Travelling the BC Southern Gulf Islands with kids
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
