About the Experience
The untamed and unbelievable beauty of Haida Gwaii is transcendental. At the edge of the world, this storm-battered area is an ecologically and archaeologically significant landscape of 100 islands, old-growth forest, rugged headlands, and protected passageways sandwiched between towering mountains. Setting sail with the Wild Women on our Haida Gwaii Sailing Adventure is the perfect way to reset and feel restored in the west coast wilderness.
Haida Gwaii is home to the resilient Haida, whose name for the southern islands, Gwaii Haanas, appropriately translates as “islands of beauty” or “place of wonder”.
The archipelago is also known as ‘Canada’s Galapagos’ as the islands are bursting with life above and below the giant Sitkas and cedars. More than 500 archaeological sites are found here–the longhouse remains and ghostly carved poles wooed celebrated Canadian artist Emily Carr long ago.
Guided by Haida Watchmen who play an instrumental role in the stewardship of the Coastal First Nations (ensuring sustainable tourism and protection of precious natural resources), we’ll journey into the mystical wilderness and remarkable history of the ancient Haida villages that dot the shoreline of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. Small ship travel through this unforgettable landscape allows us to voyage to intimate places only accessible by boat or charter float plane.
Theories suggest that parts of Haida Gwaii escaped the last ice age, creating a glacial sanctuary for plants and animals. This enlightened thinking helps explain the presence of plant species and subspecies of birds, fish and mammals found nowhere else in the world. We will have eight beautifully suspended days to explore the evolution, oddities and marvels of Haida Gwaii.
These islands are an isolated archipelago, difficult to reach and rarely visited. We will anchor in secluded bays and via inflatable Zodiacs, pull up to the shoreline to walk on footprint-less beaches. We might find a few Japanese glass fishing floats that have washed ashore after years of drifting.
If you’re seeking a powerfully educational, spiritual, cultural, biodiverse experience, the Haida Gwaii Sailing Adventure is custom designed for you. Don’t let this ship sail without you!
The Island Odyssey is a 68-foot ketch, originally built as a luxurious private yacht in 1984. She completed a major renovation in 2003 to update the cabins and all safety systems and features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 2 hot showers and a comfortable salon with a natural history library. On deck, the large deckhouse offers the perfect spot to scan for whales, otters and a convocation of eagles.
About the Experience
The untamed and unbelievable beauty of Haida Gwaii is transcendental. At the edge of the world, this storm-battered area is an ecologically and archaeologically significant landscape of 100 islands, old-growth forest, rugged headlands, and protected passageways sandwiched between towering mountains. Setting sail with the Wild Women on our Haida Gwaii Sailing Adventure is the perfect way to reset and feel restored in the west coast wilderness.
Haida Gwaii is home to the resilient Haida, whose name for the southern islands, Gwaii Haanas, appropriately translates as “islands of beauty” or “place of wonder”.
The archipelago is also known as ‘Canada’s Galapagos’ as the islands are bursting with life above and below the giant Sitkas and cedars. More than 500 archaeological sites are found here–the longhouse remains and ghostly carved poles wooed celebrated Canadian artist Emily Carr long ago.
Guided by Haida Watchmen who play an instrumental role in the stewardship of the Coastal First Nations (ensuring sustainable tourism and protection of precious natural resources), we’ll journey into the mystical wilderness and remarkable history of the ancient Haida villages that dot the shoreline of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. Small ship travel through this unforgettable landscape allows us to voyage to intimate places only accessible by boat or charter float plane.
Theories suggest that parts of Haida Gwaii escaped the last ice age, creating a glacial sanctuary for plants and animals. This enlightened thinking helps explain the presence of plant species and subspecies of birds, fish and mammals found nowhere else in the world. We will have eight beautifully suspended days to explore the evolution, oddities and marvels of Haida Gwaii.
These islands are an isolated archipelago, difficult to reach and rarely visited. We will anchor in secluded bays and via inflatable Zodiacs, pull up to the shoreline to walk on footprint-less beaches. We might find a few Japanese glass fishing floats that have washed ashore after years of drifting.
If you’re seeking a powerfully educational, spiritual, cultural, biodiverse experience, the Haida Gwaii Sailing Adventure is custom designed for you. Don’t let this ship sail without you!
The Island Odyssey is a 68-foot ketch, originally built as a luxurious private yacht in 1984. She completed a major renovation in 2003 to update the cabins and all safety systems and features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 2 hot showers and a comfortable salon with a natural history library. On deck, the large deckhouse offers the perfect spot to scan for whales, otters and a convocation of eagles.
ARRIVAL DAY
Plan to arrive in Sandspit on July 8th (2023) and July 16th (2024) and take a taxi to the Northern Shores Lodge (the taxi transfer and hotel is included in your trip package). There is a restaurant conveniently located at the Lodge or you may opt to use the on-site BBQs or picnic area on the property. There is a Super Valu grocery store 2 km (1.2 miles) from the hotel where you can pick up your fixings of your fancy. Or, stretch your legs and wander down to Sandspit Harbour (2.2 km / 1.4 miles). There are very few restaurants in this area – be sure to check their hours online upon arrival!
Meals Included: None
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Northern Shores Lodge
DAY ONE: NATURE WELCOMES YOU
We’ll begin the day with an a la carte breakfast, and then meet in front of the Northern Shores Lodge in Sandspit. Our shuttle bus driver/guide will introduce us to Haida Gwaii on a land tour. At the ferry landing at Alliford Bay, we’ll take the ferry crossing to Skidegate Landing on Graham Island. Of the more than 200 magical islands that make up Haida Gwaii, two islands comprise the majority of the land mass; Graham Island to the north (the largest of the archipelago) and Moresby Island to the south.
Our first stop will be the renowned Haida Heritage Centre Kay Llnagaay on Graham Island for an insightful guided tour followed by a traditional Haida lunch at Keenawii’s Kitchen, hosted by a local Haida family from Skidegate. Following lunch, we’ll have time for a short walk at Spirit Lake before catching the ferry to Moresby Island. The shuttle will transport our group (along the only road!) to where the vessel will be waiting. We will be travelling on an active logging road which can sometimes result in a bumpy ride! As we bump along we’ll scan the edge of the forest for things that go bump in the night: black bears and Sitka deer!
At Moresby Camp, we will board the Island Odyssey and meet the seasoned crew. The old logging site at Moresby Camp is the closest road access to Gwaii Haanas National Park and doubles as a kayak departure point for those venturing into the park by paddle.
Cabins will be assigned and everyone will participate in an introductory and safety orientation with dinner to follow. No dessert unless you can successfully demonstrate how to tie a clove hitch or monkey fist knot! Bonus if you know how to twist a boat shoe tassel knot!
We’ll spend our first evening anchored nearby under the shimmer of the night sky and will depart early the next morning into the waters that have so many paint colours named after them (Benjamin Moore Pacific Rim, Pacific Teal and Deep Ocean to name a few). Destination: Southern Moresby Island to explore the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Island Odyssey
DAY TWO-SEVEN: SAIL AWAY
If you were going to create a dream from scratch, this is it. The agenda will revolve around 24/7 wildlife observation, birdwatching, shore excursions and marveling at the magnificence of the ancient Haida villages and skyscraper-high old-growth forest. We’ll follow creeks and shorelines and return to child-like amusement, poking around intertidal zones with no timeline.
We’ll spend our time hugging the eastern and southern shores of Moresby Island on high alert for humpback whales, porpoise, sea lions, orca and if we are lucky, fin whales. Blue, sperm, minke, sei, gray, fin, humpback and killer whales (orca) all historically frequented these waters. Local whaling severely affected these populations in the 1900’s. However, humpback and fin whale populations are rebounding!
In early summer, several thousand Steller sea lions congregate at Cape St. James (at the southern tip of Haida Gwaii) to mate and give birth to their pups. It is quite a marvelous sight and is a stellar Steller moment.
We will cross our fingers to safely cross paths with a Haida Gwaii black bear foraging along the shoreline. A myriad of intertidal creatures found in these nutrient-rich waters attract the bears who enjoy a seafood buffet of crabs and barnacles. Eleven mammal species are native to Gwaii Haanas: pine marten, river otter, Haida ermine, dusky shrew, silver-haired bat, California myotis (a vesper bat), Keen’s myotis (bat), the little brown bat and deer mice. Not so fun fact: the eleventh species, the Dawson caribou, became extinct in 1908.
For the birders on board, you’ll be able to check dozens of species off your life list like the rhinoceros auklet, ancient murrelet, tufted puffin, horned puffin, Cassin’s auklet, pigeon guillemot, Leach’s storm petrel and fork-tailed storm petrel. Common murres, black oystercatchers and pelagic cormorants, bald eagles and Peale’s peregrine falcons also nest along the coastline. Eat your heart out—an estimated 1.5 millions seabirds nest along the shorelines of Haida Gwaii! The islands are also a critical landing zone for those travelling the Pacific flyway. Migrating birds stop here in spring and fall en masse. The concentration of bald eagle nests along the Haida Gwaii coast is second only to Admiralty Island in Alaska.
With our expert onboard naturalist, we will investigate intertidal areas in search of sea stars, giant barnacles, mussels, clams, snails, urchins, crabs, sponges, chitons, sea cucumbers, nudibranchs and other curious creatures.
We’ll visit the old Haida village and iconic totem poles of SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. If weather permits, we will visit Windy Bay (the name says it all). This is where the first pole was raised in 130 years to honour the 20th anniversary of the Gwaii Haanas Agreement to protect the natural and marine resources in 2013. Among the southern islands are many ancient villages – K’uuna (Skedans), Cumshewa, T’annu and SGang Gwaay (Ninstints). These sites contain the remains of the great longhouses and the best remaining examples of carved poles in the world.
We will spend each evening in different secluded anchorages. On our daily shore or small boat excursions, our genius onboard naturalist will help identify the unique coastal plants, animals, birds and marine life. Ever seen a banana slug? Interested participants can contribute to curating a species list for the trip.
You will have time to explore the sheltered coastline using sea kayaks as well! At night, the overhead show has more stars than the Cannes Festival!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Island Odyssey
DAY EIGHT: ONWARDS
The trip will finish late in the morning with a big sigh. We will disembark the vessel before noon at Moresby Camp. From there, your Wild Women crew will be shuttled back to Sandspit Airport (YZP).
You can expect to arrive in Sandspit by midday which allows for time to reminisce, laugh and carry on a little longer with your new friends at Shingle Bay Bistro at the Sandspit Airport before your flight to Vancouver.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!Sandspit is accessed directly by scheduled air service from Vancouver, BC and by ferry service from Prince Rupert via Skidegate on Graham Island.
Two ways to arrive into Sandspit:
- By Air
Flying into Sandspit Airport (YZP) is usually the easiest way to arrive. Sandspit Airport is within a 15-minute walk of most local accommodations.
Air Canada services Sandspit from Vancouver on a daily basis.
- By Car/Ferry
The ferry from Prince Rupert takes about seven hours to cross Hecate Strait before arriving at Skidegate Landing on Graham Island. Once at Skidegate Landing one must take a second BC Ferry to Alliford Bay on Moresby Island, about a 20-minute voyage. Sandspit is a 15-kilometre drive east from this ferry terminal.
To get to Prince Rupert, one can also take a BC Ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island up the Inside Passage.
Upon arrival in Sandspit on July 8, 2023, Gwaii Taxi will be providing guests with transport from the Sandspit Airport to their lodging at Northern Shores. We have made them aware of our guest and crew arrivals in advance, but limited cars and drivers in Sandspit may result in people having to wait to be transported. Gwaii Taxi drivers will be located inside the tiny Sandspit Airport near baggage retrieval, awaiting the arrival of the flight. Please introduce yourself as a Bluewater and/or WWE guest who is going to Northern Shores. The service is included in trip fees. If difficulties are encountered, please call the Bluewater office (toll-free 1-888-877-1770 | 604-980-3800) or the Gwaii Taxi driver – 250-637-1162.
Group Rendezvous Point
- Date: July 9, 2023
- Time: approximately 8:15 AM
- Location: In front of the Northern Shores Lodge (455 Beach Rd, Sandspit, BC V0T 1T0, Canada)
Notes about Meet Up on Day 1 of Sailing Trip on July 9th
We’ll begin the day with an a la carte breakfast (7:00-7:30 AM) then the group will meet in front of the Inn where your guide/bus driver will greet you for your Haida Gwaii land tour at 8:15 AM. Please be sure to check out of your hotel room with luggage in hand, prior to this time.
- Seaport Bed & Breakfast
- Bay View Garden Oceanfront Guesthouse
- Northern Shores Lodge (Address: 455 Beach Rd, Sandspit, BC). If you wish to book additional nights before or after the WWE trip, please contact the Lodge directly: (250) 637-2233.
Drop-Off Point:
- Date: July 16, 2023
- Time: Midday
- Location: Sandspit Airport (YZP)
If you are staying additional nights in Sandspit, you can be dropped off at your accommodation.
- Seaport Bed & Breakfast
- Bay View Garden Oceanfront Guesthouse
- Northern Shores Lodge at 455 Beach Rd, Sandspit, BC V0T 1T0, Canada
Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:
Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel Travel Specialist
Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
- Passport
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
US citizens at land and sea borders have other options, such as an enhanced driver’s license, permanent resident card or NEXUS card. See Canada Border Services for approved identification documents.
- Visa
Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter Canada. Those who are exempt require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA; $7 USD), with the exception of Americans. This must be applied for prior to traveling and can be completed online. It usually takes minutes but can take days. See how to apply Electronic Travel Authorization.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
Please note that gratuities for your breakfast on Day 1 and at your Haida lunch at Keenawaii’s Kitchen are included in your trip fees.
In British Columbia, it is customary to leave a tip to thank waiters and other service providers. At restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, it is customary to leave 10% of the total amount of the bill; if the service was very good, you may wish to leave up to 15%. However, on the trip, all of your meals are included and there is no need to tip for this service.
- Rooming Arrangements
Our trip prices are based on a twin share (two women per room/cabin), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner. No single rooms are available on this adventure.
- Potable Water
Tap water in Sandspit is potable unless otherwise posted. Potable water will be provided to you while sailing.
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
- Island Odyssey
A certified Canadian Ministry of Transport passenger vessel, Island Odyssey has all of the safety equipment, electronic navigation aids, and features you would expect from a vessel of her standard.
All of the cabins have adequate storage space for your bags, personal items and jackets. Coat hangers and life jackets are stowed in every cabin for your convenience. There is electricity in each room, so you can charge your camera batteries and enjoy a reading light as you relax in the evening.
There are 4 double cabins (2 beds for two people sharing one cabin) and 2 cabins with a double bed which can be used for couples or a private upgrade (single).
Bluewater Adventures’ SV Island Odyssey
- Northern Shores Lodge
Northern Shores Lodge is a 15-minute walk from Damaxyaa Heritage Conservancy and 20 minutes from Sandspit Harbour. Your room includes coffee/tea making facilities while a toaster, additional coffee and tea making facilities and a microwave oven are provided in a kitchenette. Bathrooms include guest toiletries and walk-in showers.
Sea views can be enjoyed from the property.
Driving from Sandspit airport takes 5 minutes. There is a special menu and children’s menu available for guests with children. Highlights at this lodge include entertainment activities, a summer terrace and a sun deck.
Luggage is stored in the back of the van and potentially on top in a secure, storage container. During your land tour, the bus will be taking paved roads. The longest we travel during the land tour is from Northern Shores to the Alliford Bay ferry terminal which is about 20 minutes.
At the end of your land tour, you will take the same passenger van along a logging road to Moresby Camp to meet your awaiting ship and crew. Although the dirt road is maintained by the logging companies, it can be sometimes a bumpy ride. The drive out to Moresby Camp is usually about an hour and will be the most extreme driving on the trip. In taking our time, guests can keep an eye out for wildlife, often seen on our drives to and from Moresby Camp.
Of all the destinations Bluewater travels to, Haida Gwaii provides us with the most opportunities to explore ashore. Guests can expect to be onshore anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours and thus should be able to stand and walk for that amount of time. We do not travel far during our shore excursions – a few kilometres at most – and guests should expect a variety of trail conditions, anywhere from flat, maintained, forest paths to undulating and unkept rainforest exploration which could include unsteady footing or stepping over fallen logs. We will also venture into estuaries and rocky islets aboard our zodiacs or in kayaks, for those who are interested in a paddle. Guests should expect to be getting in and out of the zodiacs at least once a day. This includes getting in/out from the boat as well as in/out on shore. Unloading onto shore could include bigger steps down, stepping onto slippery rocks, or stepping out in wavy conditions. Assistance will always be provided. When coming back onto the boat, guests should be able to pull themselves up onto what we call the ‘swim grid’ with the assistance of a Bluewater crew member’s arm or on their own with the ladder hand rails.
Although most of your trip expenses are covered in your trip fees, there are some additional costs that are not, i.e., meals on your arrival day are not included and lunch and dinner on the last day is not included. There is a cash machine located at Super Valu, but most shops and restaurants in Sandspit (K’il Kun) accept debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Cash is not required onboard the vessel unless you would like to provide your crew gratuity or purchase merchandise in cash.
- Currency Exchange Offices & Banks
Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.
Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense.
Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.
Getting Fit
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.
This is a ‘soft adventure’ trip: participants need to be amenable to live in the relatively close quarters of a motor-sailor yacht, healthy and fit enough to enjoy the long, fairly active days in the outdoors, able to navigate along slippery shorelines and the uneven terrain of coastal forests, and capable to climb in and out of our zodiacs. As such, a certain amount of agility is necessary to enjoy the trip and not impact the enjoyment of other guests.
You’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
- Take every opportunity you can to be active.
You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!
- Rev up your ticker!
Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.
- Join a local walking or running group.
This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.
- Work on your upper body and core strength.
Weight lifting, yoga and pilates can help with this.
- Warm up, cool down and stretch.
If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
- Hydration.
When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
- Nutrition.
Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
- Have fun!
The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.
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BOOK NOW -
Starting At$9,495Deposit$995Duration9 DAYS
- 🇨🇦CAD PRICEFOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES MAY APPLY
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What's Included
- Accommodation: 1 night in Sandspit (hotel) pre-trip, 7 nights aboard the Island Odyssey
- Transportation to Skidegate by charter van, ferry
- Engaging tour of the Haida Gwaii Museum and Qay’llnagaay Heritage Centre
- Traditional Haida lunch, all meals from breakfast on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8
- Seasoned Captain, talented chef, awesome crew, expert naturalist
- Applicable permit and Parks user fees
- Sustainability fees
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price