Queen Charlotte Islands kayak vacation in Canada
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travelers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are traveling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travelers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
How this vacation makes a difference
Environment
The company is strong advocate of local environmental groups that are calling for an end to salmon farming on BC’s west coast. Scientific evidence has proven that salmon farms generate sea lice that infest juvenile salmon stocks. To this end, $50 of every tour sold is be directed to Save our Salmon Marine Conservation Foundation. As a member of the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, our kayak practices follow low impact guidelines that are based on "Leave No Trace" principles. As well, Gwaii Haanas Naitonal Park and Haida Heritage Site has strict guidelines for tour operators to follow and visitor quotas to ensure protection of the environment and a quality wilderness experience for all visitors.
When we encounter whales on our kayak trips we adhere to "Be Whale Wise" guidelines established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. We provide all gear to minimize what guests need to bring or purchase for a once in a lifetime experience. This feature reduces the weight of customer luggage which saves fuel during their transport by water taxi to our camp. All recyclables are returned to Sandspit. Where local recycling facilities are not available, items are stored until the end of the season and returned to larger recycling facilities on Vancouver Island. The company’s kayak operation is a member of the Gwaii Haanas Tour Operators Association.
Our environmental and educational practices also include:
- Educating and adhering to ‘bear aware’ practices on all camping trips.
- Providing water bottles and mugs to all guests.
- Soliciting and acting upon client comments as how to improve our sustainable tourism practices.
Community
Tourism is strictly regulated within the park to respect the special nature of Gwaii Haanas. For an area once highly dependent upon logging and commercial fishing, tourism provides much needed industry diversity, jobs, and income to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Logging continued in the area in the face of legal and political controversy until July of 1987, when Canada and British Columbia signed the South Moresby Memorandum of Understanding. The Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement in 1993. The Agreement expresses respect for both Canadian and Haida interests and designations, and includes a mutual commitment to the protect Gwaii Haanas.
Gwaii Haanas is cooperatively managed by the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), which is made up of an equal number of representatives from the Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada. The AMB is responsible for all aspects of planning, operation, and management of Gwaii Haanas. Each of the above itineraries visit Haida Heritage sites where guests will have a unique opportunity to experience the Haida history first hand.
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