Salt Spring Island is one of the most popular and well-known of the Gulf Islands, located between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada.
Salt Spring Island has so much to do, and even with a population of just 11,000, it’s big enough that you can drive from top to bottom in 45 minutes!
From relaxing in a peaceful location or visiting the arts and crafts trail, to more adventurous activities like hiking and kayaking, Salt Spring Island is home to a plethora of top attractions and activities.
Best Things to Do in Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island is a great place to escape and get away from it all.when i was Study Abroad in Victoria I really enjoy de-stressing and relaxing by visiting nearby places and immersing myself in stunning scenery. Salt Spring Island is one of my favorite trips!
The locals are very friendly and there are plenty of things to do if you want to get out and explore. Alternatively, you can just sit back and enjoy the ambiance.
These are some of my favorite things to do in Salt Spring Island, but I encourage you to ask around to see what’s going on during your visit, or what else is new!
kayak
Kayaking is a very popular activity on the island. If you’re more experienced, rent a kayak, or take a tour that includes some of the mini-islands around Salt Springs. You might even spot seals or otters!
We went with Salt Spring Adventure Co Ltd and they took us from the beach to nearby islands to explore the harbor. It’s perfect for beginners and those who want a shorter paddle, but they also offer longer paddle options, even for multi-day trips. If I could go again, I would try their bioluminescence tour, which ends in darkness and allows you to see this amazing natural phenomenon as you paddle into the water!
saturday market
The Salt Spring Island Market, held every Saturday from Easter through the end of October, is the largest in British Columbia. You’ll find produce for sale, treats and local art.
Wandering around the market and checking out all the different stalls was one of the highlights of our trip! We bought some small locally made souvenirs. The market is unique in that everything sold there has to be made or grown by the vendors themselves. This also gives you the opportunity to discuss their craftsmanship with all sellers exclusively!
You’ll find this market at Oceanside, Centennial Park, in the heart of the Ganges.
swim
Salt Spring Island is surrounded by freshwater lakes and beaches where you can take a dip or swim. Try Beddis Beach and Vesuvius Beach, both of which are sandy beaches, or Baker’s tide pools. Cusheon Lake and Stowell Lake both have small stretches of beach that are popular with families.
The water can be cold at times, but it’s so clean and refreshing!
hiking
There are many different hiking trails on Salt Spring Island, which was one of the main reasons we chose to visit. There you’ll be able to find a walk that suits your fitness level!
Maxwell Mountain is popular for its views of the Fulford Valley. The Chris Hatfield Trail is a 20 minute walk to a community that includes a Fairy Tale Village (great for the kids!). If you can handle the steep ascent, there are also great panoramic views from the Mount Reginald Trail and Mount Erskine Provincial Park! Ruckle Provincial Park has beautiful trails along the coast, so it’s a bit flat for those who don’t want to climb up.
If enjoying the great outdoors is your passion and you plan to explore more of Canada then check out my Epic Outdoor Adventures in British Columbia.
Artist Studio Tour
If you’re taking the ferry to Salt Spring Island, there’s usually a map for artist studio tours, or you can get one from the tourist information centre. This is a self-guided tour that takes you to the island’s many artist studios, from painters to ceramics and other crafts. It keeps track of which studios are open when, as some studios are only open from May to September while others are open all year round.
If you’re not on the island to attend the Saturday market, it’s a great way to see the wonderful things the island’s artists have to offer!
seaside gallery
You’re probably aware by now that arts and crafts play an important role in life on Salt Spring Island. At the Waterfront Gallery, you’ll find arts and crafts made by local artists for sale. It includes pottery, jewelry, painting, lotion, tea, woodworking, glass, candles, cards and more!
For those who are short on time or unable to visit the Saturday Market or the Artists’ Walk, this is a must see!
whale watching trip
Whale watching is popular throughout the region, and Salt Spring Island is no exception. From the boat, you can spot orcas, humpbacks, dolphins and otters in the waters around the island. At the very least, it’s a great way to see Salt Spring Island from another perspective.
whale watching trip Typically operating from March to October, expect to see whales more often from June to September.
Salt Spring Island Beer
visit Salt Spring Island Brewery Sample a beer in the tasting room or picnic area at 270 Furness Rd, or buy some to take away.
Their craft beers are preservative-free and unpasteurized. The water for brewing beer is delivered directly from the mountain spring to the brewing room! They stick to traditional methods and hand brew their beer. Definitely a stop for those who love craft beer or want to try something different!
Salt Spring Island Cheese
Salt Spring Island Cheese Handcrafted from goat and sheep milk, with soft goat cheese being the most popular. They are available from farm stores or Saturday markets.
Not only do their cheeses look amazing, but they taste amazing too! They also use traditional methods, so all cheese is handmade, and the business is family owned and operated. On Salt Spring Island, people like to stick to their roots!
Holy Mountain Lavender
this two acres Lavender Farm It is open to visitors from May to September, and June is when the lavender is in full bloom. It’s free to enter and you can enjoy a self-guided tour. It is the only lavender farm on the island and was established in 2001. They grow all their lavender organically and distill it into essential oil on site.
Besides the oil, you can find many other lavender-based products in their farm store, or you can order them online.
winery
Salt Spring Island is home to several wineries. Come and taste the wine and some other local delicacies like cheese when available. Each has its own opening hours.
Salt Spring Wild
Salt Spring Wild makes organic craft cider using apples grown on Salt Spring Island, some from its 100-year-old heritage apple trees, as well as wild apples and pears grown on the island. They have a delicious traditional cider, but also a delicious plum cider that combines apples and plums, and a bitter orange rosemary cider.
Head to Cider House for their cider, as well as “farm-style snacks.”
festival
Salt Spring Island has no shortage of festivals, so be sure to check the calendar when you visit! Some favorites include:
- Maple Syrup Day – February
- Ruckle Farm Day – May
- Lavender Festival – July
- Fall Fair – September
- Apple Festival – September
- Harvest Grape Stomp – October
How to Get to Salt Spring Island
The island is accessible by air or sea, with three ferry terminals to choose from:
- Crofton, Vancouver Island to Vesuvius, Salt Spring Island – 20 minutes
- Swartz Bay, Vancouver Island to Fulford Harbor, Salt Spring Island – 35 minutes
- Tsawwassen, Vancouver to Long Harbor, Salt Spring Island – 1 hour 15 minutes to 3.5 hours depending on how many other islands stop in between
Check bc ferries Schedule and more information.
Salt Spring Island also has its own seaplane company called Harbor Airthree flights a day to and from Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Visit Salt Spring Island
Driving is the easiest way to see Salt Spring Island. You can bring a car on the ferry, or you can hire a small number of cars.
Some buses run alongside ferry times from the jetty to the Ganges and Fernwood, however, they are not very useful as they don’t pass many of the best island attractions and only run a few times a day.
Cycling is also a popular way to see Salt Spring Island. There are some dedicated bike routes, but many cyclists also use these roads. But be aware these can be very narrow, windy and hilly.
Hitchhiking is common and a common way for the island’s young residents to get around.If you give it a try, kind locals will usually pick you up within 5-15 minutes
where to eat
Rock Salt Cafe and Morningside Organic Bakery and Cafe are popular dining options in Fulford.
Ganges has Tree House Cafe, Auntie Pestos, Barb’s Buns and Salt Spring Coffee Shop, as well as Rendezvous French Patisserie.
Salt Spring Island Golf and Country Club opens the Falconshead Grill and Lounge to visitors. House Piccolo and Hastings House are more exclusive dining options.
where to live
Accommodations on Salt Spring Island range from campgrounds to B&Bs, self-catering lodges to hotels and resorts. Garden Faire Campground is a budget option, and Hastings House, Salt Springs Spa Resort and Cusheon Lake Resort are more luxurious choices.
I love the cottages we stayed in at Lakeside Gardens Resort. They are log cabins overlooking the lake with a lounge/dining area, a loft bed accessed by a ladder, and a small balcony with an outdoor kitchen. I’ve raved about so many people since we lived there and I’ll be going back in no time!
Check reservation network More options are available, including B&B and self-catering accommodation.
Best Time to Visit + Weather in Salt Spring Island
There is something different on Salt Spring Island every season, so it depends on what you want to do! You’ll notice that many things have reduced hours in winter, so if you really want to see a particular attraction, it’s best to go at another time of year.
Spring could see some drizzle and rain, but it’s also warming into summer. It’s never too hot, even in summer, which means you can still do some great hiking at that time of year. In fall/fall, you can expect less rain and beautiful landscape color changes, and it usually stays a bit warmer through October.
If you are visiting Vancouver or Vancouver Island, then I highly recommend including a Salt Spring Island tour in your itinerary!
Sonya X
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