Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site National Park

Address: Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Haida Gwaii region, British Columbia, Canada

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas

Hours: Seasonal access; visit via guided boat/floatplane from Haida Gwaii; permits/reservations required

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site protects a remote archipelago at the southern end of Haida Gwaii off the north coast of British Columbia. The site combines marine and terrestrial protected areas with significant Haida cultural landscapes and archaeological remains.

Key attractions include the UNESCO-recognised Haida village of SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) with standing totem poles and longhouse remains, expansive old-growth cedar forests, and rich marine wildlife including whales, sea birds and intertidal ecosystems. Visitors travel by boat or organized tour to access landing sites and interpretive areas.

Protection and management arose from conservation efforts in the late 20th century and are implemented through a cooperative agreement between the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada. The area is managed to protect both natural biodiversity and Haida cultural values, and regulations govern landings and visitor behaviour to safeguard sensitive sites.

Geographically Gwaii Haanas occupies the southern portion of the Haida Gwaii archipelago; visits are typically launched from local ports on Haida Gwaii and require planning because services and access are limited and weather-dependent.

• Co-management: The area is co-managed by the Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada through the Archipelago Management Board, reflecting joint conservation and cultural stewardship.
• Access requirements: Access is by boat or scheduled park operators only, and visitors are expected to follow landing protocols and respect Haida cultural sites; guided sea-kayak and boat trips are the common ways to visit.

What to See#

• SGang Gwaay (Ninstints): SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) - a Haida village site with remaining cedar totem poles and longhouse remains that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-significant cultural locations within the archipelago.
• Marine and coastal zones: Coastal skerries, sea stacks and marine channels used for sea-kayaking routes and wildlife viewing, forming the marine component of the protected area.
• Cultural sites and interpretation: Haida cultural sites and visitor programs coordinated through the Archipelago Management Board and on-site Haida heritage interpretation that explain traditional land uses and co-management arrangements.

Gwaii Haanas (southern Haida Gwaii) is accessed from mainland British Columbia by scheduled BC Ferries (Prince Rupert-Skidegate) or by air to Haida Gwaii airports (Sandspit or Masset), then onward by licensed boat, kayak or an organized trip to sites within Gwaii Haanas. Visits are regulated - you must book trips and obtain any required permits or reservations through Parks Canada/Haida Nation operators and use authorized transportation providers from Skidegate or other Haida Gwaii communities.

• Book visits and any landings through Parks Canada or an authorized Haida Gwaii operator well in advance-Gwaii Haanas is managed jointly with the Haida Nation and access to landing sites is regulated with limited capacity.
• Plan to travel by licensed boat or floatplane from Haida Gwaii (Sandspit/Skidegate) and expect flexible itineraries: weather frequently alters landing plans, so allow extra days in your schedule.
• Attend a Haida cultural orientation or guided program where available-many visitors miss the Haida interpretive talks that provide crucial context for the landscape and protected sites.
• Carry layered clothing and plan for changeable coastal weather even in summer; remote landings have minimal facilities, so operators typically require you to be self‑sufficient and to follow strict leave‑no‑trace and cultural‑sensitivity rules.