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Photo by http://www.kgoodphoto.c
Bevam Pier
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Photo by http://www.kgoodphoto.c
Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
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Street market
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Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
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Copper cowgirl - street market
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Photo by http://www.kgoodphoto.c
By Paula Kully
The coastal community of Sidney by the Sea is the ideal place to spend a few days (or more) on your tour of the Gulf Islands or San Juan Islands. It has everything you need to replenish supplies and offers year-round events and attractions in one of the most spectacular landscapes in Canada.
The community of approximately 11,500 is welcoming, and pedestrian and bike friendly. It offers kilometres of waterfront walkways, nearby wild islands and beaches to explore, well-manicured parks, funky coffee shops and book stores, a wide variety of restaurants, and a vibrant, boutique, shopping district. With a sub-Mediterranean climate of warm, sunny summers and moderate, rainy winters, Sidney is a year-round destination for fishing, boating, kayaking, bird watching, whale watching, hiking, diving or just relaxing.
One of the highlights of the summer is the Sidney Street Market that runs every Thursday night from May to September. This popular event closes Sidney’s main street to vehicle traffic, and transforms it into a spectacular, festive street market featuring over 150 vendors and attracting up to 5,000 people a night. You will find everything from fresh grown produce, craft beer, home baked breads and sweets, jewellery, a variety of artwork, clothing, food, music and many other unique and interesting surprises. Many of the local shops, restaurants and bistros lining Beacon Avenue are also open.
Some of the other major events during the year include the outdoor Summer Sounds Concert series that runs every Sunday in July and August in Beacon Park. Sidney puts on an amazing two-day celebration for Canada Day that begins on June 30th with opening ceremonies and fireworks and runs into July 1st with a parade and many other family events. In August, car lovers are in town for the Coast Capital Insurance Auto Extravaganza Car Show that attracts over 10,000 people, and there is no place like Sidney for Christmas. Carriage rides, carollers, lights and the Sidney Sparkles Santa Parade top of the year.
Other attractions include The Tulista Art Gallery, the Sidney Museum and the Mary Winspear Centre with a captivating First Nations Art Exhibit and regular performances by popular acts. Along the waterfront is the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, a year-round aquarium with displays of local sea life that inhabit the Salish Sea.
Bevan Pier, a 107-meter (350 ft) dock, popular for fishing and crabbing, is also situated along the waterfront. The pier is bordered by an artificial reef that attracts marine life and offers excellent diving opportunities.
Boating traffic is accommodated by two, full service marinas that provide long and short-term moorage options within short walking distance to Sidney’s downtown. The town can accommodate any supply needs from groceries to hardware and provides excellent accommodation options ranging from charming B&B’s to a luxury, waterfront hotel and spa.
Sidney is the gateway to the Gulf Islands National Park, Sidney Spit Island and the San Juan Islands. It is approximately a 30-minute drive to historic, downtown Victoria and 15 minutes to the world famous Butchart Gardens. As the transportation hub to Vancouver Island, Sidney is an easy ten-minute drive to Victoria International Airport and the BC Ferries Terminal while the Sidney International Ferry Terminal to Anacortes Washington is just minutes away. Bus service to and from Victoria and to the Ferry Terminal and Airport is also excellent.
Port Sidney Marina, 1-250-655-3711, 9835 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3 - www.portsidney.com
Located next to the downtown core where all major amenities are available
- Canada Customs port of entry
- Showers & restrooms
- Power
- Pump Out
- Potable Water
- Lounge Area
- Laundry Facilities
- Internet Access
- Cable Access
- Pet Area
- Garbage Disposal & Recycling
- Yacht Sales
- Yacht Charters & Boating Courses
Van Isle Marina, 1-250-656-1138, 2320 Harbour Road, Sidney, BC V8L 2P6 - info@vanislemarina.com - www.vanislemarina.com
Close to downtown Sidney Shopping and services
- Canada Customs Port of Entry: 1-888-CANPASS
- Fuel Dock
- Marine Store
- Moorage – annual, monthly & nightly
- Electricity
- Maintenance & Storage Facility
- Yacht Detailing: Cleaning, Waxing, Provisioning & Concierge
- Holding Tank Pump-Out
- Restaurant: Sea Glass Waterfront Grill www.seaglasswaterfrontgrill.ca
- Showers, Washrooms, Laundromat
- Storage lockers
- Car parking
- Launching ramp
- Garbage & recycling service
- Dog walk
- Grocery store
- Telephone/cablevision
- Free Wi-Fi
- Business Centre
- Mail service