Hecate Strait (/ˈhɛkɪt/; Haida language: K̲andaliig̲wii, also siigaay which means simply "ocean") is a wide but shallow strait between the Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen C******te Islands) and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It merges with Queen C******te Sound to the south and Dixon Entrance to the north. About 87 miles (140 km) wide at its southern end, Hecate Strait narrows in the north to about 30 miles (48 km) It is about 160 miles (260 km) in length.