Haida Gwaii Packing List
Last month, Korri and I traveled with his family to Haida Gwaii, which is a beautiful collection of islands on the western side of British Columbia, Canada, that the Haida Nation call home. (Haida Gwaii is pronounced HAI-dah GWHY.) It’s also where Korri’s grandma spent a large portion of her youth and where his grandma and mom called home for a short while.
We visited in mid-May just as their main tourist season was starting, which usually lasts through the summer. I was not sure how to pack for Haida Gwaii and left packing to the last minute (per usual), but I felt like I actually packed pretty well for this trip in the end. There are just a few things I may omit or add for the next time!
Below, I shared my full Haida Gwaii packing list along with most of the outfits I wore during our 4-day trip (plus travel) to this idyllic archipelago! Use this packing list as a starting point for your own trip to Haida Gwaii.
Haida Gwaii Packing List
If you’re trying to figure out what to pack for your trip to Haida Gwaii, you’ve come to the right place! First, let’s chat about what type of weather you can expect on Haida Gwaii, and then read about the types of items you should consider for your own packing list (and what I included in mine).
Next, I share a bulleted list of my entire sartorial packing list followed by the other items I packed (or should have packed) for our trip. Need some outfit ideas? I included those, too! My own outfits weren’t terribly exciting, but they got the job done and it was easy to mix-and-match everything.
Haida Gwaii Weather
Haida Gwaii is an archipelago located on the west side of British Columbia. It’s surrounded by the Dixon Entrance to the north, Hecate Straight to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Alaska is the landmass immediately north of Haida Gwaii.
If you’ve been to the Pacific Northwest (specifically west of the Cascade Mountain Range, such as the Olympic Peninsula/Olympic National Park in Washington), the weather on Haida Gwaii is quite similar. Its maritime climate is characterized by mild year-round temperatures (never getting very hot or very cold) and plentiful precipitation.
High temperatures across Haida Gwaii range from the low-40°s in the winter and up to the mid-60°s in the summer (in Fahrenheit, though Canada uses Celsius; these temperatures correspond to about 6°C to 18°C). It rains QUITE a bit, though most of the larger population centers are on the east coast of the islands, which are shadowed by the mountains to the west. Snow can happen in the winter.
The main weather phenomenon you’ll have to contend with on your trip to Haida Gwaii (other than rain, which is likely to happen at least once) is the wind. Haida Gwaii gets pummeled by large-scale weather systems that bring strong winds (usually southerly winds in Sandspit, but sometimes they can be northerly). You’ll want to pack layers and cover your extremeties!
When packing for Haida Gwaii, it’s imperative to check the forecast. I know, I know—but as a meteorologist, I’m always going to tell you to check the forecast from a reliable source just before your trip (as it’s accurate out to about five days). In Canada, like the U.S., the government issues weather alerts and official forecasts (here’s the forecast for Sandspit).
What to Pack for Haida Gwaii
Tank Tops and Tees in Varying Sleeve Lengths
I packed two tank tops and one long-sleeve tee plus one long-sleeved Heattech tee by Uniqlo. The tank tops were easy layers under my sweatshirts, and I was glad to have the long-sleeved tees to wear under sweatshirts for the biting cold wind one day (especially the Heattech tee). I highly recommend packing tops that resist or hide wrinkles!
Dressy Blouse
I threw one dressy blouse into my bag at the last second because I thought I might need it for one or two meals out. I probably didn’t need it in the end because I only wore it for Mother’s Day brunch (and I only wore it because I had it). If you have plans for a nicer brunch or dinner out, you can bring one, but I think packing anything dressy is optional for Haida Gwaii unless you are wedding-bound. Style on the islands is very casual and utilitarian!
Sweatshirts and/or Sweaters
No matter the season, I would recommend packing at least two sweatshirts or sweaters (or one sweatshirt and one sweater). You can vary the heaviness of your sweatshirts and/or sweaters based on the season, but in general, you’ll need the extra layer at some point during each day. You’ll be glad you have them for chilly days as well as in the mornings and evenings after the sun sets. I brought two sweatshirts and wore one on the plane.
Jeans
I’m normally not a fan of packing hard pants if I can help it, but I did pack one pair of jeans for Haida Gwaii just in case I needed them, and I did end up changing into them for dinner most nights (and I wore them for brunch). I probably could have been fine with another pair of leggings or nice joggers in lieu of jeans. I did not pack shorts and didn’t think I needed them.
Joggers
Like with any trip, I can’t travel and not bring a pair of joggers with me. I like having them for travel days and to change into when I get back to the hotel but before I go to bed. I wore mine for a couple ofI brought Zella joggers with me because my grey pair fit my color scheme but Vuori joggers are a popular option.
Leggings
I also like bringing a pair of leggings when I travel; I usually end up wearing them on travel days in particular, and for Haida Gwaii, they worked perfectly for hikes, too. They’re a good throw-on-and-go pant that is more streamlined than joggers. I brought my Lululemon Aligns and they were perfect! I almost wish I had packed a second pair for this trip because I wore mine so much.
Hiking Pants
If you plan to do a lot of hiking or other general outdoor activities (fishing, camping, etc.) on your trip to Haida Gwaii, I would consider packing a pair or two of proper hiking pants. I don’t own any, which is why I didn’t pack any, but we also didn’t have any long or heavy-duty hikes or other outdoor activities planned.
Slip-on Shoes
Since carry-on suitcases have limited space, that meant I couldn’t go crazy with shoes. I prioritized shoes for outdoor activities and weather but also wanted a quick and easy option for walking to dinner or going to the grocery store. I packed my old black loafers and they did the trick when I didn’t want to tie shoelaces or wear rain boots.
Hiking Sneakers or Boots
I didn’t realize until shortly before leaving for our trip that we’d probably be doing some hiking and beach combing. I own a pair of hiking sneakers and a pair of hiking boots, and I opted for the hiking sneakers for this trip because they take up less space and they went with my color palette. They worked perfectly, and I was super glad to have them for outdoor activities.
Rain Boots
I debated on whether or not I wanted to bring real rain boots on our trip to Haida Gwaii, and I ended up bringing them (I wore them on our travel days so I didn’t have to pack them). I’m very glad I had my rain boots; not only were they great for the rain (of course), they were also great for short walks on the beach and spit—I didn’t care if my feet got wet!
I definitely recommend packing a pair of footwear that can handle getting wet, whether they are obvious rain boots (like from Hunter or Sperry) or a pair of boots (such as Blondo or Blundstone) or sneakers (such as Vessi) that don’t look so much like wet weather footwear.
Slippers
I’ve recently started packing an old pair of slippers for trips when I have room in my luggage because it’s so nice to have them when walking around inside your accommodation. We stayed in the Homestead House at Hekate’s Retreat in Sandspit and all brought indoor shoes to wear around the house. Culturally, it seems most folks remove outdoor shoes at the door.
Fanny Pack or Crossbody Bag
I brought my trusty black crossbody bag from Madewell to Haida Gwaii. It’s been a staple in my wardrobe ever since I purchased it prior to our trip to Germany in fall 2023. You could opt for a fanny pack instead of a crossbody bag if that’s more your vibe. Mine fits my wallet, phone, snacks, chapstick, sunglasses, and small point-and-shoot camera. Sometimes I can shove my Kindle in there too but normally I traveled without my Kindle.
Hiking Backpack
If you are planning to do any hiking on Haida Gwaii, I recommend packing a smaller backpack that you can wear for that purpose. (If you will be going on much longer hikes or adventures, you may want something bigger, and I saw a number of people in the airport with large backpacking backpacks.) I had snacks and water in mine and could throw my jacket in there when I got too hot. Make sure it can tolerate getting wet in case it rains!
Insulated Rain Jacket or Lightweight Puffer Coat
The only item I KNEW I would be packing as soon as we booked our trip was my insulated rain jacket by The North Face. I purchased it a few years ago for our spontaneous trip to the Oregon Coast, and since then it’s been my go-to for those 45-60°F rainy days. It was the only jacket I brought on the trip, and I felt very good about my decision. You could also bring a puffer coat. Just make sure your coat(s) can repel water so you stay dry!
Variety of Hats (Baseball Caps, Beanies/Toques)
I brought two baseball caps with me to Haida Gwaii. I wear them all the time in everyday life and especially love them for hiking to keep the sun off my face. I did NOT bring a beanie (or toque as they are known in Canada) and wish I had brought a beanie or earmuffs because the winds can be quite strong and cold and hurt your ears!
Pajamas, Socks, Undergarments
In addition to everything above, I also packed two sets of pajamas, one beige bra, a whole handful of undies (plus some pairs of period undies just in case), and multiple pairs of socks (Bombas ankle socks, quarter socks, and longer merino wool socks).
Pin these images to your own Pinterest boards for reference!
Packing List for Haida Gwaii
I packed 16 clothing items from my Stylebook closet plus six other items that I don’t keep in my Stylebook closet for our 4-full-day, 5-night trip (plus three travel days and an overnight stay in Vancouver). Everything fit into my Quince 21” carry-on roller bag and Dagne Dover large Dakota backpack.
Here are all of the items I packed:
Two tank tops (one with built-in bra)
One long-sleeved tee
One long-sleeved Heattech tee
One dressier blouse
Two sweatshirts
One pair of joggers
One pair of leggings
One pair of jeans
One pair of loafers
One pair of rain boots
One pair of slippers
One pair of hiking sneakers
One insulated rain jacket
Two baseball caps
One crossbody bag
One small backpack
Two sets of pajamas
Socks (ankle socks, quarter socks, and longer merino wool socks)
Undergarments (undies, period undies, and one regular bra)
We had one cold and windy day (with rain showers), and for that day I wish I had gloves and earmuffs (or a beanie/toque) to keep my hands and ears warm! I recommend bringing those if you see breezy winds in the forecast.
If you are exploring Haida Gwaii for longer than one week, I recommend packing enough for 5-7 days and then doing laundry halfway through your trip! (Or, do laundry as needed in sinks, bathtubs, or showers.) I promise that you’ll need fewer items that you think you will.
More Things to Pack for Haida Gwaii
In addition to clothes, I also packed toiletries, medicine, my point-and-shoot camera, Kindle, headphones, and a bunch of snacks. Our accommodation did not have shampoo, conditioner, or body wash/soap (besides hand soap), and I did not bring enough, so I used what I had and bought more at the grocery store. Definitely err on the side of caution and bring toiletries or plan to purchase some once you’re on Haida Gwaii!
I’ve always kind of been one to overpack various types of medicine or other potentially medically necessary things, so I had a zip bag with a bunch of meds plus cough drops, bandaids, mosquito repellant wipes, foam ear plugs, etc. I didn’t end up needing anything except for one small bandaid for a toe blister (a common occurrence for me after lots of walking).
Korri’s mom told us to pack snacks because the grocery stores close in the evening and they may or may not have the kind of snack foods you want, so we took that to heart and packed a LOT. We had granola bars, protein bars, pop-tarts, trail mix, peach rings, and an entire loaf of huckleberry bread (LOL). We declared our food at customs but they kind of looked at us sideways, so you probably don’t need to do the same as long as you don’t have any fresh fruits, veggies, meats, etc.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much variety the grocery stores had (and how well-stocked they were), especially if you shop at one of the Co-op grocery stores (there’s one in Masset and another in Skidegate). Sandspit’s Super Valu store is much smaller but still offers a lot, and I didn’t find the prices to be astronomical considering everything comes by ship.
Something else we wish we had brought but didn’t was a swimsuit! Hekate’s Retreat has a sauna and cold pools, and we did not know that when packing for our trip. Definitely research your accommodation and see if there’s anything special like a hot tub or sauna you may want to take advantage of (also consider what layers/shoes you’ll want to wear with it).
What to Wear on Haida Gwaii
You could probably tell by the outfits in the collage above that most of my outfits were variations of each other (I wore three other outfits but omitted them as they were very similar to other outfits I wore and included in the collage). I packed small for this trip and got a lot of use out of mixing and matching my pieces based on the weather and activities!
Exploring and Hiking Graham Island
This is the outfit I wore for our full day exploring Graham Island (Tlell, Agate Beach and hiking Tow Hill, Masset for the grocery store, dinner at Port Clements, Balance Rock). I was expecting it to be chilly, so I layered up with my long-sleeved tee and grey sweatshirt under my insulated rain jacket. I also wore my black leggings, hiking sneakers, and merino wool socks.
Hiking Dover Trail and Campfire Lunch at Gray Bay
This outfit is obviously very similar to the one above; instead of my long-sleeved tee under the sweatshirt, I wore a tank top (and changed into my other tank top before heading to Gray Bay). I preferred wearing leggings for hikes, and this time I wore different socks with my hiking sneakers. I love these quarter socks but the light grey got dirty on the hike! As always, my rain jacket was the star of the show. I didn’t go a day without wearing it!
Final takeaways and tips when it comes to packing for Haida Gwaii: Don’t be afraid to pack light and rewear your clothes. Bring extra base layers (tank tops, thin tees) if you think you’ll need them. Wear a weather-proof jacket or coat. Pack long socks and slippers. Lean into cozy and comfortable. Most of all, enjoy your trip on Haida Gwaii!