RTAM Trips to Haida Gwaii

Bill Cann, RTAM Past President

In June 2022, RTAM organized with Trip Merchant two group tours to Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands). Each tour was all inclusive for eight days/seven nights and accommodated between 20-22 RTAM members. A third tour is planned for September 11-18. More information is available at Discover Haida Gwaii: September 11-18, 2022 – RTAM (tripmerchant.ca)

Rather than review the above itinerary, I would like to share a few highlights from the first tour. Overall, the tour to one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in North America was reasonably priced, offered excellent meals and was very rewarding. The day after flying into Prince Rupert, our group boarded a large catamaran and sailed along the Great Bear Rainforest Coast to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. The catamaran captain was very skillful and navigated us to within 15 yards of a young grizzly bear digging for clams along the shoreline. We spent approximately two hours taking pictures of some 13 different grizzly bears within the sanctuary. On the return trip, we encountered a humpback whale as well as a pod of 8 sealions. Shortly thereafter, the boat stopped in the middle of nowhere and we all were looking around, seeing nothing but gentle ocean swells. The captain announced over the intercom to get our cameras ready as the crew tossed pieces of suet into the water. Suddenly we were graced by approximately twenty bald eagles swooping down to within ten yards of the catamaran to capture the suet in their talons. This was the first time I had ever seen bald eagles in the wild. I was mesmerized with both the beauty of the eagles as well as their incredible fishing skill.

A five-hour BC ferry ride took us to Haida Gwaii, where our bus picked us up and transported us to the Sea Raven Motel in the small town of Queen Charlotte.

The following day we travelled by bus to Masset on the northern tip of the island. There, our amazing Haida Watchman guide provided us with a fascinating explanation of the symbolism, history and construction of the Haida totem poles. We bused 10 kilometers east to the Naikoon Provincial Park where we enjoyed a picnic lunch. Half our group then hiked up to Tow Hill while the rest walked a boardwalk trail to a blowhole. Both sites provide majestic views of the ocean and rocky shoreline.

We toured an active forestry area around Port Clements and learned about the past conditions of the forest industry in Haida Gwaii. Nearby we hiked along the Golden Spruce Trail. The trail is named after the Golden Sitka Spruce that grew at the end of the trail for nearly 300 years and had a mutation causing the spruce to grow needles of a golden yellow colour. Our day ended with a traditional Haida feast in the home of a Haida elder. Every part of the meal was prepared from natural ingredients

Dorothy Young and Bill Cann

picked from the family garden or fished from the ocean that same day.

The final highlight of our journey was a three-hour private tour of the magnificent Haida Heritage Centre by our wonderful Haida Gwaii watchman guide.

Our tour was blessed with unexpectedly sunny weather. The forecast was for rain on 5 of our 8 days. Instead, it only rained the one day we visited the Heritage Centre. The only disappointment was the cancellation of the boat trip to SGang Gwaay Llnagaay (Ninstints) on Anthony Island and the ancient Haida village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cancellation was due to safety concerns about the rough seas. Thanks to Trip merchant and Anderson Travel Agency each RTAM member was fully reimbursed for this cancellation.

I hope that other RTAM members will take advantage of the many travel opportunities provided by Trip Merchant. RTAM members can sign up for the free Trip Merchant bi-weekly newsletter to access exciting travel destinations, deals and contests. 