Salt Spring Island: A True Gulf Coast Boating Destination

A place of refuge, restoration, and adventure.

by

Words by Jamie Sterling

Cruising the Southern Gulf Islands feels like you’re a world away with its wide open spaces and waterside communities. While Salt Spring is one of the most lively, it’s still a place of refuge that encompasses creative inspiration, innovative local cuisine, and rejuvenating natural surroundings. 

From arts and artisans to restaurants and bakeries, Salt Spring has plenty to enjoy with beautiful shorelines that draw boaters to the region all season. You’ll find a refreshing, rural escape with several outdoor activities that will leave you yearning for return trips. 

What’s New?

Supported by a passionate local community, Salt Spring’s restaurant and retail offerings have remained relatively unchanged. However, new to the island scene is Cassette Cafe and Dive Bar, located in a 1950s gas station in the heart of the town centre. Enjoy coffee and snacks in the cafe or food and drink in the back at the Dive. Be sure to ask about the nightly drink specials. 

The Mateada Lounge, once a daytime cafe, has been revived as an evening music venue with classic Nitro Mate on tap and a menu of unique signature cocktails. For a quick bite, True Love Pizza, a food truck in the town’s Food Garden, has emerged as a local favourite for its woodfired organic sourdough crusts. 

Under new ownership, Glad’s Gelateria now offers a variety of handmade, small-batch gelato. For shopping, you’ll want to pop into the new Raven & Gold and peruse this tiny jewelry gallery. This is the newest venture from the owners of Lavender & Black. 

At the south end of the island, The Pottery remains a favourite gift shop with locally made crafts, textiles, candles, art and more. If you’re looking for some physical well-being, check out the newly reopened Ganges Yoga Studio, indulge in forest bathing with Salish Sea Nature Connections, or book a private pilates class at the 100 House. You can find more recommendations for restaurants, trails, and activities by visiting www.southerngulfislands.com, the new tourism organization for the region. 

Marine Facilities and Surrounding Island Escapes

Catering to all kinds of boaters, Salt Spring has convenient, adventurous, quiet yet lively marinas and anchorages to satisfy every enthusiast. 

Portland Island, near Salt Spring, offers a protected anchorage at its north and south end and is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The island boasts trails and campsites as well as a dinghy dock, toilets, and posted information. There’s also Princess Bay at the south end, which is the largest and most used haven for boaters. Anchorages are limited to six to eight boats and stern tying is strongly recommended. 

You can also experience Isabella Island and Jackson Rock, which are two tiny areas if you’re seeking solitude. Best in fair weather, there are a few unmarked buoys to tie off on. The land belongs to the Tsawout First Nation and allows boaters access. 

Off the entrance to Fulford Harbour, Russell Island is an ecological treasure with shell beaches, old-growth forests and massive arbutus. Connected by a circular trail, the homestead site consists of a mix of Hawaiian-Indigenous heritage with room for 12 boats. 

Booth Bay is a beautiful spot for a boat or two but in calm weather only. You’ll love the epic sunsets. Prevost Island offers seven anchorages but Glenthorne Passage is considered a local favourite. Pointing directly into the sunset, the waters are protected and ideal to stay at in any condition.  

Not far from town, the Salt Spring Marina has been completely rebuilt and offers sea-flex anchors, cleated fingers, double pilings and is engineered to withstand inclement weather. It's also Clean Marine BC certified. Reservations are required. 

In the heart of Salt Spring, Ganges Marina offers an onsite fuel dock with diesel and premium-grade gasoline as well as WiFi, showers, and laundry facilities. Reservations are also required as is liability insurance. For more information visit www.gangesmarina.com.

The Harbour Authority of Salt Spring Island manages transient moorage in Ganges Harbour as well as Vesuvius, Fulford, Burgoyne and Musgrave. In the south end, the Fulford Harbour Marina has permanently closed. 

Where to Stay? 

Within walking distance of Ganges and the marinas, you’ll find a range of accommodations. There's the high-end Hastings House Hotel overlooking the harbour, the well-appointed self-catering suites at Mariner’s Loft, and the 49-room Harbour House Hotel. 

For more boutique options, consider the Salty Pear B&B that has a wood-fired sauna, the Wisteria Guest House, which is known for its delicious breakfasts and sweet treats, and the Hedgerow House B&B with its lovely garden and hot tub. On the island’s south end is the Fulford-Dunderry Guest House conveniently situated on the ocean. 

To explore more of the island, rent a car at Salt Spring Island Car Rentals, scooters at Salt Spring Adventures, or e-bikes at Outspokin Bike Shop and enjoy the quiet lakefront log cabins at Cusheon Lake Resort or The Cottages on Salt Spring. The sweeping ocean views of Collins House B&B offer respite from the busier areas while The Wetherly Inn boasts fabulous gardens in a quiet location near Mount Maxwell.

Natural Attractions

With many attractions, Salt Spring Island’s rich environment is its most memorable and appealing feature. Ruckle Provincial Park is a must-visit, offering some of the island’s best scenery. You’ll find relatively flat trails of varying lengths for most skill levels. 

Mount Maxwell, accessible by car, boasts stunning views south over Burgoyne Bay, Burgoyne Valley, Fulford Harbour, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. The valley is also home to lovely beaches and trails. 

To enjoy a short but intermediate-level hike, Mount Erskine has several trail options that lead through a rocky forest before gifting you with breathtaking views of the Salish Sea, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Another outdoor adventure is Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve, which is ideal for birdwatching in a protected meadow and wetlands area. Beddis Beach, with its white-shell sand, is the best spot for swimming and sunning. It’s also a community favourite for winter cold plunges. 

Being in the heart of the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring is a great destination to visit whether you're a local BC boater or transient who passes through the area every year. The marinas are accommodating, the locals are friendly, and the landscape is surreal, making it a true coastal escape. 

For more information visit www.southerngulfislands.com