History and Humpbacks in Haida Gwaii

An expert take on the ancient customs and striking landscapes of “Canada’s Galápagos” — a rugged archipelago off the coast of British Columbia.

By Robert Liwanag

01

What’s your favorite thing about Haida Gwaii?

That you have to see it with your own eyes. The archipelago is made up of more than 200 islands, and photos can’t capture the raw beauty of the sunrises and sunsets against the rocky coastline. Mornings in Haida Gwaii are incredibly serene, and you get to see the islands wake up throughout the day.

02

How do you include Indigenous voices in your tours?

Our eight-day Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii itinerary dedicates five days to Haida Gwaii. Visitors learn about the Haida people, an Indigenous group who have lived on the archipelago for more than 12,000 years. James Williams, a Haida Gwaii Watchman — the traditional protectors of the islands’ cultural sites — guides visitors along the Golden Spruce Trail and Tow Hill, a volcanic plug in Naikoon Park.

03

Are there opportunities to see wildlife?

On the ferry from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii, you might spot orcas in July and August, and humpback and gray whales from March to June. Whales are deeply important to Indigenous people, with orcas playing a significant role in Haida culture.

04

How can visitors help to preserve these lands?

In 2021, the Haida Nation introduced the Haida Gwaii Pledge. Unlike a city, which has its artifacts in museums, most of Haida Gwaii’s relics have not been moved from the land. The Pledge encourages respect — how you receive it is how you should leave it — and asks that visitors honor the Haida ways of being. For instance, you need to ask permission before snapping a photo of a person or landmark, and you should take only what is given to you, leaving behind things like rocks and feathers.

Pamela Parks

SENIOR LEAD OF GROUP OPERATIONS AT ANDERSON VACATIONS

Born in Calgary and raised across Canada, Parks is a 20-year veteran of the tourism industry. Today, she creates itineraries and fosters partnerships at Anderson Vacations, which offers immersive small-group tours throughout North America.