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Haida Gwaii - motor yacht cruise
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Cruise the Queen Charlotte Islands - Haida Gwaii on this spectacular motor yacht tour. One hundred kilometres west of BC's north coast, lie the magical, awe inspiring islands of Haida Gwaii. The southern portion of these islands, once threatened by clear cut logging, are now "Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site". Located on the edge of the Pacific Continental Shelf, with its shores bathed in the nutrient rich waters, these islands have been dubbed the 'Canadian Galapogos'. 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 is a large part of the focus of our trips in Gwaii Haanas National Park. We hope that your visit to Haida Gwaii will either begin or end with a visit to the Haida museum in Skidegate where in 2001, the Haida raised 6 new poles in a memorable ceremony at the site of Qay'llnagaay, (Sea Lions Town). The museum is a great introduction to Haida culture or a wonderful complement at the end of the trip. During our travels into the Park we visit (weather dependant of course), the old Haida villages of Skedans, Tahnoo, Sgang Gwaay, (a World Heritage Site) and also Gandll K'in, (Hot Springs Island). In each of these sites, Haida Watchmen, (interpreters) will greet and share with us the life and culture of each of these awe inspiring and very spiritual places. Stories told by these Haida interpreters will take you back to a time when these villages were bustling with the activity of thousands of Haida people. You will be able to walk alone on trails, if you wish, through these old villages and have the time to see, hear and smell, all that makes these sacred places so special!
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Haida Gwaii has been separated from the mainland for so long, much of the land escaped the last ice age, therefore many unique and genetically different species that cannot be found anywhere else in Canada, exist on these islands. (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, Sand hill Cranes, Murrelets, Shearwaters, Cormorants, Oyster Catchers, some of which only come on land to nest in the summer, spending the rest of their lives at sea. Whaling was once an important industry in the south of these islands. Those days are thankfully long gone and the whales have returned! It is not unusual for us to spend hours, surrounded by groups of Humpbacks-- just a short distance from the ship. Minke whales are often seen and Dall's Porpoises and White Sided Dolphins love to join us for a ride on our bow wave. A "float" through Burnaby Narrows in the zodiac and kayaks, at nearly low tide, is one of the highlights of these trips. Below you, in the tidal channel, stretches an endless carpet of sea life: tiny Bat Stars, small to huge Sun Stars, Anemones, Sea Cucumbers, Clams of every description, Mussels, some tiny and some the size of your hand, clinging to the seaweed drenched rocks, colourful Red Turban Snails, and huge Moon Snails. Hermit and Rock Crabs scurry along the colourful bottom looking for their next meal.
A trip to the natural hot springs is always welcome. Take a shower in the bathhouse and then walk the seaside trails, cut into the salal matted rocks, in search of the pool with the perfect temperature. As the warm water of the pool envelopes you, you will see sweeping ocean vistas stretch out before you. Where the salal flowers hang like tiny pink drops of water, you may see hummingbirds come for a treat. The Haida say that hummingbirds are 'spirit messengers'!
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| Season: early June to early July |
| Requirements: Water proof jacket and pants (not breathable, i.e. goretex), knee high (non-marking) rubber boots. Complete personal equipment list will be provided upon request. |
| Suggested Items: Backpack/daypack, water bottle, camera(s), binoculars, tripod. |
| Suggested Clothing: Complete clothing list will be provided upon request. |
| Difficulty: Easy |
| Restrictions: Baggage weight restriction at 40 pounds per person (seaplane transfer). Additional weight subject to surcharge. All details provided upon request and at time of booking. |
| Maximum Number of People: 6 |
| Equipment Provided: The ship is Transport Canada certified as a passenger vessel, carrying all the latest navigation and safety equipment. This 54 foot Hatteras Long Range Cruiser is capable of crossing oceans. Also, 16 foot Zodiac for shore excursions, kayaks on board for quiet exploration while at anchor, hip waders are available. Generator on board to charge camera batteries. |
| Transportation: Trips begin and end in Sandspit or Queen Charlotte City, British Columbia. You will either meet the ship there or be transferred to the ship by seaplane on arrival, with the opposite procedure on departure. Seaplane transfer from Sandspit or Queen Charlotte City to the ship are included. Full departure/arrival details and itinerary provided at time of booking. |
| Accommodations: Guests enjoy private accommodation (based on double occupancy) on board. For those single travellers who don't wish to share a room, there is a single berth in the pilothouse. There are two full bathrooms on board, both equipped with electric flushing toilets. Bath towels and facecloths are provided for guests, as well as all linens including pillows with cases, bottom sheets and duvets (non down filled), with duvet covers. Fresh hand towels are put out in each of the bathrooms daily. |
| Meal Information: All meals are included while on board. A wide array of cuisine is offered, made with the freshest ingredients available, flown to the ship each week. With wines chosen to compliment the dishes served, and herb garden on board, guests are sure to feel pampered. |
| Guide Information: Your lead guide and Captain is Eric Boyum. Eric has been exploring and working on the coasts of BC, Alaska, the Caribbean and the Sea of Cortez for over 25 years. Eric, also a professional firefighter, brings confidence to even the most timid or reticent of guests. One of the founding members of the Bear Viewing Association of BC, Eric is also the on board bear/wildlife guide and naturalist, sharing his vast knowledge of the natural and cultural histories of the coast. Eric has a great sense of humour and passion for the coast and its wildlife. Strict guidelines are followed for wildlife viewing as well as following protocols for visiting traditional First Nations land, honouring their culture and traditions. |
| Comments: On board our 54 foot ship, guests can lounge in the spacious comfort of our salon/galley area as magnificent scenery passes by outside. A cozy couch for sitting and reading, for visiting with other guests, or for an afternoon siesta, is a much sought after spot on board. Across from the couch, an L shaped seating area with a table, offers a spot to look at your latest photographs on your laptop, play cards or just have a cup of tea and a cookie. Across from the galley area is a "coffee bar", including a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate, along with a large bowl of fruit, home made cookies or other treats to entice you-help yourself whenever you like. Guests will love dining in our "revolving restaurant"-sitting at the dining table in our pilothouse-as the boat turns in the tide at anchor or as we travel during the day. (There are almost 360degree views from the pilothouse.) As we travel, guests are welcome to join the Captain in the pilothouse for briefings on points of interest, wildlife sightings, navigation instruction, or even to take a turn at the wheel of Great Bear II. Whether it's getting involved in the ship's steering and navigation or just sitting with a cup of coffee, a freshly baked treat and a good book, guests seem to love this special place on board. Outside on the foredeck there is plenty of room for photographers to use their tripods and a long settee for lounging. The aft deck, the entrance to the ship, is covered, which gives us space to hang outdoor gear, and the perfect spot for the chef's herb garden. All in all, there is plenty of room on board for guests and crew to enjoy each other or to enjoy some solitude in a private spot. The small group focus of these tours allow more personalized service, more privacy and more comfort. |
| Trip Duration |
Price |
8 days
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$3650.00* per person
June 26-July 3, July 7-13, July 13-19, 2008 |
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*Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax
If you have any questions or would like more information about a particular adventure, please email us.
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