Winter Cove, Saturna Island
Kayaking Saturna Island in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada
(Also known as the Salish Sea, which includes hundreds of islands and islets.)
The Southern Gulf Islands are a kayakers natural playground, and they are also best known for their natural beauty, boating, hiking, camping and wildlife viewing.
The Southern Gulf Islands stretch along Vancouver Island’s Eastern coastline from north of Gabriola Island to south of Saturna Island. The islands are home to vibrant communities and are full-service vacation destinations for weekenders and long-stay visitors.
Several hundred more smaller, uninhabited islands serve ocean kayakers, pleasure boaters, seabirds and slumbering colonies of sea lions.
The major Southern Gulf Islands are as follows:
Saturna Island
A bit removed from the main BC Ferries routes, Saturna is a year-round hideaway for visitors who arrive at Lyall Harbour either by a ferry transfer at Mayne Island or by floatplane. Almost half of the island is protected parkland, and that includes forest, oceanside parks and Brown Ridge’s see-forever views. A winery, bistro restaurant, art studios, pub and general store provide diversions, as do the orcas swimming past the East Point lighthouse. Boats pack into Winter Cove for the island’s famous Canada Day Lamb Barbecue.
Mayne Island
Uncrowded even during peak season, Mayne and its landmark lighthouse are a first Gulf Island sighting for ferry passengers as they sail into Active Pass from the BC mainland. Enjoy a handful of good restaurants, shops and galleries while knowing that uncomplicated restorative rest is the island’s best medicine. Cycle past the sheep farms. Visit a remarkable animal rescue facility. And take a contemplative stroll through a Japanese memorial garden. Please book ahead: Accommodations are limited
North and South Pender Islands
One of the friendliest of the Gulf Islands, Pender Island boasts numerous public beach accesses and a thriving local farmers’ market at its Community Hall on summer Saturdays. Active days here might include a round at the beautifully maintained nine-hole golf course followed by a visit to Pender’s renowned disc golf park or walks along forested trails to cliff viewpoints. Enjoy the good life at the newly opened, award-winning winery or any of a full compliment of resorts, cafés, bistros, bakery, pub, and the shops at Driftwood Centre, Medicine Beach and Hope Bay. Some 30 artist studios and galleries are dotted across the landscape. Kayak the shoreline, visit the public whale-watching area, hike the mountains, swim the lakes or relax in privacy.
Saltspring Island
Welcome to what the Washington Post has called “the coolest island in Canada.” Life on the most populated (just over 10,000 full-time residents) of the Gulf Islands is centred in Ganges Village, a bustling harbour town known for its shops, galleries, restaurants and a truly legendary Saturday market where everything is made, baked or grown on Salt Spring Island. Peace and pastoral quiet is the norm elsewhere on this postcard-scenic refuge.
Hike Mount Maxwell’s cliffside trail, picnic at Beddis Beach, dine by the water in Fulford Harbour and tour the island on two wheels. Visit spas, yoga studios and a wellness centre for healing and spiritual rejuvenation. Drop into the Visitor Centre for details on the North End and South End loop tours. Then relax and stay awhile in one of dozens of B&Bs or after pitching a tent oceanside near Ruckle Heritage Farm, BC’s oldest working farm.
Galiano Island
Direct service in under an hour from the BC Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen makes Galiano the most accessible of the southern Gulf Islands. Steps from the ferry dock, Sturdies Bay is home to most of the amenities on this long, lean island, including a resort hotel, art galleries, dining options, bookstore and quaint neighbourhood pub. Ferry foot passengers can rent mopeds, bikes and Smart cars to explore beaches, parks and hiking trails further up-island. Don’t miss the astronomically aligned standing stones and decorative rocks at Stoneworld.
Gabriola Island
A short ferry ride from Nanaimo, Gabriola is known as “Isle of the Arts” thanks to the hundreds of artists, sculptors, photographers, writers and musicians who reside here. Pick up the Gabriola Loop map for cycling and driving tours that wind past numerous galleries and home studios. Relax on warm sandstone beaches, pluck mussels from the shore and hike the Petroglyph Trail in search of Coast Salish history. Plan visits for the Gabriola Theatre Festival in August and the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend studio tour.
Penelakut Island (Kuper Island)
Link go directly to Wikipedia
Source of Island description came from: http://www.vancouverisland.travel/regions/gulf-islands/
Come and kayak with us the magestic Salish Sea on Kayaking Saturna Island.
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