BCeh! / Vancouver Island / Gulf Islands / Salt Spring Island / Top 10 Things To Do

Salt Spring Island, BC being the largest island of the Gulf Islands is a mecca for many activities indoor and outdoor. Some of the best mountain view parks like Maxwell Park and Mount Tuam. The addition of some unique coastal parks like Ruckle Park, it is no doubt that hiking is big on the island. The Salt Spring area is filled people enjoying activities like kayaking, sailing, scuba, fishing, canoeing, beach combing, swimming, hang gliding and wildlife watching.
Refer to Parks and Trails List and/or the Eco-Tourism Tour and Guides Business Listings.

1. Hiking and Walking. It obvious this is an island that believes in participation. Keeping active must be easy here because of the plenty of wandering trails to keep the circulation flowing. From easy walks to sweat filled hill climbing. From ocean front jaunts to wilderness, forested trails under a moonlight shadow. Venture out to Southey Point, St. Mary Lake, Bullock Lake, Cusheon Lake, Mount Maxwell Park and the wilderness views of Ruckle Park.
   
   
2. Ocean kayaking: The Wood Ducks, Mergansers, Murrelets, Sandpipers and Oystercatchers are some of the sea birds patrolling the ocean shores and islands. Paddle in and out of the numerous bays like Booth Bay, Burgoyne Bay, Fulford Harbour and Ganges Harbour to name a few. Head to the points, Scott Point and Southey Point, where the currents will challenge you and you could possibly encounter an Orca or Sea Lion sighting.
   
   
3. Boating: A picturesque island, littered with pristine lakes and beaches with abundant wilderness roaming the seaside shores. Many take the opportunity to set sail in the west coast winds, power up a motor boat, or paddle a canoe to tour the inlets and bays with camera in hand. Remember to load the film too OK! You would hate to miss that special 'Kodak' moment.
   
   
4. Market Shopping: Salt Spring Island dazzles you with it's eclectic shops, outdoor craft markets, kiosks, shops and bistros. The island is known for it's exceptional artistic talents with many resident painters, carvers, and sculptures promoting their wares along the streets. Plenty of original gifts or knickknacks to be found. Salt Spring enjoys it's own currency to heighten the shopping experience. Although some people have been known to take the money home with them as a souvenir rather then spend it. Everything here on Salt Spring Island is charismatic. Go figure!
   
   
5. Ocean Fishing: Load up the boat and get ready to cast a line and have a whale of a time as you fish the coastal waters of Salt Spring Island. Chinook, Pink, Sockeye and Chum Salmon patrol these shores. Have a rod and reel experience while taking in the abundant marine life around you with a big possibility of roaming the seas along with an Orca or Sea Lion.
   
   
6. Lake Fishing: Feeling a little fresh? Come on... get your mind out of the gutter. That might come later. We are talking about taking in some fresh water fishing in one of the lakes of the area. Come and fish St Mary Lake, Cusheon Lake, Stowel Lake, and Weston Lake for Bass and Trout. And then after a romantic seafood cuisine maybe have a little hanky panky.... wink... wink... ; )
   
   
7. Swimming: Many of the lakes are great swimming holes, many of them with picnic areas and lots of parking. Bring your favourite bathing suite, inner tube and air mattress. In your excitement do not forget to pack the family and all your beach toys into the vehicle while driving out to the crystal blue waters of Stowell Lake, St. Mary Lake or Weston Lake.
   
   
8. Wildlife Viewing: It is as if Salt Spring Island is a natural wilderness park. The Otters, Minks, Sea Lions, Porpoise, Killer Whales live in and around the area while the Blue Heron, Sandpipers and other sea birds patrol the shores and skies.
   
   
9. Beach Worshipping. Spend some time on Salt Spring Island and you will soon come to realize the many beach access routes and coastline trails that decorate the shorelines. In total there are 9 designated beach access routes to the wilderness shores looking out into the vast ocean playground. This is not counting the self-discovered routes onto the beach. Exploration is key.
   
   
10. Road Cycling. On the ferry routes over to Salt Spring Island it is not uncommon to have as many bikes as vehicles on the trip during the summer months. Locally Salt Spring is one of the favourite cycling routes around because of the loop roads on the island. The scenic tours along Sunset Drive, Isabella Point Road, Beaver Point Road, Long Harbour Road and Walker Hook Road will not disappoint.