The majestic Gulf Islands (Photo: Jo-in-BC)
The Gulf Islands have a lot going for them. They are rustic and tranquil, yet have fantastic opportunities for more refined tourism: spas, marinas, golf courses, vineyards, tours and resorts. Wedged between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland, the southern Gulf Islands have a climate that is almost Mediterranean, making the region one of the warmest places in Canada.
And, of course, the Gulf Islands are relentlessly beautiful. There are countless viewpoints that show how breathtaking it is when the mountains collide with the Georgia Straight, or when an orca whale breaks the surface of the water. The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has territory throughout most of the region, providing ample opportunities to take in the vistas, go on a hike, or camp far out of reach of other humans.
Our photographic tour of the southern Gulf Islands gives a great survey of what to expect, and where to go whether you’re looking for a great photo, relaxing massage, comfortable beach or historical monuments.
Start the Gulf Islands slide show »
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- <small><br /> Population: 4,000<br /> Size: 57.6 sq km<br /> Ferry to and from: Nanaimo</small><br /> <br /> <p>Located a short hop from Nanaimo, Gabriola Island is famous for its millennia-old petroglyphs—ancient art carved into rock faces by the Snueymuxw First Nations (the artifacts have their <a href="http://members.shaw.ca/ZihuaJ/GlyphPage/PetroglyphPark.htm">own museum</a>). The soft stone that made the art possible also creates gorgeous rock formations along Gabriola Island's shores and makes for plenty of swimming opportunities on the wide, white beaches. Gabriola Island is nicknamed “The Isle of Arts” thanks to its long-standing and deeply embedded communities of painters, sculptors, photographers, glass artists, musicians and writers. Visitors are encouraged to visit Gabriola Island's many studios and galleries, especially during the annual <a href="http://www.gabriolaartscouncil.org/events-gabriola-studio-tour-2008.php?sub=0">Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour</a>. </p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Gabriola Island:<br /><br /> • <a href=”http://www.gabriola.org/>Gabriola Island Home Page<br /><br /> • <a href="http://www.gabriolaisland.org/">Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce</a><br /><br /> • <a href="http://www.gabriolaislandbc.com/">Gabriola Island on Britishcolumbia.com</a><br /><br /> • <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/gabriola-island.aspx">Gabriola Island on Tourism BC</a> </em></p>
- <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jo-in-bc/4790913636/in/photostream/">Photo: Jo-in-BC</a><br />
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- Photo: Jo-in-BC
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- <small>Population: 1,250<br /> Size: 60 sq km<br /> Ferry to and from: Tsawwassen, Vancouver; Swartz Bay, Victoria; and other Gulf Islands </small><br /> <br /> <p>Long and narrow, Galiano Island is one of the more developed regions in the Georgia Straight, attracting visitors looking for a diversity of activities. Birding, moped tours, sport fishing and camping are available for nature lovers, but those who are looking to be pampered can head to the high-end ocean-front <a href="http://www.galianoinn.com/">Galiano Inn</a> for spa sessions and relaxation. <a href="http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/montague/">Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park</a> is located on Galiano Island, and is one of region's more popular destinations thanks to its Shell Beach—a west-facing waterfront with worn shells covering the ground instead of sand.</p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Galiano Island:<br /> • <a href="http://www.galianoisland.com/">Galiano Island Guide</a> <br /> • <a href="http://activegaliano.org/">Active Galiano Island</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/galiano-island.aspx">Galiano Island on Tourism BC</a></em></p>
- Photo: Tourism BC/Adrian Dorst
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- Photo: Tourism BC/Adrian Dorst
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- <small>Population: 1,100<br /> Size: 21 sq km<br /> Ferry to and from: Tsawwassen, Vancouver; Swartz Bay, Victoria; and Saturna Island</small><br /> <br /> <p>Mayne Island provides the bucolic setting for several excellent tourist activities and destinations. The Springwater Lodge is here, which was built in 1892 and remains the oldest continuously operated hotel in British Columbia. Near Dinner Bay, you'll find Mayne Island's Japanese Gardens, which are dedicated to Japanese-Canadian settlers who once ran tomato greenhouses on the site. <a href="http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/mountparke/index.htm">Mount Parke Park</a> offers spectacular views for hikers, as well as hundreds of Mayne Island's wild flower varieties. Don't have a car? No problem. Hitchhiking is <em>de rigeur</em> on Mayne Island, and there are several "car stop" areas for pick-ups along the major roads.</p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Mayne Island <br /> • <a href="http://www.springwaterlodge.com/">The Springwater Lodge</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.mayneislandchamber.ca/">Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/mayne-island.aspx">Mayne Island on Tourism BC</a></em></p>
- <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidstanleytravel/7846570468/in/photostream/">Photo: David Stanley</a>
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- Photo: David Stanley
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- <small>Size: 34 sq km<br /> Population: 2,400<br /> Ferry to and from: Tsawwassen, Vancouver and Swartz Bay, Victoria</small><br /> <br /> <p>The Pender Islands were once whole, but were separated into North Pender Island and South Pender Island by a man-made canal (pictured) so that ferries could pass through. The Pender Islands are now linked by a one-lane bridge to allow pedestrians to move freely between the two. The majority of services and inhabitants are located at Magic Lake on the north side, including Pender Island Golf and Country Club. The nine-hole course was established by locals in 1937 and still provides a great, if short, game of links (even in the winter, when all-day golfing costs just $20). The jewel of the southern half of the Pender Islands is the isolated Poet's Cove resort. This isn't the rustic place you might expect. Rather, it's a full-service resort, with loads of activities, spas, a marina and loads of space for weddings and retreats.</p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about the Pender Islands: <br /> • <a href="http://www.penderisland.info/">Pender Islands Guide</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.poetscove.com/">Poet's Cove</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.penderislandgolf.com/">Pender Islands Golf and Country Club</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/pender-islands.aspx">Pender Islands on Tourism BC</a> </em></p>
- Photo: Tourism BC/Adrian Dorst
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- Photo: Tourism BC/Adrian Dorst
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- <small>Population: 10,500<br /> Size: 180 sq km<br /> Ferry to and from: Swartz Bay, Victoria</small><br /> <br /> <p>Salt Spring Island is the most populated of all the islands in the Straight, and is known as a great day trip for those looking to get just a taste of Gulf culture. We recommend taking in a show at <a href="http://artspring.ca/">Artspring</a>, the professional live performance venue in the main village, or hitting up the renowned <a href="http://www.saltspringmarket.com/">Saturday Market</a> where vendors must “grow it, bake it or make it.” Salt Spring Island also has two nine-hole golf courses, including <a href="http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/canada/britishcolumbia/saltspringisland/blackburn-meadows-golf.html">Blackburn Meadows</a>, the first organic course in Canada.</p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Salt Spring Island: <br /> • <a href="http://www.saltspringisland.org/">Salt Spring Island Infomation</a> <br /> • <a href="http://saltspringtourism.com/">Salt Spring Island Tourism</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.crd.bc.ca/ssiparc/index.htm">Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/salt-spring-island.aspx">Salt Spring Island on Tourism BC</a></em></p>
- Photo: Tourism BC/Andrea Johnson<br />
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- Photo: Tourism BC/Andrea Johnson
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- <small>Size: 9 sq km<br /> Ferry to and from: Sidney, BC</small><br /> <br /> <p>Unique in the Gulf, Sidney Island is mostly devoted to residents who own one of the 111 land plots that give onto the beach. The community is known as the Sallas Forest, and is devoted to sustainable living and the protection of Sidney Island's ecological diversity. The northern part—about 20% of all of Sidney Island—is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and offers a gorgeous 178-hectare sand spit that extends far into the gulf waters. During the summer months, Sidney Island and the spit are served by a passenger ferry from the island's namesake town, just north of Victoria.</p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Sidney Island:<br /> • <a href="http://sidneyisland.ca/">Sidney Island Homepage</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=453">Sidney Island on Vancouverisland.com</a> <br /> • <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/carte-map-nfl.aspx#a28">Parks Canada Sidney Island Page</a></em></p>
- <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nessman/2657273026/in/photostream/">Photo: nessman</a>
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- <small>Population: too small to count <br /> Size: 23 sq km<br /> Ferry to and from: none</small><br /> <br /> <p>This one is for adventurers. The only way to access Valdes Island is by private boat, making it a popular destinations for canoers and kayakers from neighbouring Gabriola and Galiano Islands. There are no water or electrical services on the island, and roads are restricted to forestry logging roads, so those looking to explore Valdes Island should bring everything they need with them. Campers are welcome, particularly at the <a href="http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/wakes_cove/">Wakes Cove Provincial Park</a> and the <a href="http://www.silvabaykayakadventures.com/content/blackberry-point-camping-site">Blackberry Point Camp Site</a>. Interesting historical note: Valdes Island was once colonized by the infamous Aquarian Foundation, a British Columbia-based cult from the '20s and '30s that was devoted to Theosophical spirituality and self-sufficient communities.</p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Valdes Island:<br /> • <a hreaf="http://www.bcmarinetrails.org/">Valdes Isalnd and the BC Marine Trails</a> <br /> • <a href="http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=4115">Valdes Island on Vancouverisland.com</a><br /> • <a href="http://hikebiketravel.com/10926/kayaking-blackberry-point-valdez-island/">One man's Kayakinbg trip to Valdes</a></em></p>
- <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12448447@N06/4651499653/">Photo: gordonhunter</a>
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- <small>Size: 31 sq km<br /> Population: 300<br /> Ferry to and from: Tsawwassen, Vancouver and Swartz Bay, Victoria</small><br /> <br /> <p>Saturna Island is surrounded on three sides by the Canada-US border, yet it remains one of the most remote, sparsely populated refuges in the southern Gulf Islands—even in the summer. The Fog Alarm Building at the east point of Saturna Island is one of Canada’s best land-based whale-watching sites. But that's not all there is to see! Check out the rolling hills of the picturesque Saturna Island Vineyard or take in the best sunsets in the Gulf. Food also takes pride of place on Saturna Island—there is a pig barbeque every spring and fall, and in winter, there's a traditional Robbie Burns Night to celebrate the poet's birthday on January 25. </p><br /> <br /> <p><em>Further reading about Saturna Island:<br /> • <a href="http://www.saturnatourism.com/">Saturna Tourism</a><br /> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_supper">Robbie Burns Suppers</a> <br /> • <a href="http://saturnalionsclub.net/">Saturna Island Lion's Club</a><br /> • <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/saturna-island.aspx">Saturna Island on Tourism BC</a> </em></p>
- Photo: Tourism BC/Andrea Johnson
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