Getting Here

We promise you an authentic experience on Haida Gwaii. Remember you are visiting
53° latitude in January, so it may be a bit chilly and wet!

Air Canada Jazz
http://www.aircanada.com/en/home.html
Offers daily flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Sandspit (YZP). Flights cost ~$500 plus tax (return, regular price).
Note that when flying into Sandspit, you have two options: rent a car at the airport (see below), or catch the airport bus
to Queen Charlotte ($20). If you catch the airport bus, the price includes the cost of a 20 minute ferry trip to the village
of Queen Charlotte on Graham Island (where most accommodation options are located). Queen Charlotte is approximately a 10 minute drive from Skidegate. If you rent a car at the airport, you will also have to catch the ferry and the rental folks will give you all the details. Vehicles can also be rented in Queen Charlotte.

Pacific Coastal Airlines
http://www.pacific-coastal.com/
Service three times a week during winter season from Vancouver's South Terminal(YVR) to Masset(YMT) Flights cost around $550 plus tax (return). Cars can be rented in Masset and they will pick you up at the airport.

North Pacific Seaplanes
http://www.northpacificseaplanes.com/
Daily float plane service 2x/day between Prince Rupert and Masset; and service three times a week between Prince Rupert and Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City. One-way flight costs are approximately $180 (Masset) and $260 (Queen Charlotte).

BC Ferries
http://www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=78769


Ferry service will not be available during the month of January. Limited replacement service (by way of weekly flights from Prince Rupert) are being offered. Priority will be given to people with medical appointments. The following information has been provided by BC Ferries:

TEMPORARY BERTH CLOSURE - SKIDEGATE TERMINAL

Prince Rupert - Skidegate
In preparation for the arrival of the Northern Expedition in spring 2009, BC Ferries is making modifications to the dock facilities at our Skidegate terminal from
January 3 – February 5, 2009.
During that time, BC Ferries will work in concert with local transportation and freight operators to ensure the flow of people, goods and services to and from the Queen Charlotte Islands.
Passengers with reservations will be transported using air service between Skidegate and Prince Rupert. Preference for reservations will be given to those travelling for scheduled medical appointments/procedures. (Proof of appointment will be required at the time of booking). Individuals or groups travelling for non-medical purposes will receive reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduled flights will occur as follows:
Prince Rupert Departures (Thursdays) – January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5


Depart Prince Rupert

Arrive Skidegate (QCI)

12:00 p.m.*

4:00 p.m.*

*All scheduled flights from Prince Rupert depart at 12:00 p.m. and arrive in Skidegate at 4:00 p.m. each Thursday. This includes transit time to the airport. Customers are required to check-in at the Prince Rupert terminal by 10:30 a.m.
Prince Rupert Departures (Sundays) – January 4, 11, 18, 25 and February 1


Depart Prince Rupert

Arrive Skidegate (QCI)

12:00 p.m.**

4:00 p.m.**

**All scheduled flights from Prince Rupert depart at 12:00 p.m. and arrive in Skidegate at 4:00 p.m. each Sunday. This includes transit time to the airport. Customers are required to check-in at the Prince Rupert terminal by 10:30 a.m.
Skidegate Departures (Thursdays) – January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5


Depart Skidegate (QCI)

Arrive Prince Rupert

12:30 p.m.*

4:00 p.m.*

*All scheduled flights from Skidegate depart at 12:30 p.m. and arrive in Prince Rupert at 4:00 p.m. each Thursday. This includes transit time to the airport. Customers are required to check-in at Skidegate terminal by 11:00 a.m.
Skidegate Departures (Sundays) – January 4, 11, 18, 25 and February 1


Depart Skidegate (QCI)

Arrive Prince Rupert

12:30 p.m.**

4:00 p.m.**

**All scheduled flights from Skidegate depart at 12:30 p.m. and arrive in Prince Rupert at 4:00 p.m. each Sunday. This includes transit time to the airport. Customers are required to check-in at Skidegate terminal by 11:00 a.m.
Once customers have checked in at the appropriate BC Ferries terminal, they will be transported by bus service to their respective airports. There will be no additional cost to customers for these bus services.
Passengers will be required to pass through security, much as they would for a standard domestic flight. With respect to baggage, travellers will be permitted one piece of checked luggage up to 50 pounds and one carry-on piece (not to exceed
15 pounds. Please note that gels or liquids over 100 ml may not be transported in carry-on baggage. All baggage considerations are consistent with existing Transport Canada conditions for domestic air travel.
As this is an alternate service in lieu of regularly scheduled vessel sailings, capacity on the chartered flights will be
limited. As such, BC Ferries is encouraging passengers to make alternate travel arrangements during this time period whenever possible.


Customers are advised to visit www.bcferries.com or call 1-888 BCFERRY (223-3779) for the new schedule prior to making travel arrangements, and to make reservations.

Getting Around Haida Gwaii

There is no regular transit system on the islands. The only way to get around is to bring a car, rent a car, or have someone pick you up. We are organizing a bus from Masset to Skidegate on January 23rd and 24th for people who wish to attend the forum. We will also be arranging for pick up in Queen Charlotte for speakers who are presenting at the forum and staying in Queen Charlotte.

If you do wish to rent a car, options are listed below. Note that car rental is reasonably expensive – rates are approx. $50/day plus a per kilometer charge.

Generally distances are great on the islands and it is not easy to get around without a vehicle of some sort.
We recommend that you take the time to look at the Haida Gwaii Tourism Association website before you come (www.haidagwaiitourism.ca) for a good overview of the geography, sights, and services in all the communities on
Haida Gwaii.

Accomodation and other Information

For further information about the islands, please go to the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre website
(http://www.qcinfo.ca/index.html) or the Haida Gwaii Tourism Association website (www.haidagwaiitourism.ca).

Both websites also list accommodation options for all the islands communities. If you wish to stay reasonably close to the forum, we recommend you book in Queen Charlotte, a 10 minute drive from the Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay.