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The Southern Gulf Islands are located off the West Coast of Canada, in the
Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland.
The Gulf Islands are eight hours behind Universal Time (GMT).
The Southern Gulf Islands are : Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island,
Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, plus many smaller islands. The Gulf Islands
are part of the same island system as the American San Juan Islands, and it's
possible to visit San Juan Island from the Gulf Islands by power boat.
All of the large islands, plus Thetis Island and Kuper Island, are serviced by
BC Ferries. For the many smaller islands, one needs a private boat to access
them. Floatplane companies also offer regularly scheduled service to several of
the Gulf Islands.
The weather pattern on the Gulf Islands is a microclimate known as "cool
Mediterranean". Some species of plants normally associated with California are
found on the Gulf Islands.
The Gulf Islands enjoys less rainfall than on Vancouver Island or the Lower
Mainland. This is due to the physical location of the Islands, where they enjoy
the rain shadow protection from the larger Vancouver Island.
Salt Spring Island, at 193.5 sq km, is the largest of the Gulf Islands. The
Island divides naturally into a north and a south Island, each with a different
topography.
The Island's population has grown to 13,000 plus (compared to 2000 in 1961), but
the rural, yesteryear feel of the Island has not been spoiled.
Salt Spring Island was first named Admiral Island (circa 1858) by Captain
Richards, after his superior officer Rear Admiral Baynes. The local residents of
the time insisted on calling it Salt Spring, because the 14 or 15 natural saline
springs that occur on the island. Eventually, the mapmakers renamed it
officially.
Salt Spring was originally a hunting territory for the Cowichan and Saanich
Indians. Part of the Coast Salish Indians, they spoke Halkomelem, and
Lekungenung. The first non-native settlers were former black slaves from the
United States, and arrived around 1857.
Salt Spring Island is the only Gulf Island with more then one ferry port.
Ferries from Tsawwassen arrive at Long Harbour. Ferries from Swartz Bay arrive
at Fulford Harbour.
Salt Spring Island also enjoys an unique third ferry route from Vesuvuis on Salt
Spring to the town of Crofton on Vancouver Island. Crofton is near the town of
Chemanius, and about 45 minutes south of the City of Nanaimo.
Salt Spring is one of the islands to enjoy cable TV service in selected areas.
Community water systems service some parts of the island, (either from Maxwell
Lake, St. Mary Lake, Cusheon Lake, or Weston Lake). Many properties are on
wells, either drilled or dug. Salt Spring is one of the best Islands in the
Southern Gulf Island chain for availability of good water.
Most properties are on septic systems, although Ganges Village, one phase of
Channel Ridge, and Malaview are on community sewer systems.
Galiano Island is a long, relatively narrow, island of 57 sq km. It is the
second largest of the big islands. Galiano has a population of about 1000
people. Galiano was named after Captain Dionisio Alcala Galiano of the Spanish
naval vessel Sutil in 1792.
Galiano enjoys fast ferry service to Tsawwassen on the BC Mainland, near
Vancouver (approx. 50 minute trip). The ferry then goes on to Mayne, Pender, and
Salt Spring.
Galiano is also home to the Gulf Islands Film and Television School. Set in a
former logging camp, the school's students produce award winning work during the
intensive week long courses.
Galiano, like Pender, offers foreshore on Georgia Strait, with panoramic views
back to Vancouver/Lower Mainland and coastal mountains. The more protected
oceanfront options, facing Trincomali Channel and looking across to Salt Spring
Island, can be steep/"high bank", with difficult access to the beach.
Located at the northwest end of Montague Harbour is the oldest marine
park in British Columbia. Established in 1959, Montague Harbour Marine Park is
one of the most popular with Gulf Island's boaters.
The park features white shell beaches, 35 mooring buoys, boat launching ramp, a
dock for dinghies and other small boats. There are campsites for tents and RVs.
Reservations may be made by calling 1-250-689-9025.
Mayne Island was first visited by Captain George Vancouver in 1790. Mayne was
named after Lieutenant Richard Charles Mayne of the H.M.S Plumper, a steam
sloop, by Captain Richards circa 1859. Mayne Island is credited with being the
first place to grow apples in BC. Mayne was also a half way point for miners on
their way to the Cariboo gold rush around 1858.
Mayne is 21 sq km in size, making it the smallest of the big islands. Mayne's
population is about 900 people. Mayne is an important "transfer" hub island for
the BC Ferries Gulf Islands routes, at its Village Bay terminal. Mayne is a
frequent stop for inter-island ferry traffic.
Bennett Bay, facing back to the Lower Mainland, coastal mountains (great Mount
Baker view!), offers a lovely sandy beach -- like a mini-Long Beach!
Deep water moorage is found in Horton Bay.
Although there is a convenience mall at Miner's Bay, plus one of the oldest pubs
in B.C., there is also a "resort"/restaurant at Bennett Bay, and a 5-star
country inn/award winning dining room near Dinner Bay.
Pender is actually two islands, a North and a South island. Before 1911, the
islands were joined by an isthmus. In 1911, a channel was dug, to allow boats to
pass. Since 1955, the two islands have been joined by a man-made bridge. Over
that time the two islands have come to be referred to as one island. Locally
there is a bit of a rivalry between the North Island and South Island residents.
Pender Island was discovered by Francisco-Eliza, commandant at Nootka, circa
1791, and the island went by the name of Sayas or San Eusbio, depending on the
map. Finally in November 1857, it was named after Captain Daniel Pender R.N. of
the H.M. surveying vessel Plumper.
The two islands of Pender, together, are 24 sq km, and have a combined
population of about 2000.
Pender Island is one of two hub islands for the Gulf Islands ferry routes. It
enjoys good service not only to the Mainland and Vancouver Island, but also to
the other Gulf Islands.
Pender is one of the islands to enjoy cable TV service in selected areas.
There's is shopping at the Driftwood Centre, which is close to Browning Harbour
(pub/coffee shop, docks). On South Pender, there's Bedwell Harbour, which is one
of the Customs entry points for U.S. boaters entering Canadian waters (Sidney,
on Vancouver Island, is the other entry point). Bedwell offers a resort/pool,
dining room, pub, coffee shop, plus nice docks!
Hope Bay, a more historic spot on North Pender, along with Port Washington, is
rebuilding after the old docks/store burned down two years ago. There's an 18
hole golf course on North Pender, which is also used by golfers on Mayne (short
ferry trip between these Islands, which are serviced by ferries out of
Victoria's terminal (Swartz Bay) & Vancouver's terminal (Tsawwassen).
Saturna Island is the most southern of the large Gulf Islands. Go much
south of Saturna and you are very soon into American waters. A BC Ferries
journey to Saturna almost always involves a stop at the hub island of Mayne, and
sometimes also a Pender stop.
Saturna Island was named after the Spanish naval cruiser Saturnia, alias
Horcacitas, in 1791, by Captain Jose Maria Navaez.
Saturna is the least populated of the large Gulf Islands; there are only about
350 people on the 31 sq km island. The island is probably best known for it's
sheep farming.
Each year on July 1st, Canada Day, the residents of Saturna Island have a lamb
barbeque near the shores of Winter Cove. The event attracts boaters from around
the Southern Gulf Islands. The boaters anchor in Winter Cove, filling it full of
boats. Many will arrive as many as four days early to get a good anchoring
place.
Saturna is also the home of the Gulf Islands only vineyard and winery. Private
and group tours are available, also has a gift shop. Call Saturna Island
Vineyards at 1-250-539-5139 for more information.
The ferry terminal is located in Lyall Harbour. Next to the ferry terminal is a
public dock, that is also used by a seaplane service with regular flights to
Vancouver. Also there is a General Store, and a Pub that offers good fish &
chips.
There are B&Bs and resorts on the island, however it is a good idea to have a
reservation ahead of time, before travelling to Saturna.
The Northern Gulf Islands
There are many smaller islands scattered among the big Gulf Islands,
including many private islands. With the exception of Thetis and Kuper, access
is by private watercraft only. If you would like more information, or a list of
buying opportunities on any of the smaller islands, please contact Li Read.
Islands are listed alphabetically.
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Moresby Island has been settled since 1863. It has had several interesting owners. One was Merchant in China, who returned to Canada, and had a reputation for mistreating his Chinese servants. Between 1909 and 1914, it was owned by a Lt. Governor of British Columbia. In 1910, a dairy farm was established on Moresby Island. Today, it is still a private Island. |
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Map of Prevost |
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Named after Surgeon Samuel Campbell of the H.M.S Plumper in 1859. In the 1960's, there was a very short lived plan to join Mayne Island and Saturna Island with a bridge via Samuel Island. Never happened. Once owned by Charles A. Lindberg's daughter, who reportly paid $48,000 for it circa late 1940's, early 1950's. Samuel is a private Island. |
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gulf islands info and slide show Courtesy of
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