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The Gulf Islands
Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island is the largest and most populated of the Southern Gulf Islands. Ganges, at the heart of the island, is a friendly village with shops of all sorts, art galleries, a variety of restaurants, and marinas. Fulford Harbour, a small community at the south end, greets visitors arriving from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. Here you’ll find a cluster of homes and funky shops. The harbour itself is also part of the amazingly beautiful panorama visible from the top of Mount Maxwell. The island’s farms, vineyards, orchards, beaches, lakes, and mountains create scenic driving tours. Cyclists also love the winding ups and downs of the island’s roadways. Hikers will find a plethora of trails, many ending in breathtaking vistas.
Salt Spring Island’s art galleries and studios have attracted international attention. The island has been named the ninth-best art “town” in America with a population of fewer than 30,000 by arts writer John Villani in his book on the 100 best art towns in America. Look for the orange door of the Visitor Centre in Ganges where you can pick up a self-guided studio tour brochure (more than 30 stops!), along with other great information. In the summer, you’ll also find many arts and crafts at ArtCraft. Fine art is not the only form of art on the island. At ArtSpring — the local theatre — music, theatre, and dance performances are staged throughout the year.
Salt Spring Island’s culinary talents have also earned international attention. Sample many delicacies, including artisan breads, cheeses, salmon products, lamb, and wines, by visiting the creators, browsing shops, cruising the Saturday Market, and dining in the many restaurants.
The Saturday Market operates from spring through fall and offers fresh farm products, homemade treats, and arts and crafts. The annual Fall Fair, which takes place on the third weekend of September every year, celebrates its 115th anniversary in 2012. Other great events include the Polar Bear Swim, Ruckle Park Day, Folk Dance Festival, Round Salt Spring sailing race, Eco-Home Tour, Jazz Fest, Lavender Festival, Treasure Fair, Fulford Day, Organic Apple Festival, Harvest Ball, Halloween Spooktacular, and Light-Up.
Mayne Island
A superb holiday retreat, Mayne Island is known for beautiful beaches, spectacular views, excellent hiking and kayaking, art galleries and studios, and interesting history. Back in the gold rush days of the 1850s, Mayne Island was a stopping point for gold miners crossing (some by rowboat!) from Victoria to the mainland. By the early 1900s, the island had become a fashionable vacation destination and the commercial hub of the Gulf Islands. Evidence of its colourful past can be seen at several historic buildings, including the 1896 Plumper Pass Lock Up — the former jail — which is now a small museum, as well as the Springwater Lodge, which has been operating as a hotel continuously since 1892, and St. Mary Magdalene Church, built in 1898 and still hosting services every Sunday. In Georgina Point Heritage Park, the Active Pass Lighthouse has been signalling ships since 1885.
Galiano Island
Galiano Island is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the Gulf Islands. You may think so, too, once you feast your eyes on Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park, a gorgeous 97-hectare park with beaches, forests, meadows, a lagoon, and trails. Bluffs Park is another fine example of Galiano Island’s beauty and features a hiking trail and a view of Active Pass. Bellhouse Park is another favourite for ocean views and picnics, and for a stunning sunset, check out Montague Harbour. Boaters love Coon Bay and Dionisio Point Provincial Park, two marine access-only areas with sheltered waters and sandy beaches. Boat charters are available. Galleries, studios, and shops add to Galiano’s beauty. Hiking, cycling, kayaking, and scuba diving are popular activities here.
Saturna Island
Scenic walks, awe-inspiring views, heavenly beaches, and abundant wildlife make small, quiet Saturna Island the perfect year-round hideaway. Almost two-thirds of this island is protected within the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, which offers some outstanding opportunities for exploring. Saturna Island’s many natural highlights include the breathtaking view from the summit of Mount Warburton Pike, Navarez Bay, Taylor Point, Winter Cove, the waterfall along Lyall Creek, and the sculpted sandstone cliffs in East Point Regional Park, where you can see a picturesque 1880s light station.
Saturna Island’s arts and culture scene includes art studios and galleries, a Saturday market in the summer, a renowned winery where a harvest festival is held in the fall, and the famous Canada Day Lamb Barbecue.
Pender Island
An excellent choice for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, pretty Pender Island is renowned for its many coves and beaches — 37 in all! Old farms, orchards, farmhouses, and historic buildings dot the picturesque landscape, making it a fabulous place for cycling or scenic drives. Pender Island is especially noted for kayaking and hiking. In fact, Pender Island features more than 60 walking and hiking trails, ranging from short beach strolls to logging roads and challenging uphill treks. For great views and nature viewing, go to Medicine Beach, Bricky Bay, and Mortimer Spit. Touring art studios, relaxing at a spa, sampling wines at the winery, and checking out the island’s history at the museum are a few more ways
to enjoy Pender Island.
Gabriola Island
A 20-minute ferry trip from Nanaimo, charming Gabriola Island is loved for its beaches, waterfront parks, theatre, music, and many art galleries and studios. Maps are available at the Gabriola BC Ferries terminal, at many Visitor Centres across BC, from the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce, and at many local businesses. Gabriola is reputed to have one of the highest concentrations of artists in Canada, making it a popular stop with art lovers. Touring art studios is an excellent way to explore the island. Better yet, come for the annual self-directed Thanksgiving Studio Tour.
Gabriola Island’s long list of natural attractions includes the amazing Malaspina Galleries. These often-photographed, cave-like, sandstone formations were created by wave erosion and measure 90 metres by 3.5 metres. You’ll also want to check out Sandwell Provincial Park via the scenic sandstone path to the beach, which was established to protect archaeological sites. Other sights to put on your list include the tidal pools at Brickyard Beach, the Garry oaks in Drumbeg Provincial Park, and the view of Entrance Island Lighthouse from Orlebar Point. Descanso Bay Regional Park and Drumbeg Provincial Park offer scenic hiking. Gabriola Sands and Sandwell Provincial Parks, Descanso Bay Regional Park, and Drumbeg Park are popular with beach lovers and swimmers.
Other Gabriola Island activities include diving, fishing, golfing, stopping in at the museum to see the collection of petroglyphs (copies are available for rubbings), visiting the alpaca farm and shop, watching wooden boats and log homes being built, and shopping at the weekly, summer farm market.
Transportation
The six main Gulf Islands — Salt Spring, Mayne, Galiano, Saturna, Pender, and Gabriola — can be easily reached by floatplane or ferry from the mainland or from Vancouver Island (see page 8). From Vancouver Island, Gabriola Island is accessible from Nanaimo; the other five main Gulf Islands are accessible from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal in Sidney 30 minutes north of Victoria. Salt Spring Island is also accessible from Crofton. You can travel between Gulf Islands by ferry, water taxi, and private boat.
Cycling the Islands
Cycling is a popular way to tour the Gulf Islands. Country roads lead from ferry docks to villages with farm and flower stands, artisan studios, tranquil beaches, lush green parks, and viewpoints along the way. Many cyclists bring their bicycles and their motor vehicles, and others board ferries as foot passengers and pedal everywhere. While cycling is an excellent, eco-friendly way to travel, be warned: many of these islands are quite hilly, so expect some cardio challenges. Also, Gulf Island roadways have narrow shoulders or no shoulders, so cyclists must watch for vehicles, cycle single file, and wear high-visibility clothing and helmets at all times.
The Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands
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