2019 Gwaii Haanas Trip Planner
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GWAII HAANAS TRIP PLANNER Legacy Pole © Jason Shafto Pole Legacy HAIDA NATION © Parks Canada © Parks © Parks Canada, Jason Shafto Canada, © Parks WHAT IS GWAII HAANAS? © Parks Canada © Parks © Parks Canada, Jason Shafto Canada, © Parks Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Gwaii Haanas visitor experiences can © Skidegate Band Council Gwaii Haanas became National Marine Conservation Area include paddling kayaks or catching © Rolf Bettner the first National The Gwaii Haanas Gina ’Waadluxan KilGuhlGa Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site is a the wind and sailing alongside Pacific Marine Conservation Jason Shafto Canada, © Parks Land-Sea-People wild place. With no road access, white-sided dolphins and seeing Area Reserve and aligned Canada’s Celebrating 20 Management Plan stores, cell phone coverage and humpback whales breaching. Visitors marine protection with successful years of was signed. This plan little signage, it is a true wilderness can float through Burnaby Narrows, the Haida Heritage cooperation, Gwaii provides a blueprint Haanas raised for responsible and experience. The breathtaking beauty teeming with intertidal life, and see a Site designation. © Skidegate Band Council the Gwaii Haanas respectful stewardship of the place is awe-inspiring. vast array of species. © Rolf Bettner that will ensure the The Haida travelled to 2010 Legacy Pole in Hlk’yah continuity of Haida Tllga Kun Gwaay.yaay After negotiations and GawGa (Windy Bay). culture and protect Gwaii Haanas is one of the only areas Archaeological evidence of human (Lyell Island) and took planning the Gwaii 2013 the natural heritage of a stand against Haanas Agreement in the world that is protected and habitation on these islands goes back Gwaii Haanas for future unsustainable logging was signed and managed from sea floor to mountain at least 14,000 years. Throughout generations. This is the practices as part of the National Park Reserve first integrated plan peak. It is also unique because it these millennia, the Haida have Athlii Gwaay protest. designation was added in Canada for a linked is managed as a true and equal developed a complex society and to the Gwaii Haanas terrestrial and marine The Haida Nation Haida Heritage Site partnership between the Government culture. They create art, ceremony, protected area. designated the designation. of Canada and the Council of the medicine, and meet their needs southern 15 percent 2018 Haida Nation through the Gwaii through their intimate connection of Haida Gwaii as the 1993 Haanas Archipelago Management to the land and sea. Haida art Haida Heritage Site. Board. forms, reflecting the intertwining 1985 of the people with the land, sea, Visitors come from all over to and spirit world, continue to garner explore this jewel at the edge of the international recognition. world, with its sheltered sandy bays, turquoise inlets, Haida villages, and old growth forests. Gwaii Haanas’ unique combination of coastal WELCOME TO This trip planner allows you to catch temperate ecosystems and Haida a glimpse of what it’s like to travel to culture make this a place like no THE ISLANDS Gwaii Haanas. We hope you leave other on earth. as in love with these shining islands OF BEAUTY as have so many visitors before you. © Parks Canada © Parks © Parks Canada, Niisii Guujaaw Canada, © Parks 2 RESERVE ATTEND ORIENTATION If you are travelling to Gwaii Haanas All Gwaii Haanas visitors who are HOW TO VISIT on a self-guided trip, contact the Gwaii not travelling with a licensed tour Haanas office to make your reservation operator must attend an orientation. PLAN and pay your fees (see back cover). If you are traveling on a guided trip, This 90-minute session provides an Advance planning is key to a your reservation and payment is done opportunity to connect with Gwaii successful trip! directly with the tour company. Haanas staff, ask questions about your upcoming trip, and learn about Visitors who come to explore Gwaii Our reservation service is available the amazing Haida culture. The Haanas do so as part of a guided trip, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to orientation will include information Urchin barrens travelling with one of our licensed 4:30 pm throughout the year. Be on closures, traveller protocols and compared with tour operators, or on a self-guided prepared to provide your planned what to do in case of an emergency. healthy kelp forest. Lee Lynn Canada, © Parks adventure. entry and exit dates, the names and We look forward to meeting you! age category of everyone in your If you would like to take a guided trip, group, credit card details and Visitors who are concerned about book directly with a tour operator. your vessel registration number, attending an orientation in person THE SEA OTTER CREST A SYMBOL OF BALANCE (See page 15-16). if applicable. should contact the Gwaii Haanas office early in their planning process. The crest of the Archipelago of kelp and provided habitat for many If you are planning a self-guided trip, We understand that for boaters Management Board is a unique species, from sea stars to fish and you must make a reservation, pay a travelling to Gwaii Haanas, your visitor use fee and attend an design by local Haida artist, Chief marine mammals. trip plans will be weather dependent. orientation. However, reservations are still Gitkinguaas. The sea otter and the required. Reserve your anticipated ORIENTATIONS IN Gwaii Haanas balances recreation sea urchin were chosen because of With the extirpation of sea otters entry and exit dates. If weather or VANCOUVER AND SIDNEY, BC: their significance in the ecological during the maritime fur trade era, with protection of the natural and mechanical issues result in changes cultural features that attract people. to your entry date, please contact our and cultural history of Gwaii Haanas. the natural balance was disrupted. With this in mind, the number of office as soon as possible to discuss Each spring we deliver orientations in The sea urchin population increased visitors entering Gwaii Haanas each alternate plans. Vancouver and Sidney. Please check our Kelp forests are among the most dramatically. Underwater deserts day is limited. Available space is website or call our office for confirmation distributed between guided and productive ecosystems in the world. now exist where there were once rich on dates, times and locations. self-guided travellers. Historically in Gwaii Haanas, forests of kelp. The loss of the sea populations of sea urchins, which feed otter is a powerful reminder of the July to mid-August is our busiest heavily on kelp, were kept in check by vulnerability of individual species period, so if you plan to visit during GWAII HAANAS FEES ORIENTATION SCHEDULE this time, verify the availability of sea otters. This ensured an abundance and entire ecosystems. SKIDEGATE, B.C. your Gwaii Haanas dates before MAY 1 TO SEPT 30 finalizing your travel plans. DAILY FEE SEASONAL FEE June, Mon to Fri at 9 a.m. Adult $20.00 $120.29 July 1 to August 15, Mon to Sat at 9 a.m. Senior $16.90 $100.26 August 16 to 31, Mon to Fri at 9 a.m. (65 years or over) If you need an orientation before June or Youth FREE FREE after August, please contact our office to (17 & under) (Tax included) book a time. 48 hours’ notice is required. Orientations are held at the Haida Heritage Centre, in Skidegate. It is not necessary to reserve space in scheduled orientations. If you would like an orientation outside the scheduled times, in other locations, or for a large group, please contact the Gwaii Haanas office as far in advance as possible. Sessions delivered outside normal working hours cost $78.50. Payment is made at time of booking. © Sean Lahusen 3 4 ABOUT GWAII HAANAS A WILD PLACE Facilities in and around Gwaii Haanas are minimal. Access is limited to boats and seaplanes. There are no roads, stores, or fueling facilities. There are a few mooring © Leslie Leong buoys, two water hoses, and limited navigational aids. Make daily travel plans flexible to accommodate weather delays. Bring enough fuel and food to last for a © Gregory Gould few extra days. Carry clothing and equipment for a variety of weather conditions. © Parks Canada, Heather Ramsay Canada, © Parks BOATING TO GWAII HAANAS © Gregory Gould This area has significant tidal Generally, small craft travel the inside waters of Carmichael Passage and CAMPING variation, strong currents, rapidly Adamczyk Emily Canada, © Parks changing weather, and strong Dana Passage from Moresby Camp to Gwaii Haanas has no designated winds that develop with little or no Gwaii Haanas. This route avoids the campsites. However, there are many CLOSURES FISHING exposed waters between Cumshewa warning. good camping spots for small groups of Several highly sensitive areas, including In the marine area of Gwaii Haanas, Head and Talunkwan Island. up to three tents. You will require maps all caves, are closed permanently for sustainable recreational and commercial Take the time to learn about the or charts to plan your daily itinerary ecological or cultural reasons. fishing continues. However, in Louise Narrows has strong currents waters you plan to navigate. and overnight stops. Allow enough time order to meet key ecological and and shallow waters. Time your travel to check that each planned campsite is Temporary closures may be necessary cultural goals, areas of sustainable with the tide. Be aware of your draft, If you are unsure of the area or your available and suitable for your group and for reasons such as bear activity or fishing are interspersed with zones © Parks Canada © Parks transit at high waters, and follow the © James Thompson skill level, try a guided trip. Licensed the current weather conditions. to accommodate conservation and of full protection, where fishing is markers.