Now that Canada is starting to open up again, Salt Spring Island, in the Canadian Gulf Islands, is an appealing destination for U.S. cruisers. The largest of the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring is just above the popular San Juan Islands in Washington State and off the east coast of Vancouver Island. It’s easy to get to, and hard to leave, as I can attest from personal experience.
Salt Spring is 17 miles long, nine miles wide, with a year-round population of 12,000 people, including large groups of painters, writers, musicians, retirees, and farmers: it’s home to more than 200 farms and it’s known for its sheep grazing. It also has seven fresh water lakes, perfect for swimming and paddle boarding.
The island’s shoreline is rocky, with tidal pools and a mix of shell and sandy beaches. It rarely snows and it’s said to have the best climate in the region.
The town of Ganges is the hub of the island and is one of the prettiest in British Columbia, with narrow streets, friendly people, and a laid-back vibe. Centennial Harbor there is the largest on the island, and it’s protected by a breakwater. The marina offers gas and diesel fuel, WiFi, gated access and shower and laundry facilities.
It’s just a two minute walk to downtown, with shops, restaurants and a Saturday market (before Covid) with local foods, crafts and music. In normal times, there are tours of art studios and organic farms, and regular music festivals.
The Salish First National people had lived on the island for centuries before the first European settlers arrived in 1859. Officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company named it for the saltwater springs they found on the north end.
In the 1960s, Salt Spring became a popular destination for hippies and organic farmers. Since then, it is become an almost-year-round destination resort; there are more B&Bs on Salt Spring, per capita, than anywhere else in Canada, as people come for hiking, whale watching, golfing and fishing. Read more:
