Graham Island

Island Largest Haida Gwaii island off British Columbia coast

The largest island of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia, Graham Island offers temperate rainforest, totem poles, wildlife viewing and Haida cultural sites; ferry and flight links connect to Prince Rupert.

Main image

Graham Island is the largest island in the Haida Gwaii archipelago (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) off the north coast of British Columbia. It is a principal population and cultural centre for the Haida Nation and for communities on the islands.

The island has been occupied by the Haida people for millennia and contains archaeological and cultural landscapes tied to Haida traditions. European contact and colonial settlement from the 18th and 19th centuries led to development of fishing, logging and small-town communities.

Graham Island lies off the north coast of British Columbia within Haida Gwaii; access from the mainland is typically via ferry or air services to the island group and the landscape is dominated by temperate rainforest and coastal marine environments.

  • Access and culture: Regular ferry and air connections link the island group with mainland British Columbia (Prince Rupert), and the island is an entry point for Haida cultural tourism and wilderness recreation.

What to See #

  • Main island of Haida Gwaii: The northern part of Haida Gwaii and the archipelago's largest island, hosting coastal communities, rivers and extensive temperate rainforest ecosystems. The island contains cultural sites and totem-pole traditions of the Haida Nation.
Graham Island
Graham Island, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
53.5040, -132.3090

How to Get to Graham Island #

Ferries from Prince Rupert (BC Ferries) arrive at Skidegate on Graham Island; small planes also fly into Sandspit or Masset from regional airports. Local roads connect coastal villages; services are limited compared with the mainland.

Tips for Visiting Graham Island #

  • If visiting Haida Gwaii, plan island time carefully-ferry schedules to Graham Island (Skidegate/Sandspit) are seasonal and weather-dependent.
  • Respect local Indigenous protocols; many sites are culturally sensitive-ask for permission and guidance where appropriate.

Best Time to Visit Graham Island #

Summer gives the most reliable access and services; shoulder seasons are quieter but more weather-variable.

Summer (Jun-Aug)
Jun-Aug · 10-18°C (50-64°F)
Best weather for boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing; peak visitor season.
Autumn (Sep-Oct)
Sep-Oct · 6-14°C (43-57°F)
Fewer tourists and dramatic sea and forest moods; some services begin to shut down.

Weather & Climate near Graham Island #

Climate

Graham Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 16°C. Heavy rainfall (2050 mm/year), wettest in October.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
16°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (236 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

236 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (181 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

181 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy

March

March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (167 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

167 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy

April

April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

151 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
13°

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
10° 15°

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

159 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (274 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

274 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (268 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

268 mm
Rainfall
6.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (249 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

249 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

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