Canada’s Own Galapagos

Tufted Puffins in Gwaii Haanas Park

An amazing gem right here in beautiful BC was featured on one of National Geographic’s BEST lists - Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site was rated #1 Park Destination in North America!

Did you notice? Not just in Canada but in North America!!! We’re talking about competing against parks like the Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone, Denali National Park, and Grand Teton National Park! Now that’s what I call underestimating what we have to offer right here at home!!!

Did you know we could see sights like this in our own backyard?

Spirit Bear Cubs seen in September

Haida Gwaii, formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands, is our own awe inspiring archipelago of islands off B.C.’s north coast. Home to one of the most powerful aboriginal cultures on earth and unique flora and fauna, they have earned the title the Canadian Galapagos.

Because Haida Gwaii has been separated from the British Columbia mainland for so long and much of the land escaped the last ice age, there exist many unique and genetically different species that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada. (Even the larger Black Bears found here are genetically different from their relatives on the mainland.)

These islands are a bird watchers 'Eden': you may see Tufted Puffins, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Murrelets, Shearwaters, Cormorants, Oyster Catchers, some of which only come on land to nest in the summer and spend the rest of their lives at sea. Throughout our trips, it is not unusual to be surrounded by as many as 50 Humpback whales as they feed in these nutrient rich waters. Minke and Fin Whales as well as Dall’s Porpoises and Pacific White Sided Dolphins are also seen here.

Because the Haida First Nations People had such an abundance of food, they had time to develop one of the world's most powerful and creative aboriginal cultures. The Haida culture and the unique flora and fauna of Haida Gwaii are the main focus of our tours in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. Travel to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and discover why this name means “Place of Wonder”.