Salt Spring Island, BC

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Salt Spring Island is the largest of the southern Gulf Islands in the waters off the coast of BC. There are about 10,000 permanent residents and many visitors throughout the summer months. For boaters, it offers sheltered covers to anchor in and some of the nicest cruising to be found anywhere. Salt Spring Island is close to Vancouver Island and about half way between Nanaimo and Victoria. There are ferry links from Tsawwassen near Vancouver to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island as well from Vancouver Island's Crofton to Vesuvius and from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour. Vesuvius is on the west side of Salt Spring Island and looks directly across to Vancouver Island. Swartz Bay is the ferry link from Tsawwassen to Victoria and has routes to the other Southern Gulf Islands as well as to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island.

Ganges is the main town on Salt Spring Island and located just north of centre of the island. The government dock is at Centennial Wharf. There are other government docks at Fernwood, Vesuvius and Fulford Harbour. Vesuvius is on the west side of Salt Spring Island. The northern end of Salt Spring Island is rolling terrain with scattered houses and subdivisions. St. Mary's Lake is the largest lake on Salt Spring Island and it is located in this area. South of Ganges, the land rises up. Mt. Erskine, Maxwell Peak (Baynes Peak), Bruce Peak (the highest point on Salt Spring Island), and Mount Tuam run down the south-western side of the island. South of Fulford, the terrain is rolling and not as high as the mountains off to the northwest. Fulford Harbour is on the southern end of Salt Spring Island. See the map pages to see where Salt Spring Island is located.