Haida Gwaii

The archipelago of Haida Gwaii is located 55–125 kilometers off Canada's northern Pacific coast. The small Hecate Strait separates the islands from the mainland to the east. The disputed Dixon Entrance separates Haida Gwaii from the Alexander Archipelago in the United States state of Alaska to the north.

Haida Gwaii, located north of Vancouver Island, is one of Canada's most remote archipelagoes. This kite-shaped group of islands is the north's monument to the wild, known as the "Canadian Galapagos" because of its likeness to the Ecuadorian islands due to their rich species.

Cross the Hecate Strait's rough waters to reach its forested coastlines, which are home to unusual subspecies like the Haida Gwaii black bear, the world's largest and oldest spruce trees, and the Haida First Nation, one of the world's oldest traceable human communities. The Haida culture is mythical and enduring, so stop by Old Massett and Skidegate to see local Haida performers and sample traditional specialties like steaming fish stew. Because of the remoteness of this mostly roadless environment, kayaking is the greatest and most immersive mode of transportation, allowing you to forget about the stresses of the day while you paddle around one of Canada's last frontiers.

Area: 10,180 km2

Location: Pacific Ocean, British Columbia