Teeming with life and abundance.

Most visitors arrive via BC Ferries from Tsawwassen (near Vancouver) or Swartz Bay (near Victoria). Each of the main islands has its own ferry terminal, and some routes involve scenic inter-island connections. Float plane service is also available from Vancouver and Victoria for a faster, more spectacular arrival. We recommend booking vehicle reservations in advance, especially during summer and on long weekends.

May, June, September and October are the best months to visit Salt Spring Island. The weather is dry and mild, the Saturday Market and most restaurants are open, ferries are easier to book and the island is quieter than in July and August. Summer brings the most events and the warmest swimming. Winter is quiet and green, with lower rates and a slower pace, though some businesses close or reduce hours.

Salt Spring Island covers about 183 square kilometres, making it the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands. It is roughly 27 kilometres long and driving from the Fulford ferry terminal in the south to Vesuvius in the north takes about 30 minutes.

Yes. Natural salt springs at the north end of the island gave it its name. They sit entirely on private property, so there is no public access or trail to view them.

Yes. Walk onto a BC Ferries sailing at Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay or Crofton, or fly into Ganges Harbour by floatplane. On the island, BC Transit buses connect the Fulford, Long Harbour and Vesuvius ferry terminals with Ganges, and taxis, shuttle tours and bike rentals fill the gaps. Ganges village is walkable and most galleries, restaurants and the Saturday Market are within a few blocks.

Yes. Salt Spring has warm freshwater swimming at St. Mary Lake and Cusheon Lake, low-tide beaches at Vesuvius Bay and Beddis Beach, farm stands with goats and sheep, and easy trails at Ruckle Provincial Park where kids can watch the ferries pass. The Saturday Market runs April through October with street performers and food stalls.

Salt Spring Island has waterfront hotels and inns in Ganges, lakeside cabins and cottages around St. Mary Lake, bed and breakfasts in the farming valleys, campgrounds at Ruckle Provincial Park and Mowhinna Creek, and licensed vacation rentals across the island. Fall and spring rates are noticeably lower than July and August.

Salt Spring Island is known for its artists, farms and food producers. The Salt Spring Saturday Market in Ganges runs April through October, and the self-guided Studio Tour and farm stands operate year-round. Outdoors, hike Mount Maxwell for views over Burgoyne Bay, kayak from Ganges Harbour, swim at St. Mary Lake or walk the shoreline trails at Ruckle Provincial Park. Whale watching tours depart from Ganges from late spring to early fall.

Yes. Salt Spring Island has several independently owned hotels, inns and resorts, most in or near Ganges village. There are no international hotel chains on the island.

Both have Pacific coast scenery, forests and strong local arts and food scenes. The difference is scale. Salt Spring is a compact island where everything is within a 30-minute drive and the community centres on one village. The Sunshine Coast stretches about 180 kilometres along the mainland from Langdale to Lund, with several towns spread out along the highway and more emphasis on backcountry adventure

Salt Spring Island has a large restaurant scene for its size, built on local farms, fisheries and bakeries. Most restaurants, cafes and pubs are in Ganges, with a handful near the Fulford and Vesuvius ferry terminals. Expect West Coast seafood, wood-fired pizza, farm-to-table dining and casual pub fare. Many restaurants reduce hours from November through March, so check ahead in winter.