In 2024, we celebrate 35 years of guiding adventurers through the spectacular waters of Haida Gwaii. Since 1989, Ocean Sound Kayaking’s Haida Gwaii tour has been a favorite for those seeking flexibility, seclusion, wildlife encounters, and the chance to experience Haida Totems up close.
If you prefer more kayaking and less time spent packing and unpacking, this tour is made for you. Haida Gwaii offers a true west coast experience—packed with adventure, history, and untamed beauty.
The remote southern waters are full of surprises, with endless beaches, hidden coves, ancient forests, Haida cultural landmarks, and the vibrant wildlife that defines Gwaii Haanas. The nutrient-rich waters are teeming with life, from playful Humpback and Minke whales to the occasional pod of Orcas. Seabirds like Tufted Puffins and Rhinoceros Auklets nest along the coast, while Stellar Sea Lions and Seals can be spotted relaxing on haul-outs, always a sight to behold.
One of the best parts of this tour is the freedom it offers. You’ll have the flexibility to design your own journey, as the itinerary is less tied to tides and weather than our expedition tours. With several base camps to choose from, you can explore a specific area in depth or move to a new spot when the mood strikes.
Click here to see the difference between an Expedition Tour and Basecamp Style Tour
A trip highlight is visiting SG̱ang Gwaay (Anthony Island), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic home of the Kunghit Haida people. The village, abandoned over a century ago, still boasts an incredible line-up of totem poles—many of them standing tall as living reminders of a once-vibrant culture. This island is home to the highest concentration of original standing totem poles anywhere in the world!
Take a virtual tour of SG̱ang Gwaay (Anthony Island).
With rugged coastlines, stunning beaches, and plenty of room for exploration, this tour is a true west coast adventure that everyone can enjoy
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 v
ariables.
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 islands’ main airport. They will entertain you with stories and point out coastal attractions while transporting you by zodiac to Rose Harbor, found in the remote southern end of Gwaii Haanas, where your Haida Gwaii kayak tour will begin. From 1905 to 1942 this was a once flourishing whaling station. Today, Rose Harbor boasts a population of four hardy west coast characters that homestead on site. This special place offers rustic accommodations and excellent local cuisine for travelers.
Once introduced to our mixed fleet of single and double kayaks, our objective is to travel safely in accordance with the weather, tides and general interests of the group. Each day you will explore somewhere new. Leaving Rose Harbor, we will establish our first wilderness camp in one of the many bays and islands found on the east coast of Kunghit Island.
Days 2 – 7 
Opportunities to view Humpback and Minke whales that often feed in these waters is possible. Feeding on krill, and small fish, a Humpback will consume over 1.5 tons (1,361 kg) of food a day. While the female is slightly larger than the male (45- 50 feet), these whales are capable of breeching their 40 tons completely out of the water – a sight never to be forgotten. These nutrient rich waters also create habitat for seals and Stellar Sea Lions. Weather permitting, paddling alongside the towering cliffs found in this quiet environment is one of our favourite places in Gwaii Haanas. From this location, not only do you get the opportunity to view the many Tufted Puffins that nest and feed here, but a glance of Cape St. James- the most southern point of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) is a treat. Besides big vistas, and amazing sunsets, guests are allowed to fish the eastern waters of Gwaii Haanas.
Yes, fishing from a kayak is often a highlight as you have a chance of providing yourself with a freshly caught meal- something no restaurant can offer. Please note that fishing is not permitted west of Rose Harbor, due to an established Rock Fish Conservation Area.
Moving camp and paddling through Huston Stewart Channel towards Rose Inlet, you get your first sight of the Pacific Ocean. Not yet ready for open ocean, we establish another remote camp along the shore of Rose Inlet. Rose Inlet allows us to explore the old growth forests that Haida Gwaii is known for. Walking through these towering forests kayakers see the Western Red Cedar tree (Thuja plicata) which is the provincial tree of British Columbia, and also known to coastal natives as the “TREE OF LIFE”. Guests can reflect on how the Haida felled these trees and stripped bark for cedar ornaments, clothing, houses, totem poles, and canoes.
Kayakers are also exposed to ancient fish weirs; places that the Haida once gathered migrating salmon in the fall months, before returning to their winter village of SG̱ang Gwaay (Anthony Island .
Now familiar with the local wildlife, history, and surroundings of Kunghit Island we head out to the open ocean. Paddling around Cape Fanny, the southern tip of Moresby Island, sends tingles through even the most seasoned visitor, and the Pacific Ocean sets the rhythm for the day. 
Our next camp will be within close proximity to Anthony Island, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SGang Gwaay.
Take a virtual tour of SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island).
The following day a short crossing brings us to the climax of our journey where we will spend the day in the presence of the Totems of the Pacific. Paddling the west coast jewel can offer you another opportunity to view Stellar Sea lions and seals that haul out on the many islets surrounding the island. Paddling up the west coast to Cape Freeman can also be an option, weather permitting. Exploring this less-travelled corridor provides vast views up and down the west coast of Haida Gwaii. Whether it is playing with an octopus or a nudibranch in a tide pool by camp, or sea kayaking along the shoreline at low tide, opportunities to enjoy the colorful intertidal life that kayaking Haida Gwaii is known for, are abundant throughout your journey.
Day 7 From our west coast camp, kayaking to an established bird colony to enjoy the many Tufted Puffins, and possibly a rare sighting of the well-dressed Horned Puffins, is a highlight to the day. Other birds such as the rhinoceros’ auklet, marbled murrelet, pigeon guillemot, Cormorant (pelagic and double crested), and a variety of sea gulls can be found in these waters.
Day 8 The final day, we will paddle amongst the many islands and islets of Houston Stewart Channel in the morning, and then prepare for your return to your accommodations in Sandspit. This is a true coastal experience for both beginners and experienced paddlers, and an adventure you will never forget!
All prices are in Canadian Dollars, and excludes the 190$ Gwaii Haanas Park Fee and 5% GST.
Review all Haida Gwaii Kayak Tour Dates
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 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.
Guests Expectations – Before you Go
For over 30 years, we’ve welcomed guests of all ages and abilities from around the world to experience the beauty of Haida Gwaii. Our goal is to ensure you know what to expect before your adventure begins, so you can arrive prepared and confident.
First – Adventure has no age limit. If you’re in good general health, comfortable around water, and excited to experience a remote wilderness, and wish to help with the occasional camp chore – you’ll fit right in.
No previous kayaking experience is required. We travel in a self-supported fleet of single and double sea kayaks with no support boat, so a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and camping experiences are often more valuable than paddling experience.
Teamwork Makes the Adventure
A successful kayak expedition is built on collaboration, shared purpose, and a willingness to pitch in. Every member of the group brings unique skills, strengths, and perspectives that help us navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and create an exceptional wilderness experience together.
Our trips are participatory adventures, which means everyone plays a role in the journey. From helping in the kitchen, and cleaning up camp to gathering firewood, carrying kayaks, collecting water, and helping with food storage, these shared responsibilities are all part of the expedition experience. Working together not only keeps camp running smoothly but also builds camaraderie and a genuine sense of accomplishment.
In a remote wilderness setting, teamwork is one of our most valuable tools. Some people are great help in the kitchen, others are natural organizers, strong paddlers, or enthusiastic fire builders. Whatever your strengths, there is a place for you to contribute. Supporting one another allows us to accomplish more as a team than we ever could individually.
Along the way, strangers become friends, confidence grows, and lasting memories are created. Our guides are there to lead, teach, and support the group, but the best expeditions are those where everyone shares in the experience. Together, we create a safe, inclusive, rewarding, and unforgettable adventure.
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 is that every day is 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 remain flexible and adapt to the conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Rather than measuring the day in nautical miles, it’s more helpful to think in terms of time on the water. Most days include approximately 2½–3 hours of paddling in the morning and another 2½–3 hours in the afternoon, with plenty of opportunities to stop for snacks, explore the shoreline, stretch, and enjoy the surroundings.
Our focus isn’t on covering the greatest distance—it’s on travelling efficiently, safely, experiencing the beauty of Haida Gwaii, and enjoying the journey together.
Lifting & Camp Life
Our trips are team-based adventures, and everyone is encouraged to lend a hand with camp life. Daily tasks may include preparing meals, cleaning up, setting up camp, collecting water and firewood, and helping move kayaks above the high-tide line each evening.
We can accommodate many physical limitations, but guests should be comfortable carrying approximately 20–30 lb (9–14 kg) and participating in shared camp responsibilities.
Washrooms & Bathing
There are no outhouses in Gwaii Haanas. We follow Parks Canada low-impact practices, including the intertidal flush method, and your guides will explain these procedures while providing privacy at rest stops and camps.
Many camps have fresh water for drinking and bathing, and we carry water when natural sources are unavailable. Unscented biodegradable wipes are a useful addition to your personal gear.
Our Wilderness Ethic
Our goal is simple: replace cell phones with solitude and streetlights with stars.
Haida Gwaii is often called the “Galápagos of the Pacific Northwest” for its remarkable biodiversity. We are committed to protecting this extraordinary place by following Parks Canada and Haida Nation guidelines for low-impact camping, respectful wildlife viewing, and responsible travel. On the first day of your trip, your guide will provide an orientation covering Haida culture, ecological stewardship, and the practices that help keep this wilderness truly wild.
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.