Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island

The biggest Southern Gulf Island, with a famous Saturday market

How to get there
Welcome to Salt Spring Island

A neighbour's guide to Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring is the largest and busiest of the Southern Gulf Islands, and the one our Mayne neighbours visit most for a big day out. Ganges is the main village. It has the hospital, the high school, grocery stores, galleries and a busy harbour full of boats and floatplanes.

Come on a Saturday from April to October and the market fills Centennial Park with food growers, bakers and makers. Away from Ganges the island is farms, forest and long views. Climb up to Baynes Peak on Mount Maxwell, walk the shoreline at Ruckle Park, or spend a September weekend at the Fall Fair. Three ferry terminals make it easy to reach from almost anywhere.

Salt Spring had 11,635 residents in the 2021 Census, up about 10 per cent from 2016.

Good for

Salt Spring has the biggest market in the islands, a strong arts community, real hiking at Mount Maxwell and Ruckle, lots of farm food, and enough services to make a family trip easy.

  • Markets
  • Arts
  • Hiking
  • Food
  • Family
My island tripTap ♡ on any island to start planning.
Plan the whole trip
Highlights

Where to go on Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Saturday Market

Every Saturday from early April to the end of October in Centennial Park, Ganges. Vendors follow a make it, bake it or grow it rule, and a Tuesday farmers' market runs in the same park in season.

Learn more

Ruckle Provincial Park

A heritage farm and about 7 km of rocky shoreline at Beaver Point, roughly 10 km from Fulford Harbour. More than 15 km of trails, and campsites in a meadow above Swanson Channel.

Learn more

Mount Maxwell and Baynes Peak

One of the highest points on the island, with views over Burgoyne Bay, Vancouver Island and the other Gulf Islands. The gravel summit road is steep and rough, so a high-clearance vehicle helps.

Learn more

Burgoyne Bay Park

A quiet bay on the west side with hiking trails and a car-top kayak launch. Pack out what you bring in, since there are no garbage bins.

Learn more

Salt Spring Fall Fair

A two-day country fair at the Farmers' Institute grounds on Rainbow Road, usually in early September. Expect livestock, exhibits, vendor booths and the zucchini races.

Russell Island

A small island off Fulford Harbour that is part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. It holds the old homestead of a Kanaka (Hawaiian) family who lived there for decades.

Learn more
Ferries and getting there

Getting to Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring has three BC Ferries terminals. Long Harbour, on the east side about 10 minutes from Ganges, connects to Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and to Mayne, Galiano, Pender and Saturna. Fulford Harbour, in the south, connects to Swartz Bay near Victoria. Vesuvius Bay, on the northwest side, connects to Crofton on Vancouver Island, between Victoria and Nanaimo.

From Mayne Island, sail from Village Bay to Long Harbour. Some sailings run straight across and many stop at Pender (Otter Bay) on the way. Long Harbour does not connect to Swartz Bay, so if you are coming from Victoria, use Fulford Harbour instead.

BC Ferries strongly recommends booking ahead for travel between Tsawwassen and Long Harbour, especially with a vehicle. Fulford Harbour and Vesuvius Bay load in order of arrival, so give yourself time in summer. Check bcferries.com or the BC Ferries app before you go, since schedules change by season.

Floatplanes land right in Ganges Harbour. Harbour Air and Seair Seaplanes both fly there from Vancouver, so you can be in the village in well under an hour.

Island-hopping tips

  • From Mayne, take the Village Bay to Long Harbour sailing, and check whether it stops at Pender, since that adds time.
  • Long Harbour has no ferry to Swartz Bay, so plan to leave by Fulford Harbour if you are heading to Victoria.
  • Book ahead for Tsawwassen to Long Harbour with a vehicle, especially on summer weekends and holidays.
  • Long Harbour is about 10 minutes from Ganges, while Fulford and Vesuvius are each a longer drive, so allow time to cross the island.
  • Saturday market days are the busiest time on the island, so expect full parking in Ganges and arrive early.
Live sailings from Mayne BC Ferries schedules
Ferry terminals
⛴ Long HarbourConnects to Vancouver (Tsawwassen), Mayne (Village Bay), Galiano, Pender and Saturna
⛴ Fulford HarbourConnects to Victoria (Swartz Bay)
⛴ Vesuvius BayConnects to Crofton on Vancouver Island
Keep exploring

The other Southern Gulf Islands

See all the islands, the ferry map and the "Which island suits you?" quiz →

Make Mayne part of your trip

Staying on Mayne? Start here

Mayne is a short hop from every Southern Gulf Island. Base yourself here and day-trip, or add a night or two on Mayne to your island-hopping plans.

Things to do on MayneOur local guides to trails, beaches, food and moreLive BC Ferries sailingsNext departures and arrivals at Village BayPlaces to stay on MayneCabins, B&Bs, resorts and rentalsWhere to eat on MayneCafés, restaurants and food trucksWhat's onMarkets, music and events on MayneThe Mayne Island directoryEvery local business and service in one place
Good to know

Salt Spring Island FAQs

How do I get to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver?

Take BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour, which is about 10 minutes from Ganges. Bookings are strongly recommended. You can also fly by floatplane from Vancouver into Ganges Harbour.

How do I get to Salt Spring Island from Victoria?

Drive to Swartz Bay and take the ferry to Fulford Harbour, at the south end of the island. The crossing is short and loads in order of arrival.

Can I get to Salt Spring from Mayne Island?

Yes. Sailings run between Village Bay on Mayne and Long Harbour on Salt Spring, and many stop at Pender on the way. Check the Southern Gulf Islands schedule for the day you want to travel.

When is the Salt Spring Saturday Market?

It runs every Saturday from early April to the end of October in Centennial Park, Ganges. Check the market website for this year's dates and hours.

How many ferry terminals does Salt Spring Island have?

Three. Long Harbour connects to Tsawwassen and the other Southern Gulf Islands, Fulford Harbour connects to Swartz Bay, and Vesuvius Bay connects to Crofton on Vancouver Island.

Can you camp on Salt Spring Island?

Yes. Ruckle Provincial Park has campsites in a meadow overlooking Swanson Channel. Reserve through BC Parks, since summer fills up fast.

Helpful links

Official Salt Spring Island resources

Links go to outside websites. Always check with them for the latest details.