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 guide serve as your starting point. We answer all your burning questions about Mayne (and then some).
Where is Mayne Island, British Columbia?
Mayne Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located off the coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It sits in the Salish Sea, roughly halfway between Vancouver Island and Vancouver (on the BC mainland).
How big is Mayne Island?
Mayne Island is roughly 21 square kilometres in size, making it one of the smaller Southern Gulf Islands. From Village Bay to Horton Bay, it takes less than 15 minutes to drive from end to end.
Is Mayne Island worth visiting?
Mayne Island is a slice of the rural Gulf Island experience. It has everything you need to spend a weekend (or a lifetime) beyond the usual hustle and bustle of city life. It’s beautifully quiet, with uncrowded beaches and forest trails — but without sacrificing an exceptional community of artists, brewers, and makers.
Here, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the number of people dreaming of big, creative projects, from art shows to the next iteration of island-made beer.
What is there to do on Mayne Island?
To spend time on Mayne is to spend time in the great outdoors. Spend a day hiking the many trails of Mayne, from Vulture Ridge Viewpoint to Campbell Point to Mount Parke Loop. Most trails wander through mossy west coast forests and offer epic views across the rest of the Gulf Islands.
Summer brings out the farm stand goodies, the Saturday Farmers market, paddling adventures, and days spent putting around Mayne Island Disc Golf.
For those visiting during the quieter off-season, with shorter days and a rainier forecast, Mayne makes for the perfect island escape to master the Art of Doing Nothing. Reserve a cozy Airbnb or cottage rental, stock up on good food, then spend the weekend lost in something from Books on Mayne, located on Fernhill Road.
How do you get to Mayne Island?
Most people head to Mayne Island with BC Ferries. Ferries depart daily from Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria), with travel times ranging from under an hour to four hours depending on the route and number of stops.
Vehicle reservations are available on the Tsawwassen route and are highly recommended, especially in the busy summer months and over long weekends. All ferries accept walk-ons, bikes, and pets.
Schedules and prices change seasonally, so the BC Ferry Schedule can be used to confirm the details of your next trip over to Mayne. From Vancouver, you can book online or call 1-888-223-3779 for assistance.
Don’t have four hours to sail through the Salish Sea? For a faster trip, Mayne Island enjoys floatplane service from Harbour Air (charter) or SeaAir (scheduled), which land at Miners Bay. Check schedules online, as they also change seasonally.
Find out more in our guide on getting to Mayne.
How do you get to Mayne Island from Vancouver?
To get to Mayne Island from Vancouver, you’ll first have to head to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, which offers daily sailings to Village Bay on Mayne Island.
Depending on the specific route and number of stops at other Gulf Islands, the ferry ride can range from just over one hour to more than four hours.
During the peak tourist season, from Spring into Fall, reservations for vehicles are strongly recommended, but walk-ons and cyclists typically don’t need to book ahead.
If the more direct route doesn’t suit your timing, you can opt for a Thru-Fare. This involves taking a ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, then transferring to a second ferry from Swartz Bay to Mayne Island. Thru-Fare tickets must be purchased in person at the terminal or by calling 1-888-223-3779, as they aren’t available online.
How long is the ferry to Mayne Island?
How long it takes to get to Mayne via ferry all depends on where you’re starting from and which route you take. If you’re travelling from Victoria, the direct ferry from Swartz Bay can take under an hour. From Vancouver, there are fewer, if any, direct routes (the schedule is seasonal). Most of these sailings take a meandering route to Mayne, hitting other islands first.
With the longest route taking almost four hours (lovingly called the “milk run”), it’s a good idea to check the BC Ferries schedule in advance and choose a more direct sailing if possible.
Is there a town on Mayne Island?
Yes! There is a small “town” (by some metrics, a village) on Mayne Island called Miners Bay. Centralized around Fernhill Road, this is where most amenities are concentrated, including a post office, gas station, grocery store, and other services.
Is Mayne Island walkable?
Yes, Mayne Island is walkable! Although walkable may be a bit of a stretch if you’re arriving by ferry with luggage. But for those up for a scenic stroll, it’s about a 45-minute walk from the Village Bay ferry terminal to Miners Bay, the island’s central hub for shopping and amenities.
Just keep in mind that island roads don’t have sidewalks or sizable shoulders. Walk safely by staying visible (bright clothing and a flashlight go a long way), and always walk against traffic.
Are there taxis on Mayne?
While Mayne doesn’t have a taxi service, there’s a volunteer-run community bus that can pick you up at the ferry terminal with 24 hours’ notice. It typically operates Thursday through Saturday mornings and is donation-based (recommended: $3–$20 per ride).
Contact the bus directly at 250-539-0851 or email maynebus@protonmail.com.
Where should I stay on Mayne Island?
Mayne Island has a range of charming accommodations ideally suited for families, couples, and adventurous solo travelers.
Spend a weekend at Seal Beach Cottage to experience a hideaway with sweeping views over Miners Bay, or for more oceanview accommodation, check out Sunset Suite, offering a cozy one-bedroom setup with garden access.
There is also The Grove B&B, just a short walk from Gallagher and Piggott Bays; Blue Vista Resort, just steps from Bennett Bay’s rocky coastline; and Mayne Island Resort, which features an on-site spa and beach access.
Where can you camp on Mayne Island?
For a few nights under the stars, head to Mayne Island Camping. It’s located a few minutes walk from all the amenities on Fernhill Road and about a 40-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
This quiet oceanside property has 15 walk-in waterfront and forest campsites. You can expect rustic but well-maintained sites, along with outhouses, an outdoor sink area, and an outdoor tree shower. Arriving by paddle? Mayne Island Camping is perfectly set up to serve you.
Where should I eat on Mayne Island?
Mayne Island may be one of the quieter islands, but that doesn’t mean you’ll go hungry here. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find a host of tasty options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Start your day with a fresh brew and baked goods from Sunny Mayne Bakery Cafe or The Mayne Bean. Then, head to The Montrose Local or Malanka Food to fuel your midday explorations. As the evening rolls around, imbibe with some tastings from Mayne Island Brewing before making the difficult choice for dinner plans from the likes of The Nook, Black Cardamom, or the locally legendary Give Pizza Chance.
It’s worth noting that most island businesses close early and have seasonal closures. Check hours before you head out to ensure your restaurant of choice is open.
Does Mayne Island have a gas station?
Yes! Head to Active Pass Auto & Marine Ltd along Fernhill Rd in Miners Bay to fill up. Like other island businesses, the gas station closes earlier than you might expect (at the time of writing, it was 5 PM). So, fuel up before dinner to ensure you don’t accidentally run dry on the way home.
Does Mayne have a grocery store?
If you’ve landed on Mayne for a weekend getaway and forgotten the key ingredient, rest assured, you should be able to pick up that (and more) at Tru Value Foods or Miners Bay Trading Post, both on Fernhill Rd.
For a taste of something local, check out the Farm Gate Store, or in the summer months, swing by the Mayne Island Farmers’ market on Saturdays.
Does Mayne have a pharmacy or clinic?
At the time of writing, Mayne Island does not have a pharmacy or a walk-in clinic. Bring any medications you may need, and in case of emergency, call 911.
Are there bears on Mayne Island?
Historically, most of the Gulf Islands had a healthy population of bears, wolves, and even cougars. But as settlers began carving out plots of land in the 1800s, they quickly eradicated the larger predators. These days, you will not find any bears on Mayne Island.
