How to get to Salt Spring Island BC

Salt Spring Island BC - largest of the Southern Gulf Islands on Canada's west coast.
Information about Salt Spring Island, BC including accommodation and business listings


How to get here…

Maps... Salt Spring Island is the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries has scheduled service from Tsawwassen on the mainland to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island. There are also two ferry routes from Vancouver Island. There is also scheduled air service by float plane with service provided Harbour Air and Seair Seaplanes. There is taxi service on the island, and as of January 2008, there has been regularly scheduled bus service. In summer, many people bring bikes over on the ferry. Plan ahead, as much of Salt Spring is rolling hills. From Long Harbour to Ganges would be about 5.5 km and an easy ride. From Vesuvius, it is about 6 km and also an easy ride, but with it being a narrower road for most of the way. From Fulford Harbour, one could take the Fulford-Ganges Road. Those on bikes will notice when they get to Lee's Hill - the only really steep hill along the way. The total distance is about 13 km. There is a slightly shorter route over Steward Road and then either past Cusheon Lake or along Beddis Road.

Traveling on BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour, the trip can be anywhere between an hour and a half for a direct sailing and up to three hours if the ferry stops at Galiano, Mayne and Pender Islands as it does on most sailings. From Long Harbour, it is about a ten minute drive to Ganges.

For access from Duncan or anywhere north of the Malahat Highway head to Crofton for the 20 minute sailing to Vesuvius which runs usually about every hour. From Nanaimo, allow 45 minutes to an hour for a leisurely drive down to Crofton, crossing the 49th parallel on the way at Ladysmith. The 49th parallel forms the border between most of Canada and the USA.

From Victoria, the capital of BC, departure is from Swartz Bay. This is a major ferry terminal handling traffic from Tsawwassen on the mainland as well as to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island and the other Southern Gulf Islands. Visitors coming from the mainland can transfer at Swartz to the Fulford ferry. Sailings from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour are about every hour and a half, with a 35 minute ride. Check the B.C. Ferries web site for information and updated schedules.

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