The Northern BC Gulf Islands are a little more remote and quiet than their southern partners, and offer boaters peaceful marine parks, beautiful beaches, warm water and a wide variety of wildlife viewing.
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Texada Island
At 32 miles long and six miles wide, Texada is the largest Gulf Island and is separated from the BC Sunshine Coast mainland by Malaspina Strait. A little off the tourist track -- as are most of the Northern Gulf Islands -- Texada offers a quiet retreat, and Anderson Bay Provincial Park on the eastern shore of South Texada provides peaceful anchorages. The park includes a small island and the peninsula, but the head of the bay is private land. There is also a marina at Van Anda, and BC Ferries docks at Blubber Bay. Historically, there is evidence that First Nations people spent time on Texada long before Europeans discovered North America, but there were never permanent settlements on the island because of an ancient belief that the island rose from the sea and will sink again one day.
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Lasqueti Island
This small island lies between Texada and Vancouver islands, and is a popular place for boaters with lots of quiet anchorages, from Squitty Bay Marine Park in the south to Scottie Bay and False Bay in the north. Beautiful beaches and wildlife such as seals, seabirds and oysters are plentiful. A wonderful destination just off the coast of Lasqueti is Jedediah Island Marine Park -- a gorgeous, rugged conservation area with abundant wildlife, old-growth trees and lovely beaches. There are four good anchorages that provide access to Jedediah with trails onshore for exploring this incredible natural area.
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Denman Island
Denman and Hornby islands, two of the most popular Northern BC Gulf Islands, are north of Lasqueti just off the coast of Vancouver Island. The two islands boast the highest number of artists per capita in Canada, and many studios are open to the public. Both sand and pebble beaches dot the Denman shoreline, where crabs, oysters and clams are abundant. Sandy Island Marine Park and Seal Islets off the northwest tip of the island offer partially protected anchorage, while Henry Bay on the northern end of Denman provides the most sheltered overnight anchorage. Sandy Island park, known locally as Tree Island, includes a rare area of sand dunes, diverse wildlife and vegetation, and a variety of birds.
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Hornby Island
Hornby Island, a short boat ride from Denman, has several anchorages -- the most protected all-weather one at Ford Cove on the southwest tip of the island. A marina with a fuel dock and well-stocked store is located there, and a gallery features weekly shows by local artists. The reefs off Ford Cove are well known among scuba divers, as it's one of the only places in the world where elusive six-gill sharks can be easily viewed. Other anchorages include Shingle Spit, where a pub, resort and nature park are located, and popular Tribune Bay (also known as Little Hawaii) with its mile-long beach of fine, white sand and warm water for swimming. Helliwell Provincial Park is also accessible from Tribune Bay, as is the eclectic Co-op General Store and the unique Ringside Market.
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Savary Island
This small island north of Texada and just south of Lund off the Sunshine Coast is known for its white, sandy beaches and warm waters. Only accessible by private boat, Savary is about five miles long, half a mile wide and the shoreline is almost entirely sandy. There is a public wharf on the northeastern side of the island, with temporary anchorage available east of there, or around Mace Point on the south side of Savary. Hiking and biking trails abound, and the Savary Island General Store and Cafe, as well as Riggers restaurant, are near the wharf.
» Click here to book your Northern BC Gulf Islands Yacht Charter.
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