Luxury Accommodations in the Canadian Rockies
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 The Queen Charlotte Islands - Canada's Galapagos The Queen Charlotte Islands are one of the richest biological and cultural areas in North America |
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Queen
Charlotte Islands -- Gwaii Haanas Theories suggest that parts of the Queen Charlottes escaped the last ice age, forming a glacial refuge for certain forms of plant and animal life. How else to explain the presence of plant species found nowhere else in the world, and noticeably different sub-species of bird, fish and mammal? The Queen Charlotte Islands provide a remarkable evolutionary showcase -- thus, their description as the "Canadian Galapagos". |
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Our
crew are experienced sailors and naturalists with extensive knowledge
of the Queen Charlotte Islands. They will help you learn about the
diverse natural history of this area and about issues that have
made preservation of Gwaii Haanas, and other areas in the Queen
Charlotte Islands a vital environmental battle for more than a decade.
In 1987 a victory was won for preservation. The Gwaii Haanas wilderness
-- our cruising area -- was protected by joint agreement of the
Haida Nation and the Canadian government. It now provides a unique
and fascinating model of our changing world. The area is jointly
managed by Parks Canada and the Haida people. Public interest in
visiting the Queen Charlottes is increasing and the challenge will
be to preserve theses magical islands, the pristine wilderness and
world-class native heritage and art. Now is a particularly good
time to visit these islands. Every year nature ages and slowly deteriorates
the magnificent totem pole
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General Trip Information HAIDA Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) is home to the Haida -- one of the most culturally rich and developed groups of people to inhabit early North America. In the 1800's the transmission of smallpox through the native population decimated the Haida people. In only a few years, their numbers were reduced from 10,000 to 800. The Haida left their villages and congregated in Skidegate, where we begin, or end our voyage. |
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Among the southern islands, we find the abandoned villages of Skedans, Tanu and Ninstints (Sqangwaii). These villages contain the best remaining examples of original native totem poles in the world. The United Nations has recognized the cultural value of these sites and designated Ninstints as a "World Heritage Site, of importance to the history of mankind". From our naturalists, and encounters with Haida, we will learn about the art, legends, customs and food gathering methods of the Haida people. We will gain an understand- ing of how the Haida related intimately to their environment to produce a unique and highly evolved art form. The rich native heritage and history are a major focus of the trip. Visiting the old Haida villages of Tanu, Skedans and Ninstints (Anthony Island) one discovers the best examples of standing totem poles in the world. We have the unique opportunity to meet Haida elders and learn from them |
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BIRDS The annual plankton bloom in the Queen Charlottes coincides with our visits in late spring and early summer. This rich influx of food into the ecosystem supports breeding colonies of up to one million seabirds. Interesting birds will be with us throughout these trips. Some of the more colorful species include: tufted puffins, horned puffins, rhinoceros auklets, black-footed albatross, black oystercatchers and pigeon guillemots. With such abundant bird life raptors are common in the Charlottes. The concentration of bald eagle nests along the coast is second only to Admiralty Island in Alaska. |
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This is a good area to see peregrine falcons, sharp-shinned hawks, red-tailed hawks and northern saw-whet owls. This saw-whet owl is one of the unique island sub-species. Our constant companions will be the smaller seabirds such as ancient murrelets, marbled murrelets, cassin's auklets, common murres, sandpipers, phalaropes and gulls. With the help of all interested trip members we will keep a list of our bird sightings. By the end of the voyage, we expect to have an impressive list in TREES AND PLANTS The Queen Charlotte Islands are home to some remarkable "old-growth" forests with giant stands of sitka spruce, western hemlock, red and yellow cedar. The coastal rain forests of the Pacific Northwest -- reaching a zenith in these islands -- hold the largest accumulation of biomass (living matter) on the planet, even more than tropical rain forests. The forest floors are deeply carpeted with hundreds of species of mosses, salal bushes, huckleberry and ferns. One of the fascinating ecological aspects is that the alpine zone almost reaches the ocean in many areas here. Hikes from the shore up to these alpine areas reveal meadows and bogs richly carpeted in grasses, herbs and brightly colored flowers such as buttercups, alpine lily and Newcombe's butterweed. WHALES AND PORPOISE These islands lie perched on the outer edge of the continental shelf. From the western shore of the Pacific Ocean drops off to incredible depths. Upwelling nutrients provide the essential ingredients for plankton -- the base of the food chain -- and form a rich feeding area for many marine mammals. Blue , sperm, minke, sei, gray, finback, humpback and killer whales (Orca) all historically frequent these waters. Earlier in the century, local whaling reduced their numbers. Although we cannot count on seeing them, we often encounter these fascinating marine mammals. Dall's porpoise often ride on the bow wave of the "Island Roamer", providing spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities. Harbour porpoise are common in the area and may be fleetingly seen. |
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SEA
LIONS, SEALS AND OTTERS
Steller sea lions are another marine mammal commonly seen. In early summer, several thousand of these large and raucous animals congregate at Cape St. James -- at the southern tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands -- to mate and give birth to their pups. Large male Stellars can weigh over a ton. This is one of the largest breeding rookeries on the west coast of North America -- an overpower- ing site (with its own overpowering smells -- downwind!). Harbour seals are frequently seen either swimming near shore or hauled out on beaches. Sea otters, unfortunately, were hunted to extinction in this area during the fur trade of the 1700 - 1800's. The Alaska populations of sea otter are expanding so fast, however, in the foreseeable future, sea otters will likely return to these islands. |
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INTERTIDAL
LIFE
Tidal changes of up to 23 feet between high and low tide create an environment for remarkably rich shoreline marine life. A highlight of the Gwaii Haanas / South Moresby region is Burnaby Narrows, a 150 foot wide channel connecting the waters of Juan Perez Sound and Skincuttle Inlet. This intertidal area has been described as the most productive aquatic zone in North America. Under the direction of our naturalist there will be opportunities for exploring this sensitive environment. We will find many varieties of sea stars, giant barnacles, mussels, clams, snails, urchins, crabs, sponges, chitons, sea cucumbers, nudi- branchs and a wealth of other colorful and interesting creatures. |
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We often float through the shallow waters observing the myriad variety of life just beneath the surface. While many participants may not expect intertidal life to be one of their highlights, the incredible richness of ocean life around the Queen Charlotte Islands truly amazes one. Not surprisingly, fishing can be excellent. Species include ling cod, red snapper, salomon and halibut. We do some fishing and hope to supplement the regularly prepared shipboard feasts. Fishing licenses are necessary, and must be obtained prior to departure. |
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LAND ANIMALS The Queen Charlotte Islands black bear is the largest black bear in the world.We often see them foraging along the beaches from the boat. Black-tailed deer and racoons are intoroduced species to the islands, and though we enjoy seeing them ashore, ecologically they are both causing problems. Without natural predators, their populations are expanding to the detriment of other species. Bird colonies are at risk to raccons, and the cedar tree -- backbone to the Haida culture -- is suffering from the over-browsing of the deer. |
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WILDERNESS A sailing voyage to the Queen Charlotte Islands will provide the rare opportunity to explore a pristine wilderness region. These Islands are an isolated archipelago, difficult to reach and rarely visited. We will walk beaches that may have seen no other footprints this year and look for Japanese glass fishing floats that might have washed ashore. We will anchor in secluded bays and expect to see few other people as we explore this remarkable wilderness area.
Prices are per person 7% tax will be added Prices subject to change without notice
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