Finding the right Haida Gwaii accommodations is quite easy for those who know the lay of the land. Travelers planning for a trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands aka the Charlottes can find a range of lodgings in different communities and islands. The key to getting it right is matching the lodgings with the planned itinerary and activities for the trip.
The best way to start is by learning a bit more about the Charlottes, an archipelago off the British Columbia mainland in Canada. It consists of the Graham and Moresby islands, along with some 150 smaller ones. Moresby has a bare minimum population of about 400, and is largely occupied by the Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site. The most convenient and tourist-friendly place to stay is therefore Graham Island.
Within Graham, the two most popular locations for visitors are Masset and Queen Charlotte, both villages. Masset can be found on the island's north coast, while Queen Charlotte is located at the southern end. Tourists who want to spend a lot of time on Moresby Island will find suitable lodgings in Sandspit.
Regardless of the choice of community, most everyone will be staying pretty much on or close to Highway 16. It runs north-south along both Graham and Moresby, and passes by virtually every community which a visitor may want to see or stay in. This also means that most hotels and motels on all the islands can be found very near to Highway 16.
However, hotels and motels are not the only choice for a place to stay. As a matter of fact, the pristine beauty and raw ruggedness of these unspoiled islands attracts a lot of outdoor enthusiasts who may prefer camping or renting a private cottage, cabin or fishing lodge. Again, a majority of the campsites, RV parks, private cottages and cabins are to be found in Queen Charlotte and Masset.
In addition to Sandspit, Queen Charlotte and Masset, other communities that are tourist-friendly include Port Clements, Tow Hill and Tlell. Exactly which one of these to select depends largely on what the visitor intends to do while in the Charlottes. The luxury lodges and inns in Sandspit, for instance, are ideal for national park visitors looking for a place to stay on Moresby Island.
Visitors who plan to get an RV to explore the length and breadth of the Charlottes will want to check out the RV parks in Masset. Campers who want to stay in the outdoors will find tent parks and campgrounds aplenty in Queen Charlotte. Anglers can fly directly to one of the small islands which have fishing lodges and nothing besides.
There are two conditions that all Haida Gwaii accommodations must fulfill. One is that it should be close to Highway 16, and the second one is that it has to be close to the water. The rest is simply about finding the right place that matches the budget and personal preferences.
The best way to start is by learning a bit more about the Charlottes, an archipelago off the British Columbia mainland in Canada. It consists of the Graham and Moresby islands, along with some 150 smaller ones. Moresby has a bare minimum population of about 400, and is largely occupied by the Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site. The most convenient and tourist-friendly place to stay is therefore Graham Island.
Within Graham, the two most popular locations for visitors are Masset and Queen Charlotte, both villages. Masset can be found on the island's north coast, while Queen Charlotte is located at the southern end. Tourists who want to spend a lot of time on Moresby Island will find suitable lodgings in Sandspit.
Regardless of the choice of community, most everyone will be staying pretty much on or close to Highway 16. It runs north-south along both Graham and Moresby, and passes by virtually every community which a visitor may want to see or stay in. This also means that most hotels and motels on all the islands can be found very near to Highway 16.
However, hotels and motels are not the only choice for a place to stay. As a matter of fact, the pristine beauty and raw ruggedness of these unspoiled islands attracts a lot of outdoor enthusiasts who may prefer camping or renting a private cottage, cabin or fishing lodge. Again, a majority of the campsites, RV parks, private cottages and cabins are to be found in Queen Charlotte and Masset.
In addition to Sandspit, Queen Charlotte and Masset, other communities that are tourist-friendly include Port Clements, Tow Hill and Tlell. Exactly which one of these to select depends largely on what the visitor intends to do while in the Charlottes. The luxury lodges and inns in Sandspit, for instance, are ideal for national park visitors looking for a place to stay on Moresby Island.
Visitors who plan to get an RV to explore the length and breadth of the Charlottes will want to check out the RV parks in Masset. Campers who want to stay in the outdoors will find tent parks and campgrounds aplenty in Queen Charlotte. Anglers can fly directly to one of the small islands which have fishing lodges and nothing besides.
There are two conditions that all Haida Gwaii accommodations must fulfill. One is that it should be close to Highway 16, and the second one is that it has to be close to the water. The rest is simply about finding the right place that matches the budget and personal preferences.
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