Northern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

These islands, part of the chain of 6,000 islands that shelter the British Columbia coastline between Washington and Alaska, lie beyond the quick-access range of Vancouver and Victoria. The area covered by the Northern Gulf Islands extends from Lasqueti Island near Parkville, north to Quadra and Cortes Islands near Campbell River, and from Texada Island near Powell River north to Savary and the Copeland Islands near Lund, including Jedediah Island Provincial Park.

The fleet of BC Ferries that services some of them is not as large nor are the sailings as frequent. Others can only be reached by private transportation such as water taxis, kayaks, canoes, or powerboats, and occasionally airplanes.

Visitors will find that the farther north in the Strait of Georgia they explore, the fewer fellow travellers they'll encounter. The wonderful silence that envelops these islands is characteristic of the ambience in remote central coast locales.

It wasn't always this way. In the heyday of fishing and logging camps, the population on the more isolated islands was surprisingly higher than it is today. Evidence of this can be seen in abandoned cabins, ancient villages, and overgrown logging roads. Explore by car, kayak, mountain bike, or on foot. Find a location that appeals to you, and within this microcosm experience the wonder and magic that pervades life here.

Location: The Northern Gulf Islands are located between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia.

Lasqueti Island is reached by foot ferry from French Creek, a short distance north of Parksville on Vancouver Island's Hwy 19A. Turn right when you arrive at the wharf and drive to the south end to where a ramp leads down to the dock. Unload here. Get a boarding pass, particularly at busy times. A book of them hangs from a kiosk on the wharf beside the ferry. (This is equally important when returning to Parksville from Lasqueti.) You must pay an overnight parking fee if you are leaving a vehicle in the lot. The Lasqueti Island ferry departs for False Bay on Lasqueti's northwest corner. Kayaks up to 15 feet in length can be taken on as cargo at an additional charge. The crossing takes about an hour. For fares and schedule information, call Western Pacific Marine in Vancouver, (604) 681-5199. Access to Jedediah Island Provincial Park is by private boat from Lasqueti Island.

Denman Island and Hornby Island are reached by BC Ferries from Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island. BC Ferries also links Gravelly Bay on Denman's east side with Shingle Spit on Hornby Island's west side. Ferries to both islands transport vehicles. Travel time from Vancouver Island to Denman Island, and from Denman Island to Hornby Island, is a brief 10-15 minutes. Sandy Island Provincial Marine Park, off the north end of Denman Island, can only be reached by private boat.

Quadra Island (Quathiaski Cove) is reached by BC Ferries from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. BC Ferries also links Heriot Bay on Quadra and Whaletown Bay on Cortes Island. Both ferries transport vehicles. Sailing time between Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove is a mere 10 minutes, but the route to Cortes Island is a 45-minute journey.

Texada Island is reached by BC Ferries from Powell River on the Sunshine Coast. This ferry transports vehicles to Blubber Bay at the north end of the island. Travel time is approximately 15 minutes.

Savary Island and the Copeland Islands Provincial Marine Park are only accessible by private boat or water taxi from Lund on the Sunshine Coast.

Visit our Transportation section to detailed information on ferry routes and schedules. Air Transportation is available to all islands, with the exception of Jedediah, Sandy, and the Copeland Islands. Scheduled flights are available, and charter services are also available from Nanaimo, Comox, and Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and Powell River on the Sunshine Coast, among other areas.