The Galapagos of the north.

Natural & Cultural History

Canada’s Most Remote Archipelago

Formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands, 
Haida Gwaii is an archipelago 100 kilometres off the west coast of northern British Columbia. 

An isolated group of around 140 islands, large and small, measuring about 80 km wide by 240 km long, Haida Gwaii is the most isolated land mass in Canada and often referred to as the Galapagos of the North.

Because of their remoteness, the islands are a natural laboratory for studying evolution. Several species of plants, lichens and moss are unique to Haida Gwaii. There are relatively few animal species here, 10 native land mammals – 6 of them are unique subspecies found nowhere else. 

The only real predator here is the Haida Gwaii black bear (Ursus Americanus Carlottae | One of the largest subspecies of black bear in the world). Find them feeding along the shoreline, in the spring/summer thriving on a diet of crab, and in the fall/winter on salmon. As a result, they have developed larger jaws and teeth than black bears found on the mainland.

Haida Gwaii

Islands Of the People.

Haida Gwaii

Islands Of the People.

Archaeological records suggest that the islands of Haida Gwaii have been inhabited for as long as 12,500 years, the Haida people developing a complex and thriving society throughout generations.

The name Haida Gwaii means “Islands of the People” and over 800 archaeological sites on Haida Gwaii bear evidence of Haida ancestry.

Naden Harbour Whaling Station

Between 1911 and 1941, the site now home to QCL was the location of the Naden Harbour Whaling Station. The Pacific Whaling Company established two stations in Haida Gwaii, the second on Kungit Island at Rose Harbour. During the summer months, whalers embarked on coal-fired, steam-powered, steel-hulled ships to hunt whales in the deep waters off the island’s west coast.

Today, we’re fortunate to witness these majestic creatures in our waters.

Humpback whales migrate here after wintering in Hawaii to feed in the food-rich waters off Haida Gwaii and Alaska. Grey whales also make their journey from Baja California, migrating along the island’s east coast northward toward Alaska. Orcas pass through the area year-round, often in small groups of 3-6 transients, or in larger pods of 20-30 residents further offshore. On occasion, other species like Minke whales, Dall’s Porpoises, and Pacific White-sided Dolphins can also be spotted.

Have a look around

We are returning customers because of the fantastic experience QCL provides. The charter jet & helicopter transportation, the pristine fishing grounds and exceptional service combined with the beautiful lodge accommodations and meals create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But….you’ll be back!
Luanne B.
A hidden gem in the middle of paradise. I've taken fishing trips to BC before but never found a 5 star experience that I could share with my wife and family. QCL is off the chart fabulous. Amazing service, amazing food, and great fishing.
Michael K.
One of the best holidays I have ever done! The staff was absolutely fantastic. First class in every department.
Chris C.
QCL is a slice of heaven. Top of the line salmon and halibut fishing along side the most beautiful scenery and wildlife. Fishing guides are outstanding and staff are like none other - no is never an answer at QCL! Been 5 times now and will continue to look forward to these special 4 days each year.
Ben B.
World-class fishing. World-class people, food and everything else. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but you'll want to make it a several-in-a-lifetime experience...trust me.
Chad B.
What an incredible and first rate experience. The fishing, the wildlife, the 5-star lodge, food and staff made this one of the best fishing trips of my life. You need to put this place on your bucket list. I'll be going back and am already booking my next trip.
Nick J.
Just got home from the QCL, from the moment you step off the chopper to when you leave the quality of care and attention to detail is top notch. The food is mindblowing, the fishing is fantastic, limited out every day. the guides and staff are so friendly and good at their jobs. The scenery and rooms were top notch. these folks take such good care of you. can't recommend it enough!
Gbedard
I can't say enough about the lodge and the experience. It truly lives up to its name of fishing first class. The energy of the staff is what really sets this place apart. If you are looking for a first class experience that doesn't disappoint this is the place.
Justin B.

QCL TERMS & CONDITIONS

At QCL we strive to make every visit to our facility a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.  To enable all of our guests to enjoy their QCL experience to the fullest, we have terms and conditions which apply to all our guests and are aimed at ensuring that all our guests comport themselves in a way that is respectful of the lodge, our staff and their fellow quests.  By agreeing to participate in a trip with QCL, all guests will be deemed to have agreed to the following:

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

All of the staff and guests at QCL have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.  As a responsible employer and host, we believe that we have a duty to our staff and guests to protect them from inappropriate behaviour by any guest.  Inappropriate behaviour will include drunkenness, profanity, racial or discriminatory comments, unwelcome physical contact or innuendo, excess noise and any other behaviour which is rude, disrespectful, discriminatory or otherwise considered to be inappropriate by any member of QCL’s staff or any other guest.  Final decisions regarding inappropriate behavior and the appropriate consequences for the applicable party will rest with QCL’s Duty Manager.  The Lodge reserves the right to take such action regarding the party found to have acted inappropriately as the Lodge determines to be appropriate, which may include requiring the party to leave the Lodge immediately (all associated transportation costs being borne by the party found to have acted inappropriately) and where necessary involving the police or other appropriate outside agencies.  

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

QCL is a wilderness fishing lodge and guests are participating in sport fishing activities on the open ocean, all of which carry inherent risks.  All guests therefore use QCL’s lodge, boats and other facilities, as well as the aircraft and helicopters with which they travel to or from the Lodge, at their own risk, and all guests voluntarily assume all risks associated with their travel to and from the Lodge and all sport fishing activities, including all risks or personal injury, including the potential for serious injury or death, whether as a result of their own actions or the actions of QCL staff, guides, suppliers, contractors or other guests, or through other circumstances, including weather conditions.  

Therefore, all guests, by choosing to travel to and from QCL, stay at the QCL Lodge, use any QCL equipment or facilities, and/or participate in any sport fishing activities (collectively, the “Trip Activities”) and in consideration of QCL permitting them to do so:

  1. voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in any Trip Activities, including all risks of physical injury, however caused;

  2. release Queen Charlotte Lodge Ltd. and its directors, officers, shareholders, employees and contractors (collectively, the “QCL Parties”) from any and all claims, liability or causes of action whatsoever which arise from or relate to any Trip Activities, from any cause whatsoever and whether or not caused or contributed to by any defect or other condition in the Lodge property or any dock, boat or other piece of equipment, or any act, omission or negligence of any QCL Party.  

SMOKING

In British Columbia, the Tobacco & Vapour Products Control Act prohibits smoking or vaping in any common areas of the Lodge such as lobbies, hallways, and restaurants.  QCL, as a matter of Lodge policy and because our buildings are wood frame and located in a remote area with limited firefighting facilities, also prohibits smoking or vaping within any guest rooms.  Smoking and vaping are permitted outside of Lodge buildings, as long as guests are more than six metres away from all doorways, open windows or air intakes around the Lodge.

Any breach of these smoking rules is subject to a fine/additional fee of $200, on account of QCL’s costs associated with rectifying the affected environment.

DAMAGE TO LODGE PROPERTY

Guests will be charged for all costs and damages incurred by QCL, including the full cost of rectifying any damage to any Lodge property (including boats and motors, dock structures and any Lodge building), which such guest causes either deliberately or through negligence or recklessness.  Should this damage come to light after the guest has departed, the guest authorizes QCL to charge the full amount of such costs to the guest’s credit/debit card, or send an invoice for the amount due to the guest’s address in our records.  While QCL will take reasonable steps to keep the costs chargeable to the guest to a minimum, if the damage is such that a room or boat is rendered unusable for a period of time, the guest will be liable for any loss of revenue that the Lodge suffers while the room or boat is being repaired.

REMOVAL OF LODGE PROPERTY

Guests will be charged for all costs of replacing any items that are removed from the premises by the guest without QCL’s consent or which are so damaged or stained by the guest as to be unusable.  The charge will be the full replacement amount of the missing or damaged item, including any carriage charges.  Should the fact that the item is missing or damaged come to light after the guest has departed, the guest authorizes QCL to charge the full amount of such costs to the guest’s credit/debit card, or send an invoice for the amount due to the guest’s address in our records.

TAMPERING WITH FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Tampering or interfering with any fire detection or fire suppression equipment at the Lodge is an extremely serious matter.  QCL reserves the right to take immediate action against any guest found to have tampered or interfered with any fire detection or suppression equipment throughout the Lodge, including detector heads in public areas and bedrooms, break glass points and fire extinguishers. Guests found to have tampered with any fire detection or fire fighting equipment will be charged for all costs incurred by the Lodge due to their actions and additionally may be asked to leave the Lodge. Depending on the severity of the guest actions, the Police may become involved at the Lodge’s discretion.  Should the fact that fire fighting or detection equipment had been tampered with come to light after the guest has departed, the guest authorizes QCL to charge the full amount of such costs to the guest’s credit/debit card, or send an invoice for the amount due to the guest’s address in our records.

LOSS OF PERSONAL ITEMS

None of the QCL Parties is liable or responsible for any loss of or damage to any guest’s personal property or valuables while the guest is staying at the Lodge. 

DIETARY OR ALLERGY CONSIDERATIONS

At QCL we do our very best to accommodate our guests with dietary requirements, food sensitivities, allergies and health conditions to the extent possible.  If a guest advises us in advance that they suffer from a food sensitivity or allergy or have other dietary requirements, we will endeavor to provide suitable menu or beverage options, such as gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan options.  However, QCL does not and cannot operate a gluten-, allergen- or meat or dairy-free kitchen, and cross-contamination from work surfaces, cooking utensils and other sources may occur.  Our cooking facilities and ingredients are not kosher or halal-compliant.  Many allergens such as nuts, gluten and shellfish may be present in our kitchen and we cannot ensure that cross-contamination or simple human errors will not occur.  Any guest with a food sensitivity, allergy or dietary requirement must discuss their needs with QCL staff prior to arrival at our Lodge, to determine whether we will be able to accommodate their needs appropriately.  QCL cannot accept any responsibility or liability for our guests’ food sensitivities, allergies or dietary requirements. 

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Guests are responsible for, and will pay to QCL on demand:

  1. the full balance due under their account at the end of each trip, including amounts payable under any of the above terms and conditions as well as alcohol and other purchases and staff tips charged to the guest’s account; and

  2. where the guest has booked the trip on behalf of multiple persons in a single party (a “Group”), the full balance due under the account of each Group member, if such Group member has failed to pay all or any portion of their account, including any amounts payable by such Group member under any of the above terms and conditions as well as alcohol and other purchases and staff tips charged to the guest’s account.

Guests specifically authorize QCL to charge the full amount of such costs to the guest’s credit/debit card, or send an invoice for the amount due to the guest’s address in our records.

BREACH

Management of the Lodge reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to ask any guest to leave the Lodge in the event of non-compliance with any of these terms and conditions (all associated transportation costs being borne by the non-complying guest).