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Haida Gwaii, North BC

Haida Gwaii, previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago located between 55–125 km (34–78 mi) off the northern Pacific coast in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The islands are separated from the mainland to the east by the shallow Hecate Strait.

Type Island

Why go

  • Archipelago in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Known for Naikoon Provincial Park, formerly Queen Charlotte Islands.
  • Served by Masset Airport (ZMT).

History

Haida Gwaii, previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago located between 55–125 km (34–78 mi) off the northern Pacific coast in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The islands are separated from the mainland to the east by the shallow Hecate Strait. Queen Charlotte Sound lies to the south, with Vancouver Island beyond. To the north, the disputed Dixon Entrance separates Haida Gwaii from the Alexander Archipelago in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Airports

Sandspit Airport (YZP) 13 km to the centre
Sandspit, BC, CA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air Canada) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Vancouver (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Air Canada AC (Dash 8-300) · 1 route: Vancouver*

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Masset Airport (ZMT) 86 km to the centre
Masset, BC, CA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Pacific Coastal Airline) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Vancouver (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Pacific Coastal Airline 8P (Saab 340) · 1 route: Vancouver

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Skidegate
Ferry terminal · 1.3 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Graham Island 2 (Skidegate)
Ferry terminal · 1.4 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Graham Island 1 (Skidegate)
Ferry terminal · 1.4 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Moresby Island (Alliford Bay)
Ferry terminal · 5.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
Moresby Island (Alliford Bay) ↔ Graham Island (Skidegate)
Ferry route · British Columbia Ferry Services
Outdoor
Moresby Island (Alliford Bay) to Graham Island (Skidegate)
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Graham Island (Skidegate) to Moresby Island (Alliford Bay)
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Prince Rupert ↔ Skidegate
Ferry route · British Columbia Ferry Services
Outdoor
Prince Rupert to Graham Island (Skidegate)
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Graham Island (Skidegate) to Prince Rupert
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor

Where things are

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Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Masset Airport (ZMT); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ZMT has direct flights to 1 destination on 1 airline (incl. Vancouver). By water: 4 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Skidegate, 1.3 km); routes include Moresby Island (Alliford Bay) ↔ Graham Island (Skidegate), Moresby Island (Alliford Bay) to Graham Island (Skidegate), Graham Island (Skidegate) to Moresby Island (Alliford Bay).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Haida Gwaii, North BC. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach