Haida Gwaii - British Columbia Sailing Ship Tour
Wildlife, Far-flung Places and Coastal First Nations Culture
Explore Haida Gwaii from the northern town of Masset to the southern reaches of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Marine Conservation Area Reserve & Haida Heritage Site.
Highlights in Gwaii Haanas include Haida village sites (access is weather-permitting but typically includes SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), T’aanuu, K’uuna (Skedans), and Windy Bay); ancient rainforest, intertidal life at K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows), whales and other marine mammals, remote beaches, and other special experiences.
Haida Gwaii is a must-see destination for those who love wildlife, far-flung places and northwest coast First Nations culture. This cruise explores it all—from rich intertidal life to rainforests to huge whales that feed here. From hot springs to Haida village sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Site, SGang Gwaay.
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.
Highlights
• Cruise into Gwaii Haanas
Remote, protected, and culturally rich landscape accessible only by boat, and visit ancient village sites with remains of big houses and memorial poles.
• Powerful Stories
Told by on-board Haida cultural interpreters, and Haida Guardian Watchmen who look after village sites and share their culture.
• Island Exploration
Explore the archipelago’s beautiful landscape, remote beaches, rich intertidal life, and old-growth temperate rainforest while beachcombing remote islands.
• Galapagos of the North
See humpback whales in their feeding habitat, and black bears foraging at low tide, and discover the intricacies of the island’s endemic and rare species.
Day 1: Tour kickoff, land-based tour of Masset, Old Massett (G̲aw Tlagée), North Beach, Tow Hill, tour of Graham Island. Dinner and lodge accommodation in Masset area.
Day 2: Tlell, Skidegate, Haida Heritage Centre at KAAY LLNAGAAY, board ship, orientation, cruising south for a Gwaii Haanas tour, whale watching, island anchorage and explore ashore.
Day 3: Enter into Gwaii Haanas, visit T’aanuu village site, K’iid Xyangs K’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows) for some of the planet’s densest intertidal life, kayaking, cruising.
Day 4: Sailing southward on the Gwaii Haanas tour, Cape St. James hike (southern tip of Haida Gwaii), Woodruff Bay beach exploration, fishing.
Day 5: Seabirds viewing, UNESCO World Heritage Site visit, SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) on the southern end of Gwaii Haanas, Rose Harbour visit.
Day 6: Cruising, rainforest walk, possible bears. The Haida Gwaii black bear is the largest subspecies of black bear on the planet. It is one example of Haida Gwaii being the “Galapagos of the North”, where species have evolved differently than their mainland counterparts.
Day 7: Sailing Juan Perez Sound, whale watching, visit seabird researchers at seabird colony.
Day 8: Northward on your Gwaii Haanas tour stop at Windy Bay cultural heritage site, whale watching, K’uuna (Skedans) village site.
Day 9: Cruising to Moresby Camp in Cumshewa Inlet and transfer to Sandspit airport.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Cabin
Vessel Type: Schooner
Length: 92f / 28m
Passenger Capacity: 8
Maple Leaf is a 92-foot wooden schooner built in 1904, designed for intimate coastal exploration with a maximum of eight guests. She offers a deeply personal, human-scale experience that prioritises direct engagement with the natural world, accessing remote coastlines, rivers and anchorages unreachable by larger ships. Accommodation is simple but warm: four semi-private sleeping areas, shared washrooms, and communal spaces centred on conversation, observation and shared meals prepared onboard. Stability under sail, long range, and a highly experienced crew make her exceptionally capable despite her modest size.
Constructed from Douglas fir, yellow cedar and mahogany, Maple Leaf blends working-vessel toughness with Edwardian craftsmanship and modern functionality. Life on board revolves around open decks, zodiac landings, kayaking, wildlife observation and, for those inclined, hands-on sailing under crew guidance. Her long history — from luxury yacht to high-performing halibut fishing vessel to pioneering expedition ship — gives the experience a sense of continuity and authenticity. Travel aboard Maple Leaf is immersive, physically engaging, and deliberately unpolished, favouring depth, access and presence over luxury conventions.
Inclusions
• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.
Exclusions
• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.
Small Ship Cruise
Our Associates Include
