To Haida Gwaii:
How to get there... Masset is located on the northern tip of Graham Island -
the largest of the more than 150 islands that comprise the Queen Charlotte
Islands/Haida Gwaii - and faces Northwest towards Dixon Entrance, Alaska and
the Pacific Rim. Rich in maritime and fishing history, the Village of Masset
(approx. population 1,400), is one of seven communities in the Queen
Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii and one of two incorporated villages
on-island, (Masset was incorporated in 1961). Access to Masset - the
'Western Mile 0' of the Yellowhead Highway (#16) is available via air
charter, sea/floatplane,
BC Ferries or Canadian Airlines for Vancouver and
the North Coast.
Fly to the Masset Airport from Vancouver via Pacific Coastal Airlines 1-800-663-2872. The Masset Municipal Airport has a 5,000 paved runway and
many services are available including Jet-A Fuel, Avgas (emergency barrel
sales only), tie-downs, GPU Access, baggage carts, and an on-site Airport
Superintendent. A customs officer is available seasonally. The Masset
Municipal Airport is located only half a mile from the village center. Taxis
are available at the airport. There is an optional airport in Sandspit, BC
which allows you to fly with Air Canada Jazz from Vancouver to Sandspit,
and is located 80 miles south of Masset on Moresby Island. This journey
allows you the opportunity to utilize your airmiles with Air Canada. Upon
arrival in Sandspit, there is a 20-minute ferry trip from Alliford Bay to
Skidegate, then the 80 mile journey North to Masset.
Another option for getting to Masset is on one of the two daily seaplane
flights from Prince Rupert via North Pacific Seaplanes. If you wish to bring
along your own vehicle, you can travel on BC Ferries to Skidegate, a 6 hour
ferry ride, and enjoy the scenic 70-mile drive to Masset. For night
crossings, it is recommended to rent one of the cabins available on the
ferry. Book as early as possible for summer crossings as the ferry is quite
often full to capacity during the heavy tourist season.
