Haida Gwaii on a Budget
Have you been putting off a trip to Haida Gwaii because you think you may not be able to afford it? Haida Gwaii can be visited and thoroughly enjoyed even on a tight budget!
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
Perhaps the least expensive time to travel for most, would be in the off season. We are only a 2-hour flight from Vancouver and airfare can be as little as $500 return in the off-season. BC Ferries rates are also under $500 return including a vehicle.
For more info on ‘getting here’ see www.gohaidagwaii.ca/getting-here-around/ .
In addition, many of the accommodations have off-season rates making travel in the shoulder seasons, more attractive http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/directory/category/accommodations .
Photo Credit: Dorothy & Mike's Guest House
There are so many things to see and do at little or no cost, the challenge will be to try to fit them all into your visit!
Photo Credit: Brodie Guy@brodieguy.com
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
Let’s take a look at ‘a few’ of the low/no cost adventures to be had in the various Haida Gwaii seasons - many can be enjoyed year round!
Photo Credit: Haida Gwaii Photos
Spring (April/May)
- Whale-watching from alongside Hwy 16 in Skidegate - During the spring, whales can often be watched from the viewing bench overlooking Skidegate Inlet. Jags’ Beanstalk coffee shop is located right across the road – so grab a coffee and muffin and enjoy!
Photo Credit: Parks Canada, C.Bergman
- Visit the Haida Heritage Centre and Museum in Skidegate - The price of the museum entrance fee includes three daily tours (canoes, totem poles and weaving) at the heritage centre. Museum admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6.
- You can also do a self guided tour of the Heritage Centre's carving shed, Haida canoes and totem poles (no charge).
Photo Credit: Haida Heritage Centre
- You'll want to include the Old Massett Totem Pole Tour
- Beachcombing/Beach Picnics – Haida Gwaii is all about beaches! The beaches are easy to find (along the roadsides with pull-outs and parking areas too). Beachcombing is very popular on North Beach (Masset), East Beach (Tlell) and the Sandspit area (Moresby Island).
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
- Kayak rentals in Queen Charlotte (Kitgoro Kayaking) for appx $50/day - Kayak the protected inlets - bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!
Photo Credit: Alan Lore / Kayak Haida Gwaii
- Tow Hill and the Blow Hole 'hikes' – easy walking and amazing scenery – remember to bring your camera! For more see http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/tow-hill-hike/
- Beachcombing on Agate Beach (adjacent to North Beach)
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
- Surfing (appx $30/day board rental) on North Beach or Stand Up Paddleboarding (appx $50/day board rental) in any of the protected inlets or lakes - North Beach Surf Shop or Kitgoro Kayaking
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
- Museums – Settlers’ Museum in Port Clements (Admission is $3 for teens and adults/ children - no charge) and the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum in Masset (Admission is $2)
- Galleries and Shops - Browse and meet the artists and artisans with a self-guided Art Route tour or check out our artist and gallery directory
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
- Bike Haida Gwaii! See also http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/oceanside-biking-on-haida-gwaii
Photo Credit: Katie Allen
- Bird Watching at the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary and Interpretive Centre (Masset) and Yakoun Estuary (Port Clements). Admission to the Delkatla Sanctuary Interpretive Centre is $2. There is no charge for access to the Sanctuary walks in Masset or Port Clements .
- Explore the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary's trails and follow the adjacent Cemetary Road out to sandy South Beach for an afternoon stroll
Photo Credit: Ian Gould
- Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife is in abundance and viewing is as easy as taking a drive along the highway!
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
Photo Credit: Mary Helmer
Summer (June – Sept)
- Visit the Haida Heritage Centre and Museum - daily tours or self guided. The museum is amazing - remember to check it out. See above for the admission fee and benefits.
Photo Credit: Haida Heritage Centre
- Kayak rentals in Queen Charlotte for appx $50/day - Kayak the protected inlets and explore the surrounding islands and beaches Kitgoro Kayaking
- Tow Hill and the Blow Hole hikes. For more see also http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/tow-hill-hike/
- Beachcomb for agates, shells and glass balls (North Beach, East Beach and the Sandspit area)
- Stand Up Paddleboarding ($50/day) or take lesson
- North Beach Surf Shop
- Kitgoro Kayaking (Queen Charlotte)
- The Tlell Fall Fair (August long weekend) ($10/adult). See also http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/the-tlell-fall-fair/
- Masset Harbour Days parade & events (August)
- River Fishing (recreational fishing license needed)
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
- Crabbing at North Beach - nets available at North Beach Surf Shop (recreational fishing license needed)
- Camping (private, municipal, provincial and forestry campgrounds – for more information, see our campground profiles in our accommodation directory http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/directory/category/camping-rv and check out our blog on camping http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/camping-on-haida-gwaii/.
Photo Credit: Guy Kimola / Haida Gwaii Photos
- Hospital Day parade & events in Queen Charlotte (mid-June) http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/hospital-days-2012-village-of-queen-charlotte/
- Canada Day parade & events in Port Clements
- Skidegate Days parade & events (mid-July) http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/skidegate-days/
- Logger Sports Day parade & events in Sandspit (mid-July) http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/sandspit-loggers-sports-day/
Photo Credit: Flavien Mabit
Fall/Winter (Oct – March)
- Visit the Haida Heritage Centre and Museum
(see above for admission fee and benefits)
Photo Credit: Haida Heritage Centre
- Surfing on North Beach - North Beach Surf Shop
- Board Rental ($30/day) / Wet Suit/Boots/Gloves Rental ($30/day)
- Lessons ($99/day includes gear, board and a 2-hr lesson + all day use)
- Annual Surfing Expression Session on North Beach (Early November) - check out our blog http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/haida-gwaii-surfing-expression-session
- Tow Hill and the Blow Hole hikes. See also http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/tow-hill-hike/
- River Fishing (recreational fishing license needed)
Video Credit: epicflyfishing
- Wilderness hikes for all levels– for more information on hikes, see our directory listings
- Take the Art Route Tour and meet emerging to world-renowned Haida Gwaii artists and artisans
- Visit ‘Artisan Row’ in Tlell (Crystal Cabin, Sitka Studio, Ernie Burnett’s Carving Studio). For more see http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/artisan-row-in-tlell/
- Beachcomb for agates, shells and glass balls! The Crystal Cabin will make your Haida Gwaii agates into lovely pendants
Photo Credit: Caroline Cournoyer-Galt
- Storm-watch from beside the fire in the comfort of your ocean front cabin!
Photo Credit: Ian Gould
- Stroll along the Sea Walk in Queen Charlotte (see also http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/the-queen-charlotte-seawalk/)
- Sunset Park walk in Port Clements (see also http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/blog/sunset/)
- Bird Watching at the Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary & Interpretive Centre (Masset) and Yakoun Estuary (Port Clements)
- Museums – Settlers’ Museum in Port Clements and the Maritime Museum in Masset
- Scallop harvesting on North Beach (recreational fishing license needed)
- Haida Gwaii Film Festival (early March, 2013 - Skidegate and Masset)
The list goes on! For more ideas and travel planning help check out our website http://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haida-Gwaii-Tourism/185862411468748?ref=hl.
Come on over for a visit!
