About this region:

The Gulf Island north of Saltspring create a sheltered inner sea that is invariably several steps more placid than most other locations on the British Columbia coast, even adjacent locations such as the Strait of Georgia. This is thanks in large part to the land bridge of Galiano, Valdes and Gabriola Islands. Together they shelter a rich collection of island clusters where land and water combine for a rare visual and ecological richness. These can be found in places such as Wallace Island and de Courcy islands, where sandstone sculptures, an arbutus ecology and intertidal life create a subtle but rich tapestry of destinations.

Outside that protected basin, the attractions change. Here you get wilder sea conditions and geography, along with wilder waterways to reach them – such as Porlier and Gabriola passes. Once outside, though, treats include Dionisio, a provincial park set on the outskirts of Porlier Pass, and Wakes Cove, a forested retreat on the north tip of Valdes Island. Valdes constitutes the largest of the Gulf Islands without ferry or electrical service, making it a relative enclave from traffic and congestion. It and other locations present a fantastic menu of locations to explore.