Sandspit Things To Do

Air & Land Activities:

Onward Point, located halfway between Alliford Bay and Sandspit, is a 20-minute ramble through forest and on rock staircases to a gazebo – an ideal whale-watching location in spring. The 4-km (2.5 mi) long Gray Bay, about a 30-minute drive from Sandspit, offers wonderful opportunities for beachcombing. One of the highlights of the region is the Dover Trail, a two-to-three-hour loop at Haans Creek near Sandspit. This was once an important area to the Haida Nation, as evidenced by the many hemlock and spruce trees with test holes (cut to check the suitability of the trees for canoes).

There are abundant areas to wilderness camp around Sandspit, including Gray Bay, with its miles of sandy beach; Sheldons Bay, with its tidal lagoon and plentiful shells; as well as Mosquito Lake, with its wonderful fishing for cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.

Arts, Culture & History:

The Queen Charlotte Islands have been the home of the Haida Nation for at least 10,000 years. As with other Aboriginal peoples, the arrival of Europeans forever changed the Haida’s traditional ways. However, in the recent years there has been a revival of the Haida spirit. There is a new passion for the ancient arts of canoe-making, cedar-weaving and bentwood-box construction; totem poles of outstanding craftsmanship and exquisitely carved jewellry can be found throughout the Islands; celebrations include the legendary dances and songs of this proud people.

Sandspit is home to many talented artists. Shingle Bay Studio in particular showcases a large variety of work. Don’t miss the recently completed copper-and-cedar salmon, sculpted by local artist, Lon Sharp. There are also fascinating historical exhibits housed at the airport.

Take a full-day, guided boat or aerial tour of Louise Island south of Sandspit. Stop at Skedans to wander the site of a former Haida winter village.

A must-see is Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, accessible only by air or water. The area both protects the remote, breathtaking wonders of land and sea, as well as celebrates the ancient, sacred relationship between the Haida and this natural world. Visitors to significant sites will encounter the fascinating Haida Gwaii Watchmen, who guard both the physical and spiritual natures of these locations. They include historic Haida villages, ancient totem poles and primeval rainforests. All visitors to this remote area must register and attend an orientation session in Sandspit prior to departure.

Natural Sights, Parks & Wildlife:

Remote Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is located on the southern half of Moresby Island, accessible only by air or water. Many operators provide guided tours into Gwaii Haanas, which is an archipelago of approximately 138 islands. The landscape is an awe-inspiring wonder of dense cedar, pine and hemlock rainforests, capped by the towering San Christoval Mountains. Blessed by a remote location and distinct microclimate, the flora and fauna of Gwaii Haanas have evolved into subspecies unique from their mainland counterparts. Here visitors can view North America’s largest black bears and such unusual seabirds as tufted puffins, rhinoceros auklets, marbled murrelets and horned puffins. The waters of Gwaii Haanas are home to grey, Orca, humpback and minke whales, as well as dolphins, porpoises and harbour seals. All visitors to this remote area must register and attend an orientation session in Sandspit prior to departure. Be prepared for variable weather conditions.

Birders will delight in Sandspit, as its local beaches host large flocks of over-wintering Pacific loons and brant from November to May, as well as spring migrants in May and June. The one-to-one and a half hour Spit Walk on the spit of land where the airport is located is a great bird-watching site.

Onward Point, located halfway between Alliford Bay and Sandspit, is a 20-minute ramble through forest and on rock staircases to a gazebo – an ideal whale watching location in spring.

Water Activities:

The Queen Charlotte Islands boast some of BC’s most legendary fishing waters, particularly for salmon. Here you can fish for 14-kg (30-lb) chinook salmon and 45-kg (100-lb) halibut that migrate through local waters. The Islands have numerous available fishing charters as well as cozy fishing retreats that range from rustic to luxurious. There is also excellent river fishing for coho (September and October) and steelhead (November to January). For trout fishing, try Mosquito or Skidegate lakes southwest of Sandspit.

Head to Gray Bay for beachcombing. This 4-km (2.5-mi) long crescent of soft grey sand is set amidst forests of giant spruce and hemlock. Rustic campsites are also located here.

The Islands provide an ideal location for kayaking. Set off from Sandspit for a guided multi-day kayaking adventure into the remote Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. This sacred, protected area is home to ancient Haida villages and totem poles, set against a spectacular backdrop of dense rainforests, seaside hot springs, hidden coves and sheltered beaches, all presided over by the towering San Christoval Mountains.

Many visitors also charter a floatplane or take a guided boat tour to Hotspring Island (Gandl K’in Gwaayaay), in Gwaii Haanas. Luxuriate in a series of small, rocky seaside hot pools as you gaze out to the sea and the San Christoval Mountain Range.