Haida Gwaii
An archipelago off British Columbia's northern coast, reached by ferry or plane, known for Haida culture and coastal rainforest.
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Haida Gwaii is an archipelago off the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia, separated from the mainland by the shallow Hecate Strait. Graham Island in the north and Moresby Island in the south are the two main islands, surrounded by many smaller ones. The islands are home to the Haida Nation, and Haida people make up about half the population. People have lived here for about 13,000 years. Visitors come for Haida art, including cedar totem poles, dugout canoes and the Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay.
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site takes in the southern part of Moresby Island and nearby islets. It is reached only by boat or seaplane and has few facilities. Naikoon Provincial Park on northeastern Graham Island is the largest provincial park. The climate is mild and very wet, and May through July is the drier season. There is no public transportation, so plan on a rental car, taxi or arranged shuttle. Fly into Sandspit or Masset, or take the BC Ferries sailing from Skidegate to Prince Rupert. Go if rain and few services do not bother you.
Haida Gwaii in five
- Reserve Gwaii Haanas five business days aheadParks Canada requires a reservation at least 5 business days before a self-guided trip, plus a mandatory online orientation. Carry the receipt and certificate; there is no phone service inside.Parks Canada reservations
- Book the Prince Rupert ferryParks Canada says BC Ferries runs year-round from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing on a seven-hour crossing, and that reservations are essential.
- Fly from Vancouver if time is shortParks Canada lists Air Canada flights between Sandspit (YZP) and Vancouver, Pacific Coastal flights between Masset and Vancouver, and Inland Air flights from Prince Rupert.
- Budget the Gwaii Haanas daily feeParks Canada lists $29.00 per adult per day and $24.50 for seniors, with youth 17 and under free. Licensed tour operators collect the fee for you.
- Rent a car for Graham IslandParks Canada says getting around is easy with your own vehicle but public transport is limited. A car and passenger ferry links Graham and Moresby islands in 20 minutes.
Things to do in Haida Gwaii
See all attractions in Haida Gwaii
Need to know
- Airport
- Sandspit (YZP) and Masset (ZMT)
- Getting there
- BC Ferries from Prince Rupert, 7 hours, or flights from Vancouver
- Getting around
- Own vehicle; a 20-minute car ferry joins Graham and Moresby
- Best base
- Daajing Giids, Skidegate or Tlell on Graham Island
- Time needed
- 5 to 7 days; more if Gwaii Haanas is the goal
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain22 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low3°Wet, stormsJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh5°Low2°Wet, stormsFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Wet, coolMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cool
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cool, showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, drierMayRain
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, drier
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Long daysJuneRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Dry, boatingJulyRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, boating
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Dry, boatingAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, boating
- SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Mild, fewer crowdsSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fewer crowds
- OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°Wet, windyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh8°Low5°Wet, stormsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 281 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- DecemberRain19 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low3°Wet, stormsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 276 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
Average daily high and low in Daajing Giids, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Haida Gwaii
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Haida Gwaii
03:01 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°1°100%Monday: Rain. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue10°-1°92%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed12°6°97%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu11°6°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri9°4°99%Friday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sat9°4°96%Saturday: Rain. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun9°5°84%Sunday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 01:50 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gwaii Haanasby boat or seaplane with a licensed operatorHaida village sites with Watchmen, wildlife and old-growth forest; reservation required.
- Haida Heritage Centreat Skidegate on Graham IslandParks Canada's Gwaii Haanas office is at the Heritage Centre address in Skidegate.
- Sandspit and Moresby Islanda 20-minute car ferry from Graham IslandThe airport side of the islands and the gateway to Moresby Camp.
Before you go to Haida Gwaii
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Rules for Haida Gwaii, checked
- Gwaii Haanas self-guided trips need a reservation at least 5 business days ahead and a mandatory online orientation.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Gwaii Haanas daily fee: adult $29.00, senior $24.50; youth 17 and under free. Tour operators collect fees for guided trips.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- BC Ferries runs year-round from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing on a seven-hour crossing; reservations are essential.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Haida Gwaii
Link the islands with a wider BC route
Read the guideVancouverFlights to Sandspit and Masset leave from here
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for weather delays and remote trips
Read the guideGetting around CanadaFlights, ferries and car hire
Read the guideHaida Gwaii FAQ
How do you get to Haida Gwaii?
By air or sea only. Parks Canada lists BC Ferries from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing, a seven-hour crossing, and flights from Vancouver to Sandspit and Masset.
Do you need a reservation for Gwaii Haanas?
Yes. Independent visitors reserve at least 5 business days ahead and finish a mandatory online orientation; guided visitors book through their operator, which handles the fee and orientation.
Can you visit Gwaii Haanas without a boat?
Not independently: Parks Canada says there are no roads into Gwaii Haanas and access is by boat or seaplane. Many visitors join a licensed operator who handles transport and permits.
How many days do you need in Haida Gwaii?
Five to seven days for the main islands, allowing weather days. Gwaii Haanas trips add time; Parks Canada says travel there is always weather dependent.
Is there public transport on Haida Gwaii?
Very little. Parks Canada says getting around is easy with your own vehicle but public transport is limited, so rent a car or arrange airport shuttles and taxis.