phones located inside the terminal building and one will arrive shortly-price is from $8-$12 Car rentals are available through Budget, Tilden, Thrifty and Rustic Rental. Car rental agencies are small so book in advance to ensure availability. Since there is only 120 kilometers of paved highway on-island, your rental agencies will want to know if you plan to drive on logging roads. There may be some restrictions on the type of vehicle they will rent for this purpose. Accommodation? Accommodation on the Queen Charlottes is limited. Most establishments are small and tend toward family inns and B&B’s. There are a limited number of places that can take more than 12 guests, so book in advance so that you will not be left without a place to sleep. We own and operate Spruce Point Lodge in Queen Charlotte and, of course, highly recommend its services and location at Spruce Point on Bearskin Bay. Call direct - 250 559 8234. Eateries? Restaurants are small and for the most part cafe type. There are several restaurants in each of the larger communities with bills of fare ranging from seafood to pizza. There are very few ethnic eateries. We find that vegetarians and those on special diets may have some difficulty in sticking to those diets so again, plan ahead if special foods are absolutely necessary. Shopping?Shopping is limited and, for the big-city visitor, often expensive. Luxury or specialty items are hard to come by. There is a good range of groceries and some clothing, sporting goods and the like. Our galleries and native arts are the exception to this rule however. There is a good selection of these items available and a thriving arts and craft scene that is totally Charlotte. Banking Services? The only financial institution on the Islands is the Northern Savings Credit Union. The Credit Union offers banking machine services in Masset, Queen Charlotte, and Sandspit. Please note that there are some VISA cards that are not accepted by these machines and if you will be relying solely on your VISA card, it is wise to get cash before arriving on the Islands. There are a few MasterCards that are not accepted by the machines, but in these cases, cash is accessible over the counter at the Masset and Queen Charlotte branches of the Credit Union. Health Care? There are hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in both Masset and Queen Charlotte. Physicians and emergency services are available in both communities. Climate? Weather is variable and often changes quickly. July-August temperatures generally range between 16-25C (60-70F), evenings are cooler. The water temperature remains closer to 8C (48F) year round. Extended periods of rain are unusual, but possible, and mornings may be foggy. Be prepared for rain and gusty winds on the water and on the beaches. Bring layered clothing for warmth and/or removing as the weather changes. Rain gear and rubber boots are a must. Sunglasses and sun block will come in handy, especially for on-the-water activities where the glare off the water can be intense. Why the Queen Charlottes? The islands are one of the richest biological and cultural areas in North America. Having escaped the last Ice Age and as a result of centuries of isolation, the temperate rain forest thrived and unique creatures and plant life evolved. Some of the largest trees in the world are found in the moss-carpeted forests and it is here that we find culturally modified trees showing evidence of bark stripping, burning, or massive planks having been split off. The Charlottes are a wildlife showcase with thousands of resident seabirds and their predators, the eagles, and falcons. The more fortunate visitors may also sight seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and whales. The islands are also home to 10,000 years of Haida history and village remains. The Haida's were one of the most culturally rich and developed groups of people to inhabit early North America. Incredible stands of original totem poles and remains of massive Longhouses pay silent tribute to the artistry of the Haida. Can I Drive To Gwaii Haanas Park Or To Any Of The Old Village Sites? Both the old village sites and Gwaii Haanas are accessible by air or boat only. There are no rotor or fixed wing landings allowed at any of the village sites in Gwaii Haanas (this includes no fly overs). Most visitors do not realize the distance involved in accessing the old sites, for example, it takes 6 to 12 hours by boat (depending on weather conditions and the capabilities of the boat) to get to SGaang Gwaii (Ninstints). The weather plays a big role in getting to the village sites either by air or water, the waters of the Islands are known to be quick changing and very exposed. Be prepared to change your plans if the weather comes up, the charter operators on the islands are very conscientious and safety orientated and if they say the weather is not good for your trip, listen to them , they know what they are talking about. More Information on Haida Culture: There are some really good photos and information about the Haida and Haida Culture at the website below. Just click and go and have a look. http://www.chin.gc.ca/haidaMore Information on Queen Charlotte City:This is a newly completed site with lots of information about Queen Charlotte City
email us at: mail@queencharlotteadventures.com if you have questions you think should be added to this document.
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