The Gulf Islands: Waiting for you!

The Gulf Islands are scattered in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Strait of Georgia. There are over a dozen and they are waiting for you to explore and discover them!  They have lovely weather all year around and are easily accessible by ferry or private boat.

Southern Gulf Islands

The major Southern Gulf Islands, in alphabetical order, are:

Saltspring Island is the most populated of all the islands, with three ferry terminals; Long Harbor, Fulford, and Vesuvius. Saltspring also has a hospital, Lady Minto Hospital, with its own helicopter landing pad.

Northern Gulf Islands

The major Northern Gulf Islands, in alphabetical order, are:

Provincial Parks, Camping, Hiking and Biking in the Gulf Islands

The Gulf Islands History

The Islands were originally inhabited over 5000 years ago by the Coast Salish people. Many places are named after the Spanish explorers that visited there in the 18th century: Narvaez Bay, Vesuvius Bay Galiano Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  During the gold rush of the 1850’s Mayne Island became a major stopover for prospectors and Miners Bay is the first colonies established in the Gulf Islands. Homesteaders have recorded their names in the land registry as far back as 1859.

Take your pick of one or more of the Gulf Islands and see why people from all over the world go there! Many well known people love the islands so much they buy vacation homes there. What was once the refuge of hippies and people wanting to escape the rate race is now the home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world!

Gulf Islands Tourist Attractions

All the Gulf Islands have art galleries. Ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, textiles: there is an unlimited amount of locally produced art.

There are walking tours which are recommended as many of the Islands are small and easy to walk around. Ferries depart from Victoria, Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen. It is easy to take public transit from Vancouver or Victoria and just walk off the ferry and into another world! The Islands have fewer cars so getting around on foot is easy to do.

Seclude yourself at a B&B on Bowen Island; Get away to Savary Island; Visit the Brackendale Eagle Reserve. Cruise around Nootka Sound; Take a day hike through the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

Gulf Islands Tours

There are boat charters available is you wish to sight see that was or if you fancy some of the best fishing or whale watching anywhere. There are also guided sea kayaking, cycle tours and diving tours, if you prefer to see the Gulf Islands underwater. Wildlife on the islands is largely undisturbed and free and it is not uncommon to see deer roaming around.

Golf on the Gulf Islands, Canada

Some of the best golf courses on the west coast are situated on the Gulf Islands:  Salt Spring Golf and Country Club, and Blackburn Golf and Country Club (also on Saltspring Island) are the largest.

Restaurants, Food and Wine on the Gulf Islands

The Gulf Islands are known for their agriculture and organic local foods so don’t go hungry or thirsty! There is an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, vineyards, butchers and even a brewery on Salts Spring Island! Saltspring Island is home to the Saltspring Island Coffee Company so be sure and buy some beans to take back with you.

If  you are having difficulty deciding which Island to go to go to these sites to help make your decision easier:

http://www.gulfislandsguide.com/
http://www.gulfislands.com/default.asp
www.bcferries.com

Take a 40 minute BC ferries ride from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Vancouver Island where you can experience lush nature, picturesque villages, artist communities, cultural attractions, calming getaways, whale watching and more!