If you’re heading on a weekend getaway or a day trip to Salt Spring Island, you may be surprised how many things there are to do. For a seemingly small island, there’s lots to keep everyone in the family busy and happy. Read on for the top 10 things to do on Salt Spring Island.
Whenever I step foot on one of the Gulf Islands, it feels like a wonderland. They have a distinct feeling that is a welcome escape from city life. Between the Garry oaks and the Arbutus trees, the rocky coastlines and the ferns, I can’t get enough of it.
Salt Spring Island is the largest and most populated of the Southern Gulf Islands. This means there are plenty of things to do on Salt Spring Island! It may feel small when driving, but there’s more than enough to entertain you for a long weekend getaway to this unique island.
I’ve been to Salt Spring Island a few times on camping trips, and I always run out of time to do everything I want to do. So come prepared to have a lot of fun!
Here are 10 of the best things to do on Salt Spring Island.
Visit Ruckle Provincial Park
This is by far my favourite campsite in the Vancouver, Victoria area. Waking up oceanside, with the grass blowing in the wind and the peacefulness of sleeping on the coast, just can’t be beaten. Read my full guide on camping at Ruckle Provincial Park for more info!
Even if you’re not camping, it’s worth stopping by. There’s a day use area where you can have a picnic or enjoy a walk by the ocean. Many scuba divers also like to stop by!
The land is also home to a heritage farm. You can stop by and say hello to the animals and enjoy the ambience of the farmland. Just make sure to respect the active farm portion of the park.
Rent a Kayak
Kayaking in the Gulf Islands is one of the best ways to enjoy the water and scenery. You can spot starfish, jellyfish, and seals (I’ve seen them all!) and glide along the coast.
It’s easy to rent kayaks right in town. I rented mine from Salt Spring Adventure Co. for a couple of hours. You can also sign up for kayak tours from other providers like Kayak Salt Spring.
Walk Around Ganges
Ganges is the main town on Salt Spring Island. It’s quite close to Long Harbour if you’re getting off the ferry from Vancouver and about a fifteen-minute drive from Fulford Harbour if you’re coming from Victoria.
Ganges is cute and quaint, with quite a few nice shops, coffee stops, and restaurants. So it’s definitely worth stopping by for a couple of hours, even if it’s just to do some window shopping.
Saturday Farmer’s Market
Also in Ganges, you have to go to the farmer’s market in Centennial Park. It’s the island’s big event of the week, where all the vendors come down along the harbour to sell their wares.
You’ll find fresh produce, honey, wine, cider, flowers, soaps, candles, jewellery, clothes, leather, woodwork, and many more artisanal goods. There’s also food to fill your stomach!
If you’re not around for the Saturday market, there’s also a Tuesday market that’s food only.
Go Swimming
I will admit swimming in the Canadian waters of the Pacific is not for the faint of heart. I would only suggest swimming on hot summer days or if you have a warm bath to return home to. But it’s so beautiful and refreshing when you do go swimming!
There are many Salt Spring Island beaches for swimming, and I’m sure the locals know the best ones. Churchill Beach is a great spot close to Ganges, that’s still pretty secluded and sheltered. Beddis Beach is another good one!
Salt Spring Island Cheese
Salt Spring Island Cheese is a spot I have never been to, as I always seem to run out of time when I visit Salt Spring Island. But! I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the cheese here. The cheese is made right on the farm, and you can watch it being produced if you visit.
There are also lots of goats you can say hello to, which provide the milk used to make the cheese. So whether you love cheese or animals, you’ll enjoy this stop.
Stop at a Farm Stand
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, plenty of farm stands will be along the road. Many locals will grow veggies, fruits, and flowers and sell farm-fresh eggs at their stands.
You don’t have to go far to find a stand. You’ll probably encounter some along the way to some of these other Salt Spring Island activities! Just make sure to have cash on hand to put in their money boxes.
I purchased some garlic and raspberries at a stand. The raspberries were sweeter than anything I could ever get at the grocery store.
Go to a Wine Tasting
On the island, there are three different wineries. So you could do a whole wine tour if you’d like!
I personally stopped by Kutatas Winery, which I believe is the newest one on the island. But it doesn’t disappoint! For $12, you can sample 5 of their wines on the patio overlooking the vineyards.
The other wineries are Garry Oaks Estate Winery and Salt Spring Vineyard. If you stop by and try them, let me know how they are in the comments below!
Stop by a Cidery
Personally, sipping a cider flight is more my kind of speed. I’ve been to Salt Spring Wild Cider House a couple of times, and the ambience is always lovely. You can enjoy cider and food along the picnic tables overlooking the orchard or the restaurant portion with table service.
For the tasting flights, I would recommend the traditional flight over the modern one.
There is also Ciderworks, another cidery on the island. I haven’t been, but I hope to go one day.
Hike at Mount Maxwell
Another provincial park on the island is Mount Maxwell. While you can’t camp at this park, it’s a worthwhile stop on a day trip for some forest vibes.
The summit of Mount Maxwell is the big draw. Several trails will take you to the peak based on your abilities and the workout you want, ranging from 10.1 KM to 2.3 KM.
At the end, you’ll find the most beautiful viewpoint of the island, the Pacific ocean, and the surrounding Gulf Islands.
And those are my recommendations for things to do on Salt Spring Island! Have you been before? Let me know in the comments your favourite thing to do on the island.
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