Brian Caissie
Majestic scenery can be admired no matter when you visit The Southern Gulf Islands.
Destination BC
Cruising to anyone of the Southern Gulf Islands by boat is the perfect summer adventure. Load up your vessel with kayaks, paddleboards, fishing gear and other essentials before setting out for your chosen Gulf Island gem. Whether you set a course for Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne, or Saturna island, you’ll want to stay a while to enjoy the full “island experience.”
After Labour Day, the weather becomes cooler and water conditions can intensify, but the shoulder season has its advantages. Crowds thin out and communities resume their usual, languid pace. Savour a fresh, local meal, find a keepsake crafted by one of the many artisans who call the Gulf Islands home, or hike to a vantage point overlooking the Strait of Georgia—all minus the summer crowds.
If you can’t be at the helm of your own boat, you’ll find that getting to the Gulf Islands is a laidback affair. BC Ferries operate several routes, some from BC’s mainland, and others from Vancouver Island. The trip is a scenic one, and depending on the route you may stop at multiple islands before reaching your destination. Breathe in the salty air and scan the horizon for sea lions, porpoises and orcas.
Which Gulf Island to choose? While all are good bets, some offer more action than others. Here are some cool things to do on four of the Southern Gulf Islands during the shoulder seasons.
Chris Morisawa
A scenic setting on Salt Spring.
Spring and Fall Events on Salt Spring Island
The busiest and most populous of the southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring is famous for its Saturday Market, which takes place on the waterfront in Ganges. You’ll find local food and crafts from April through October and be sure to keep an eye out for the wild, foraged mushrooms.
The locals love to celebrate island culture, and there are events throughout the year worth checking out. Don’t miss the popular Salt Spring Island Fall Fair in September; the Sip & Savour event in October; Wintercraft in November; and the Salt Spring Home & Garden Show in March.
Visit www.saltspringtourism.com for details and more options.
Mike
The shores of Salt Spring lead to many exciting ventures in the shoulder seasons.
The Diverse Pender Islands
Pender Island, which is actually two islands joined by a bridge, offers plenty of activities during the late spring and early fall when the weather is a little more comfortable. Grab a kayak and head out for a paddle, take a scenic hike, or go gallery-hopping through the many artist studios on the island. The choices are diverse.
If you yearn for the great outdoors but comfort is equally important, WOODS on Pender may be the way to go. Choose between a rustic cabin and rooms in the lodge, or for something different try staying in a stylish Airstream or a Shasta Airflyte RV. Each comes with a double hammock, propane barbecue, and a fire pit. Or, enjoy a memorable meal at the onsite restaurant.
https://gulfislandstourism.com
David Stanley
Several resorts among the Gulf Islands provide the perfect getaway all year.
Discover the History of Mayne Island
As you sail through Active Pass, watch for Mayne Island’s distinctive, historic lighthouse, and on land you’ll find a number of ways to learn about the island’s rich past. Indigenous peoples foraged and fished from seasonal villages here for thousands of years, and Europeans flocked to Miners Bay during the mid-19th century gold rush.
Learn about this and more at the old community jail, which is now a museum. Its open weekends from Victoria Day in May through Thanksgiving in October, and by appointment only during late fall and winter. Another popular attraction is the tranquil Japanese garden, which is dedicated to the Japanese residents interned on the island during World War II.
Tim Gage
Saturna – and all the Gulf Islands – is picturesque during all four seasons.
Kick Back on Saturna Island
Looking for peace and quiet? This is your place. The most remote of the Southern Gulf Islands, Saturna has a full-time population of just a few hundred residents. With nearly half of the island dedicated to parkland as part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, there’s plenty of space to appreciate the change of seasons. Enjoy some late spring/early fall hiking, biking, and excellent wildlife viewing including land-based whale watching at East Point.
These highlights and more make for positive experiences and lasting memories on a trip to any of the Southern Gulf Islands. Whether you spend a single day or a weekend on one island, or spend a week exploring them all, you’ll return home refreshed and renewed.
For more information visit www.hellobc.com