Quiet, safe, and welcoming, the Southern Gulf Islands are an ideal place to visit if you’re traveling in BC with kids. Whether exploring by trails, bikes, or kayaks, or staying put at a cabin on a lake, the slow pace and community-oriented nature of our islands make for a wholesome, worry-free family getaway. Play disc golf, watch for wildlife, spend a day at the beach, and indulge in sweet locally-made treats no matter which island you choose. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly activities for those who are traveling in BC with kids!
Salt Spring Island
- Stop for ice cream at Glad’s Gelateria or Harlan’s
- Go swimming at Beddis Beach or Vesuvius Bay Beach, or spend a day on St. Mary Lake or Cusheon Lake
- Find the fairy Doors on the trails up Mount Erskine
- Visit the farm animals at Ruckle Heritage Farm
- Play disc golf or do the story walk in Mouat Park
- Go on a whale watching excursion with Salt Spring Adventures
- Catch a movie at The Fritz
- Try a Learning Experience with Tour Salt Spring
For even more fun, pickup a copy of the Salt Spring Arts’ kids map at the Visitor Information Centre or at Mahon Hall.
Galiano Island
- Hike to the beaches at Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park
- Watch for whales at Bellhouse Park
- Ride the musical Pub Bus to the Hummingbird Pub
- Get the ‘big kids’ pizza at Babes in the Woods
- Beach hop the shore access points
- Visit the Food Forest at the Galiano Conservancy
- Stop for ice cream at Sturdies Bay Bakery
Pender Island
- Take a walk through the Enchanted Forest
- Swim at Mortimer Spit or spend the day at Magic Lake
- Hunt for treasures at the Nu-to-Yu thrift store
- Adventure on the water with Dog Mermaid Eco Excursions
- Watch for whales and other wildlife at Brooks Point Regional Park
- Play a round at the Golf Island Disc Park
- Stop for a sweet treat at Pender Chocolates
Saturna Island
- Visit the Saturna Heritage Centre and keep an eye out for special events
- Watch for whales at East Point
- Swim at Veruna Beach
- Hike the forested Lyall Creek Trail to the waterfall
- Have a BBQ picnic at Winter Cove
Mayne Island
- Watch the ferries go by the Active Pass Lighthouse
- Visit the Plumper Pass Lockup and Mayne Island Museum
- Spend an afternoon at Bennett Bay Beach
- Hike up Mount Parke
- Explore the shoreline at St. John Point Regional Park
- Picnic at Dinner Bay Park and play at the playground
- Mingle with the chickens, feed the sheep, and pet the lambs at Meadowmist Farm
