Category: Gulf Islands

Snug Cafe Bowen Island

A brief trip to Bowen Island found me in a ferry line up at breakfast time waiting to head back to the mainland. The BC Ferry comes into Snug Harbour Bowen Island and on the Bowen Island Trunk Road, there are establishments meant to service those hanging around for a ferry back to Vancouver. (Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver to be precise.) Bowen Island is odd in that, once you’re there, you feel very far away from Vancouver. However, an 8:35 AM ferry allowed me to be at my desk at 9:30 in downtown Vancouver. But, I had time to kill […]

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BC Ferries

BC Ferries is a crown corporation that is charge of running the ferry system in British Columbia. Many British Columbians are not sure why. In the same way Torontonians complain about the 401, BC residents love to complain about the ferries. This may be because of continuous fare increases and schedule reductions. For example, a car and drive pays $67 one-way from Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay and in 2008 it was $56. (Source www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/fares/archive.html) Despite the cost, any of these ferry rides is a beautiful scenic trip. Most visitors to BC are likely to use either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay, […]

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Top 5 Things To Do On Texada Island

In my opinion, the Top Five things to do on Texada Island are: Walking old growth forest trailsThe Dr. Kay Garner Nature Trail along the forested shoreline of Shelter Point Regional Park offers some spectacular examples of BC coastal forest. The trail begins at the intersection of Gillies Bay Rd. and Shelter Point Rd. Hiking and camping Shelter Point Regional Campground. Ocean front and rich forested camp sites, food concession, showers and there are no land predators to eat you. This is a spectacular public spot for watching sunsets. The park entrance is at the intersection of Gillies Bay Rd. […]

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Bowen Island’s Artisan Square

Bowen Island is a contradiction.  It’s a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay but feels like miles and miles from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver.  In fact I suspect for most people, just getting to Horseshoe Bay makes up the bulk of the travel time. The island is about 6 km wide and 12 km long taking up about 49.94 sq. km.  Like the nearby Horseshoe Bay, which oddly is part of West Vancouver, it’s mountainous and lush.  There are about 3500 permanent residents.  There are both coniferous and deciduous trees on the island and when my family was […]

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Nanaimo, Duncan and Saltspring Island Eateries

Here are the Nanaimo, Duncan and Saltspring Island eateries I always go to and wouldn’t hesitate recommending: 1. Aladdin’s Caf

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Malcolm Island Activities

What a beautiful summer it has been so far. Since the end of May I believe it has only rained for 4 days. I love staying here. Whether in the upper or lower suite, the views are incredible from our private deck. At times the sunsets light up the sky till almost 10:30 at night.   They provide kayaks here which you can launch right off the beach in front of the lodge. As soon as you leave the deck you are on the beach and can walk for miles.   There are a couple of beautiful hiking trails. The Mateoja […]

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