The Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia are located in the Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, and offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of the cities of Vancouver and Victoria. The islands are known for their natural beauty, laid-back lifestyle, and vibrant arts communities.
For us, this was a ‘local’ trip at the end of summer 2021 when international travel was still affected by the Covid pandemic, but the journey getting there was still a two-day adventure. Heading west on the Yellowhead Highway from Alberta, we passed Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and then stopped overnight in Lillooet, which marks ‘Mile 0’ of the Cariboo Wagon Road and played a major role during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. From Lillooet, Highway 99 took us all the way to Horseshoe Bay, where we caught our first ferry. The first section leading to Pemberton is known as the ‘Duffey Lake Road’, over Cayoosh Pass, and is renowned for its breathtaking mountain scenery featuring steep hills, single lane bridges, sharp hairpins, and massive drops. After surviving this adrenaline rush this we were looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing week on some of these intriguing islands.
Map of the Gulf Islands from VancouverIsland.com website – on our trip we island hopped from salt Spring Island, Mayne Island and Galiano Island using BC Ferries.
Cider flights and charcuterie boards on Salt Spring Island
The largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island is artsy, foodie-friendly, and lively. Outside of the main town of Ganges, the winding roads have signs at every turn for artisan producers, art and craft workshops, and there are numerous ‘honesty’ boxes where tasty and creative wares are left unattended for sale at property entrances.
With all this fresh produce available, food and drink not surprisingly became our theme and we were not disappointed. Ciderworks offered an organic, sugar-free flight with a great view overlooking some small islands in the Captain Passage leading to Ganges, while Salt Spring Wild Cider Company presented one of the tastiest and prettiest charcuterie boards we have had. The local produce was artfully paired with flavour-filled gourmet condiments from the Salt Spring Kitchen Company and small batch, artisanal craft ciders.
Lighthouse Views and Arbutus Trees
Our next island, Mayne, offered a blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. We stayed at the Mayne Island Resort nestled in Bennett Bay on the East of the island, which offered stunning sunset views and was a great base for exploring.
At Georgina Point on the northern tip of Mayne Island is Lighthouse Park, which contains Active Pass Lighthouse, at the entrance to a narrow channel between Mayne and Galiano Islands. Listed as a Heritage Lighthouse for its historical, architectural, and community values, we also loved the wide range of textures and vibrant colours in this area. Wandering around the park, we came across some old ship remains with rotten timbers and rusted iron nails, and got our first introduction to the native Arbutus trees, with their distinctive reddish-brown bark that peels in papery flakes and strips.
Giant Arbutus
Mayne Island is known for its majestic arbutus trees, including some large, wind-twisted specimens. Arbutus, also known as Madrone, are native to the Pacific Northwest and are characterized by their distinctive bark and shape. The island’s arbutus trees are a significant part of its natural beauty and ecological landscape, playing a role in the intertidal zone, the forest, and the overall ecosystem. We had a pleasant woodland wander along the Old Gulch trail in Mount Parke Regional Park which winds through a forest of giant sword ferns, western red cedar and red alder, ultimately leading to the splendid and individually signposted ‘Giant Arbutus’ tree. In addition to it’s astounding size, the vividly bright colours really stood out in the afternoon sunshine.
The final stop of our whirlwind island tour was to Galiano Island, known for its natural beauty, hiking, and beach access. Our most notable experience was the dramatic sandstone caves at Retreat Cove. These are located along a dead-end road and a short unmarked path and there are no signposts or directions. We had seen pictures while researching the island and wanted to explore this hidden gem for ourselves. The caves are very picturesque with interesting, weather worn rock formations, especially in the afternoon sunlight and they provided neat views of the cove, and the channel out to Salt Spring Island.
Our journey through the Southern Gulf Islands was a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration. From Salt Spring’s vibrant art and craft scene to Mayne’s nature trails and Galiano’s rocky shores, each island offered something unique. We savored local cheeses and cider, hiked, shopped at local markets, and enjoyed stunning ocean views. Island hopping by ferry, this peaceful, nature-filled escape just off the coast of mainland British Columbia gave us time to slow down and soak it all in.
View all our Southern Gulf Islands pictures here.
Mapgirl Adventures 