Travel mindfully in the Southern Gulf Islands.
Across all of our islands, delicate coastal ecosystems exist alongside daily community life. How we explore impacts the unique places we call home. Treading lightly means recognizing that our land, water, and community resources are limited and shared by visitors, residents, and local wildlife alike. By approaching these islands with care, curiosity, and respect, you help preserve the beauty of our home in the Salish Sea for generations to come.
Leave No Trace
- Plan & Prepare: Pack out all garbage, know local fire bans, and bring essential supplies to reduce impact on limited island resources.
- Respect Wildlife: Maintain a safe distance from all wildlife, keep dogs leashed on sensitive trails, and leave natural items like shells, drift, and flora intact.
- Stick to the Trail: Minimize erosion on fragile bluff ecosystems and prevent damage to delicate environments by remaining on designated paths and public beach accesses.
Responsible Photography
- Prioritize Safety: Stay clear of cliff edges, unstable formations, and private land boundaries while capturing the view.
- Protect Habitats & Privacy: Avoid using drones or close-up flash photography and keep your distance around nesting birds, seals, and local residents.
- Tag Thoughtfully: Share photos on social media without precise geotags for sensitive or low-capacity locations to prevent ecological overcrowding.
Respect Local Capacity
- Conserve Resources: Fresh water is a limited resource across our islands. Be mindful of water use and practice energy conservation throughout your stay.
- Support Local: Buy directly from farm stands, artisan studios, and local markets to ensure your visit positively impacts our creative communities.
- Alternate Infrastructure: Use public transit, bicycles, or walk where possible, and park only in designated spaces to keep narrow island roads clear and safe.
Ocean-Friendly Travel
- Practice Clean Boating: Observe all speed limits and wildlife distance rules in coastal passages, ensure vessels are free of invasive species, and prevent greywater discharge in sheltered bays.
- Mind the Intertidal Zone: Step carefully along the shores to avoid crushing delicate marine life like barnacles, sea stars, and anemones.
- Marine-Safe Products: Wear non-toxic, reef-safe sunscreen and eco-friendly products when swimming or paddling in the Salish Sea.
Fire Safety & Preparedness
- Observe Fire Bans: Open fires are strictly regulated and often entirely prohibited during summer months due to extreme forest fire risks across the islands.
- Dispose Responsibly: Properly extinguish all smoking materials in designated receptacles, never on trails, beaches, or out car windows.
- Be Emergency Ready: Familiarize yourself with island-specific emergency procedures and fire safety guidelines before setting out on inland routes.
We salute you for being an islander at heart – and for helping to build an ecosystem where both nature and people can thrive and flourish.
Stay in the Loop
Island News & Seasonal Guides
Stay connected with what’s going on around the islands by subscribing to our newsletter for local stories, event updates, and travel tips.