Salt Spring Island in British Columbia is the jewel of the Southern Gulf Islands. It is nestled up against the east side of Vancouver Island. Take a look at the maps of Salt Spring Island to see where it is located. Salt Spring Island is about half way between Nanaimo and Victoria, the capital city of BC. The city of Vancouver on the mainland of BC is to the north.
There are over ten thousand human residents on Salt Spring Island, several thousand sheep and a sizeable deer population. From time to time, a bear is spotted, usually on the south end of the island, and there are also occasional reports of a cougar being seen, sometimes even close to Ganges. It is believed that bears and cougars swim across Sansum Narrows from Vancouver Island. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone, but don't attract them by leaving food or garbage out for them to find! There is far less chance of spotting them on Salt Spring Island than most other places in BC, but keep an eye on children. Don't trip over the deer, though!
Nearby Galiano Island is longer but sparsely populated with only about a thousand permanent residents. Galiano, Mayne and Pender Islands (North & South) are closer to Vancouver and the mainland than Salt Spring Island. Prevost Island is located between Salt Spring and Active Pass, which separates Galiano and Mayne Islands. There are also scores of smaller islands throughout the Southern Gulf Islands. To the south of BC's Gulf Islands are the San Juan Islands in Washington State. They are very similar to the Southern Gulf Islands.
Vancouver Island is bigger than some countries. It lies off the west coast of British Columbia and stretches for some 450 km or so along the coast — about a third the length of the entire province. Victoria, the capital of BC, is at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Duncan, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River, all along the eastern side of Vancouver Island, are the only other sizeable communities on Vancouver Island except for Port Alberni off to the west of Nanaimo. Ucluelet, Tofino and Long Beach are "must visit" places on the west side of Vancouver Island. Bring your surfboard and your wet suit!
Salt Spring Island has long been known as a very special place in BC. For the population, there are a very large number of artists, sculptors and musicians living here. The community got together and raised funds to build Art Spring — a brand new community hall. Many well known musicians, both local and from afar, have performed here already. Even the pubs have a pretty good showing of local talent performing there.
Regularly scheduled bus service commenced on Salt Spring Island on January 7 2008.
To Learn More About Salt Spring Island - Click on the above pictures!
Saltspring Soapworks is one of MY MOST favorite Stores. I shop yearly in Victoria when we go over for John's Hockey tournament. I buy a years worth of soaps and bath balms. I believe you can order on-line and it is so worth it! If you like fancy soaps and pure products I thought you would like to see. Click on the picture to be directed to the web site.
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guesthousehomestay@gmail.com or vjreynolds@shaw.ca
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