You will need to arrive in Sandspit the day before the kayaking trip departs (i.e. arrival to Sandspit must be on July 6 or July 20, depending on which trip you are registered for). You are also responsible for booking your own accommodation in Sandspit the nights of July 6 and 14 (if booked on the July 7-14 trip) or July 20 and 28 (if booked on the July 21-28 trip). See recommended pre-trip accommodations below.

Sandspit is accessed directly by scheduled air service from Vancouver, BC and by ferry service from Prince Rupert via Skidegate on Graham Island.

Two ways to arrive into Sandspit:

By Air

Flying into Sandspit Airport (YZP) is usually the easiest way to arrive. Sandspit Airport is within a 15-minute walk of most local accommodations.

Air Canada services Sandspit from Vancouver on a daily basis.

By Car/Ferry

The ferry from Prince Rupert takes about seven hours to cross Hecate Strait before arriving at Skidegate Landing on Graham Island. Once at Skidegate Landing one must take a second BC Ferry to Alliford Bay on Moresby Island, about a 20-minute voyage. Sandspit is a 15-kilometre drive east from this ferry terminal.

To get to Prince Rupert, one can also take a BC Ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island up the Inside Passage.

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 1 – July 7 or July 21
Time: approximately 7:30 AM
Location: You will be picked up at the pre-trip hotel listed in your Travel Details Form.

Notes about Meet Up:

You will need to book accommodations for the night of July 6th or July 20th (depending on which trip you are registered for) as soon as possible as Sandspit has limited accommodations and they are very busy in the summer months. See pre-trip accommodations recommendations.
You will not meet your WWE trip guides in person until you reach the park (after the zodiac ride). Please make sure you read the packing notes carefully to ensure you have all your gear organized as instructed.
Luggage you do not need with you on the expedition can be left either at the Moresby Explorers office in Sandspit, or at your accommodation.
Although there will be no official meeting on July 8th, a “get to know each other” group dinner is a nice touch to begin your trip. Connecting with your fellow Wild Women on the trip’s Facebook page before your trip is a great way to coordinate a meet-up.
The Haida Gwaii kayaking tour starts from the community of Sandspit, BC, Canada and can be accessed by plane, train, or automobile; however, a Ferry will be required for those not flying directly from Vancouver, BC.
We will be in a remote coastal environment exposed to a diversity of weather conditions and transportation to/from Gwaii Haanas and may require last-minute adjustments from our transport providers. For these reasons, we require all travel arrangements to be made no later than the day before the tour start date and it is recommended to leave the island the day after the tour scheduled last day. If you have any questions please contact support@wildwomenexpeditions.com.

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

Participants must provide their own accommodations in Sandspit for the night of July 6th or July 20th (depending on which trip they are registered for). Sandspit is a hamlet and has limited accommodations available and they are very busy in the summer months, so participants should book early.

DEPARTURES FROM SANDSPIT

The trip ends on Day 8. If you’re not staying on in Haida Gwaii after the trip, the soonest you can depart from Sandspit is the morning of July 15 or July 29 (depending on which trip you are registered for). Your arrival time back to Sandspit via Moresby Camp on Day 8 is dependent on the weather and how fast the zodiac can travel and then the condition of the road from Moresby Camp. The trip can take up to 5 hours or more in total.

You will need to book accommodations for the night of Day 8 as soon as possible as Sandspit has limited accommodations and they are very busy in the summer months. Please see recommended post trip accommodations.

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 8 – July 14 or July 28 (depending on which trip you are registered for)
Time: Weather dependent (likely late afternoon or evening)
Location: At your post-trip hotel accommodation in Sandspit

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

It is highly recommended that you do not plan to depart Sandspit until the morning of July 15 or July 29 (depending on which trip you are registered for) or later. To book accommodations for the night of Day 8, we recommend:

Please book as soon as possible as Sandspit has limited accommodations and they are very busy in the summer months.

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

US citizens at land and sea borders have other options, such as an enhanced driver’s license, permanent resident card or NEXUS card. See Canada Border Services for approved identification documents.

Visa:

Visitors from certain countries require a visa to enter Canada. Those who are exempt require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA; $7 USD), with the exception of Americans. This must be applied for prior to traveling and can be completed online. It usually takes minutes but can take days. See how to apply Electronic Travel Authorization.

If you would like additional assistance in securing your visa, we recommend you consider using the services of CIBTVisas.

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

TIPPING

There is no obligation to tip your guides or other tour staff, but many participants do when they feel they were provided great service. We are often asked what an appropriate amount is: most participants who provide a gratuity for their guides and other tour staff, have each tipped in the range of $15 – $25 per day per guide. The guides and tour staff may share the gratuity, although most people prefer to offer a separate amount to each guide and staff member.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

All accommodations are based on double occupancy – two women per tent. Due to limited kayak storage and campsite space, solo tents are not available.

Potable Water:

Tap water in Sandspit is fine to drink. On the kayak trip, treated potable water will be provided.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Outfitter Tents:

High-quality sleeping tents for two-person occupancy will be supplied.

Participants are required to bring a three-season synthetic sleeping bag that will fit into a 20L dry bag, as well as a sleeping pad (i.e. Thermarest) (see packing list for further details)

Notes about Camp Life:

We will all participate in the daily chores and contribute to the overall team environment such as food cache, meal prep, meal clean up, setting up camp, collecting firewood and drinking water, etc. You should be able to carry up to 20 – 30 pounds, as kayaks must be placed above the high tide line nightly.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT HAIDA GWAII

The Haida Heritage Center and Museum at QAY’LLNAGAAY

Located 2 km. from the ferry terminal at Skidegate the new Haida Heritage Center and Museum is a worthwhile addition to a trip itinerary. Along with the many artifacts there are six newly raised totem poles. A visit to the museum adds historical context to the paddling trip. Seeing both the newly carved totem poles at the museum and the older ones on Anthony Island provides insight into the strength and continuum of Haida artistic tradition.

For more information visit www.haidaheritagecentre.com or call (250) 559-4643.

Common Animals:

Listed below are some of the animals we receive the most questions about as well as our approach to viewing and dealing with them:

Orcas

These are not encountered as frequently in Haida Gwaii as they are in the Johnstone Strait. The main goal when paddling with orcas is not to disturb their normal activities. To achieve this, we do not approach any closer than 100 metres to travelling orcas and never closer than 200 metres to resting orcas. While kayaking, our approach to viewing orcas and other marine mammals will vary depending upon their behaviour. Quite often we will form a tight group by “rafting” our kayaks together so that we do not form an obstacle course they need to maneuver. We may paddle alongside orcas at a reasonable distance as they travel but we must be careful not to cross in front of them. Approaching too close or placing ourselves in their path may force them to change their route and normal behaviours.

Whales, dolphins and porpoises

The standards that we have in place for orcas also applies to all other whales, dolphins and porpoises.

Seals and Sea lions

They pose another set of concerns that whales do not. We may often see seal and sea lions hauled out of the water on rocks. This is an important time for them to rest. The closest we should approach is 100 metres but if the animals seem agitated by our presence at greater distances we will give them even more room.

Bears

Black bears are common in Haida Gwaii. If and when we see black bears it is usually from our kayaks as they forage for food along the tide line. When in our kayaks we will approach from downwind and come no closer than 100 metres, keeping noise to a minimum. If the bears become aware of our presence we will immediately back away.

To ensure bears do not become habituated to kayakers and associate people and kayaks with food, we must follow some basic procedures when in camp. All food, trash and recyclables must be properly stored to minimize scent and access. No food, gum, toiletries or other scented items are to be taken into tents at any time. If leaving camp take a “buddy” and make lots of noise in the woods so as not to surprise an animal. Your guides will cover basic precautions to be taken to avoid animal conflicts at your pre-trip meeting.

Climate & Weather:

The climate, moderated by a warm Pacific current from Japan, is generally mild with no extremes in temperature. Annual temperature varies only 68°F (20°C) but is variable and unpredictable – even within a 24-hour period. This explains the often heard. If you don’t like the weather, wait 20 minutes. Average rainfall is 59 inches (150 centimeters), snowfall 11 inches (28 centimeters) and there is generally a breeze, most often out of the southeast.

Summer temperatures are in the 59 - 68°F (15-20°C) range and the days are long – May, June, July boasting 18 to 20 hours of daylight.

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Suggested Reading:

PARADISE WON, Elizabeth May
SOLITARY RAVEN, Bill Reid
THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS, Vols 1 and 2, Kathleen E. Dalzell
RAVENS CRY, Christie Harris
A STORY AS SHARP AS A KNIFE, Robert Bringhurst
ARTIFACTS OF THE NORTHWEST COAST INDIANS, Hilary Stewart
NINSTINTS: HAIDA WORLD HERITAGE,George F. MacDonald
HAIDA TEXTS AND MYTHS, SKIDEGATE AND DIALECT, John R. Swanton
CHIEFS OF SEA AND SKY: Haida Heritage Sites, George F. MacDonald
THE GOLDEN SPRUCE, John Vaillant
THE ART OF EMILY CARR, Doris Shadbolt
HAIDA ART, George F. MacDonald
THE BLACK CANOE, Robert Bringhurst

Useful Websites:

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Kayaking:

As kayaking is the primary activity of this trip, please notify Wild Women Expeditions if you are a non-swimmer. This trip is an intermediate kayaking trip and some previous sea kayaking and backcountry camping experience is required.

Your group will be paddling 4 – 6 hours each day but plenty of time is available to travel and see the sights, so the group will be going at a comfortable pace and enjoying the changing scenery and views. Wild Women Expeditions recommends that in the months leading up to your adventure, you prepare yourself by walking regularly and exercising your arms – carrying items, paddling, using rowing machines etc., as well as increasing your level of fitness with cardio and/or weight training.

Each trip brings in supplies for the trip on the same ferry as the guests. This includes all your personal gear, sleeping bags, tents, plus all food and drinking water for the trip. You should be able to carry 20 to 35 pounds. However, we can accommodate most guests who have physical limitations. Please discuss these with us and disclose them on your form submissions or email them directly to our office.

We ask all guests to help load and unload the water taxi and move supplies.
Kayaks are often moved with gear and supplies packed in them. Due to this additional weight, 4-6 people will help move packed single kayaks and 7-8 people to move packed double kayaks.
Each day we must move the kayaks up and down the beaches to store them above the high tide line. This can often be up to 100 metres. We will need everyone’s help.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Take every opportunity you can to paddle before the trip.

To help you prepare for 8 days of coastal kayaking, try to get out paddling or take a lesson or two with a local kayak outfitter in your neck of the woods. Even a pool session is good! This will further boost your kayaking confidence which will allow you to enjoy your trip that much more.

Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Work on your upper body and core strength.

Weight lifting, yoga and pilates can help with this.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].