Cozy Season
What Southern Gulf Island Should I Visit?
Planning a getaway to the Southern Gulf Islands? The hardest part might just be choosing where to start. This small stretch of British Columbia's coastline is packed with world-class bakers, brewers, growers, crafters, and creators. Every island has its own take on slow living, influenced by the Salish Sea and the eccentric folk who've made their home here. But while Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna may share a coastline, climate, and close-knit community, each island has a [...]
Getting Here: How to Fly to the Southern Gulf Islands
Did you know you can get to the Southern Gulf Islands in just 30 minutes and avoid the stress of ferry traffic and long waits? Scheduled daily floatplane service is available from Vancouver to Salt Spring, with additional flights to Pender, Galiano, Mayne, and Saturna Island during the busy summer months. Not to mention the endless possibilities offered by the many local charter services. Flying to Salt Spring and the rest of the islands is a memorable, convenient, and [...]
All Your Ferry Questions Answered
If you're planning to visit any of the Southern Gulf Islands, chances are your journey here will start aboard a ferry. BC Ferries operates multiple daily sailings from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay), as well as around the islands, transporting thousands of locals and visitors alike throughout the Salish Sea. While island residents have long learned to navigate the complexities of ferry life with ease, for the uninitiated, planning a trip around a seemingly convoluted ferry schedule can [...]
Your guide to a Southern Gulf Island studio tour
Any visit here comes packed with opportunities to see artist studios, roadside galleries, farm stands, and community spaces that capture all the special creative energy flowing through this region. Here's your guide to the studios, tours, and other art-filled adventures waiting across the Southern Gulf Islands.
Your Cozy Season Bucket List: How to Embrace Slowing Down
Pack your bags, unplug from the world, and experience a cozy season in the Gulf Islands this fall. Your perfect escape is waiting.
Did the Power Go Out? Your Southern Gulf Islands Survival Guide
Cozy season brings occasional power outages in the Southern Gulf Islands. Embrace the forced disconnection with these tips.
Unique accommodations in the Southern Gulf Islands
When you’re looking to retreat, recharge, and reconnect, consider these top picks for a weekend escape.
The Art of Doing Nothing: Finding Stillness in the Islands
What does nothing look like? Doing nothing doesn't usually mean sitting on your hands and staring at a blank wall. It's about cultivating presence and slowing down. Here's how.
5 Quiet Spots to Meditate in the Southern Gulf Islands
Since our nature is quiet and unhurried, there are plenty of places to meditate and practise mindfulness. Here are a few of our favourites to (re)connect with the islands and ourselves.
Hikes on Galiano Island
Find sweeping views, remnants of Japanese settlement, natural sculpted tafoni, and the bliss of island living on these 4 must-do trails on Galiano Island.
8 Island-Style Wellness Activities
Take the time to slow down, connect to your surroundings, and give yourself uninterrupted time to recharge. From spas to nature therapy, here are 8 wellness activities for every type of visitor.
4 Tips for an Island Winter Getaway
With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, the islands are an ideal winter getaway to rest, recalibrate, and renew yourself. From active to relaxed, here are our favourite ways to experience the Southern Gulf Islands in winter.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Galiano Island
Galiano Island, sitting on the eastern edge of the Salish Sea, is a home away from home for many Vancouverites, a quiet retreat for creative types, and one of the best destinations for getting away from it all. Although it's less than an hour by ferry from Vancouver, Galiano Island still feels like a wild adventure. And with that adventure comes plenty of questions. What's the best way to get here? Are there bears? Does Galiano have a grocery [...]
How to get to Salt Spring Island
How do you get to Salt Spring Island? This island is one of the most connected Southern Gulf Islands, with three ferry terminals, eight moorage options for boaters, float plane service, and an excellent public transit system once you get here. But with so many options, it can be confusing for anyone unfamiliar with the routes and schedules of the many Salt Spring ferries. Let's break it down into more manageable pieces. Here is everything you need to know [...]
Everything you ever wanted to know about Mayne Island
Beachcombing, forest wanderings, and good eating are the heart of Mayne Island. This little corner of the Southern Gulf Islands remains quiet and uncrowded for most of the year, and even in the busier summer months, there are plenty of places here to unplug and get away from it all. What do you need to know before you head off on your first Mayne Island adventure? From how to get to here to island amenities to camping, let this [...]
9 Cozy Cabins to Curl up in This Season
When the weather has you layering up, there’s nothing more comforting than winding down next to the fire with nothing to do but read and sip a glass of wine or a steaming hot tea. From basic to modern, here are some of our favourite options for a snug island retreat.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Saturna Island
Does Saturna have a grocery store? What is there to do on Saturna? If you're planning a visit to this peaceful corner of the Southern Gulf Islands, chances are you’ve got a few questions before you go. While Saturna may be one of the less-travelled islands, it still offers plenty of essentials (and even more surprises). From ferry logistics to food options, transportation, and things to do, this guide answers all your burning questions to help you plan a [...]
7 Island Hikes That are Better in the Rain
The Southern Gulf Islands get less than a third of the rainfall that’s typically seen in Vancouver and the lower mainland, but the landscape still changes with the seasons and that means there are some trails best saved for Cozy Season adventures. Here are seven hikes across the Southern Gulf Islands that are actually better when it’s wetter.
How to Curl up for Cozy Season: 5 Easy Steps for a Relaxing Island Holiday
Wondering how to settle in and slow down this season? No matter which of the Southern Gulf Islands you visit, there are a few tried and true steps. Here's how to curl up for cozy season.
How to get to Saturna Island
Saturna is one of the quietest of the Southern Gulf Islands, with just a few hundred year-round residents. Even in the busy summer months, and during the world-famous Saturna Island Lamb BBQ, it's one of the Gulf Islands that always stays decidedly off the beaten path. All of which tends to translate into fewer ferries than the rest of the islands. Which is why you've landed on this guide — how do you get to Saturna Island, anyway? Whether [...]
Everything you ever wanted to know about Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island is teaming with life, love, and creativity. As arguably one of the most famous Southern Gulf Islands, it has become internationally known for its legendary Saturday Market, arts community, and forward-thinking farms. Yes, Salt Spring Island is just a few hours from Vancouver, but it can feel impossibly different from big-city daily life, which is probably why you have so many questions. How do you get here? Do you need to get groceries beforehand? What about [...]
Everything you ever wanted to know about Pender Island
If you've ever dreamed of a weekend escape to Pender Island but got stuck in the logistics, don't worry—you don't need to pack everything and the kitchen sink to survive here. This Southern Gulf Island is well serviced, rich in food, culture, and adventures in the great outdoors. From ferry details and grocery runs to local transportation and creature comforts, here's everything you need to know before you go. Where is Pender Island, BC? Pender Island is one [...]
How to get to Galiano Island
If you're wondering how to get to Galiano Island, whether you're travelling from Vancouver on the mainland or from Victoria on Vancouver Island, you've come to the right place. Galiano is one of the most popular weekend getaways near Vancouver and is just a short ferry ride from both major cities. But navigating the BC Ferries schedule can be confusing, especially for first-time passengers. So, let's take the time to break it all down: ferry routes, walk-on options, reservation [...]
