SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 29, 2013 22:17:18 GMT -8
So I might be in the Southern Gulf Islands for a week this summer.
Here are a few questions:
- To go to another Island from saltspring, do you always have to go through SWB or does Route 9 takes inter island cars?
- What are the most interresting islands? What is there to do on there?
- To get to Tsawwassen from the islands in the summer, would it be more wise to take route 9 or a throughfare on routes 5 and 1 (probably on a Sunday morning)?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2013 22:26:12 GMT -8
So I might be in the Southern Gulf Islands for a week this summer. Here are a few questions: - To go to another Island from saltspring, do you always have to go through SWB or does Route 9 takes inter island cars? - What are the most interresting islands? What is there to do on there? - To get to Tsawwassen from the islands in the summer, would it be more wise to take route 9 or a throughfare on routes 5 and 1 (probably on a Sunday morning)? I would take route 9 because that how we usually go to Gulf Island many years ago. Go to Galiano Island and go to Bellhouse Provincial Park there is lovely view of active pass. I want to go to Southern Gulf Island when have never been to San Jaun Islands. Where would you go to San Jaun Islands or the Southern Gulf Islands? |
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 29, 2013 22:38:03 GMT -8
So I might be in the Southern Gulf Islands for a week this summer. Here are a few questions: - To go to another Island from saltspring, do you always have to go through SWB or does Route 9 takes inter island cars? - What are the most interresting islands? What is there to do on there? - To get to Tsawwassen from the islands in the summer, would it be more wise to take route 9 or a throughfare on routes 5 and 1 (probably on a Sunday morning)? I would take route 9 because that how we usually go to Gulf Island many years ago. Go to Galiano Island and go to Bellhouse Provincial Park there is lovely view of active pass. I want to go to Southern Gulf Island when have never been to San Jaun Islands. Where would you go to San Jaun Islands or the Southern Gulf Islands? I guess in the San Juans I would go to Orcas - mount Consitution and Moran State Park are just plain awesome, as is Obstruction Pass State Park. Lopez is also really relaxing and I would recommend bringing a bike for that one. Spencer spit is quite massive, and good beaches are also @ Watmough Bay and Odlin County Park. For a more "bluff" kind of thing Shark Reef County park and Iceberg point are your destinations. I've never been to either San Juan or Shaw but I head that the County Park @ Shaw and the San Juan Nat'l Historical Park on san juan are also good destinations. There is also the San Juan County Park (aka whale watch park) on the west coast of San Juan that seems to be good. For the Southern Gulf Islands I plan on at least Visiting Galiano and Salt Spring, but I don't know what there is interesting to see @ Mayne, Pender or Saturna so I would Need help for that. What about Kuper and Thetis Islands? |
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 29, 2013 22:55:34 GMT -8
So I might be in the Southern Gulf Islands for a week this summer. Here are a few questions: - To go to another Island from saltspring, do you always have to go through SWB or does Route 9 takes inter island cars? - What are the most interresting islands? What is there to do on there? - To get to Tsawwassen from the islands in the summer, would it be more wise to take route 9 or a throughfare on routes 5 and 1 (probably on a Sunday morning)? Question 1- Route 9 does take inter-island traffic, provided that it is sailing to the island you're headed for when you arrive at the terminal. However, the times that the Nanaimo sails from Salt Spring Island to the other Islands aren't exactly convenient. She departs first thing in the morning as well as early to mid afternoon from Salt Spring. The Bowen Queen sails to Mayne/Galiano on certain days of the week also, but only in the mid afternoon.. If you wish to travel outside of those times, your best bet is to travel via Swartz which can be quite tricky as well since Route 4 doesn't exactly line up too well with Route 5 in most cases. Question 2- Pender is the second biggest Gulf Island, and it would have a fair bit to see from what I gather. Especially since Pender is actually two Islands, North and South Pender which are linked by a small bridge. Mayne and Saturna are probably the quietest Islands to see, but are interesting in their own ways. I've never been to Saturna though, and sailings to Saturna are quite awkward as well. Galiano is pretty nice, however most of the population is focused on the South end. It all depends how long you're around and how much you want to see. There really isn't alot to see overall, however you could spend a fair chunk of your time waiting for ferries/traveling on the Ferries if you try to see all of the Islands. Question 3- I would say Route 9 is the better option for getting to Tsawwassen. Transfering at Swartz Bay is a royal pain, and your connection isn't guaranteed despite the purchase of a thru-fare ahead of time. You need to allow for about a 15 minute turnaround at Swartz to leave the terminal and re-enter through the ticket booth, since you have to drive down the highway to the nearest exit to get turned around. If you happen to be looking at a sailing with the Queen of Cumberland taking you to Swartz to connect with Route 1 with not alot of time to spare at Swartz, you could be hooped if they end up having to deploy their platform decks. This consumes alot of time, and the ship is always chronically late when this occurs and she doesn't have the speed to catch up most of the time. I was burned by this once coming back from a group camping trip on Mayne Island in 2007. I had a Reservation on Route 1, and the Cumberland was running late since the ramps were being used when we arrived at Pender. I missed my Reservation by a matter of two minutes, and there was a 2 sailing wait at the time. Coastal Skier was there to witness my episode of swearing that made an episode of the Trailer Park Boys look like a kids show. He took off on foot to catch the Ferry and left me behind in the lineup while I sat and watched two Ferries come and go before I could board. So, if at all possible, I recommend sticking with Route 9 as much as possible. Not that I'm biased or anything  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2013 23:06:56 GMT -8
So, if at all possible, I recommend sticking with Route 9 as much as possible. Not that I'm biased or anything I agree. In addition, you can't make reservations on route 5. One more reason to stick to route 9 as reservations are free. |
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 29, 2013 23:22:39 GMT -8
So, if at all possible, I recommend sticking with Route 9 as much as possible. Not that I'm biased or anything I agree. In addition, you can't make reservations on route 5. One more reason to stick to route 9 as reservations are free. That's right...BCFS has reservations avaliable! That should make my life much easier while preparing the trip! Tend to stick with my WSF mind of first come first serve. As for the Islands, we will probably visit 3 or 4 of them. Salt Spring, Galiano and either Pender or Mayne since getting to Saturna seems to be pretty tricky. My guess is that the Gulf Island NP has campings on most of the Islands, but I could be wrong on that though. |
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 30, 2013 9:32:10 GMT -8
Camping in the southern Gulf Islands: Gulf Islands National Park has car accessible campsites only at two places that I am aware of. These are Macdonald Park near Sidney on Vancouver Island and Prior Centennial on Pender. Both of these used to be BC Provincial parks before being incorporated into the new national park. I have camped in both and they are okay, but I would recommend that you try to camp elsewhere. My recommendations are Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring, and Montegue Harbour Provincial Park on Galiano. Ruckle Park has very good ferry viewing & hiking also. Campsites are not reservable and the majority are 'walk-in' meaning you need to have a tent & other 'portable' gear and have to walk a short distance from where you park your car. The place is very popular in mid summer so you need to arrive early to get a site. I camped there in March (spring break 2005) an it was nice, though a little chilly overnight! Montegue Harbour Park on Galiano is in my opinion one of the best small provincial parks in all of BC. It has a small number of reservable campsites and is located not too far away from some of the best ferry viewing sites on Galiano. The park has some hiking & beach activities, and Galiano, in general, is a fine place to spend several days, one of which could be a day trip to neighbouring Mayne Island which has ferry viewing opportunities as good as those on Galiano. Ferries to take: I would not disagree entirely with what is written above about route 9 and the Queen of Nanaimo. The Nanaimo is now a survivor of a class of BC Ferries that are fast disappearing. I mean of course the Seven Sisters (aka the V & B class vessels). You really should be aboard her for at least one leg of your trip. You will no doubt at some point also see the Queen of New Westminster sail on by, another surviving member of the 'Seven Sisters', which was 'lifted' in 1991 with an upper car deck being added. You really should also try to make at least one trip aboard either the Mayne or Bowen queens (almost identical sisters). They are of about the same vintage as the Seven Sisters and also won't be around that much longer. If you made a day trip from Galiano to Mayne it is probable that the Mayne Queen would take you on at least in one direction. It would also be kind of fun I think to do a summer Bowen Queen run across Georgia Strait to Tsawwassen. That is something that I have yet to do. You might also manage to get one 'leg' of your trip aboard the Queen of Cumberland, an example of a more modern intermediate ferry in BC's fleet. The Q-Cumber, as she is sometimes known, should be around for many years to come, though. BC's Gulf Islands & Washington State's San Juan Islands: I have over the years looked many times at maps of these islands and have decided that they really are one island archipelago (e.g. group of islands). It is only this little matter of an international border that leads us to call them by different names. As these islands are all within the Salish Sea, I believe that it would make some sense to rechristen them collectively as the "Salish Islands". Just my 2 cents worth...
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Post by Mike C on Jan 30, 2013 12:26:30 GMT -8
Galiano is probably the best island to go to for ferry-spotting, with some fantastic views of Active Pass, plus some history with the former terminal, now a provincial park, that is Montague Harbour. Saltspring is a good place to spend the night, notably Ruckle Park, where you can watch the ferries sail by from your campsite. Just be ready to arrive early, due to popularity. As Jim mentioned, reservations are not available, except in instances of group sites. Mayne has some good ferry watching points as well, and a great village. It's also, in my opinion, the easiest to get around. Pender and Saturna are both spectacular and you should plan on visiting one of those if you can. If you like, last year I wrote the WCF GuideBook, perhaps you will find this tool useful in planning your trip: www.westcoastferries.ca/forum/GuideBook.pdfMy favourite method of transportation in the Southern Gulf Islands is by cycling. The islands are very bicycle-friendly, so long as you don't mind a few rolling hills.  I find that about 4-5 hours is plenty of time to do a loop around any island (the exception to that being Saltspring, in which a solid couple of days is needed to check out everything). Cycling is also considerably cheaper than vehicle travel: one way with a vehicle + driver is $72, as opposed to bicycle which is $20. |
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 30, 2013 12:57:35 GMT -8
Saltspring is a good place to spend the night, notably Ruckle Park, where you can watch the ferries sail by from your campsite. Just be ready to reserve in early-May. The only thing that is reservable at Ruckle are group campsites which are available only to 'groups'. Check the Ruckle Park link in my post above. |
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Post by Mike C on Jan 30, 2013 13:10:36 GMT -8
Saltspring is a good place to spend the night, notably Ruckle Park, where you can watch the ferries sail by from your campsite. Just be ready to reserve in early-May. The only thing that is reservable at Ruckle are group campsites which are available only to 'groups'. Check the Ruckle Park link in my post above. My mistake! I had thought it was reservable. My post will be edited accordingly. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2013 13:42:07 GMT -8
My favourite method of transportation in the Southern Gulf Islands is by cycling. The islands are very bicycle-friendly, so long as you don't mind a few rolling hills. I find that about 4-5 hours is plenty of time to do a loop around any island (the exception to that being Saltspring, in which a solid couple of days is needed to check out everything). Cycling is also considerably cheaper than vehicle travel: one way with a vehicle + driver is $72, as opposed to bicycle which is $20. I agree with Mr. Photo here. You can get a good workout cycling on Galiano but you'll probably be there to be a tourist, not for a workout , lol. If you travel to a Gulf Island by ferry with your bicycle, arrive early for your sailing. Since cycling is a popular way to get around on the Islands, I wouldn't be surprised if they have to turn away some cyclists, because too many bikes takes up too much space on the car deck. |
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jan 30, 2013 14:12:04 GMT -8
If you travel to a Gulf Island by ferry with your bicycle, arrive early for your sailing. Since cycling is a popular way to get around on the Islands, I wouldn't be surprised if they have to turn away some cyclists, because too many bikes takes up too much space on the car deck. To my knowledge this has never happened. There is ALWAYS room for another bike. They DO like to load cyclists before vehicles typically, so it does pay to be somewhat early, but not because of lack of space. I will give another plug for Montague Harbour. It is one of the best provincial parks, IMO. Galiano Island is my favourite of the gulf islands, and it's really quite pretty. I would recommend a campsite reservation though, especially if you are going on a weekend, as there is no other designated camping on the island. I assume you are planning on traveling with your family. What is your method of camping? Do you have a trailer/RV or are you tenting? Most of Ruckle Park is walk in accessible (tenting only) but there is a very limited number of small vehicle accessible spots. None of them are reservable, however. There are several other privately run campgrounds on Saltspring Island, but I'm not familiar enough to know names. Don't know if it's been linked above, but Discover Camping is the BC Parks reservation website. It is generally quite easy to use, and will allow you to pick a particular campsite if you would prefer. There are even pictures of each individual campsite for some parks. As far as traveling between the islands, it can be time consuming. Generally you'll want to show up at the terminal 20-30 minutes (can vary significantly based on expected loads) before sailing time, the trip will be anywhere from 40 min to 2 hours depending on the routing, and there aren't a lot of connecting sailings. I wouldn't recommend visiting more than one island in a day. For example, as WCK mentioned above, staying a few nights on Galiano and taking a day trip over to Mayne might be a nice day. I wouldn't suggest trying to squeeze Pender in as well. |
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 30, 2013 14:25:17 GMT -8
There's always room for bicycles. In most cases, sometimes the car deck is loaded up to where the bikes are normally parked and the remainaing cyclists are then boarded before any remaining vehicles are brought on, which are vehicles usually on standby (no reservation). However, if you have an expensive bike, and do not appreciate potentially having dozens of other bikes piled up against it, I don't recommend bringing a bike. Alot of cyclists tend to come on with the expectation of all sorts of bicycle racks that a convenient and easy to place your bike in. In fact, this tends not be the case alot of the time in the summer with bikes being crammed into one area. I've seen around 60-80 bikes get parked at the bow on the Cardeck of the Queen of Nanaimo in the heat of the summer. With them leaning against the bulkhead and packed in nice and tightly, they can consume usually at least one lane width, and about four or five car lengths worth of space.
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Post by Mike C on Jan 30, 2013 15:03:59 GMT -8
If you travel to a Gulf Island by ferry with your bicycle, arrive early for your sailing. Since cycling is a popular way to get around on the Islands, I wouldn't be surprised if they have to turn away some cyclists, because too many bikes takes up too much space on the car deck. To my knowledge this has never happened. There is ALWAYS room for another bike. They DO like to load cyclists before vehicles typically, so it does pay to be somewhat early, but not because of lack of space. I can only think of one occasion where I was turned down (with Jordan) on my bike, at Sturdies Bay heading to Tsawwassen, when the Queen of Tsawwassen was operating on Route 9 on the last day of the May Long Weekend. It was a rather extreme circumstance, and they were turning down foot passengers also. Although I believe theoretically there must be a limit, I am not aware of any bicycle capacity restrictions. |
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Post by Barnacle on Jan 30, 2013 15:49:23 GMT -8
To my knowledge this has never happened. There is ALWAYS room for another bike. They DO like to load cyclists before vehicles typically, so it does pay to be somewhat early, but not because of lack of space. I can only think of one occasion where I was turned down (with Jordan) on my bike, at Sturdies Bay heading to Tsawwassen, when the Queen of Tsawwassen was operating on Route 9 on the last day of the May Long Weekend. It was a rather extreme circumstance, and they were turning down foot passengers also. Although I believe theoretically there must be a limit, I am not aware of any bicycle capacity restrictions. From what you were saying, I suspect your bicycle would've been welcome to travel; it was YOU that was the problem. Bicyclists are just foot passengers with really weirdly-shaped luggage.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2013 16:26:07 GMT -8
Will is the best place to go during the summer months the San Juan Islands or Southern Gulf Islands? Not any Islands in the chain, but, what chain of Islands is better.
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 30, 2013 18:32:14 GMT -8
Ok, so: -Thanks everyone for the advice, it will be greatly needed in planning this trip!  -I do also think that the island should be renamed Salish Islands or something that would include all of them -What about Thetis and Kuper? -I have a bike, so does my family and also have a Bike rack four our car. Personally, I don't mind the hills as biking is my main transportation way when not with a (expensive) camera. Just for the little story, I bought my actual bike 2 years ago and it already has done 1,500 km with me! -Re: WCFF guidebook: I did have a look at this and I guess that printing it out will be more efficient than reading this online. Thanks to all the Voyagers and MP for doing that! -So here should be an approximate trip intinary for what I plan: Day 8 (Continuing from Sunshine Coast): Arrive salt spring in the late afternnon via Vesuvius Day 9: Salt Spring Day 10: Salt Spring and in late afternoon sailing on the Bowen (if possible) to Mayne Day 11: Mayne Island Day 12: Early morning ferry to Pender (Mayne/Qcumber) - Pender in afternoon Day 13: Pender Day 14: Early morning to Galiano (Mayne/Qcumber, which ever one I did not take on the other one) - Galiano in afternoon Day 15: Galiano Day 16: Galiano Day 17: Nanny to Tsawwassen and drive home (including a stop for the Whatcom chief ) Again, a big thank you! |
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Post by Mayne on Jan 30, 2013 21:32:21 GMT -8
Ok, so: -Thanks everyone for the advice, it will be greatly needed in planning this trip! -I do also think that the island should be renamed Salish Islands or something that would include all of them -What about Thetis and Kuper? -I have a bike, so does my family and also have a Bike rack four our car. Personally, I don't mind the hills as biking is my main transportation way when not with a (expensive) camera. Just for the little story, I bought my actual bike 2 years ago and it already has done 1,500 km with me! -Re: WCFF guidebook: I did have a look at this and I guess that printing it out will be more efficient than reading this online. Thanks to all the Voyagers and MP for doing that! -So here should be an approximate trip intinary for what I plan: Day 8 (Continuing from Sunshine Coast): Arrive salt spring in the late afternnon via Vesuvius Day 9: Salt Spring Day 10: Salt Spring and in late afternoon sailing on the Bowen (if possible) to Mayne Day 11: Mayne Island Day 12: Early morning ferry to Pender (Mayne/Qcumber) - Pender in afternoon Day 13: Pender Day 14: Early morning to Galiano (Mayne/Qcumber, which ever one I did not take on the other one) - Galiano in afternoon Day 15: Galiano Day 16: Galiano Day 17: Nanny to Tsawwassen and drive home (including a stop for the Whatcom chief ) Again, a big thank you! I think most of your questions around the travel portion have been covered. As for places to stay there is only once camp site on Mayne that I would recommend, it is Mayne Island Eco-camping and Tours found here If renting a cabin would be something you are interested in then The spring water lodge would be something you would want to look in too. (It is much nicer now since the renos they did on the cabins last year) They are located right on Active pass. Other wise anything almost anything on the Mayne island accommodations page found here |
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 30, 2013 22:39:38 GMT -8
Great found for the Eco-Camping! Seems like a great place to stay at, especially because it is right in front of active pass! Thanks!
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 30, 2013 22:42:21 GMT -8
So just a few more questions:
What are good ferry spots and things to do on Pender, because most of the info here was centered towards Galiano and Salt Spring?
Is Drummond Park on Salt Spring (in Fulford Harbor) a sweet spot for some Skeena watching?
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 30, 2013 22:50:23 GMT -8
So just a few more questions: What are good ferry spots and things to do on Pender, because most of the info here was centered towards Galiano and Salt Spring? I have only been on Pender once, 1995. I don't recall it being all that interesting compared to the other islands, and there is not a lot of good ferry watching sites that I am aware of. I do not know the Penders all that well though so others may have good info that says a visit there might be worthwhile. But going on what I know I would probably give it a pass. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2013 14:53:16 GMT -8
1) I'm thinking for the summer to go to Friday Harbour and other San Jaun Islands (Day trip). What Islands would you recommend to go to for a day trip? What else can you do on San Juan Island?
2) Or another plan of mine is to go to Galiano Island and a day to trip Mayne Island and another day trip to Saturna Island. What are good parks to go to on Galiono Island? What are good parks to go to on Mayne Island? Is Saturna Island even worth a day trip could we make with the day trip and go Pender Island? What are good parks to go to on Saturna Island?
3) What would be nice to go too?
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SolDuc
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Post by SolDuc on Jan 31, 2013 16:02:45 GMT -8
1) I'm thinking for the summer to go to Friday Harbour and other San Jaun Islands (Day trip). What Islands would you recommend to go to for a day trip? What else can you do on San Juan Island? San Juan island and the other ferry-accessed islands have many, many things to do. If you wanna see the essential, then I would advice staying there five days and making on of the Islands you base, given the low II fare (if you're camping, Spencer Spit or Moran are really nice) I would spend 2 days on San Juan, two days on Orcas and one day on Lopez. On Orcas, Moran State Park is worth a day of exploring. What I would recommend is arriving there on an early Ana sailing, going straight to Moran, start by a easy hike around Mountain lake (making a connection to twin lakes is recommended). Then drive to the top of Mount Constitution, enjoy the view and eat lunch there. In early afternoon go to Obstruction SP, and if you are motivated you can end the day with a kayak trip on Cascade Lake. The next day I would recommend the "west leg" of the Island. On Lopez, I would recommend to first drive all the way down the island to Iceberg Point and Watmough bay, then come up to Shark Reef (and have lunch there). In early afternoon I would go to Fisherman's bay spit, and then to go to Spencer State Park. If you feel like it, you can end the day with a visit to Odlin Co. Park (with ferry watching) to kill time before your ferry comes. In the summer, Sundays are always really bad in terms of ferry traffic to Anacortes, and I guess that you should arrive at the terminal ~3/4 hours before your Sailing  . Of course if you are taking the ferry from Orcas or Friday Harbor there are things to do in town (which includes sweet ferry spots). |
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Post by Mike C on Jan 31, 2013 17:26:17 GMT -8
2) Or another plan of mine is to go to Galiano Island and a day to trip Mayne Island and another day trip to Saturna Island. What are good parks to go to on Galiono Island? What are good parks to go to on Mayne Island? Is Saturna Island even worth a day trip could we make with the day trip and go Pender Island? What are good parks to go to on Saturna Island? Galiano: Good parks are Montague, Bellhouse and the Bluffs. I would suggest reading some of the posts in the thread regarding recommendations for places to visit on this island. Mayne: The only park-like areas that I can think of are Georgina Point Lighthouse and Naval Passage Beach, on opposite ends of the island. Saturna: My favourite Gulf Island, also the most isolated and least populated. The only real park space is Winter Cove. 3) What would be nice to go too? I hear Newcastle Upon Tyne, England is lovely this time of year. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2013 18:46:40 GMT -8
2) Or another plan of mine is to go to Galiano Island and a day to trip Mayne Island and another day trip to Saturna Island. What are good parks to go to on Galiono Island? What are good parks to go to on Mayne Island? Is Saturna Island even worth a day trip could we make with the day trip and go Pender Island? What are good parks to go to on Saturna Island? Galiano: Good parks are Montague, Bellhouse and the Bluffs. I would suggest reading some of the posts in the thread regarding recommendations for places to visit on this island. Mayne: The only park-like areas that I can think of are Georgina Point Lighthouse and Naval Passage Beach, on opposite ends of the island. Saturna: My favourite Gulf Island, also the most isolated and least populated. The only real park space is Winter Cove. What route should I take to Galiano Island route 1 and route 5 or route 9? 3) What would be nice to go too? I hear Newcastle Upon Tyne, England is lovely this time of year. I have know idea where those are. |
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I find that about 4-5 hours is plenty of time to do a loop around any island (the exception to that being Saltspring, in which a solid couple of days is needed to check out everything). Cycling is also considerably cheaper than vehicle travel: one way with a vehicle + driver is $72, as opposed to bicycle which is $20.
. Of course if you are taking the ferry from Orcas or Friday Harbor there are things to do in town (which includes sweet ferry spots).