Thursday, November 14, 2013

There Is No Shortage In The Supply Of Haida Gwaii Accommodations

By Katrina Wheeler


There is no shortage in the supply of Haida Gwaii accommodations. Visitors will find there is a vast selection on offer. The summer season, which extends between May and September, is the busiest time of the year. Visitors are advised to book their stay and guided tours in advance.

Online information is readily available about where to stay. Most of these places can be found located in local communities or on Highway 16. The highway is the primary route running north and south alongside Graham and Moresby.

The natural splendor of this region, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, and its pristine environment continues to lure nature lovers. The isolated 150 island archipelago is a must visit destination for many travelers. This secluded area gives visitors a break from the perennial sounds of urban living on the mainland. Here is the only area for surfing in Northern British Columbia. The leading activities guests enjoy are camping surfing, fishing and climbing in the nature reserves and protected parks.

This Canadian territory is 100 km wide and 300 km long. It has a triangular form that tapers to a point at Cape St. James on its southernmost edge. The territory is 120 km west of the northern coastline of British Columbia. It lies below the Alaska panhandle. It is located 75 km from the American border. The main land masses of the archipelago are Graham Island in the north and Moresby Island in the south. In the southern part of Moresby Island lies a National Park Reserve and a Heritage Site. A short ferry ride of about 20 minutes connects the two and their Indigenous residents. The settled communities have a distinctive culture that reflects the Haida way of life.

The Indigenous people settled here centuries ago. Five hundred historic locations have been identified by archaeologists. Among these are the mortuary poles in the village of SGang Gwaay. Nan Sdins Illnagaay has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage location since 1981.

Travelers can pick whichever transportation method suits them better. Every day a ferry serviced by BC Ferries runs to Moresby Island from Prince Rupert and. This scenic journey takes almost 7 hours and motor vehicle owners may bring their automobiles along. They will need their own transportation to travel from one place to another. Bus service is no offered here and taxis are only accessible in the more populous areas. Each day flights travel to Sandspit and Masset from Vancouver. The Masset flight is only available daily during the busy season. Otherwise it flies three times in the week. Tourists can fly into QC, Masset and Sandspit from Prince Rupert as well. Boaters can dock in these three communities which also provide harbor services. Bus service and rail links also exist.

The diverse range of accommodation extend from campgrounds, a hostel, to lodges, motels and hotels, bed and breakfasts places, rustic cabins and beach huts, upscale cottages and guest houses. Some rentals are shut during the winter season. Campers and RVs can gain entry to most of the campgrounds.

Some areas will offer a wider range of choices. These include the town of Masset, the nearby Tow Hill community and the village of QC. The diversity of Haida Gwaii accommodations are designed to satisfy individual guest preferences without over commercialization of the pristine environment.




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