Haida Gwaii storm watching
British Columbia, Canada. (Queen Charlotte Islands)

Storm Watching the Queen Charlotte Islands has always been an attraction mostly enjoyed by the locals. But today, more and more visitors are realizing that some of the best storm watching opportunities are on the Queen Charlotte Islands. The coastlines are heavily exposed to the harsh winds and currents of the Pacific Ocean creating monster waves.

The Queen Charlotte Archipelago ocean floor goes from a depth of 3000 metres to 60 metres. The depths of the ocean combined with polar storms is a combination of natural forces that can turn calm waters into 18 metre waves in a matter of hours. The harshest storms can pick up a log like a toothpick and throw it 30 metres in the air!

Storm Watching is enjoyed by some from the comforts of one of the waterfront accommodations lining the coastlines. Storms can be watched from the parking lot of some of the beaches like Agate Beach and North Beach. While others seek the maximum rush of a west coast storm by suiting up in rain gear and walking the long sandy beaches.

The storm watching on the Queen Charlottes is prime through the December to April months. This is when you might get the full brunt of a storm when winds and waves are at their highest.