Vacation rentals in Salt Spring Island

Located between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island boasts freshwater lakes and secluded beaches perfect for kayaking and swimming. Beddis Beach is a white crushed-shell beach known for its fertile tide pools, while Vesuvius Beach has the warmest waters on the island and plenty of deer, ospreys, herons, and kingfishers to spot. Cusheon Lake and Stowell Lake both have small beaches and calm waters that are suitable for swimming. There are also parks full of natural beauty to explore, including Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, characterized by its stands of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak meadows.

There are several nice seaside villages to visit on Salt Spring Island. The largest is Ganges, where you’ll find many restaurants and pubs, independent shops, and a thriving arts community. To get a sense of the island’s arts scene take the self-guided studio tour, which includes 21 art studios, some offering workshops and demonstrations. Many artists also showcase their work at the popular Saturday Market, which runs from April till October.

Salt Spring Island has a wide range of vacation rentals, including houses and cabins. In spring, expect pleasant days and some rain, and in fall you can enjoy the changing colours of the landscape. Summer sees warm sunny days ideal for enjoying the island’s beaches and hiking trails. From April to October, look out for the weekly Saturday Market, where all products are made, baked, or grown by the vendors. In September, the Apple Festival is a fun event with live music, apple tastings, and even a workshop to create apple-inspired art. Winter is quieter on the island, but equally rewarding for those that love relaxing in a cabin with an open fire while watching the weather pass.

Ruckle Provincial Park

Ruckle Provincial Park offers 15 kilometers of easy hiking trails that take you through forests and along the coast, offering fantastic views. The popular Yeo Point Hike is 4.5-kilometers and leads you along a coastal trail through hemlock and cedar forest before arriving at the beach at Yeo Point. You may see grouse on your journey, and sometimes you can spot orcas out at sea. Look up for majestic bald eagles flying overhead.

Ganges

Spend a few hours wandering around the island’s largest village, with its interesting shops, coffee houses, restaurants, and pubs. There are also dozens of art galleries to explore, mostly run by the local artists and makers. Down by the harbor, witness the impressive sight of sea planes flying in and out and see the fleet of yachts and boats. In the heart of the village, Centennial Park offers a relaxing stroll.

Kayaking

Jump in a kayak and explore as much of the island’s 130 kilometers of shoreline as you can. Paddling out in the water is one of the best ways to spot the local marine life that lives off Salt Spring Island, including seals. You can rent a kayak in Ganges and take a self-guided tour, or there are several organised tours such as a sunset paddle to the beautiful Chocolate Beach, one of the tiny islands scattered around Ganges Harbour.