Outdoor Rec
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 [...]
Planning a Bike Trip to Salt Spring Island? Start here
Salt Spring Island has become a destination for cyclists, bikepackers, and day-trippers. Easily accessible from both the mainland and Vancouver Island, in just a short ferry ride, you'll find yourself pedalling some of BC's most beautiful cycling routes, past rocky shorelines, bucolic fields with fuzzy sheep, and plenty of locally made roadside treats. If you’re planning a Salt Spring cycling trip, you'll want to start here. We spoke with Rosie Schinners, a longtime local cyclist, and Lizi McLoughlin, a [...]
Cycling in the Southern Gulf Islands: Tips & Resources
Long recognized as a great cycling destination, the Southern Gulf Islands offer quiet, rolling terrain through towering trees and along dramatic coastlines. With options for every type of cyclist, from the rugged all-weather outdoor enthusiasts to those fuelled by good food and plenty of it, cycling the Gulf Islands is always an adventure. Yet, for the uninitiated, the Southern Gulf Islands come with a few unique hazards that are different from those you'd face cycling around Vancouver or other [...]
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 [...]
Where the Road Slows Down: Bikepacking the Cowichan–Salt Spring Loop
When visiting Salt Spring Island, it’s common to see slogans such as ‘Slow the Folk Down’ or ‘Slow Down, This Isn’t the Mainland’ plastered to anything from a rusting 30-year-old Schwinn bicycle to a brand-new Land Rover. Being the largest of the Gulf Islands, it attracts a wide variety of people from hippies, to yuppies, to remote workers, to retirees, to an influx of tourists each summer coming from near and far. Yet, no matter who they may be, pretty [...]
Paddling the Southern Gulf Islands: A Guide to Exploring BC’s Coastal Paradise
The Southern Gulf Islands archipelago is hard to beat in terms of world-class paddling destinations. This collection of small islands is scattered across the southern end of the Salish Sea and boasts a glorious Mediterranean microclimate, crystal clear waters, and rare coastal ecosystems. It’s also home to an often kooky community of artists, farmers, and unique characters who help make this place so memorable. These islands are part of the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including [...]
A Rundown of all the Disc Golf Courses in the Southern Gulf Islands
With 365 days of temperate weather, eight courses, and passionate local clubs, the Southern Gulf Islands are increasingly a destination for disc golf lovers from near and far.
A Traveller’s Guide to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a beautiful way to experience the Southern Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea, showcasing just how incredibly biodiverse our region is.
Gone Camping! The Southern Gulf Island Campgrounds
Whether biking, boating, or driving here, you'll find a spectacular spot to set up camp, the Southern Gulf Islands offer campers a slice of natural beauty while having all the local amenities nearby.
Travelling the BC Southern Gulf Islands with kids
Quiet, safe, and welcoming, the Southern Gulf Islands are an ideal place to visit with kids.
Boating in the Southern Gulf Islands
A paradise of fascinating shorelines and quiet coves, use this guide to see why boating in the Southern Gulf Islands is the most visited region on the BC coast.
Car-Free Travel in the Southern Gulf Islands
The Southern Gulf Islands can be easily experienced without a car. It's easier to use the ferries and it's a great way to explore the eccentricities and understand the community-oriented character of our destination
Cycling in the Southern Gulf Islands: Local tips
Long recognized as a great place for cycling, the Southern Gulf Islands offer quiet, rolling terrain through towering trees and along dramatic coastlines. They also have their own hazards that are different from those in towns and cities, with each island slightly different from the next. Make sure you stay safe, be respectful, and have fun with this guide to responsible cycling. What to Expect There are lots of friendly people. It’s common to wave politely. The main [...]
Hiking in the Southern Gulf Islands
Hiking in the Southern Gulf Islands is a restorative experience amidst stunning natural beauty. As you roam the trails that wind through these idyllic islands off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, you'll be captivated by the lush forests, breathtaking coastal vistas, and diverse wildlife.
Hikes on Mayne Island
Often considered the gentlest of the Southern Gulf Islands, the easy to moderate hikes on Mayne Island offer scenic coastlines, lush forests, and picturesque views.
What to do on Saturna Island Island: Must-Do Trails and Hikes
Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views coupled with the soothing sounds of nature, Saturna Island can feel like another world. Here are some local favourite hikes on Saturna Island.
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.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]
How to get to Pender Island
Planning your first visit to Pender Island and not quite sure how to get here? Tucked between Vancouver and Vancouver Island in the Salish Sea, Pender Island may seem remote, but it's surprisingly accessible by ferry, floatplane, or even your own boat. Whether you're arriving on two wheels or four or by foot, there's a route that will get you to Otter Bay and fired up to explore the rest of the island. This guide covers everything you need [...]
