Rose Inlet, Haida Gwaii

We left Dyer Cover yesterday at sunrise (well, it was 4:30 am) for the big leg of the trip: a 16-hour crossing of the Queen Charlotte Sound to the southern tip of Gwaii Hanas, the National Park .

A killer whale (odd to see just one) and a humpback whale came out to say goodbye ...

It was an endurance test for all of us, as we headed into 2 meter rollers for the whole way.

We made good time, and a humpback whale came out to welcome us into the Hudson Channel.

We spent last night on a mooring in Rose Harbour, just around the corner from here, but it was a little rolly from the swell, so we moved to Rose Inlet this morning. We had deflated the dinghy and put it on deck for the Queen Charlotte Sound crossing, and this morning we re-deployed it, and went ashore for a short exploration.

A magical moss-covered forest, wonderful bird life, and an incredible diversity of shells, including the largest mussel shell we've ever seen.

Back on board for tea, card games, stories, and more of the banana biscuits Jane baked this morning. The boys drew comic strips before going to bed.

Tomorrow we're heading for SGang Gwaay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (previously known as Nintints, on Anthony Island).