OUR STORY
More Than a Fishing Trip. A Personal Experience.
EVERY GREAT ADVENTURE HAS A STORY
Built on a love of fishing, genuine hospitality, and memories that last long after the trip.
At Haida Gwaii Safaris, exceptional fishing is only part of the story. It's about the people who welcome you, the details that make you feel at home, and the memories that bring guests back year after year.
Led by owner Valerie Hoperich, our team is dedicated to creating a fishing experience where genuine hospitality and the extraordinary beauty of Haida Gwaii come together.
MEET THE OWNER
THE HEART OF HAIDA GWAII SAFARIS - Valerie Hoperich
Twenty-five years ago, I made a life-changing decision to leave my career in insurance and enter the world of fishing and hospitality. I never imagined where that journey would take me, the challenges I would face, or the wonderful people I would meet along the way.
What I've learned over the years is that while fishing brings people to Haida Gwaii, it's the connections and memories we create that make the experience truly special.
There is nothing more rewarding than bringing people together in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Watching families reconnect, friendships grow, and guests create memories that last a lifetime is what I love most about what I do.
I am incredibly grateful for my dedicated team, whose passion, talents, and genuine care make Haida Gwaii Safaris what it is today. Together, we believe great hospitality is about the little details, personal connections, and making every guest feel welcome.
After 25 years, I still love welcoming guests, hearing their fishing stories, and sharing the laughter around the dinner table.
The friendships. The laughter. The connections. The memories.
That's what makes this journey so meaningful to me.
I look forward to welcoming you and sharing this extraordinary place with you.
Valerie Hoperich
Owner, Haida Gwaii Safaris
THE NAME
That reflects the destination.
Formerly known as Queen Charlotte Safaris, the business became Haida Gwaii Safaris to reflect the name of the islands and honour the Haida people, whose ancestral homeland these islands are.
Haida Gwaii is far more than a fishing destination. It is a place of living culture, deep heritage, remarkable wildlife, and extraordinary natural beauty. We believe experiencing this region begins with appreciating what makes it unique and treating its people, communities, land, and waters with respect.
BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
Guests Today. Friends for Years to Come.
Some guests discover Haida Gwaii Safaris through a recommendation. Others return year after year, bringing friends, family, colleagues, and new generations of anglers with them.
Those relationships are at the heart of what Valerie has built. Fishing brings people together, but it's the shared meals, the laughter at the lodge, and the memories made along the way that make an experience truly lasting.
For us, success isn't measured only by the fishing. It's measured by the people who leave already looking forward to coming back.