Things to do in Masset
Top Things to Do in Masset, BC - Masset Attractions
Things to Do in Masset
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries
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Fishing Charters & Tours
What travellers are saying
- chuck G8 contributionsits a 20 minute drive from Massett....The lava fields are stunning by the ocean....They have a board walk to your not marching through mud along the river....So so gorgeous by the sea....we took about 2 hours...could have spent longer but i have a mobility issue....Loved itWritten March 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PookyCakeVictoria, Canada13,605 contributionsEstablished in 2001, the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum was created to record and preserve the maritime history of the Greater Masset Area. In this regard, it covers a number of key sectors: Ship building, military history, early medical pioneers, canneries, whaling and personal narratives on the northern half of Graham Island.
The museum, which is housed in a heritage building (built 1914), is fairly compact in size but tells a mammoth of a tale. I understand that, pre-COVID, guided tours were available but it’s now self-guided with the option to ask questions of the volunteer staff. As such, we ambled about the space at our own pace and enjoyed learning about many of the exhibits. Highlights included learning about the Queen Charlotte Dungeness Crab brand as a sought after commodity; the pictorial history of the canneries and the role they played in early settler economies (1910s to 1930s); the early medical history on Haida Gwaii (the museum building once served as a hospital); boat building in Old Massett, including an interesting write-up on Haida canoe construction; and, of course, the brief whaling history on Haida Gwaii.
Augmenting much of the displays are crucial personal narratives of locals, which helps put a face to the history in front of us. In fact, for me, it was these personal stories – written or in the form of donated artifacts – that proved to be most impactful. They helped tie everything together and conveyed a narrative of the every day. Important events – history – aren’t just recorded by historians or anthropologists. We each have a role to play here and the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum clarifies this in a most poignant and compelling way by celebrating the community.
Haida Gwaii has 3 museums: The Haida Heritage Centre, the Museum of Port Clements, and the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum. Each one highlights different aspects of life on the archipelago. Thus, for a fuller and richer experience on Haida Gwaii, I strongly recommend making time for all 3!Written December 15, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - DadandCabCoffs Harbour, Australia1,033 contributionsWe walked the sanctuary hike - in reverse by mistake which made any signage difficult to spot. Go to the sanctuary office in Masset before setting out on the hike & they'll set you straight!Written June 20, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PookyCakeVictoria, Canada13,605 contributionsSituated within Naikoon Provincial Park, White Creek is a relatively flat 3.5km out-and-back trail. The trail, which is an early 20th century settler wagon road, begins on the west side of White Creek, near the bridge. You’ll see a small sign – the trailhead marker – indicating that the route is not maintained. Despite this, it’s clear the trail is “user maintained” because it was clear and easy to navigate for the duration of our hike.
The first kilometer of the hike takes you through beautiful second growth forest, carpeted with thick green moss, along an unmistakable wagon road. As you walk this section it’s not difficult to imagine the old settlers, in their horse and buggy, trudging along to their homesteads. In the current day, besides the obvious road, the hand-dug ditches and corduroy bridges are all that remain of this pioneering era along White Creek.
After about 30 minutes or so, you’ll emerge from the brush into what Go Haida Gwaii has described as “Haida Gwaii’s Serengeti.” The unique bog ecosystem – with its small ponds, grassland, twisted and stunted pines – are certainly reminiscent of the African Savannah! As you hike this section of the White Creek Trail, you’ll notice several small side trails, all of which provide access to the bog. I’d recommend taking your time here to explore, but do tread gently. Depending on the time of year you visit, it’s possible to observe Shooting Stars, Labrador Tea, Sundews, and a host of other plants endemic to this environment. Who knows, you might even hear the frat boy-like calls of male grouse in the distance!
The bog section of the White Creek Trail runs for about 2.5 kilometers before you come upon the “trail ends” signage. If you’re wearing good boots, it is possible to cross Kliki Damen Creek and continue some 19 kilometers all the way to East Beach along what eventually becomes the Carr-Whittle Trail. If you do this, though, please note that the route is not marked.
While there are other trails on Haida Gwaii offering access to bog environments (Nadu Homestead and Regier Lake, for example), White Creek is the most popular and, I’d suggest, photogenic. If you visit, take your time here. The mystical and magical effect of forest and bog still occupies and entices my mind!Written May 19, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LLHHVancouver, Canada1,229 contributionsShort walk from the highway pullout. Open area with picnic tables and fire rings. Huge masses of moss a foot deep. They are amazing.Written June 21, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PookyCakeVictoria, Canada13,605 contributionsI was first made fully aware of Masset Cemetery after browsing a couple blogs about Haida Gwaii late last year. In particular, it was a post written on HalloweenForum.com, of all places, that really captured my attention. There wasn’t much in the way of text or context, but the two images of a moss-covered cross just spoke to me: They were at once haunting and beautiful, perfectly capturing the essence of what most – if not all – cemeteries should be.
When most of us think of cemeteries, we envision them as places to be avoided – as places of mourning, sadness and death. True, they are that to a certain degree: When the time comes to lay a loved one to rest, we cannot help but feel melancholy because a large and integral part of our world is suddenly gone; however, cemeteries are also much more than that. They also function as portals of remembrance whereby you can honour your loved one within the context of their culture and how they lived. Masset Cemetery probably does this better than most.
As you walk this quaint cemetery it is impossible to ignore the strong feeling of spirituality throughout. Maybe it’s the lush, green moss that carpets the ground, covers some graves and creeps up the trees; maybe it’s the Sitka spruce which surrounds you and reaches up towards the heavens; maybe it’s the sound of waves crashing upon the shores of nearby Cemetery Beach; or, maybe it is all of these things coming together like a beautiful gestalt and illustrating place and space. Regardless, it gives the space a wonderful sense of calm – the perfect setting in which to both honour and reflect upon life.
The various monuments housed inside Masset Cemetery offer us a unique window and perspective through which to view the local culture: Many of the graves are adorned with various treasures, a lot of which probably wouldn’t last a day in an urban environment. For example, you will come across graves lined with scallop shells; others will be covered in beautiful agates; and still others may be adorned with cedar roses, Japanese glass balls or Haida Watchmen figures. This, to me, is a beautiful expression of place, culture and history. The cemetery is unique to its space; the graves and treasures placed atop them paint a clear picture of Haida Gwaii’s multifaceted, complex culture; and it also alludes to the timeless history of Haida Gwaii via the ancient forest which surrounds it.
Indeed, this is why I say Masset Cemetery captures “the essence of what most [. . .] cemeteries should be.” It tells us a story if we have but the eyes to see and ears to listen. The story may be happy or it may be sad, but it will nevertheless enrich us.
Oh, and that moss-covered cross I spied in the blog post? It was there, sans moss. I guess I should’ve expected as much given that the blog was over eight years old at the time of viewing!Written October 16, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ImpossiblewishFort Langley, Canada2 contributionsFriendly staff, authentic Haida art. Indigenous owned and operated business. Carrying various items from screen printed T-shirts, to carved jewelry.Written October 17, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Katie C51 contributionsgood selection of local artwork and souvenir items. the proprietor is friendly and helpful with suggestions for visitors. clean shop aesthetic makes it easy to find what you're looking forWritten September 26, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PookyCakeVictoria, Canada13,605 contributionsEstablished in 1975, Sarah’s Haida Arts and Jewellery is located in the community of Old Massett. It’s difficult to miss for a couple of reasons: 1) There is ample signage posted throughout the community, directing you to its location on Eagle Avenue; and, 2) The gallery is housed in a traditional longhouse-style structure (adorned with Haida Eagle & Raven artwork) AND it features a beautiful totem pole out front. In short, the art gallery stands out!
It’s kind of funny – despite visiting Masset and Old Massett countless times over the years, I’ve never patronized Sarah’s Haida Arts until now and, even then, it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. While enjoying an outstanding stay at Highwater House (do look them up!), my partner and I decided to tour around town . . . and we eventually made our way to Sarah’s Haida Arts. We didn’t really know what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by what awaited us behind the door carved by Reg Davidson.
The gallery does come across as a little crowded, but it is loaded with an impressive selection of Haida art, jewellery, clothing and books. As you scour the selection, it’s hard not to be impressed with the intricate wood carvings, cedar hats, jet black argillite and precious metals – gold and silver, some with abalone inlay. The shirts, hoodies and books complement the impressive art. The best part? There’s something here for every budget. Whether you just want something small like an argillite pendant or a high-end piece for your collection, it’s here. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, Sarah is more than happy to help – she certainly pointed us in the right direction!
Besides the impressive selection and fair pricing, what stands out to me about Sarah’s Haida Arts is the very clear emphasis on local. This place and space celebrates the richness of Haida culture and does so in a respectful and appealing way. As such, I highly recommend you check this place out!Written January 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ben WatsonRichmond Downs, New Zealand41 contributionsKurt was a great host getting us a 23 pound chinook salmon and within metres of a humpback whale all in one afternoon.
Could have caught more salmon if our party was more motivated.
Kurt is knowledgeable and makes sure you achieve your goals for the trip.Written July 7, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Masset
- The top attractions to visit in Masset are:
- Naikoon Provincial Park
- Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum
- Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pure Lake Provincial Park
- Gin Kuyaas-Haida Art Studio & Gifts
- The best outdoor activities in Masset according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Naikoon Provincial Park
- Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary
- White Creek Trail
- Pure Lake Provincial Park
- Cape Fife Trail
Masset Attractions Information
| Attractions | 14 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 171 |
| Attraction Photos | 210 |
| Local Time | Sunday 5:56 a.m. |