British Columbia, Canada
The Gulf Islands

Click button for more

Pacific Northwest

The Gulf Islands
Gabriola Island
Galiano Island
Hornby Island
Pender Island
Salt Spring Island

Vancouver Island

Queen Charlotte Islands

The Gulf Islands are actually two unique groupings of islands off of the coast of British Columbia. The Southern Gulf Islands, clustered near the base of Vancouver Island, are the most frequently visited of the two and are best known for seven unique islands: Gabriola, Galiano, Mayne, Salt Spring, Saturna and the two Pender Islands. Each is imbued with its own distinct flavor and many are home to flourishing artist communities. With less than 30 inches of rain a year, the southern islands are known for their warm, mild climates and serene vacation settings.

The Northern Gulf Islands, which dot the Strait of Georgia between the Sunshine Coast of the mainland and the eastern shoreline of Vancouver Island, include the islands of Cortes, Denman, Lasqueti, Quadra, and Hornby islands that up until about 10 or 20 years ago, because of their distance from the city of Vancouver, were less known to the curious traveler.

Both groups of islands are popular haunts for activities such as kayaking, bike riding, beachcombing and shopping. The southern islands have gained increasing notoriety in the last few years for their comfortable bed and breakfast retreats. Several Gulf Islands support small cottage vineyards that specialize in organic and regional wines.

The Gulf Islands are part of a larger contingent of approximately 6,000 islands and islets that populate the waters between Washington and Alaska. British Columbia ferries frequent all of the major Southern Gulf Islands and provide limited service to many of the northern communities. Private water taxi service and in some cases, float planes, may also be available from the mainland and Vancouver Island.

Go Northwest! Bookstore 
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!

Moon British Columbia by Andrew Hempstead. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with guidance on whale-watching near Telegraph Cove, hiking the Stanley Glacier Trail, and camping near Mount Robson, Moon British Columbia gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.  Order now...

British Columbia Wine Country by John Schreiner,Author and Kevin Miller, Photographer. Through a blend of color photography and stories of the personalities behind the bottles, the book presents a rare opportunity to meet the remarkable people who have established British Columbia's best wineries and vineyards. Chapters focus on wine regions in the Okanagan Valley, the Lower Mainland, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island, inviting readers to enjoy picturesque landscapes, portraits of leading winemakers and a detailed description of the province's wine industry. Order now...

Frommer's British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies by Bill Rae, Author and Donald Olson, Contributor. This brand-new edition to the Frommer series takes travelers through all the highlights, including all the best eco-adventures: whale watching by kayak, sailing a ketch into the worlds only grizzly bear reserve, and hiking in misty, primordial old-growth forests and along wilderness beaches. Order now...

We appreciate your orders.  They help keep Go Northwest! online.

Northwest Books
from . . . 

Shopping at
Go Northwest!