Salt Spring Island - Getting Here and Getting Around
Getting to Salt Spring means enjoying a wonderful a scenic trip either by air or by sea.
Most people arrive with their cars or bikes on a ferry from the mainland or from Vancouver
Island. The trip itself is worth the price of admission – but the destination is like the pot
at the end of the rainbow.
By Sea:
You can drive your car or ride bikes onto a B.C. Ferry vessel from one of three terminals:
Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver on the mainland), Swartz Bay (near Victoria on
Vancouver Island) or Crofton (south of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island). Ferry service to
Salt Spring is extensive. It is the only Gulf Island served by 3 ferry routes.
1. From Tsawwassen there is a direct ferry to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island.
Usually it makes stops at 3 other islands, although in the summer there are several that
are non-stop. It is recommended that you make a reservation on this ferry, especially in
the summer or on a long weekend.
2. More frequent ferry sailings are available throughout the day from Tsawwassen to
Swartz Bay. There you can change to a commuter ferry to Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring
Island that leaves every odd hour until 9 p.m. It is important to buy a "throughfare"
ticket on this route, as it is the same price as taking the Long Harbour ferry and quite a
bit cheaper than buying 2 separate tickets!!
3. If you are arriving from Victoria you take the commuter ferry from Swartz Bay to
Fulford Harbour.
4. If you arrive from elsewhere on Vancouver Island (i.e. Nanaimo, Tofino, Campbell River)
you can take the Crofton ferry to Vesuvius on Salt Spring.
5. The Horseshoe Bay ferry from north of Vancouver takes you to Nanaimo and it is a 40-minute drive to Crofton.
For up-to-date ferry schedules visit BC Ferries or call:1-888-223-3779 or in B.C. call 250-386-3431.
From Washington State there are a few other options to get to Salt Spring.
The Victoria Clipper (1-206-448-5000 in Seattle, 250-382-8100 in Victoria) is a passenger only ferry, which operates from downtown Seattle to the inner harbour of Victoria. It is possible to get to Salt Spring from Victoria with public transportation - but renting a car would be easier.
The Coho Ferry (360-457-4491 in U.S. or 250-386-2202 in Canada) sails to Victoria from Port Angeles.
Washington State Ferries (1-800-843-3779 in Seattle or 250-381-1551 in Sidney) travels from Anacortes and the San Juan Islands dock at Sidney, north of Victoria near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
If you arrive by private boat the 3 marinas are:
Salt Spring Marina 250-537-5242
Ganges Marina 250-537-5810
Fulford Marina 250-653-4467
By Air:
Since there is no land based public airport on Salt Spring, air travel is by float plane (about $70 one way) with a short, scenic flight from downtown Vancouver (Coal Harbour) or the Vancouver International Airport.
Seair Seaplanes 1-800-447-3247 or 604-273-8900
Harbour Air 1-800-0212 or 604-688-1277.
Salt Spring Air can also take you to and from Vancouver, Tofino, the outer Gulf Islands and other destinations as well as for scenic flights 1-250-537-9880
Kenmore Air has flights directly from Seattle. Their summer schedule includes flights to Ganges via Bedwell Harbour to clear customs – cost is about $100 one-way. Call 206-486-1257 or 866-534-9524.
Another Fly/ Drive Option:
Many people arrange to fly into Victoria rather than Vancouver. The Victoria International Airport is situated close to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. You can arrange for a car rental pickup at the airport and drive 10-minutes to the ferry terminal. Just be sure to give yourself sufficient time for transfers.
On Island Transportation:
If you have not brought your transportation with you, once you are on Salt Spring car and scooter rentals are available. There is also a taxi service and a shuttle bus from the ferry.
Car rentals: Marine Drive Car Rentals at 1-250-537-6409 or 1-250-537-9100.
The taxi service: Silver Shadow Taxi at 250-537-3030.
The Ganges Faerie Mini Shuttle will pick you up at a ferry terminal and take you to Ganges or to another terminal. 1-250-537-5305 (home), 250-537-6758 (cell)
The Gulf Islands Water Taxi is another service that can take you as a foot passenger to the other gulf islands. 250-537-2510
Individually we are members of :
Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce
Tourism Association of Vancouver Island
Tourism Victoria
Western Canada Bed & Breakfast
Innkeepers Association (WCBBIA)
And recommended by:
Fodors
Frommers
Best Places to Kiss
Canada Select
(4 to 4.5-Star Luxury ratings)
Taste of Salt Spring, 'bed and breakfast accommodations with style', is a select group of cooperating hosts dedicated to offering unique and relaxing accommodations throughout Salt Spring Island. These landmark properties have joined together to offer visitors unique quality getaways with knowledgeable and friendly hosts ready to share a true taste of Salt Spring as only islanders can."
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