Saturna Island

Saturna is the southerly and most rural of the Gulf Islands with a population of around 300. A peaceful remote island with hiking trails, ocean-side parks and great fishing, boating and kayaking. Accommodation includes many bed and breakfasts and a lodge. Be sure to check the BC Ferries schedule when travelling to the Island. There are no public campgrounds on Saturna. 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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! 

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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.

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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.

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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