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Chinook Lodge

About Us...

We would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about your pending visit and what to expect.

Haida Gwaii (an indigenous name for The Queen Charlotte Islands) is a collection of 150 Islands described as Canada's Galapagos; the primary Islands being Graham Island in the North and Moresby Island in the South.

A family friend, who has been to both Haida Gwaii and the Galapagos in Ecuador, South America, tells us that Haida Gwaii is just as unique !!

Flora and fauna are markedly different from the mainland. Species and sub species particular to Haida Gwaii include the world's largest black bear.

The two major cities are Masset and Queen Charlotte City ("Charlotte") which are situated on the highway system at the extreme north and extreme south of Graham Island, respectively. Masset is the largest city, with about 900 residents, while Charlotte has 800 residents. The driving distance between the two cities is less than 90 minutes.

Charlotte is both a government and tourist center due to the

  • close proximity to the adjacent city of Sandspit, B.C. on Moresby Island which has an airport and year-round daily air service offered by Air Canada.
  • close proximity to the nearby city of Skidegate, B.C., a Haida community on Graham Island which is the B.C. Ferry terminal for the MV, Queen of the North, that sets sail from Prince Rupert on the mainland to Haida Gwaii.
  • close proximity to the national wilderness park, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve on Moresby Island, which includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ninstints, the site of an ancient Haida Indian village with aging totem poles situated at Skung Gwaii, also known as Anthony Island.

Gwaii Haanas is one of 33 wilderness sites designated by Parks Canada, while Ninstints is only one of seven heritage sites in the World designated by UNESCO.

A typical excursion of a week's duration from Charlotte into Gwaii Haanas is kayaking the ocean perimeter of Gwaii Haanas, whereas a typical day excursion from Charlotte would include a visit by sea plane to Ninstints. Both excursions are relatively expensive. Morseby Island Explorers, situated in Sandspit, also offers one- and two-day trips which are reasonably priced and here is one where the owner participated as part of an end of season group outing for local Islanders in September 2018… The above link on their business name will lead you to our group trip.

On tour, travelling by Zodiac between the islands and great weather today
At Skedans with our knowledgeable tour guide from Moresby Island Explorers, Brian
"Chicken of the Woods" edible mushrooms besides owner of Chinook Lodge, Brion. No mistake, these mushrooms are larger than my head!
Hot Springs Island is everyone's favourite and surprisingly good weather continues in September!
Windy Bay Totem Pole, the first raising of a Totem Pole in the area in more than a century occurred in 2013. Carved by famous Masset Haida carver Christian White.
Happy Toni, my friendly competitor with off the grid cabins in Masset also enjoying the end of season break… Toni originated the off the grid cabin concept along North Beach as
Rapid Richies Beach Cabin Heaven.
I have never seen Toni happier!

Everything that Charlotte is, Masset is and more . . . and still reasonably priced for the family.

  • A visit to Charlotte is within an easy 90-minute drive on a flat road from Masset.
  • During the spring and summer, regular flights are scheduled from Vancouver to Masset for three days a week and the rate is the same as the Air Canada flight to Sandspit, or about $550/person, taxes inclusive. The approximate nonstop flying time to Masset Airport is one hour and twenty minutes which is the identical flying time to Sandspit Airport. Chinook Lodge is within 7 driving minutes from the Masset Airport.

Some seasonal activities in the Masset area with approximate dates are noted below.

  • April to June - Whale watching from the shoreline - the Gray Whale Migration.
  • May to August - Catch Crab with Fish Dip Nets and Chest Waders (really !!). Season can vary. crabbing
  • August, the first Sunday of the month - Tlell (prounced T-Lel) Fall Fair - sunshine, music, prizes for baking and farm animals, home cooking, famous name entertainers including Tom Northcott (summer of 1998).
  • August, the second weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - Edge of the World Music Festival - Since 1975, this celebration of local musical talent complimented by world class musicians is a must see!

    tlell
  • August to October - Very expensive wild Chantell Mushrooms are picked for the Japanese market. Season varies, dependent on rainfall.
  • November or windy weather - Floating sea scallops as wide as 7 inches across are brought to shore by winds. The inside of the scallop is about the size of a hockey puck but just as delicious as smaller scallops that are available in our large city supermarkets.

MASSET IS WORLD RENOWN FOR ITS BEACHES AND FISHING - Haida Gwaii has wonderful beaches and the best beaches are all located at the extreme northern end of Graham Island, about 26 kilometers past Masset on the road leading to Tow Hill. Beachcomb, crab, clam and otherwise enjoy. The locals drive their four by fours along the beach on the firm sand left during a receding tide. Along the road to Tow Hill, four long beaches are contiguous but very different.


  • North Beach - sandy and similar to Long Beach, B.C.
northbeachandtowhill
North Beach

  • Agate Beach - rocky and sandy beach; explore for agates which are opalescent when placed in a jar of water
agatebeach
Agate Beach

  • Ops Beach - sandy and similar to the sand dunes, Oregon
  • White Beach - similar to Ops Beach but easier access to the shoreline.
beach_stroll
White Beach

The above beaches are all part of the Naikoon Provincial Park which is the Province of British Columbia's equivalent to the federal government's Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. The Naikoon Provincial Park has good public access, although, the park has not been well marketed internationally by the provincial government.

For the days when you don't want to cook in the fully-equipped kitchen, the best restaurant in town is only within a block and a half walking distance.

The local library occupies a quaint log cabin, reminiscent of bygone times. A desktop computer at the library provides free internet access to users.

Cycle alongside Masset Inlet to the Haida community of Old Masset, which is adjacent to the community of Masset.

Masset was formerly a military base and the city has substantial amenities that one would not expect in Northern B.C. including fibre optic communications and full recreation facilities.

Hike the various trails in Naikoon Provincial Park; a park that extends along a 100 kilometer coastline between Tlell and Masset.

The people in Masset are very friendly and they will be waving at you although you don't know them, and soon, you will find yourselves doing this to total strangers. This is small town living at its best and very enticing.

We think that this is the ultimate vacation for your family and we hope you share our enthusiasm for the outdoors.

Brion and Jane Bailey
Your Hosts
Chinook Lodge

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Your Hosts at Chinook Lodge are
Brion and Jane Bailey
Toll-Free: 877-CHINOOK (244-6665)
Canada-wide Cell 778-773-4242 / Masset Cell 250-626-6000
Vancouver 604-522-5978
Contact Us: info@chinooklodge.bc.ca
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