North
and South Pender Islands
Canada Customs maintains
a marine entry point at Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island
. South Pender and North Pender, originally one island, are
now separated by a narrow channel spanned by a busy bridge.
Accommodation consists of small hotels, lodges, Bed and Breakfast
homes, cabins and a resort at Bedwell Harbour. Regular Ferry
service from Swartz Bay, north of Sidney BC, makes the Penders
popular with cyclists and boaters.
Index
Mayne
Island
Once a stop-over for
miners travelling north to the Cariboo gold rush, Village Bay
on Mayne Island is now a transfer point for ferry passengers
en route from Vancouver to the other islands. Mayne Island
was named after Lieutenant Richard C. Mayne who served aboard
the HMS Plumper during a map-making expedition in the 1850's.
Georgina Point Lighthouse is a popular spot for picnics or
to view the marine life of Active Pass. There is a ban on hunting
on Mayne Island, unlike other islands, which makes it a haven
for deer. The island has several stores, craft studios similar
to most of the other islands, a post office and liquor outlet
in Miners Bay, and four grocery stores. There are quality bed
and breakfast houses and several good restaurants. Some accommodations
offer bicycle use or rental for touring the island.
Galiano
Island
Galiano is a long,
narrow island of 57 sq. kilometers that offers a good range
of accommodations and eateries. Most of the services are near
the Sturdies Bay ferry terminal at the south end of the island.
There is also a small commercial area at the junction of Porlier
Pass Road and Georgeson Bay Road. Visitors will enjoy the Montague
Harbour Marine Park with it's remnants of the old Coast Salish
Nation's settlement of the area. The population of about 1,000
consists of a number of artists and writers and hosts a poetry
festival each summer. Cyclists will find the island less hilly
than the others. Bluffs Park in the south is a hikers haven
with views of Active Pass, The Gulf Islands and the Olympic
Peninsula. In the north is Dionisio Point Provincial Park with
it's fabulous sandstone rock formations at Coon Bay.
Index
Salt Spring Island
The largest of the
Gulf Islands with a population of 8000 is home to a diverse
population of artists, entrepreneurs, farmers, families and
a large retired community. Ganges is the business hub of the
Island and visitors will not lack for amenities during their
stay. Several banks and banking machines, post office, liquor
store, two marinas, grocery stores and specialty shops and
three gas stations are among the facilities. Many fine restaurants
are within walking distance. Commercial areas are also located
at Vesuvius bay, Fulford Harbour and Fernwood. The tourist
information centre in Ganges is open all year.
Index
Thetis
Island
The smallest least
populated southern gulf island B.C. that is served by public
ferry from Chemainus. See
Ferry Schedule Notable for its accessible beaches
and easily hiked western shoreline. Mainly forested, with some
farmlands,
meadows and wetlands. Community services include: fire and emergency
response, 911 service, on-island road maintenance, community
hall with library and tennis court, elementary (K-7) school,
church. There are two marinas, one with a pub and restaurant
and the other with a cafe.
Other on-island services include: post office, two convenience
stores, a garden shop and plant nursery, house and landscaping
contractors, portable sawmills and lumber sales.
Gabriola
Island
Gabriola Island, "The
Isle of the Arts" is about 14 km long by 4.2 km wide with
an estimated population of 4000. A vehicle and passenger ferry
from Nanaimo to Gabriola Island operates 17 times daily with
a sailing time of 20 minutes. Boaters can find moorage, fuel,
showers, marine repairs at Silva Bay; a government wharf located
in Degnen Bay.
Index
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Northern
Gulf Islands
See
Map
Hornby
Island
Hornby Island is a
small island accessible from the the East side of Vancouver
Island in the Straight of Georgia. Once on Vancouver
Island, drive to Buckley Bay (3 hours north of Victoria, 50
minutes north of Nanaimo, or 45 minutes south of Comox) where The
Denman Ferry leaves on the hour for a ten minute crossing
to Denman Island. Drive across Denman (13km) to Gravelly Bay
for another short ride on the Hornby
Ferry will take you to Hornby. Please note: The last connecting
ferry to Hornby leaves Buckley Bay at 6:00pm (10:00pm on Fridays)
so plan your trip accordingly!
Index
Texada Island
Texada Island is located along the Sunshine Coast in the Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The largest of British Columbia's Gulf Islands, Texada has a population of about 1100 and enjoys some of the mildest winters in Canada.
Index
The
Discovery Islands -
The Outer Islands
The
Discovery Islands are a rugged group of islands located between
Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia on the west
coast of Canada. They are easily reached from the town of Campbell
River on Vancouver Island by a regular 10 minute ferry crossing
to Quadra Island and from Heriot Bay on Quadra island, a 40
minute ferry takes you across to Cortes Island. Sonora
Island, just north of Quadra, is accessible by about a 1 hour
water taxi ride from Campbell River. Sonora, as well as Read,
Maurelle, Stuart, East
& West Redonda, East & West Thurlow and the Rendezvous
Islands make up the rest of what is known as the Outer Islands.
Sonora
Island - See Map
The Sonora
Island area offers all types of outdoor recreation and sport
activities - fishing, boating, diving, and wildlife viewing,
and the availability of seafood such as crab, prawns, clams & oysters
are all within this region. The Octopus Island Group Marine
Park is only minutes away.
Quadra
Island
Quadra Island's 3,000
residents are connected to Vancouver Island by a 10-minute
ferry ride across Discovery Passage from Campbell River to
Quathiaski Cove. Quadra
Island is the largest of the Discovery Island group and cycling
is one of the best ways to tour the island.
Cortes
Island
Desolation
Sound is very popular with boaters and the warm and sheltered
waters are ideal for kayaking. Lying at the entrance to Desolation
Sound is the large Cortes Island. Cortes is an outdoor recreation
paradise, with beautiful lakes, lagoons, forests, and white
sandy beaches.
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