Explore BC's Major Tourist Regions

Queen Charlotte City — or simply "Charlotte" to locals — is the main service hub of Graham Island and the first stop for most visitors arriving by ferry from Prince Rupert. Perched on the edge of Bearskin Bay, it has a relaxed, end-of-the-road character with a handful of restaurants, galleries, and outfitters. The Haida Gwaii Museum at Qay'llnagaay is here, housing an impressive collection of Haida art and cultural artifacts. The town is the best base for exploring the southern part of Graham Island, booking kayak tours into Gwaii Haanas, and stocking up before heading deeper into the archipelago.

Skidegate is the largest Haida community on the islands and the spiritual and cultural centre of the Haida Nation. The Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay — a stunning complex of five longhouses overlooking the ocean — is the must-see attraction of all of Haida Gwaii. Inside you'll find monumental totem poles, traditional Haida canoes, a working carving shed where master carvers work in red cedar and argillite, and galleries showcasing the full breadth of Haida art. The BC Ferries terminal is located just outside Skidegate, making it the literal gateway to the islands. The village also marks the start of the road south toward Gwaii Haanas.

Masset is the largest town on Haida Gwaii and sits at the northern tip of Graham Island beside Masset Inlet. It's the commercial centre of the north island, with a small airport, grocery stores, and accommodation. Just minutes away is Old Masset (Haida: Uttewas), a living Haida village and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. Visitors are welcome to walk the village, view totem poles, and purchase art directly from Haida carvers and weavers. Masset is also world-renowned among birders — the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary on the edge of town is a critical stopover for hundreds of migratory species, including sandhill cranes, dunlins, and rare shorebirds.

Sandspit is the only community on Moresby Island and the jumping-off point for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve — one of the most remote and spectacular wilderness destinations in Canada. The Sandspit Airport is the main air gateway to the islands, with direct flights from Vancouver. The town sits on a long sand spit between Hecate Strait and Shingle Bay, and the surrounding beaches are wild and largely deserted. Kayakers, sailors, and floatplane operators use Sandspit as their base for multi-day expeditions into Gwaii Haanas, paddling past ancient Haida village sites, hot springs, and sea lion colonies. The Duu Guusd Heritage Site and Wilderness Area to the north is accessible from here as well.