British Columbia, Canada
Queen Charlotte Islands

Click button for more

Pacific Northwest

The Gulf Islands
Gabriola Island
Galiano Island
Hornby Island
Pender Island
Salt Spring Island

Vancouver Island

Queen Charlotte Islands

The Gulf Islands
Gabriola Island
Galiano Island
Hornby Island
Pender Island
Salt Spring Island

More B.C.
The Islands
Vancouver & Coast
Thompson Okanagan
B.C. Rockies
Cariboo Country
Northern

The Queen Charlotte Islands, an archipelago of more than 1,500 islands on the northwest coast of British Columbia, is the cultural homeland of the Haida People. A land of ephemeral beauty captivated by towering forests, mist-swept fiords and pristine mountainscapes, it is known by the Haida as "Haida Gwaii," or in modern-day terms, "the islands of the Haida." But it is the Haida's ancient translation of this name, "the boundary of the world" that reflects the Haida's true kinship with these islands.

Home to approximately 5,000 people who are spread across the archipelago's two largest islands, Graham and Moresby, the Queen Charlottes are the visual evidence of a submerged ring of mountains that rises precipitously from the ocean. Although the archipelago is only about 150 miles long north to south, clusters of "islands" stretch for more than 1,000 square miles off shore, providing ideal locations for sea kayaking and boat tours.

The Haida Gwaii's most popular attraction is the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, a remote wilderness park whose translated name, "Place of Wonder" aptly describes its beauty. Gwaii Haanas is only accessible by float plane or boat and is favoured for kayaking, wildlife photography and wilderness camping.

Each of the islands' small towns and hamlets has a culture and personality of its own. Masset, perched at the northeastern tip of Graham Island, is located approximately two miles from several ancient Haida townsites, what is now called Old Masset. The town of Tlell, is Graham Island's artistic centre and has several galleries and private artist studios that accept enquiries from the public. Tours of the islands' key attractions can be arranged when booking accommodations or by enquiring at a local tourism and information centre.

Go Northwest! Bookstore 
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!

Moon British Columbia by Andrew Hempstead. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with guidance on whale-watching near Telegraph Cove, hiking the Stanley Glacier Trail, and camping near Mount Robson, Moon British Columbia gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.  Order now...

Frommer's British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies by Bill Rae, Author and Donald Olson, Contributor. This brand-new edition to the Frommer series takes travelers through all the highlights, including all the best eco-adventures: whale watching by kayak, sailing a ketch into the worlds only grizzly bear reserve, and hiking in misty, primordial old-growth forests and along wilderness beaches. Order now...

We appreciate your orders.  They help keep Go Northwest! online.

Northwest Books
from . . . 

Shopping at
Go Northwest!