Cruising to Haida Gwaii in 2017?

by Jennifer Handley on 16 Feb 2017 Anna Maria Husband, Visitor Services Team Leader, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is pleased to announce that Parks Canada has, for the third consecutive year, scheduled orientation sessions in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

This one-hour orientation session is mandatory before you can visit this amazingly beautiful area of British Columbia. Parks Canada recognizes that the travel plans of most boaters involve crossing the South Hecate and entering Gwaii Haanas from the southern tip, which makes attending an information session in Skidegate awkward and/or problematic. Attending an orientation session in southern BC will allow you to enter the area by boat, directly from the Mainland Coast after you have made your reservations, thus making passage to the area far more convenient.

Signage is intentionally minimized in Gwaii Haanas to protect the wilderness experience, which is one of the reasons why all visitors are required to attend a pre-trip orientation. The presentation reviews current safety information and traveler protocols, and discusses appropriate conduct while visiting Gwaii Haanas to ensure that the area, as well as the experience of other visitors, is protected. It is also an opportunity for visitors to ask questions about their upcoming trip and ensure that they have the information that they need. It is a legal requirement for all visitors to attend the orientation annually.

These are the dates for the Lower Mainland and VI orientations in 2017:

Friday, March 10, 2017, 7:00PM – Vancouver Public Library
Saturday, March 11, 7:00PM – Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Sidney

The Orientation is FREE of charge, so even if you are just thinking about going to Gwaii Haanas this year or would like to learn more, please come and find out what’s involved in visiting this part of the world. Regardless, you will be glad you did. No reservations are required.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anna Maria directly; she will be pleased to assist.

This article has been provided courtesy of the Bluewater Cruising Association.