Salt Spring Island – 7 Spectacular Facts Every Visitor Should Know!

You cannot picture Salt Spring Island without thinking about a great view, with entertaining holiday music playing in the background, like in Tom and Jerry.

And you would not be too far off from imagining that! Salt Spring Island is one of the best places to get away for the weekend and unwind.

If you’re looking to tune out the white noise of capital city life and have a quiet, exotic weekend near the province of British Columbia, then this is the place that you should plan on exploring.

Salt Spring Island can be found between Vancouver Island and the coast of the province of British Columbia on the western shore of the mainland.

Facts About Salt Spring Island

It is the most visited and the most populated out of all the Southern Gulf Islands, in the Strait of Georgia. Here are all the things that you need to know about the island:

Below listed are 7 fascinating facts that you need to know about Salt Spring Island.

1. Hiking Trails

It is one of the most visited of the Southern Gulf Islands for a reason, and the number of small but great hiking trails that you can take has a great part to play in it.

Hiking is a great way to explore the island because most of it is uninhabited. There are several hiking trails in the parks around the region which include the Ruckle Provincial Park, Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, Mt. Maxwell Provincial Park, Mt. Erskine Provincial Park, and the Channel Ridge Trail Network.

You can also explore the island on wheels, renting a bike, or an e-bike to ride along with the wind.

Photo by karamysh from Shutterstock

You can try climbing to the top of Bruce Peak or Mount Tuam, the two tallest points in the system of islands. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to see the coast of the mainland if it isn’t foggy!

Maxwell Provincial Park is the more centrally located park system and is a great spot for families or groups of friends to enjoy a picnic. Salt Spring Island has a lot of potential for ocean-side camping.

Locals say that Ruckle Provincial Park, located on the southern end of the island is one of the best places to do so.

Salt Spring Island has its website as well, complete with maps to a few hiking trails like the Island’s Pathways, Salt Spring Conservancy Maps, and CRD Parks & Recreation Trails for people to check out the area beforehand, and it is a good idea to come prepared.

2. Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

Salt Spring Island has been recognized as a world-class destination for kayaking. With 7 freshwater lakes within the island, there are all the reasons for you to spend an afternoon pedaling through the waters whilst enjoying the fresh air.

Photo by Max Lindenthaler from Shutterstock

The waters are relatively calm, and there’s a lot of amazing scenery to be enjoyed from the boats. There are paddleboard rentals along the coast that can help you out with it, so you don’t need to worry about anything.

If you want to have a brilliant outdoor experience guaranteed, then you should have a look at the Salt Spring Adventure Company.

These people have it all covered, from kayaking to biking and paddleboarding. If you’re already in the area, then hop down to the Salt Spring Saturday Market and have a word with them about making a memorable experience today!

3. Whale Watching

If you’re someone that loves the peace of a calm sea and watching marine wildlife as well, then you’re in luck. That is because whale watching is one of the special attractions of Salt Spring Island.

The Salt Spring Adventure Company can help you out with whale watching as well! They have a special 12-passenger Zodiac exclusively for people to have a glimpse at the whales in the area.

It is well worth your time and money to invest in a brilliant marine experience scouting the wildlife in the area.

Some of the species that you will come across are the Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Grey Whales, and Fin Whales.

Adding to the benefits, the Adventure Company guarantees a sighting of a whale between the summer months of June to September. If, by some chance you don’t, then they will provide you with a gift card valid for one year, to have another day out with them on the Zodiac.

Photo by Fuel For The Sole from Shutterstock

4. Wildlife Watching and Fishing

The Salish Sea near Salt Spring Island is one of the most popular places to try and land yourself a big one in the area. But that’s not all the wildlife that you can see in the area.

Apart from whales, the other great animals that you can catch sight of are the Dalls’ Porpoise, Harbour Porpoise, White-Sided Dolphins, Sealions, Harbour Seals, and the Bald Eagle.

The Adventure Company stays out a bit longer if you manage to spot a whale on their Marine Wildlife Tour, which normally lasts about two hours.

The tours to the nearby islands usually happen in the morning, because it’s the best time to spot the wildlife around Salt Spring Island.

There’s also a chance that you’ll lay your eyes upon a Great Blue Heron fishing along the shoreline of Salt Spring Island. You can cast a rod yourself, you know.

Companies like Fishes Wish have got you covered when it comes to fishing in and around the Salt Spring Islands. You can catch some cod, halibut, or salmon in the waters. If you’re lucky, you might even catch some prawn or some crab.

Most fishing charters are based out of the Ganges Harbor in Salt Spring Island, and they have all the equipment that you could need on your trip.

5. Art and Culture Outlets

Salt Spring Island has given rise to more artists and famous personalities than you might expect from a population of just over ten thousand.

You can have a look at the works of over a hundred artists at ArtCraft, which is one of the oldest exhibits of art and craft in the province of British Columbia.

It beautifully captures the history of the gulf islands and is also a gift shop for people to purchase souvenirs and memorabilia.

salt spring island
Photo by One zone Studio on Unsplash

There are plenty of workshops on various topics held throughout the year, and each of them has the potential to influence your creative side very, very strongly.

If you have some time to spare, then you should have a look at the Salt Spring Studios. You will require a map to travel through the studio, but if you have a taste for art, then it’s something that you would love to come back to.

There’s a good chance that some artists might even be at the premises to explain how they go about their work. Some demonstrate their skills throughout the day for people to see.

The arts and crafts covered in the studio include glasswork, pottery, woodwork, weaving, baked goods, wine tasting, and jewelry making.

6. Salt Spring Saturday Market

As the name suggests, the Saturday Market is open only on Saturdays from April to the last Saturday of October. This is another one of the little things that make the culture of Salt Spring Island special.

Another cool thing about the market, which is essential in capturing its essence, is that the vendors have to produce what they sell. No imports, no supplies.

There’s free local music for you to enjoy, and you can even tune it up loud in the local bar if you’re in the mood to unwind over hard drinks.

The products in the Saturday Market follow the highest standards and showcase the creativity of about 150 artists from all across the country.

The food at the Saturday Market demands the attention of every foodie in the area, and from across the world. It is simply that good.

From baked goodies to seafood to wine and ice cream, these vendors have it all covered and promise to make your taste buds fall in love with their art.

7. Stuff That You Should Know

  • The Salt Spring Islands have their currency! It is known as the Salt Spring Dollar and was first used in 2001. Denominations produced are $$1, $$2, $$5, $$10, $$20, $$50, and $$100.
  • The islands were formerly known as the Admiral Island since 1859. It was previously lived in by the native Salishan People.
  • The Admiral Islands were renamed the Salt Spring Islands in 1910. This was the first island in the Gulf region to have agricultural settlements.
  • Back in the 19th Century, the islands became a refuge for the African American population of California that had to vacate their homes in California, after the state passed discriminatory laws against the people of color back in 1858.
  • Since then, it has been the first of the gulf islands to be lived in by people who were not part of the First Nations tribe.
  • Settlers were allowed to buy the land through pre-emption. In other words, the settlers who came to the islands were allowed to occupy land and improve it.
  • They were then required to purchase the land at the rate of one dollar per acre after giving proof of the improvements made.

Conclusion

The Salt Spring Islands are one of the best places for a quick getaway from British Columbia, and many settlers came for a quick getaway themselves.

However, they managed to fall in love with the island and never wanted to go back to the mainland ever again. Do check out the other attractions that British Columbia has to offer right here.

Planning A Visit? – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best time to visit Salt Spring Island?

A: The best time to visit Salt Spring Island is during the summer months of June to September when the weather is warm and dry, and the island’s many outdoor activities and festivals are in full swing.

A: Some popular activities on Salt Spring Island include hiking and biking on the many trails, visiting the island’s farmers markets and art galleries, and enjoying the island’s natural hot springs.

3. How can I get to Salt Spring Island?

A: Salt Spring Island can be reached by ferry from Vancouver Island, or by taking a float plane or a helicopter. There is also a scheduled bus service from Victoria, BC.

4. How big is Salt Spring Island?

A: Salt Spring Island is the largest of the Gulf Islands and it has an area of about 57 square miles

Salt spring island experience is the one of best of  west coast  south end.  Salt spring island ganges is the the largest village on the island. The island residents are incredible client. But if you are visiting you should only visit when the art spring or fall fair, you can easily take bc ferries from east side the mainland british columbia.

5. Are there any campgrounds on Salt Spring Island?

A: Yes, there are several campgrounds on Salt Spring Island, including Ruckle Provincial Park and Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, both of which offer beautiful natural settings and a wide range of recreational activities.

6. Are there any restrictions on where I can hike on Salt Spring Island?

A: Some of the trails on Salt Spring Island may be closed during certain times of the year to protect wildlife or for other reasons. It is always best to check with the local visitor center or park office for the most up-to-date information on trail closures and restrictions.

 

 

 

 

Top Attractions In Salt Spring Island
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Last Updated on by Priyanshi Sharma

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