Atlas Ocean Tours

08/30/2024

Last minute trip addition to the season! Join us for 5 days/nights in Gwaii Haanas, September 13-18, 2024. $4500/person plus GST, includes all food, kayak use, visitor fees and more! For local residents of Haida Gwaii we are offering a special discounted rate of $3000/person plus GST. Please call or email for details. Gwaii Haanas in September is a dream - come explore with us!

07/28/2024

LAST MINUTE CANCELLATION SUDDENLY AVAILABLE! We have had a cancellation for two guests on our August 8-16, 2024 trip to Gwaii Haanas. If you are flexible and can join us for a week in paradise, please email us at [email protected] (atlasoceantours.com). We look forward to meeting you!

05/15/2024

We have had a VERY last minute cancellation for two guests leaving on a Gwaii Haanas trip this Thursday, May 16th and returning May 24th. If you are super flexible and can join us for a week in paradise, please email us immediately at [email protected] (atlasoceantours.com)

A small family-operated business specializing in relaxed, classy and fun boat tours and kayaking around Haida Gwaii and into Gwaii Haanas.

03/29/2024

We’ve just had two spaces become available in our upcoming season! August 28-September 5, 2024 - come join us to explore the edge of the world!! Email [email protected] for more information.

03/28/2024

Welcome to Haida Gwaii!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&si=tVcogW3ump2NbpmT&v=G1C8VhnE7gA&fbclid=IwAR3X4ULSfEFn463yel4pzUAlQTWTtrBWLWR-mj3wle014oJeVBMkvIi9kRM_aem_AWCUa6C1y9WwJRwR253eCIbD594848p-2NeBXAicITn26__4IrbL01v7DXT7oSC1FvU

As the owner and operator of the Sandspit Airport, Transport Canada plans to change the airport’s name to a Haida name, K’il Kun Xidgwangs Daanaay, in 2024. ...

06/30/2023

The waters of Gwaii Haanas are bursting with marine mammals and fish, and when we are lucky enough to witness them coming to the surface, in this case, a humpback to feed, we feel incredibly grateful that this is what we do for a living.

06/21/2023

Our floating hotel with a view 😍

Welcome to the MV Atlas; come aboard and explore Gwaii Haanas with us.

06/15/2023

While on tour with us, we would usually spend the morning kayaking and exploring the surrounding inlet where the MV Atlas is anchored.

Once the anchor is up, we usually travel to an ancient Haida village site, and if we're lucky we often witness whales, bears, eagles and sea lions along the way.

One site we may visit is T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu). The village of T’aanuu Llnagaay is hauntingly beautiful, following the shoreline of two beaches divided by a rocky point. The open forest and mossy paths winding through the collapsed longhouses are a quiet testament to times past when the village was the bustling home to Haidas of both Raven and Eagle lineages.

PC: Jason Shafto

06/08/2023

Ready to embark on a new adventure?

When you book with us, you will spend eight days and nights exploring Gwaii Haanas aboard the MV Atlas.

Accommodation for all nights, all meals and snacks are included, with one evening dining off-vessel at Rose Harbour.

All interpretative activities during your time on MV Atlas, including at Haida village sites and using all touring equipment (including kayaks), are all covered when you book, so you are free to sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation.

Interested in joining us on a trip? We only have 3 spots left for this summer, but 2024 bookings are open! Learn more here >> atlasoceantours.com

PC: Jason Shafto

05/26/2023

🐠 Want to try your hand at fishing?

In Gwaii Haanas there are areas that are closed to protect sensitive habitats and protect fish stocks. In this way the land and sea are protected, and this is what makes Gwaii Haanas special in the world. It also helps maintain a healthy ocean ecosystem for all to enjoy and benefit from. Outside of these areas, however, there are many local spots where we can catch halibut, salmon, crabs, prawns or other ocean delicacies. We are happy to help guests learn how to catch seafood in a respectful and responsible manner, and cook it into a tasty dish.

For guests who are keen on freshly caught seafood, it is necessary to have a valid Fisheries and Oceans recreational (saltwater) fishing license. The cost of our trips does not include fish caught by Atlas guests due to Fisheries and Oceans regulations. But we’re happy to help you try your hand at fishing, and if you catch anything tasty, we can share it together.

Learn more at our website >> atlasoceantours.com/haida-gwaii-experience

05/25/2023

Getting away from away from it all… ♥️

Islands off islands off islands…

📷: Rogier Gruys

05/16/2023

Depending on your group, as our tours are catered to the interests of the group, you may want to go on a hiking adventure in the Gwaii Haanas backcountry. One thing to note is there are very few established trails, and hikes can be physically demanding because bushwhacking is generally required. Our approach is to tread lightly and adapt hikes based on local weather and forest conditions.

In terms of fitness required, our guests generally have a reasonable level of physical fitness and are agile enough to comfortably board a skiff and kayak.

Get in touch and find out how we can cater a tour to your needs at atlasoceantours.com

05/07/2023

A typical tour day begins with a tasty breakfast, followed by a morning kayak to explore the surrounding inlet where our MV Atlas is anchored.

Once the anchor is up, we usually travel to an ancient Haida village site. Along the way, we often witness whales, bears, eagles and sea lions. If time permits, we might try a little fishing. After a tour of the village, we hop back on the boat and continue to explore the archipelago. A hike into lush old-growth forests, beach walking, or more kayaking are common afternoon activities.

A spectacular dinner as the sun sets wraps up the day, with guests falling into their comfortable bunks, satisfied and wowed by the day’s adventures.

There is no shortage of places to visit, experience and appreciate in Gwaii Haanas. We’ve listed a few of our favourite locations below, but these are just a small part of the whole Gwaii Haanas adventure!

There are currently lots of spots left in May and a few spots left in June and September. Summer 2024 is available to book if you're looking for a later option.

Learn more about our Haida Gwaii boat tours on our website >> atlasoceantours.com

04/26/2023

Gwaii Haanas is the southern third of Haida Gwaii – the first protected area in the world to be managed from mountaintop to sea floor.

On our tours, you can expect to explore rich intertidal environments, kayak along rocky shorelines, visit ancient village sites, and hike up lush salmon streams. That said, we are flexible and adjust to the desires of each group of guests. Some people are keen to get into the backcountry, others want to spend time on the water, and still, others want to rest and relax in comfort on board.

We are happy to design trips based on group and individual interests as much as possible.

04/19/2023

What food can I expect on tour?

Atlas is fully stocked with tasty, scrumptious food for main meals and snacks. We enjoy fresh seafood, locally-grown produce, and delicious desserts prepared by island bakers. Guests often help catch and prepare food (sous-chef duties only) and clean up. This participatory approach means that we all work as a team, and it regularly results in delicious dishes and great friendships.

One evening is spent ashore in Rose Harbour, the site of a former whaling station on Kunghit Island and the jumping-off point for SGang Gwaay Llnagaay. We are hosted at Rose Harbour for a dinner you will never forget, with quality produce harvested from the local gardens that impress even the most accomplished gardeners.

Learn more here >> atlasoceantours.com/haida-gwaii-experience

04/08/2023

Our tours are an opportunity to escape to an uncrowded, peaceful setting and to learn about Haida Gwaii and Gwaii Haanas from local residents with local knowledge and passion.

We welcome individuals, couples, families, friends – anyone who wants an active, fun, hands-on experience. We appreciate that beach walks, hikes and tours of village sites are more enjoyable in smaller groups. That's why we only book up to six guests, so we are more flexible and can design tours around what you want to do.

Coming to Haida Gwaii this summer, explore Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site with us. Learn more at atlasoceantours.com

04/03/2023

Kayaking is a fantastic way to experience the ocean, particularly if you want to get close to the rich marine environment of Gwaii Haanas.

On tour with us, you can experience kayaking Gwaii Haanas, but you don’t have to put up a tent at the end of a long day or contend with the elements on a cold and wet day. We have kayaks on board available for you to use as much or as little as you want. We store them on the cabin top and can quickly launch them for guests for morning, day and evening paddles.

Some guests are in and out of the water as much as possible, and others choose not to paddle. It is entirely up to you – it is your holiday, and you can set your own pace depending on how you feel each day.

Interested in joining us on a trip? We still have availability for tours this summer; learn more here >> atlasoceantours.com

03/21/2023

Meet the MV Atlas 🛥

Designed by renowned naval architect Arthur Defever, the MV Atlas is a pilothouse trawler that rides comfortably in all weather conditions, with large windows so that you can appreciate the spectacular outdoors in rain or shine.

The view from the pilothouse, Portuguese bridge and bow is ideal for wildlife viewing, photography and general relaxation.

Our friendly and knowledgeable captains are there to make this the trip of your lifetime – a responsibility we take very seriously! We are all local, and we know Gwaii Haanas as our backyard. We are passionate about our home and look forward to sharing our local knowledge with you.

To learn more about MV Atalas, click here >> atlasoceantours.com/our-boat

03/14/2023

Hello, hi 👋

We have been a little - okay, a lot silent on here for a while, but we're here to re-introduce ourselves and get to know you, our community, a little better.

So who are we?
We are a small, family-operated business specializing in relaxed, classy, fun boat tours into Gwaii Haanas, BC. We offer an 8-day boat tour experience which benefits from local knowledge and passion because Haida Gwaii is our home.

Our captains are all local residents with extensive experience navigating and exploring Gwaii Haanas and Haida Gwaii, one of the world's most renowned paddling destinations.

We'd love to share the unique spots that a lifetime of exploration in our front yard has uncovered and want to hear from you, so drop a comment below to introduce yourself or contact us here >> atlasoceantours.com

02/28/2023

Space still available in May 2023 for the trip of a lifetime! Contact us for details, we’d love to meet you when the herring spawn and the humpbacks return.

Gwaii Haanas’ unique combination of coastal temperate ecosystems and Haida culture make this a place like no other on earth!

02/28/2023

Space still available in May 2023 for the trip of a lifetime! Contact us for details, we’d love to meet you!

Gwaii Haanas’ unique combination of coastal temperate ecosystems and Haida culture make this a place like no other on earth!

12/02/2022

Home. ♥️

11/24/2022

Visiting Haida Gwaii opens the heart and mind.

Haida Gwaii is the ancestral territory of the Haida Nation in British Columbia.

09/15/2022

♥️ Haida Gwaii

Our long days are noticeably shortening as the new seasons rolls in, giving us pause and time to reflect. Haawa | Háw'aa | thank you to all who made the journey here this summer. It was a pleasure to experience the vibrance of visitation once again. We hope to welcome you back soon.

02/06/2020

There is, quite simply, no place like home.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/haida-gwaii-canada-islands/index.html

Pristine wilderness dotted by ancient village sites so protected that only 12 people at a time are allowed to step ashore -- this is Canada's final frontier, a remote archipelago off British Columbia's northernmost coast.