The islands are home to some of the most diverse combination of mountains, rainforests, and streams. The remote access and parkland under preservation justifies why there is such limited population today. The peace and solitude found here is only second to the extraordinary fishing and the gamesmen who sporadically indulge warrior like excitement.
Upon arrival, most travelers can identify why the Queen Charlotte Islands’ wilderness has been called by the First Nations Haida band, as ‘Gwaii Haana’, meaning ‘place of wonder’. The islands preserve large stands of old-growth rainforest (enormous towering trees which are thousands of years old) and native vegetation, which are found only on a few other distant shores (Japan and Ireland), indicating to geologists a possible land bridge connected the islands to them at some point in time. The density of certain native plants are also evidence that ‘Gwaii Hanna’ escaped glaciation, which had occurred over 10,000 years ago, altering land and vegetation in other regions of what are parts of Alaska and Canada today.
One of the most compelling reasons to visit the Queen Charlotte Islands is to explore the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve Haida Heritage Site. Ranked the #1 Park Destination in North America in 2005 by National Geographic Traveler Magazine due to the condition of the park as an intact archeological site left to it’s “natural process as per Haida tradition”.
Amoung the nearly 500 aboriganal Haida sites, there is a specific village, the old Haida village of Ninstints, on Skungwai Island. It has earned its place as a preserved heritage site by the United Nations, as it is the largest existing original plot of First Nations Totem Pole cravings on the coast. Ninstints are now considered a part of the collection of world treasures.
Langara Island, one of the more northern islands played a large roll in the sea otter and fur trade of the first European explorers. Today, Langara is known as one of the finest Halibut or Chinook fishing grounds for sports enthusiast and travelers to Canada.
The largest town is nestled on the southern tip of Graham Island, Queen Charlotte City, population 1,045. Queen Charlotte City was the first registered town site of all the Islands and is sprawled along the shore of Bearskin Bay with its back resting against the majestic shoulders of Sleeping Beauty Mountain. The city offers the most in-depth assistance to visiting the surrounding islands. One visit to their tourist information office on Wharf Street will give you all the help you need for acquiring permits, transportation assistance, weather details and guides.
Population: 5,000+
Highlights:
The Queen Charlotte Islands are the gateway to endless opportunities, which will put you up close to some spectacular wilderness sightings and world renowned fishing!
Gather up the appropriate gear for travel or plan to arrange rental of sports equipment and flights or charters for sporting activities.
Things To Bring:
Planning to Visit?
The towns and villages of the islands are small, quaint and remote. There are various options for transportation on and off; limited ferry service, charter boats, sailboat, sea plane, airplane, and helicopter. It is wise to plan you trip a few months in advance to ensure transportation can be arranged to support your travel plans. The year round climate averages a balmy eight degrees and fishing is peek between April and July.
History:
For centuries the Haida, who were the predominant of British Columbia’s First Nations bands to the islands, hunted and fished from the bountiful rivers and wildlife. Their close relationship to nature and the spirit of the animals is felt everywhere.
In the ancestral lore, still told today by the Haida band elders, the Queen Charlotte Islands are said to be ‘where time began’. Over 120 Haida villages populated these wooded forests prior to the 1700’s. Legends of the Gwaii Haana speak of this remarkably opulent land of moss draped Sitka spruce trees and sprawling fern garden floors as ‘Xhaaidlagha Gwaayaai’ – ‘Islands at The Boundary of the World’, which is something that is perfectly understood if you happen to be standing on the western shore side where the North Pacific ocean stretches onward to a seemingly endless horizon.
Captian George Dixon named the islands after King George the Third’s wife, Queen Charlotte in 1787. The islands were exposed to the European explorers after this time and a boom of sea otter fur trading and fishing began.
Climate:
Summer average 17 degrees Celsius
Winter average 4 degrees Celsius
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