My experience to Haida Gwaii and your guides exceeded my expectations. Jane and Bev were calm, competent, fun, and their knowledge of the culture, birds, plants, weather, history and culture, was awe inspiring. I definitely want to return to Haida Gwaii again.
Why We Love This Trip
This expedition takes a dramatically scenic route into the heart of a paddling paradise that should be on every kayaker’s wish list.
If the OSK team were to be biased regarding our favorite campsites and little nooks to explore, it would be this expedition, the Gwaii Haanas Legacy Traverse, which explores the northern waters of Gwaii Haanas. A unique paddling experience that highlights the many cultural treasures and natural wonders that checks off most of the bucket list of a dream paddling destination: totem poles, Haida Village sites, big trees, rugged islands, abundant wildlife, mountain vistas, and some of the best marine ecosystems found on the British Columbia coast.…
This classic kayaking trip that enjoys the pathless traveled departs on the shoulder season and is intended to beat the crowds to this world-class destination.
About The Area
The word “BIG” truly encapsulates this tour. The expansive sky in the region allows guests to witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from our favorite campsites.
It’s well-known that Haida Gwaii is famous for its large trees. A highlight of the tour is camping and walking among the towering old-growth trees at Hik’yah GawGa (Windy Bay). You can also take a virtual tour of the big trees of Windy Bay through this link. This campsite is the only Haida Watchmen site in Gwaii Haanas that allows paddlers to stay overnight, providing an opportunity to engage in an intimate and educational cultural experience. Hik’yah GawGa (Windy Bay) is also home to the Legacy Pole, which you can learn more about through this link.
Haida Gwaii, second only to the Bay of Fundy, experiences some of the largest tidal variations in Canada. The area boasts some of the best nutrient-rich waters and sea life in Gwaii Haanas. It is home to both Marine Ecological Reserve found in Gwaii Haanas – Murchison Narrows, and Ḵ’iid Xyangs Ḵ’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows).
The many islands found on this tour also provide a paddler with a diversity of fun shorelines and landscapes to explore, while these islands are also home to several bird colonies. Meanwhile, the nutrient-rich waters provide feed to the often-passing Humpback whales, and the occasional pod of transient killer whales in the surrounding waters as well.
Another unique feature of the tour is a visit to the natural thermal hot springs at Gandl K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hot Springs Islands).
During the tour, you’ll also have the chance to visit the Haida Village of T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu), the resting place of Haida Artist Bill Reid. Although there are no standing Haida Monumental Art, the calm and peaceful energy of the village makes it one of my favorite sites to visit.
Weather permitting, a stop to visit the Haida Totems of K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) during our transport days can be arranged as an additional highlight of the tour. We are excited to share the many cultural treasures and natural wonders of Gwaii Haanas with you this summer.
Where Adventure Meets Destination – Discover the Ultimate Kayaking Expedition in Gwaii Haanas
Explore the village remnants of Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay) and T’aanuu llnagaay (Tanu), before concluding your expedition with the totems of Ḵ’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans).
Reconnect with nature. Rediscover your spirit of adventure.
Deanna Del Vecchio, enjoying the giant Sitka Spruce at Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay). Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay) Haida Gwaii Watchman Site, Gwaii Haanas, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada.
Reviewing the Tour Map allows guests the opportunity to get familiar with the highlights, wildlife, and geographical locations of the tour. The goals of our Haida Gwaii kayak trips are to be fun, engaging, educational, and relaxing.
Kayaking Gwaii Haanas – Haida Gwaii is a true wilderness experience and requires a flexible mindset to travel safely in a self-propelled vessel. This is a self-supported kayak tour, which uses a mixed fleet of kayaks for your convenience, confidence and enjoyment. The success of the tour depends on weather, tides, guest interests, and the overall ability of the group. No one person (guides included) can have any control over such variables.
Below is an itinerary, created from over two decades of travel through Gwaii Haanas, that guests have enjoyed. That said, it is your tour, and you may have your own personal bucket list to check off, so OSK will try to facilitate any deviations from the below schedule.
Day 1
Your tour starts with our friends from Moresby Explorers picking you up at your accommodations in K’il Kun (Sandspit), the location of the island’s main airport. They will entertain you with stories and point out coastal attractions while transporting you by Zodiac to a remote location in Gwaii Haanas.
We establish camp on Kunga Island in close proximity to the village of T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu). Once a flourishing village, it is now the resting place of Haida Artist, Bill Reid. Many years ago we guided a small crew of geologists to Kunga Island who identified unique geological formations such as ancient lava tubes and pointed out a faint line that represented the Triassic- Jurassic time lines!
Take a virtual tour of T’aannu Llnagaay (Tanu).
Days 2 – 7 Paddling through the Tar and Agglomerate islands found on the eastern shoreline of Lyell Island brings us to Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay). To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Gwaii Haanas in 2013, the first Haida totem pole in 130 years was raised at this location. Wind Bay provides opportunities to explore the towering old growth forests that Gwaii Haanas is known for. Guests can see the Western Red Cedar tree (Thuja plicata), which is the provincial tree of British Columbia. The cedar is woven into Haida Culture, who know it as the “TREE OF LIFE”. Standing among these towering giants, it is easy to reflect on how the resourceful Haida used it to provide housing, canoes, totem poles, and clothing.
For more information on the 20th anniversary pole raising, check out the following link from the CBC.
Take a virtual tour of the Legacy Pole at Hlk’yah G̱awG̱a (Windy Bay).
The next day we will enjoy exploring the many islands and islets surrounding our camp, seeing old homesteads, sea lion and seal haul outs, blue heron colonies, and superb intertidal life. 
Enjoy a well-deserved soak in the natural thermals at G̱andll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hotspring Island) at the end of a day’s paddle.
After breaking camp we will travel through the Bishops Islands and cross Juan Perez Sound, named after the Spanish explorer’s voyage of 1774 on his frigate, the Santiago. The San Christoval Mountains will be the backdrop to our new camp. A hike to an alpine lake or discovering one of the many waterfalls in the area are other options for a day’s outing. This area is rich in Haida myths and ancient communities to explore.
Coinciding with low tides, this tour offers the opportunity to view either Ḵ’iid Xyangs Ḵ’iidaay (Burnaby Narrows) or Murchison Narrows, both protected marine conservation areas, where there is abundant sea life. Studies conducted by Parks Canada have determined that this area contains more than 290 aquatic species, and bat stars were counted at a density of 74 per square meter, (in contrast to a survey done on Vancouver Island that found just seven per square meter), making this some of the highest levels of living material (called Biomass) of any intertidal zone in the world!
Day 8 The final day we will visit the Totems of K’uunna Llnagaay (Skedans) on the northeast corner of Louise Island. K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) was home to over 50 pieces of monumental art in the 1900’s. Today guests can view the many mortuary and memorial poles that remain standing. The stop at K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) will be offered to guests on their Zodiac transport back to Moresby Camp.
All prices are in Canadian Dollars, and excludes the 190$ Gwaii Haanas Park Fee and 5% GST.
2028 OSK will be celebrating 40 incredible years of exploring Haida Gwaii – Why settle for second best!
Review all Haida Gwaii Kayak Tour Dates
Welcome to Your Haida Gwaii Adventure
For more than 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming guests of all ages and abilities from around the world to experience the wild beauty of Haida Gwaii.
Our goal is simple: we want you to know what to expect before you arrive, so you can feel prepared, confident, and excited for the adventure ahead.
Adventure Has No Age Limit
You don’t need to be a lifelong paddler or an experienced adventurer to join us. If you’re in reasonably good general health, comfortable around water, excited to explore a remote wilderness, and happy to lend a hand with the occasional camp chore, you’ll fit right in.
Previous kayaking – Canoeing experience can be an asset, but not required
We travel as a self-supported fleet of single and double sea kayaks, without a support boat. This means that a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and you are adaptable. More important – ALL guests must have past camping experiences, this is often more valuable than previous paddling experience.
You’ll learn as you go, and our guides will be there to teach, encourage, and support you along the way.
A Typical Day on the Water
One of the questions we hear most often is:
“How far will we kayak each day?”
The honest answer? Every day is a little different.
Our route and daily distance are influenced by tides, wind, swell, weather, and the pace of the group. Because our expeditions are fully self-supported, we have the flexibility to adapt our plans to the conditions. Safety and enjoyment always come first.
Rather than focusing on nautical miles, it’s more useful to think about time on the water.
On most days, we aim to paddle for approximately 5–6 hours total — generally 2½–3 hours in the morning and another 2½–3 hours in the afternoon. Along the way, there’s plenty of time to stop for snacks, stretch your legs, explore the shoreline, take in the scenery, and simply enjoy where you are.
It’s to travel efficiently and safely, experience the incredible beauty of Haida Gwaii, and enjoy the journey together.
And Yes… Sometimes It Rains!
We wish we could promise that every day would bring sunshine, calm seas, and a helpful wind at our backs. Mother Nature, however, has never been particularly interested in following our itinerary!
There may be days when we paddle in the rain, work our way into the wind, or adjust our plans because of changing conditions. A good sense of humour, flexibility, and a positive attitude go a long way.
The weather is part of the adventure — and often makes the stories we tell later even better.
Teamwork Makes the Adventure
A successful kayak expedition is a team effort. Everyone arrives with different skills, strengths, and experiences, and that’s part of what makes each group unique.
Our trips are participatory adventures, which means everyone has a role to play. You may find yourself helping prepare a meal, washing dishes, gathering firewood, collecting water, carrying kayaks, organizing camp, or helping with food storage.
Don’t worry — we’re not expecting you to be an expert at everything! Some people are fantastic in the kitchen, others are natural organizers, strong paddlers, enthusiastic fire builders, or simply great at keeping everyone laughing.
Whatever your strengths, there’s a place for you on the team.
Working together keeps camp running smoothly, but it also creates something more important: camaraderie. Shared responsibilities, small challenges, and plenty of time together in the wilderness have a wonderful way of turning strangers into friends.
Our guides are there to lead, teach, and support the group, but the best expeditions are those where everyone contributes. Together, we create a safe, inclusive, rewarding, and unforgettable experience.
Lifting & Camp Life
Life in a remote wilderness comes with a little more hands-on participation than a typical vacation — and that’s part of the fun!
Daily camp tasks may include:
- Preparing meals and helping with cleanup
- Setting up and organizing camp
- Collecting water and firewood
- Helping move kayaks above the high-tide line each evening
- Assisting with food and gear storage
We can accommodate many physical limitations, and we encourage you to talk with us ahead of time about any concerns or limitations you may have.
Guests should be comfortable carrying approximately 20–30 lb (9–14 kg) and participating in shared camp responsibilities.
You don’t have to be the strongest person in the group. We work together, share the load, and help each other out.
Washrooms & Bathing
A wilderness expedition means embracing a few differences from home — including the washroom!
There are no outhouses in Gwaii Haanas. We follow Parks Canada’s low-impact practices, including the intertidal flush method. Your guides will explain how this works and ensure you have privacy at rest stops and camps.
Many camps have access to fresh water for drinking and bathing. When natural water sources aren’t available, we carry what we need.
An unscented biodegradable wipe is also a very useful addition to your personal gear.
A little preparation goes a long way, and knowing what to expect means you can spend less time worrying about the practical details — and more time soaking up the magic of Haida Gwaii.
Click Here – For details on wildlife, highlights, and geographical locations regarding this tour.
Below is an overview, created from over two decades of travel through Gwaii Haanas, that guests have enjoyed. Kayaking Gwaii Haanas – Haida Gwaii is a true wilderness and requires a flexible mindset to travel safely in a self-propelled kayak. The success of the tour depends on the weather, tides, guests’ interests, and the overall ability of the group. No one person, including guides, has no control over such variables.
The perfect vacation looks different for everyone, so it’s important to ask yourself some initial questions when planning a trip to Haida Gwaii.
Please take note that Ocean Sound Kayaking does not accept direct online bookings.
Instead, we prefer to communicate with our guests over the phone when possible. This allows us to introduce ourselves, answer any questions you may have about designing the perfect trip for you, or about Haida Gwaii in general. Additionally, this process allows OSK to create a cohesive group well before we even meet on Haida Gwaii.
This is what sets us apart – the OSK difference.
The OSK Team has designed a few tutorials for you.
A compressive Trip Planner and further videos will be presented to all guest once registered on a tour with Ocean Sound Kayaking, referencing over 30 years of questions and answers.