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Sandspit
Sandspit is located across Skidegate Inlet on the northern tip of
Moresby Island about 32 km (20 miles) south-east from Queen
Charlotte City.
Sandspit's
History
The settlement of people dates back to when the Haida Village of
Kil was situated just east of Haans Creek 3.5 (2 miles) from Sandspit.
Early in the 1900's, the community later developed in its present
location with a fish oil processing plant, a fish cannery, ranching,
forestry, and farming being established. In 1944, Pacific Mills
established here and settlement grew even more with the influx of
more people and commercial enterprises.
Moresby
Island
Sandspit has since been the centre for transportation and logging
operations in the rich forested areas found towards the south of
Moresby Island. Today Sandspit not only assists the forest service
industry but also now serves as the eco-tourism destination point
for exploring the remoteness and beauty found on Moresby Island.
Vehicle
Travel to Sandspit
To get to Sandspit, if you are driving a vehicle, take the BC Ferries
scheduled sailing from Prince
Rupert to Skidegate Landing on Graham Island. Once at Skidegate
Landing you have to travel aboard another BC Ferries over to Alliford
Bay, Sandspit is about a 15-minute drive east from the ferry terminal.
Coming
to Sandspit by Airplane
There are flights offered by Air Canada Jazz that leave from Vancouver
International Airport and travel directly to Sandspit. One other
carrier, North Pacific Seaplanes out of Prince Rupert, offer service
but unfortunately only by seaplane.
Logger
Sports Days
A good time for you to visit Sandspit is usually in early July
when Logger Sports Days take place. The events include logger competition
in the sport of axe throwing, pole climbing, chocker setting and
sawing. Logger Sports Days also include food booths, souvenirs and
concessions, all followed by an evening dinner and dance.
Coho
Salmon Derby
The annual Coho Salmon Derby also occurs in Sandspit during the
month of September when the fish return to spawn. This event is
a great way to enjoy the superb fishing that the Sandspit area water
has to offer over a period of two weekends. Afterwards when the
Sandspit fish derby is over, it is followed by the famous Coho Derby
Dance.
Willows
Golf Course
For golfers there is the Willows Golf Course, which is designed
on one of the original homesteads in Sandspit. The course plays
through natural forest terrain and beautiful oceanfront with rock
outcrops. The Willows Golf Course features a small restaurant and
is located at 342 Copper Bay Road.
Louise
Dover Memorial Trail
If you would like to go for a walk in Sandspit through some old-growth
forest, try the challenging Dover Memorial Trail. Named after Louise
Dover, a long-time Sandspit woman of Haida ancestry, the trail starts
near Haans Creek Bridge and takes approximately three hours to complete
one way.
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
Just south of Sandspit, you find access to Gwaii Haanas National
Park Reserve where you can find ocean kayaking at its very best.
You will experience the British Columbian version of the Galapagos
Islands in this culturally rich land of the Haida Gwaii. Unfortunately
there is no road access into Gwaii Haanas National Park from Sandspit
and it has to be entered into by boat, tour or by seaplane.
Moresby
Camp
To get into Gwaii Haanas, the usual entry point is from the old-abandoned
logging site and staging area found at Moresby Camp. Situated south-west
from Sandspit on a gravel road, Moresby Camp is located on Cumshewa
Inlet near Louise Island and is only 50 km (30) miles to the northern
border of Gwaii Haanas by Tanu and Lyell Islands. Several commercial
guiding operations can be arranged for hire using either kayaks
or a seaplane into the park.
Forestry
Roads
If you are venturing out, just remember there are only 30 km (19
miles) of public roads on Moresby Island. All the other roads that
are on Moresby Island are operated and maintained by private logging
companies. So please watch for heavy equipment and obey any posted
safety signs and drive with your lights on.
Queen
Charlotte City
Queen Charlotte City, the main centre for the Haida Gwaii-Queen
Charlotte Islands, sits across Moresby Strait from Sandspit on Bearskin
Bay. Over in Queen Charlotte City you can find most services including
service stations, grocery stores, a number of cafés including
a Chinese food restaurant and Howler's neighbourhood pub.
Skidegate
From Queen Charlotte City, take the short 9 km (6 miles) trip to
Skidegate and visit the cultural centre
found at the Haida Gwaii Museum in Qay'llnagaay. From Skidegate
there is a beautiful southerly view across Rooney Bay Skidegate
Inlet towards Sandspit.
The
Sandspit Inn
For accommodation there is the Sandspit Inn found at 537 Alliford
Bay Road. The Sandspit Inn offers entertainment found at the pub,
kitchen suites and other rooms overlooking the harbour, some featuring
hot tubs.
501
RV/Tent Park
For RV camping there is the 501 RV/Tent Park which offers both 15
and 30 amp sites plus some other tenting sites are available. 501
RV/Tent Park is conveniently located across the beach on the way
into Sandspit on Alliford Bay Road.
Information
on Sandspit
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