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Home Haida Gwaii Kayak Hot Springs to Totem Poles

Kayak Hot Springs to Totem Poles

Season(s)
July
Length
11 Days
Level
Easy-Intermediate
Airport
YZP ( via YVR )
50000
Hot Spring on Hotsprings Island Haida Gwaii Kayak Tour
Hot Spring on Hotsprings Island Haida Gwaii Kayak Tour
Haida Gwaii Kayaking Tour Sunset Beach Skincuttle Inlet
Haida Gwaii Kayaking Tour Sunset Beach Skincuttle Inlet
Sea stars at Burnaby Narrows
Sea stars at Burnaby Narrows
Sea stars at Burnaby Narrows
Sea stars at Burnaby Narrows
Haida Gwaii Bald Eagle
Haida Gwaii Bald Eagle

Highlights

An Extend Wilderness Kayaking Trip

This extended paddling trip in Gwaii Haanas Nation Park Reserve includes the broad expanse of Juan Perez and as well as a visit to the beautiful natural hot springs at Gandll K'in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island). Paddling southbound, this remarkable adventure also includes the colorful tapestry of life at K'iid (Burnaby Narrows), the highest density of intertidal life on the planet.
The vista from Hotspring Island

A Natural and Cultural Adventure

The trip culminates with an unforgettable visit to the standing totem poles of SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) and an in-depth interpretive tour conducted by a Haida Watchmen. This itinerary is perfect for anyone desiring an extensive and immersive wilderness experience that leaves little doubt that Gwaii Haanas is genuinely a "Place of Wonder."
Interpretive tour of the totem poles at SGang Gwaay

A Trip Filled with Highlights

Soak in the hot pools of Hotspring Island and take in the sweeping vista from pools. Explore the islands of expansively beautiful Juan Perez Sound. Experience the highest density of inter-tidal life in the world at Burnaby Narrows. Paddle a route rich in wildlife and camp at the sites of ancient villages. Feel the silent power of the standing totem poles at the SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Haida Gwaii black bear foraging on beach.

Haida Gwaii Selected

Haida Gwaii was selected as one of the New York Times "52 PLACES TO GO IN 2020".
"On this isolated archipelago off the coast of British Columbia, you’ll see more bald eagles than people on hiking trails and experience powerful Indigenous sites in near solitude. That’s by design: The Haida First Nations people who live here fiercely protect their natural and cultural resources with sustainable, small-group tourism. Visitors are rewarded with a deep connection to place and people, especially at SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), an extraordinary UNESCO site in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, accessible only by boat." — ARABELLA BOWEN for the NY Times

Itinerary

Arrival

Wednesday - Sandspit

Plan to arrive in Sandspit Airport (YZP) on the northeast tip of Moresby Island the day before the first scheduled day of your trip. Sandspit offers a range of accommodation options, including; a hotel, bed and breakfasts, and several Airbnb's. Explore Sandspit, walk the beach, where bald eagles dot the treetops along the shoreline.
Overnight: Sandspit
Meals: None
Day 1

Sandspit to Gwaii Haanas National Park

At approximately 7:30 AM, the Moresby Explorers will pick you up and drive the group by van to Moresby Camp, a small bay on Cumshuwa Inlet. There, you will board the Moresby Explorers' inflatable for the exhilarating 2½-hour trip along the coast of Moresby Island to our first camp on the northern shores of Juan Perez Sound. After settling into camp, there will be a sea kayaking orientation and an exploration of the area to try out new skills.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2

Juan Perez Sound

Setting off after an early breakfast, today we explore Faraday and Murchison islands in Juan Perez Sound.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3

Hotspring Island

Arriving at Gandll K'in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island), we'll be greeted by a Haida Watchman and introduced to the history and current features of the island. After the warm water bathhouse, we will have the opportunity of soaking in the hot pools and enjoy the sweeping vista of Juan Perez sound and the peaks of the San Cristobal Range.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4

Burnaby Strait

Paddling south, we enter the Strait between Burnaby and Moresby Islands. With numerous small islands, coves, and bays to explore, this body of water is a delight to kayak. The scenery here is dominated by the presence of Yatza Mountian, an impressive peak that straddles Moresby Island, dropping into the Pacific on the west coast.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5

Burnaby Narrows

This morning we set a course for Burnaby Strait and Dolomite Narrows (Burnaby Narrows). The profile of Yatza Mountain dominates the western skyline as we paddle the shoreline of Burnaby Island. Floating the narrows provides the unfolding colorful pageant of this biological wonder at close quarters.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6

Skincuttle Inlet

Skinkuttle Inlet opens into Hecate Strait and was one of the most populated areas of the south island in ancient times. Numerous village sites, some of significant size, dotted the shores of the inlet. Now, the most vivid evidence of habitation is the white midden shell beaches, the result of countless years of shellfish harvesting from these bountiful waters.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7

Deluge Point, Ikeda Cove, and Collison Bay

Today we will continue south across Collison Bay, the site of one of the earliest European settlements on the islands. Paddling on, we round Goodwin Point and past the Rankine Islands, an ecological reserve and sea bird nesting site toward our campsite, the old village site of Kaidju at Benjamin Point. A short walk across the point from the protected north cove leads to a remarkable view of the point's winter storm battered south shore.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8

Benjamin Point to Houston Stewart Channel

Rounding Benjamin Point, we get our first view of Kunghit Island. As we swing into Houston Stewart Channel, we enter a narrow passageway from Hecate Strait to the Pacific and paddle into the territory of the Kunghit Haida and their last chief: Ninstints. Our camp is on Ross Island.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9

Houston Stewart Channel to Louscoone Point

Riding the tide through the remainder of Houston Stewart, we get an expanding view of the Pacific, and finally, Anthony Island comes into view to the west. After rounding the southern tip of Moresby Island through Cape Fanny, we head toward our camp tonight at Louscoone Point, an ideal jumping-off spot for our visit to the ancient village of SGang Gwaay.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10

The Totems of SGang Gwaay

A short but dramatic paddle takes us past Adam Rocks and into the protected cove on the west side of the island. Entering the old village, one can't help but be moved by the haunting majesty of the standing poles. We will spend as much time as possible exploring the village and have a visit with the Haida Watchmen (the Haida caretakers of the ancient sites in the park which are well known for extending legendary Haida hospitality) before setting out for Raspberry Cove.
Overnight: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11

Sunday - Return to Sandspit

The final day of our Haida Gwaii kayaking adventure — a leisurely morning on Ross Island, as we pack up our personal gear and await the arrival of Moresby Explorers. The return trip is scheduled to have the trip participants back in Sandspit by very late afternoon or early evening.
Overnight: Sandspit
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Departure

Monday

A Note on Itineraries
Itineraries are intended as guidelines only. Tofino Expeditions reserves the right to change the itinerary without advance notice at the discretion of the guides, due to weather conditions or other general or logistical situations at the time of the trip. Tofino Expeditions is committed to producing trips of consistently high quality and safety without compromise.
Overnight: N/A
Meals: None

Accommodations

A Wilderness Trip

This is a wildness trip and there are no facilities in the park. We use the finest camping equipment available and on this trip we use Mountain Hardwear 4 Season mountaineering tents. Two guests share a tent designed for 3 persons so there is plenty of space. The campsites offer views to rival any in the world.

Extensions

Haida Heritage Centre

Located 2 km. from the ferry terminal at Skidegate the new Haida Heritage Centre and Museum at KAAY’LLNAGAAY is a worthwhile trip addition. Along with the many artifacts in the museum there are six newly raised totem poles. A visit adds valuable cultural and historical context to your paddling trip. Seeing both the newly carved totem poles at the museum and the older ones on Anthony Island provides insight into the strength and continuum of Haida artistic tradition. For more information visit haidaheritagecentre.com. For more information about visiting the Islands see our Haida Gwaii Kayaking Tour Travel Guide

At this time we do not offer any extensions for this trip but please feel free to call us about added travel options at 1-800-677-0877. We have spent a lot of time in and around the destinations we offer and are more than happy to share our experience.

Dates & Availability

Dates
Trip Length
Price
Availability
Notes
-
11 Days
None
Not scheduled for 2022
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NOTE: Trips showing as 'Available' have at least 4 places open. All prices are $USD unless otherwise stated.

What Is Included

  • Professional guides
  • Transportation in and out of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
  • Expedition kayaks, tents, PFD’s (life jackets) and safety equipment (including satellite phone)
  • All camp meals prepared by Tofino Expeditions staff
  • Group camping equipment
  • Comprehensive on-trip resource library
  • Group first aid kit

What Is Not Included

  • Airfares
  • Accommodation in Sandspit
  • National park user fee $120 Cdn
  • Taxes (5% Goods and Services)
  • Insurance of Any Kind *
  • Tipping of Guides

Note: There is no single supplement on this trip.
* We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation as well as cancellations for medical reasons.

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Tofino Expeditions is an internationally top-ranked, family owned and operated sea kayaking adventure company committed to wilderness ethics as well as the quality of our adventures.

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