QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS
PlACES TO SEE

The areas listed below are locations outside of our local communities. All of these areas offer amazing beauty and are well worth the extra effort or preparedness that it takes to get to them.

Sgang Gwaay / Rose Harbour

The Haida Village site of Sgang Gwaii, at the southern extremity of the Islands within the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Protected Area was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983? The Village houses the best examples of traditional totem poles in their natural surroundings and is a moving place for anyone fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit. Because there is no access by road into this area visitors wanting to visit this site are required to make prior arrangements for travel by boat or floatplane. The difficult logistics of this site are reflected in the cost although is worth the price and effort since this site is slowly returning to its natural state and is unlikely to be as visually stunning in a few decades although will remain a historically and culturally important site.

Rose Harbour is one of two abandoned whaling stations that operated on the Islands in the early 1900’s. It is located a few km east of Sgang Gwaay and is used as a transfer location for visitors visiting the UNESCO World heritage Site. Today there are several small B&B’s and private homes which are surprisingly comfortable considering their isolation from the rest of the islands. A few are occupied year round but mostly operate between the May through September season. A listing can be found under the Bed and Breakfasts heading under our Visitor Services link. Rose Harbour is at the bottom of the link.

There are a number of local operators that can arrange your passage to Sgang Gwaay, Rose Harbour or other locations within the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Protected Area listed under the Eco-Tours heading under the Visitor Services link.

Gray Bay

Gray Bay is a popular isolated Camping area south of Sandspit. Access is along the Gravel Logging Road that forms a circle route with the community. It offers scenic vistas east to the mainland and wonderful beachcombing opportunities. For information about the logging roads and route enquire with the Visitor Centre located in the Sandspit Airport.

Rennell Sound

Rennell Sound has the only vehicle accessible access to the rugged west coast of the islands. A few charter operators operate from the area during the summer but there are no services or other facilities closer than Queen Charlotte. Camping, fishing and beachcombing are popular activities in the area. The Visitor Centre in Queen Charlotte can provide visitors with the most recent and up to date information about accessing Rennell Sound.

North Beach

North Beach is located at the eastern end of Tow Hill Road within Naikoon Provincial Park. Although visitors will see many vehicles at times continuing past the roads end and driving along the beach this practice is not encouraged since knowledge of the tides and changing beach environment is needed and the negative consequences could really spoil a wonderful visit to the Islands. When placing a bet on having a Tow Truck arrive from Masset versus the tide coming in and swamping your stuck vehicle, the smart money bets with the tide although our hearts would be with you. To save any trouble, park in the Parking Lot on the Hiellen Indian Reserve located on the right just before the roadway reaches the beach. There is a beach information board and outhouses for your use here as well.

North Beach offers 23km of vast sandy beaches, prime habitat for beachcombing, birdwatching or just loosing yourself in the continuing expanse. Rose Spit, Canada’s longest sand spit formation is located at the farthest eastern point of North Beach and separates Dixon Entrance in the Northwest from Hecate Strait to the east.