Moresby Island: Wilderness Adventures in Haida Gwaii

Why Visit Moresby Island

Moresby Island forms the core of southern Haida Gwaii and delivers some of Canada’s most intact temperate rainforest and coastal wilderness. Its rugged mountains, sheltered inlets, and old-growth stands shelter black bears, sea otters, and humpback whales, while Haida cultural sites remain protected under cooperative management with the Haida Nation.

Getting There

Most travellers reach Moresby by air, landing at Sandspit Airport (YZP) on the island’s northeast coast. Direct flights operate from Vancouver; connections via Prince Rupert or Haida Gwaii’s other airport on Graham Island are also common. From Sandspit, rental vehicles or pre-arranged shuttles serve trailheads and lodges. Visitors staying on Graham Island can take the short ferry crossing to Moresby’s Alliford Bay terminal. Access to the protected southern half of the island requires a permit and licensed tour operator.

Best Time to Visit

Late May through early September brings the mildest temperatures and longest daylight for kayaking and hiking. June and July offer peak wildflower displays and reliable whale sightings, while August and early September see fewer biting insects and calmer seas for open-water paddling. Winter visits are possible for storm watching but demand full self-sufficiency and weather awareness.

Things to See and Do

The island’s highlight is Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, which covers its southern two-thirds. Licensed operators lead multi-day kayak or boat tours to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SG̱ang Gwaay (Ninstints), where standing mortuary poles overlook the sea. On the east coast, the secluded hot springs at Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay provide a rare soak amid mossy forest. Inland, the Mount Moresby Trail climbs through ancient cedar to alpine meadows with sweeping views of Hecate Strait. Wildlife enthusiasts scan for orcas from Gray Bay and kayak among sea lions near Louise Island. Cultural tours with Haida guides explain traditional fishing weirs and village remains still visible along the shoreline.

Nearby Destinations

From Moresby it is a short ferry hop to Graham Island’s villages of Skidegate and Old Massett, known for their carving sheds and museums. Further exploration of the archipelago includes the wild beaches of Naikoon Provincial Park on Graham’s northeast coast.