Things to do in Southern Gulf Islands
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Barb’s Buns
Heaping pizza slices, hearty soups and bulging sandwiches draw the Ganges lunch crowd here, many of them grateful vegetarians.
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Raven Street Market Café
On the north part of the island, this neighborhood nook serves gourmet pizzas and an awesome seafood-and-sausage gumbo.
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Mt Maxwell Provincial Park
Mt Maxwell Provincial Park offers accessible and quite captivating vistas. The dirt road is steep, so a 4WD is recommended if you're driving. The 588m Baynes Peak climbs far above sea level here, making the Strait of Georgia seem like a bathtub dotted with tiny, green islands. It's a great spot to watch a panoramic sunset.
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Oystercatcher Seafood Bar & Grill
The waterfront views from the two patios here are smashing but the dining at this casual, local favorite is what it's all about. Fresh, regionally caught seafood is the specialty, with delectable oysters and wild salmon particularly popular. It also serves lamb and steak dishes (and beer) for those who are not fish fans.
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Moby's Marine Pub
Located on the rocky shore, Moby's is up there among Salt Spring's most popular eateries, mainly due to its lively atmosphere, excellent harbor views and good, honest food. The menu features the usual pub grub with seafood cameos. On Sunday, come for brunch in the morning or live jazz in the evening.
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Saturday Market
If you arrive on a summer weekend, the best way to dive into the community is at the thriving Saturday Market, where you can tuck into luscious island-grown fruit and piquant cheeses and peruse locally produced arts and crafts.
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Ruckle Provincial Park
Pack up your picnic and head over to Ruckle Provincial Park, a southeast gem with ragged shorelines, arbutus forests and sun-kissed farmlands. There are trails here for all skill levels, with Yeo Point making an ideal pit stop.
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Gulf Island Kayaking
The protected waters of Trincomali Channel and the more chaotic waters of Active Pass satisfy paddlers of all skill levels. Gulf Island Kayaking can help with rentals and guided tours.
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Salt Spring Vineyards
Pick a favorite cheese then add to your picnic-in-the-making with a bottle from Salt Spring Vineyards, where you can sample a few tipples to find the one you like best – the rich blackberry port is dangerously tasty.
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Salt Spring Island Cheese
At Salt Spring Island Cheese, you can take a self-guided tour of the facilities – be sure to check out the miniature ponies – then sample up to 10 curdy treats in the winery-style tasting room.
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Blue Horse Folk Art Gallery
The rustic Blue Horse Folk Art Gallery is complete with some funky carvings of horses. The friendly owners recently opened an on-site B&B (d $150).
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Galiano Bicycle
If you’re without a car or you just want to stretch your legs, you can explore the island with a bike from Galiano Bicycle.
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Tree House Café
This magical outdoor spot in Ganges, in the shade of a large plum tree, serves comfort pastas, Mexican specialties and gourmet burgers.
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Daystar Market Café
A 3km drive from the Sturdies Bay ferry dock, this funky locals’ hangout serves hearty salads, thick sandwiches and fruit smoothies.
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Restaurant House Piccolo
White-tablecloth dining – the duck is recommended – along with Salt Spring’s best wine list make this a longtime Ganges favorite.
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La Berengerie
This charming wooded restaurant near Montague Harbour fuses rustic French bistro approaches with whatever is available locally.
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Hummingbird Pub
Sup ale with the locals on the patio here or try the bar-grub menu for sustenance. It’s 2km from Sturdies Bay.
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Salt Spring Adventure Co
It’s not all about hedonism on Salt Spring. If you crave some activity, touch base with Salt Spring Adventure Co. It can kit you out for a bobbling kayak tour around Ganges Harbour.
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