Vacation rentals in Hornby Island

Hornby Island, nestled just off the coast of Vancouver Island, offers a mixture of mountainous terrain, lush rainforests, and spectacular swimming beaches with the warmest waters in Canada. The island boasts eight separate beaches, each with its own unique flavour and offerings, from hiking to casual relaxation. Among the group is the lovely Tribune Bay, which draws visitors with its dramatic cliffs, white sands, and overall tropical-like atmosphere. In similar fashion, Fossil Beach is home to amazing rock landscapes, where seals and fish are easy to come by, while the calm shallow waters of Whaling Station Bay provide a safe place for swimmers of all abilities.

Hornby Island is well known for its thriving arts community: The island claims to have more art studios and artists per capita than anywhere else in the country. Painters, photographers, sculptors, potters, and wood and metal workers create unique pieces that can be purchased at the galleries and studios dotted around the island, such as the Hornby Island Artist Council.

Hornby Island has a range of vacation rentals to enhance your stay year-round. In spring, you can expect mostly pleasant days to take advantage of the incredible wildlife-spotting opportunities when deer and ducks frolic with their young. There are also many trails in Tribune Bay Provincial Park and Helliwell Provincial Park for hiking and mountain biking. In summer, expect warm sunny days, perfect for enjoying the island’s beaches. In July, the Hornby Festival offers an eclectic lineup of concerts, with artists performing traditional, classical, and jazz music. Winter is quieter on the island and more ideal for lounging in a cabin with an open fire while watching the weather pass over the ocean. Hornby Island has a unique microclimate, with warmer temperatures in winter than surrounding areas, but it’s still a good idea to come prepared with a coat.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay has white sands that stretch out for miles at low tide. It’s consistently voted one of the five best beaches in Canada, mostly due to its warm waters, which can reach near-tropical temperatures in summer. Tribune Bay also has a unique shoreline, with eroded hoodoo rock formations and caves formed over the years from the battering of the sea.

Helliwell Provincial Park

Embark on a hike around the picturesque Helliwell Provincial Park, which sits among rocky terrain with blue water directly below. The three-mile Helliwell Provincial Park Loop follows the Helliwell Bluffs and rises above the beach, rewarding you with magnificent views of the coastline, plus the opportunity for spotting the casual boat or winged gull resting atop the crystal-clear waters. The trail then leads into open fields and through majestic old-growth Douglas fir. If you’re visiting in April or May, you’ll be treated to yarrows and woolly sunflowers blooming on the hillside above the beach, giving the area a splash of beautiful colour.

Kayaking Around the Island

Hornby Island is protected by Vancouver Island and the mainland, making it one of the most placid regions in the Georgia Strait. That means you’ll experience excellent kayaking conditions, and, depending on the season, you may pass whales, seals, and sea lions in the water, as well as eagles and other birds flying overhead. Kayaks, paddle boards, and even skim boards are available for rent in Tribune Bay.