Salt Spring Island
Morning Options
- Farm Adventures: Visit the farm animals at Ruckle Heritage Farm, then head to Mouat Park to play disc golf or follow the interactive children’s story walk.
- Fairy Door Hike: Follow the trails up Mount Erskine to hunt for hidden fairy doors tucked into the trees.
Afternoon Options
- Lake or Ocean Swimming: Go swimming at Beddis Beach or Vesuvius Bay Beach, or spend the day paddling and swimming on St. Mary Lake or Cusheon Lake.
- Whale Watching & Town Time: Head out on a marine wildlife excursion with Salt Spring Adventures. Afterward, pick up a kids’ art map at Mahon Hall or the Visitor Centre, and stop for sweet treats at Glad’s Gelateria or Salt Spring Chocolates.
- Guided Learning & Movies: Book an transformational tour experience with Tour Salt Spring, then wind down by catching a family movie at The Fritz cinema.
Galiano Island
Morning Options
- Park & Forest Trails: Hike the scenic, easy trails down to the beaches at Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, or explore the sustainable Food Forest at the Galiano Conservancy.
- Whale Watching: Head to Bellhouse Park to watch for passing whales and large ships navigating Active Pass.
Afternoon Options
- Beach Hopping & Treats: Spend the afternoon beach hopping between the island’s many public shore access points. Cap off the exploration with an ice cream stop at Sturdies Bay Bakery.
- Pizza & The Pub Bus: Gather the family for pizza at Babes in the Woods, or ride the lively, musical Pub Bus from Montague Harbour to the Hummingbird Pub.
Pender Island
Morning Options
- Enchanted Forests & Thrift Hunts: Walk past the mossy roots and ferns of the Enchanted Forest, then hunt for unique local treasures and toys at the Nu-to-Yu thrift store.
- Disc Golf in the Woods: Challenge the family to a casual round of disc golf at the forested Golf Island Disc Park.
Afternoon Options
- Water Adventures: Swim at the calm waters of Mortimer Spit, spend the day relaxing by Magic Lake, or book a family paddle with Dog Mermaid Eco Excursions.
- Wildlife & Chocolates: Head to the southern tip of the island to spot whales and marine wildlife from the bluffs at Brooks Point Regional Park, then reward the kids with a stop at Pender Chocolates or the Cheesecake Fridge.
Saturna Island
Morning Options
- History & Forest Waterfalls: Visit the Saturna Heritage Centre to check out local artifacts and seasonal family events, then take a shaded hike up Lyall Creek Trail to view the forest waterfall.
Afternoon Options
- Beach & Cookouts: Swim at the secluded Veruna Beach, or set up a family BBQ picnic at the Winter Cove day-use area.
- East Point Marine Safari: Drive out to East Point to explore the sandstone shelves and watch for local whale pods passing close to the shoreline.
Mayne Island
Morning Options
- Museums & Farm Animals: Mingle with chickens, feed the sheep, and pet the lambs at Meadowmist Farm, then head to town to explore the Plumper Pass Lockup and Mayne Island Museum.
- Playgrounds & Picnics: Set up a morning picnic at Dinner Bay Park while the kids play on the community playground.
Afternoon Options
- Lighthouses & Beaches: Spend a warm afternoon swimming at Bennett Bay Beach, or explore the rugged shoreline out at St. John Point Regional Park.
- Ridge Hikes: Hike up Mount Parke for an elevated view of the Salish Sea, or sit on the bluffs by the Active Pass Lighthouse to watch the massive BC Ferries pass right by the shore.
