| The Gulf Islands |
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The Gulf Islands on Canada's West Coast are made up of more than a dozen major islands ranging in size from Thetis Island to Quadra Island and from sparsely populated Lasqueti Island to Salt Spring Island, with the largest population. This magnificent area is blessed with a temperate climate, spectacular views, and a variety or marine life, all blended with a unique Canadian flavour. |
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Situated in the Strait of Georgia between British Columbia's Mainland and Vancouver Island, with Campbell River to the north and Victoria and the U.S. San Juan Islands to the south, the Gulf Islands are surrounded by sheltered waters, strong tides, and dramatic coastlines. |
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| Accommodation in the Gulf Islands runs the gamut from campgrounds to luxury resorts, from motels nestled in the woods to marine parks with magnificent views of the mountains and other Gulf Islands. Whatever your lodging preference, you will be able to find it on at least one of the Gulf Islands. |
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Bed and breakfast accommodation is available on all the islands. Depending on the location and the luxuries provided, prices vary from as little as $70.00 (Cdn) per night for a room with bath in a private home to $300.00 (Cdn) for a suite with private hot tub, barbeque, fireplace and spectacular views. |
| There are cottages, too, for rent on most of the islands, again ranging in price from about $400.00 (Cdn) per week for a tiny cottage away from the water to $1800.00 (Cdn) or more per week for oceanfront accommodation with every conceivable amenity. Some, but not all, are suitable for and will permit children; others are pet-friendly, too. |
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There are many private and public campgrounds dotted throughout the islands, some suitable for cyclists, hikers, and vehicles, others specifically targetted to kayakers and other boaters. Before coming to any island, however, one should ensure that camping is possible. Saturna Island, for instance, has no public camping facilities, while Salt Spring Island's Ruckle Park is an idyllic spot with many camping spots right by the ocean. |
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The Gulf Islands are a very popular summer vacation destination. Peak season is mid-June through mid-September and most of the lodging on the islands is booked well in advance. Many of the cottages, for instance, are fully booked for the season by the end of March. While the summer season is the busiest, the Gulf Islands are beautiful throughout the year and accommodation is plentiful then and less expensive. Islanders often joke that the islands rise a few feet after mid-September when the tourist rush has ended. |
