Give the Gift of Memories: Experience Gifts in the Southern Gulf Islands
With the holidays just around the corner, you’re likely thinking about all the friends and family on your list this year. But maybe, this season, gifts take on a different form. Instead of trinkets and name-brand goods from faceless corporations, consider giving the gift of a local experience—a meaningful memory created closer to home. And we like to think of this as two gifts in one: it’s a thoughtful present for the recipient and a show of support for the small local businesses that make these islands so special.
Every trip to the Southern Gulf Islands is an adventure in itself, so where do you even begin sourcing experiences perfect for those on your shopping list?
Let’s kick off your gift-giving this year with a little inspiration: island-based experiences that will inspire all the foodies, adventurers, and romantics on your list.
1. World-Class Flavour
Lola at Bodega Ridge, Galiano Island
For all the foodies on your list, you’ll want to send them a gift card to Lola at Bodega Ridge, hidden up on the Northern end of Galiano Island. Less than an hour from Vancouver by ferry, you’ll want to send your friends and family here during the cozy season, from September to May. Why? Because Lola is open most consistently to the public in colder months, starting in the fall.
Lola features a one-of-a-kind menu combining Southeast Asian flavor with Southern Gulf Island ingredients. With a gift card in hand, your loved ones will find local seafood, Galiano-grown produce, and other regional specialties tucked into a hyper-seasonal menu created by renowned Chef Elmark Andres. They’ll dig into family-style dishes with bright, surprising flavors and enjoy an evening of incredible service in a warm space overlooking the Salish Sea.
Of course, Lola isn’t the only notable foodie destination on Galiano. Other local options include the highly acclaimed Pilgrimme and adorable cafes, Oxeye and Folia.
2. Wine and a Feral Goat
The Feral Goat at Sage Hayward Vineyards, Saturna Island
As your friends and family will discover when they visit Saturna, there is an exceptional terroir to uncover at Sage Hayward Vineyards. Located on the quiet side of an already quiet island, this established family estate captures the essence of the landscape in a well-rounded lineup of locally produced wines.
Beyond the year-round wine tastings at Sage Harward, the Feral Goat Bistro, operated by Chef Hubertus Surm, is also part of the pull to this side of Saturna. With unbeatable ocean views and a menu packed full of locally sourced ingredients, including Saturna lamb, who wouldn’t feel special receiving the gift of a dinner at this incredible bistro?
For a more elaborate gift this holiday season, add on a stay at Sunset Beach Estates!
3. An Ocean Experience
Dog Mermaid Eco Excursions, Mayne Island
For the adventurous and ocean-oriented folks on your list this year, you’ll want to get them into a kayak and onto the sea with a guided tour or retreat delivered by local legend Dog Mermaid.
Based out of Mayne Island Resort (and, for those visiting Pender, also Poets Cove Resort), Dog Mermaid is run by Kye, the Indigenous water and land guru whose passion for this area and wildlife is impossible to ignore.
Current offerings on Mayne include single-day tours ranging from two to six hours, but you can expect more tours, rentals, and workshops to come. This is the perfect gift for everyone who already loves the great outdoors and even those who need a little encouragement (and support) to get outside their comfort zone.
While on Mayne, don’t forget to send your loved ones to a few local treasures, including Books on Mayne and Envision Galley.
4. A Weekend in the Woods
WOODS on Pender, Pender Island
One of the most memorable places to stay on Pender is WOODS on Pender. This essential island experience features a secluded and forested site dotted with Airstream trailers, rustic cabins, and even the cute Woods Motel. It is the perfect weekend escape from the city.
Could there be any better gift for newlyweds or a young family than a modern camping experience in an Airstream nestled on North Pender Island? With hot tubs, private decks, and all the comforts of home, The Woods lets you go camping without missing any small luxuries.
Two other notable accommodation experiences that anyone would love on Pender include The Tides Cottages and the Nosy Point Bed and Breakfast.
The Quintessential Southern Gulf Islands Experience
From cold plunges and ocean views to local ingredients, this is what the Southern Gulf Islands are all about. What better way to spoil the special people topping your holiday list than with an experiential gift capturing these sentiments?
And remember, when you support a local island-based business by gifting a spa treatment, special meal, weekend stay, or ocean adventure, you are supporting all the folks who make this place so special.
Written by Jessica McKeil
