Join me on a west coast adventure to Haida Gwaii!
Danny Catt's Invitation Letter
Greetings from the west coast of Canada!
Spring is definitely in full swing here in Vancouver. I so love this time of year! The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and the days, and hours of sunshine, are getting longer every day.
I want to invite you to join me, just after the summer solstice (June 24 to July 3), on a west coast adventure in Haida Gwaii aboard the fabulous, and very comfortable, SV Island Solitude. I have had the great pleasure of exploring the magical islands of Haida Gwaii since I was a teenager. So much has happened in the forty-plus years since my first visit to the islands including the creation of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
Gwaii Haanas is one of the world's best examples of a co-managed protected area with the Haida Nation and Parks Canada working together to protect and manage this unique and rare west coast ecosystem. You will meet, and be guided by, Haida Watchmen who will welcome us to different village sites, one of which, SGang Gwaay, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The art on the carved poles is considered amongst the best example of its type on Earth.
Haida Gwaii is often referred to as the Galapagos of the north due to its abundance of rare, unique, and endemic wildlife. The old-growth forest is magnificent and we'll spend lots of time seeking out the island's birds, mammals and marine invertebrates!
Late June and early July is a great time to visit the islands as the seabirds are abundant and the humpback whales are back in the productive waters of the west coast after their winter sojourns in Mexico or Hawaii. We will see harbour seal haul-outs and steller's sea lion rookeries. If we are fortunate, we will see transient (Bigg's) orca out in search of the abundant food found in the archipelago. The islands are so rich in wildlife and history!
There are a few spots still available for this itinerary so if you are keen, please do contact us to find out how to join our small group of 12 adventurous explorers.
Yours in adventure!
All best, Danny
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Haida Gwaii-
June 24 to July 3, 2023
$11,875 CAD + 5% tax
per person based on double occupancy
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Highlights
Explore the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and the National Marine Conservation area
Travel creeks threading through old-growth forests and navigate the waterways between the communities of the islands. View incredible landscapes and search for a rich array of wildlife. Explore villages in old-growth forests and destinations inaccessible by land.
Appreciate the richness of Haida culture
• Enjoy a traditional Haida meal hosted at the home of a Haida elder
• Visit Haida Gwaii Museum and the Kay LInagaay Heritage Centre
• Tour SGang Gwaay Linagaay, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Seek out multitudes of seabirds and marine life
Tour a variety of coastal habitats with seasoned experts who know where to look for wildlife. Get down to water levels in sea kayaks for intimate exploration of the natural habitat!
SV Island Solitude
With state-of-the-art technology, this new yacht is the most breathtaking, elegant, and efficient tour vessel on the northwest Pacific coast. She carries twelve guests in six cabins with two lower beds and ensuite bathrooms. The wheelhouse on deck accommodates the entire group for meals at two tables with incredible views.
