THE SOUTHERN GULF ISLANDS - This group of Island runs from just north of Sidney BC almost to Nanaimo, a distance of near 100 km or 60 miles. The group includes Salt Spring Island, Mayne Island, North Pender Island, South Pender Island, Saturna Island, Galiano Island, Thetis Island and Gabriola Island. They are tucked in between Vancouver Island and the West Coast of Canada and are located west of Vancouver BC. There are many smaller islands in this group as well. From Nanaimo north, there are more of these islands and I am refering to them as the Northern Gulf Islands. This page links you to all of the accommodations, attractions, activities, restaurants and travel information for the Southern Gulf Islands.

The Gulf Islands are jewels that should not be missed. Plan a visit to at least one of these islands. Salt Spring Island is the most populated and has the most amenities and accommodations. Saturna is the least populated and has the least accommodations. If you want to be busy and find lots to see and do go to Salt Spring. If you want to get away from it all go to Saturna. The other Gulf Islands are somewhere in between and each is well worth a visit. There is so much to do outdoors and when you travel to these Islands on BC Ferries you never know what you will see along the way. Sea lions, Orca Whales, bald eagles and more are common sites. The beauty of these islands will blow you away.

Galiano Island

Galiano Island is the most northerly of all of the Gulf Islands. It is approximately 57 square kilometers in size and has a population of approximately 1000. It was named after Galiano was the commander of the Spanish vessel, Sutil's, a schooner exploring the Strait of Georgia in 1792. Long before Galiano arrived, however, the Coast Salish had summer camps here, as evidenced by the extensive shell middens at Montague Harbour - over 3000 years old!

Camping is available at Montegue Harbour a very popular Marine Park. Dionisio Park, a rugged natural park at the north end is only accessible by boat. Check out the hiking trails of Bodega Ridge and Mount Galiano. Visit Bluff Park for great views and Bellhouse Park for spectacular shorelines and views of Active Pass. The cave shown on the picture top right is one of the many incredible rock formations on Galiano as is the pattern photo immediately to the right. Below is one of the many beaches. This one faces Vancouver BC and the other picture was taken at Bellhouse Park on Galiano. Bellhouse Park faces active pass and you can sit on the warm rocks and watch the incredible marine traffic pass by. There is lots to see and do on Galiano Island along with some great places to eat.

Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island is approximately 180 square kilometers and is the largest of the Gulf Islands. It has a population of approximately 10,000 people.
Salt Spring Island's was named after the natural mineral springs found in the northern part of the island on various private properties. In 1859, the first settlers arrived on the island from all parts of the world. Many were Blacks from California, escaping the harsh laws. Land was virtually free on Salt Spring and by the end of that year over 117 settlers had taken up land on Salt Spring Island.
A well preserved petroglyph at Drummond Park attests to the fact that the Coast Salish were here thousands of years earlier, as they were on all of the other Gulf Islands.

Mount Maxwell is a Provincial Park on Salt Spring and it has spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and also of Sansun Narrows leading to Maple Bay near Duncan. It is a bit of drive up there but the views are rewarding. Fulford Harbour shown to the right is a small village where the Ferry docks. There are a few shops and a great restaurant there.

The Saturday Market is held in Ganges the main community on Salt Spring Island. It is a great cultural and social event. Local products and produce are sold, entertainment is available and there is lots to see and do. Ganges has a busy harbour and there are lots of restaurants and shops to visit. Artspring is also in Ganges Village.

There are many beaches and shore walks on Salt Spring Island. Ruckles Provincial Park is worth a visit. Beddis Beach shown to the right is a nice beach and there were deer having lunch along with us.

Salt Spring Island is the most populated of the Island and is home to many great artists and crafters. There are lots of small industries on the Island.

There are lots of different accommodations on the Island from resorts to bed and breakfasts. There is more to see and do on Salt Spring Island than any of the other Gulf Islands.

Pender Island

The Pender Islands are approximately 24 square kilometers and have a population of approximately 2000 people. Pender Islands was named after Daniel Pender, master of the Plumper, in 1857. The Penders, were actually one island joined by an isthmus, which was dredged in 1902 to make a canal large enough for the steamship, the Iroquois, to travel Hope Bay on North Pender to Sidney, a far safer and shorter route than around the South end of Pender. In 1955, the islands were joined again by a one lane bridge over one of the most picturesque parts of the Penders. There is a campground at Prior Centennail Park just 10 minutes from the Driftwood Centre.

Pender Island is the 2nd most populated of the Gulf Islands. There is a substantial residential population at Magic Lake Estates on Pender.

The Ferry Terminal "Stand" is supposed to have one of the best hamburgers in Canada. They are pretty good. Pender Island, as many of the Gulf Island have pastoral lands as shown with the sheep below. The Community Hall is home to many events that visitors are welcome to. Pender Island has it share of viewpoints as with the Oak Bluffs to the right.

Mayne Island

Mayne Island, the smallest of the Gulf Islands is approximately 21 square kilometers in size. Mayne Island has a population of approximately 900. Mayne was named in honour of Lieut. Richard Charles Mayne aboard the surveying vessel H.M.S. Plumper, in 1857. First Nations people settled at Helen's Point in Active Pass thousands of years ago, and some of their descendants are still living here. Around three hundred years ago, Captain George Vancouver's crew arrived, leaving behind a coin and knife at Georgina Point to be found by British settlers two hundred years later.

Springwater Lodge, built in the 1890's, still entertains travelers. The very small nearby jailhouse is now a museum. The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, built in 1898, has a large, heavy sandstone baptismal font, made even more impressive by the fact that it was brought over from the Saturna quarry by rowboat. Miners Bay was named in honor of miner pioneers heading from Victoria to the Caribou during the gold rush.

Be sure to visit the Georgina Point Light Station while on Mayne Island. It looks over busy Active Pass and gives you a great view of the marine traffic using the Pass.

Saturna

Saturna Island is approximately 31 square kilometers in size and has approximately 300 residents. In 1791 a Spanish schooner, the Saturina gave its name to this Island.
The first inhabitants were First Nations, followed by British Settlers in 1869. The first settlers developed orchards and raised sheep.

After a ship went aground at Boiling Reef in 1886, land for the East Point lighthouse was purchased from well known Gulf Island pioneer, Warburton Pike. Mount Warburton Pike is the highest peak in the Gulf Islands with fantastic views of the San Juan Island, the Gulf Islands and Victoria. The first school was built in 1919. There is lots to see and do on Saturna. There are spectacular views from Mount Warburton-Pike as shown top right. There is a seal lion colony often residing on the rocks north of Tumbo Island. Eagle Rock shown below is on the south end of Pender in a bay and on shore is a giant rectagular mononlith. East Point shown in the middle below is at the opening of Haro Strait and you can see large ships go by. The shore at East Point is like a moonscape. There are lots of beaches on Saturna, like this Sandy beach shown below. There are limited accommodations and limited places to eat on Saturna Island, so plan ahead, but don't let that deter your visit.

Gabriola Island

Gabriola Island is just south of Nanaimo and it is primarily residential, however there are some accommodations and some places to eat on the Island. Mallispina Gallerie is on Gabriola (seen to the right) and it is worth the visit alone. It is a natural geographical cave about 70 feet long and one side is open to the ocean. Plan ahead but be sure to visit Gabriola Island.

Thetis Island

Thetis Island is accessed through Chemainus. There are limited accommodations and services on Thetis Island so plan ahead.