Salt Spring Island Perfect Getaway Guide
Salt spring island is the perfect getaway from Vancouver or Victoria. Located between Vancouver Island and the Mainland as part of the Southern Gulf Islands, this island with a year-round population of only ~10,000 people is a respite for artists, hippies, and those seeking a quiet getaway from the big cities. The fact that it takes some effort to get there is part of the charm, removing you from your everyday experience. The island is a great place to both relax and explore, with many wineries, cideries, farms and hikes to enjoy.
When to go
Salt Spring Island can be enjoyed any time of year, though the high season is May through October when the famous farmer’s market is running (Saturdays for the main market and Tuesdays for groceries only). If you visit in the shoulder season November to April, you can enjoy some more quiet on the island, though certain farms and attractions may be closed or have limited hours. There is a famous holiday artisan market which runs every weekend in December if you are looking for a winter escape.
How to get to Salt Spring Island
By Ferry
BC Ferries offers ferry routes from the Vancouver area through the Tsawwassen Terminal. From there, you can either take a ferry to Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island/Victoria) and transfer to another ferry to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring. This ferry is offered more frequently. Or, you can take a more direct though less frequent ferry to Long Harbour (Salt Spring), that stops at some of the other Gulf Islands along the way (offered 2-4 times a day in the off season, depending on the day). Those ferries take between 2-3 hours. Occasionally, there are also direct ferries that take 1.5 hours. Ferry routes and tickets can be purchased at BC Ferries – remember to book in advance to guarantee your sailing, especially in the busier summer months. The price to travel with 2 people and one vehicle is approximately $113 CAD roundtrip.
By Seaplane
Take a Harbour Air seaplane from downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport directly to Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring. The flight is only about 30 minutes and offers beautiful views of the Georgia Straight and the Gulf Islands from the air. The flights occasionally don’t run in inclement weather or fog, but are otherwise dependable and a much faster option. Rates start from about $180/pp CAD. This is a great option if you are short on time. If you choose this option however, you may want to consider renting a car upon arrival on Salt Spring.
Getting around once on Salt Spring Island
A car is recommended; there are public buses, but it will severely limit your ability to explore this mostly rural island. There is a rental car office on the island, however you may have more competitive options renting a car in Vancouver or Victoria and bringing it over. Of course, when doing that, you must pay the car fee on the ferry. Ubers and Lyfts are not available on the island, though there is one Taxi Company. Most restaurants are within a walkable area in the main town of Ganges, however, if you want to do any other touring on the island, having your own vehicle is recommended.
Where to stay
There are numerous rental homes throughout the island, which you can check out on VRBO or little bed and breakfasts at Booking.com. Some recommendations are:
What makes Salt Spring Unique
One of the island’s most charming features is its honor-system farm stands. As you drive the island’s winding roads, you’ll find small stands outside homes offering fresh eggs, produce, flowers, and homemade preserves – just leave your payment in the box provided. Make sure to bring cash and specifically, small change.
Salt Spring Island’s unique character comes from its fascinating blend of residents, including many artists, who open their studios in their homes or in galleries in Ganges.
Must-Do Activities on Salt Spring Island
Outdoor Adventures
There are a number of straightforward hiking options on the island. There are no major hikes, with the tallest mountain being Maxwell Peak, which is at 580m//~2,000ft of elevation. Here are some hikes I recommend:
- Ruckle Provincial Park: located on the southeast tip of the island, this park offers short but scenic trails along the coast with views of other gulf islands an the ferry route between Victoria and Vancouver. Along the way, you can stop at the historic Ruckle farm.
- Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park: located on the western side of the island facing Vancouver Island, this park offers some more serene trails that go both into the temperal rainforest as well as along the water, with views across the bay to Vancouver Island. From here, you can appreciate just how close Salt Spring is to the Island, and yet still feels a million miles away.
- Mount Maxwell Provincial Park: On a clear day, hike up to the top of Mount Maxwell for extraordinary views of the entire region. Make sure to check AllTrails and to start at the right trailhead, ideally accessing from either Armand Way or Seymour Heights, not from Mt. Maxwell Road, which is a 4×4 extremely high clearance rough forest road.
Farm and local experiences
- Salt Spring Island Cheese – you can visit the working farm and see the goats that the cheese comes from, plus, you can actually see them packaging the cheese. There is a tasting room too. Of note, the goats winter off the farm, so may only be visible in the summer months.
- Sacred Mountain Lavender: check out this lavender farm, where you can enjoy a self-guided farm tour and indulge in the rich purple of 2.5 acres of organically-grown lavender, which blooms from June to September.
Wine and Cider
- Ciderworks – truly a unique place, Ciderworks is a small family run cidery with over 400 unique varieties of apples, all organic and from a single orchard – meaning everything that goes into the ciders is grown within a five acre area outside of the tasting room. The tasting room also offers a gorgeous view out over the bay towards other gulf islands and is dog friendly. The ciders here are more traditional and drier.
- Wild Cider House – this cidery offers a larger restaurant and tasting room, with views over a nice mountain and farm area. Dogs are also allowed. I really enjoyed some of the more unique cider blends with flavors like ginger, rosemary, bitter orange, and other fruits.
- Vivezza Vineyard – this vineyard is one of the newer ones on the island, run by a husband and wife team. The tasting room is more industrialized and fun to explore if you are curious about the wine making process.
- Kutatas Winery – this winery offers tastings and tables strewn out among their beautiful tasting room and patio area overlooking the vines – bring a picnic!
Gourmet Food Shopping
- Salt Spring Kitchen Co. – this shop sells some of the best jam I’ve ever had in my life, as well as hot sauces and other condiments.
- The Woodshed – this store is one of the most aesthetically pleasing on the whole island – selling prepared foods, salads, as well as pastries and cakes.
- Francis Bread – locals love this bakery, lining up on Saturday mornings for pastries and breads.
All 3 of the above shops are within the same shopping center, so you can visit them simultaneously.
Fine dining
- The Feast: This restaurant provides farm to table excellence in an intimate and beautiful restaurant. The portions are huge and meant to be shared family style, with the menu changing daily.
- Off the Hook: Offering a rotating menu of seafood and other delicious foods, this spot is great for a special occasion.
Casual eating
- Tree House Cafe: Designed like an actual treehouse with a tree growing through the middle, this cafe is perfect for breakfast or brunch.
- Buzzy’s Luncheonette: Look no further than this funky cafe selling Jewish deli style sandwiches with Montreal smoked meats.
Hopefully this list of suggestions gets you started for your weekend on Salt Spring Island. Don’t forget to slow down and embrace the quiet of island time – Salt Spring’s unhurried pace is part of its charm.
