Sidney, British Columbia, Canada

Set amidst the natural beauty and unspoiled charm of the Saanich Peninsula, the vibrant community of Sidney-by-the-Sea is the gateway to the BC Gulf Islands and the US San Juan Islands. This bustling commercial hub of the Saanich Peninsula is blessed with majestic views of the ocean, the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges. Sidney is a tourist's dream - a friendly port with modern marinas and a multitude of unique galleries, gift stores, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries and coffee bars.

Sidney-by-the-Sea appeals to those who enjoy both seafaring excursions and land-based adventures. There are many inlets and nearby islands, 3 km of public accessible waterfront - including many beaches and great beachcombing - and several interesting attractions in and around this pretty little resort town. Sidney enjoys a moderate Mediterranean type climate with year-round mild temperatures, low rainfall and very little snow.

Historically, Sidney was a small farming community and the location of Vancouver Island's first flour mill. The heavily wooded forests of the region soon fostered sawmills and a thriving lumber industry.

The Saanich People have lived on the Saanich Peninsula for thousands of years prior to contact with Europeans. The Hudson's Bay Company obtained large tracts of forested lands from the Saanich People in 1852. James Douglas purchased much of the land in North Saanich in 1858, and one year later William and Charles Reay became the first settlers on the northern portion of the Saanich Peninsula when they purchased land from the Hudson's Bay Company. Some of this land is now the town of Sidney, incorporated as a village on 30th September 1952.

Sidney takes its name from nearby Sidney Channel and Sidney Island, originally known as Sallas Island. Captain Richards of the survey ship Plumper renamed it Sidney Island in 1859, after Fredrick William Sidney (later captain), also a member of the Royal Navy. The Saanich People knew the site as Tseteenus, meaning 'sticking out'.

Sidney is ideally situated close to all the major arrival points to South Vancouver Island. By Air, visitors arrive at Victoria International Airport, which is only 5 minutes away. BC Ferries provides year-round service to and from Swartz Bay, immediately north of Sidney. Sidney is also the departure point for pleasure craft sailings and ferry traffic heading to the San Juan Islands and Washington State in the United States.

Population: 11,849

Location: Sidney is located on the Saanich Peninsula at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just east of the Pat Bay Highway 17, five minutes south of the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and just 16 miles (26 km) north of Victoria.

View maps of the area:
Map of Sidney
Map of Greater Victoria
Map of South Vancouver Island

Sidney is known as Canada's first Booktown - twelve unique bookstores all within easy walking distance of each other, feature a browser's bounty of new, second-hand, antiquarian and specialty books.

Sidney Museum in Sidney BC

The Sidney Museum has an impressive display of models, skeletons and murals. The marine mammal exhibits trace the remarkable story of the biology and evolution of whales.

Explore the B.C. Aviation Museum - packed with vintage airplanes and equipment, including a reconstructed radio control room. Discover original and replica planes dating back to 1910. Barnstorming bi-plane rides may be arranged.

The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is an aquarium and marine education centre focused on the amazing ecosystem of the Salish Sea. Giant octopus to microscopic plankton, this is a hands-on/hands-wet experience that reveals the mysteries of the ocean to all ages. Open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.

Discover the incredible world of gems and minerals at Mineral World and Scratch Patch. A very popular attraction for children, the Scratch Patch is an outdoor adventureland designed to turn anyone into an enthusiastic rockhound. Pick and choose from millions of beautiful semi-precious stones and tropical shells, or try panning for gold.

The world-famous Butchart Gardens are located just a short drive west of Sidney. The influence of the neighbouring Butchart Gardens is showcased in the community parklands and individual gardens of Sidney businesses and residents.

Just south of Sidney on the Pat Bay Highway is the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, a 29-acre park and large heritage museum, with many outdoor displays, picnic tables, nature trails and a pond. A beautiful destination with lots to see and do.

Stroll among hundreds of dazzling buttterflies in an indoor tropical garden. Butterfly Gardens, features the brilliant Blue Morpho, the delicately pattened Giant Owl and the huge Atlas Moth. Knowledgeable guides help you find well-hidden eggs, caterpillars and pupae in the lush rain forest vegetation. Rare South African Turocos and tropical ducks can also be found.

Visit one of the local vineyards to sample the new and burgeoning vintages of Vancouver Island.

Beacon Wharf in Sidney, British Columbia

Beacon Avenue Market is held every Thursday evening (5:30pm to 9pm) from the first Thursday in June to the last Thursday in August, when Beacon Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic. Shopkeepers, businesses and pedestrians fill Beacon Avenue, creating a carnival atmosphere, with food, entertainment, and crafts and arts. Sidney bills the event as the largest outdoor market in Western Canada.

Celebrate Canada's birthday at Sidney Days on the Canada Day weekend with activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Local residents and visitors alike enjoy musical interlude at Sidney's Centennial Bandstand from July through August.

Exciting horse racing is presented year-round in the area with live harness racing at the Sandown Race Track from June until Labour Day.

Treat yourself to a two-hour sea cruise around the harbour and islands, with a close-up view of local wildlife, or enjoy a fully narrated horse-drawn carriage tour of Sidney.

Experience the thrill of a guided whale watching tour. The waters off Sidney are home to three Southern resident pods of orca whales, Dahl porpoises, sea lions and seals. From Port Sidney Marina you will view the islands from high speed boats that track the whale pods and wildlife to ensure a memorable trip every time.

Golf: Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club in Sidney is a challenging 18-hole championship golf course. Nearby golf courses include Sunshine Hills Golf Course (9 hole - Par 3) on Central Saanich Road in Saanichton and the challenging 9-hole Prospect Lake Golf Course on Prospect Lake Road in Central Saanich. The Victoria area boasts 8 championship golf courses in close proximity, including Cordova Bay Golf Club, Olympic View Golf Club, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Royal Colwood Golf Club, and Bear Mountain Golf and Country Club. Nearby Oak Bay has the Victoria Golf Club and Uplands Golf Course. Golf Packages in Victoria.

Tulista Park is a little gem of a seaside park and boat launch at the very end of Lochside Drive, next to the Washington State ferry terminal. With emerald green lawns and sparkling ocean waters, Tulista offers a place for picknickers and boaters to relax, have a barbecue, and toss a frisbee. The park offers a children's playground, concession stand, walking trails, plenty of free parking, and is wheelchair accessible. There's a covered picnic area with ample benches and picnic tables as well as public washrooms. The paved waterfront walkway joins with the scooter-friendly Lochside oceanfront walkway. Visitors can access beaches, benches and take in the fabulous view. The double-wide boat launch off Lochside Drive is open daily and tickets can be purchased on site.

Sidney is a hub for saltwater fishing excursions. Year-round salmon fishing is available, as well as cod, snapper, halibut, sole, crab, prawns and shrimp in local waters. Landlubbers can cast off the Bevan Avenue fishing pier. Boaters can launch at the Van Isle Marina, or at the Tulista Park boat ramp on Lochside Drive, beside the Anacortes Ferry Terminal.

Diving: Sidney has a reputation as one of the most sought after dive sites on Lower Vancouver Island. Underwater marine parks rich in spectacular natural scenery attract divers from around the world. Divers can explore the wrecks of the G.B. Church and the HMCS Mackenzie, two sunken diving reefs providing opportunity for some great underwater exploration. Graham's Wall, Tozier Rock, The White Lady, Burial Islet, Octopus Point, and other hot spots off the peninsula's coast are all accessible from Sidney, either as day charters or liveaboards.

Kayakers will find the sheltered waters, secluded coves, islands, and nearby marine parks ideal for exploring. Take a guided multi-day expedition to D'Arcy Island Marine Park, Reay Island, Rum Island or Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island.

Port Sidney Marina, Sidney, British Columbia

Sidney is the centre of the largest concentration of marinas on Vancouver Island. Several marinas and boating facilities are located along Sidney's eastern shoreline, including the fabulous Port Sidney Marina. Sidney is popular with the Northwest boating fraternity, with boaters from California, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver choosing Port Sidney as the best destination marina on the west coast!

Take the little ferry to Sidney Spit Marine Park and spend the day beachcombing - no stores or restaurants here, so pack a picnic lunch!

Be sure to visit the Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve Operations Centre in Sidney - it's certified as the most environmentally friendly in the country. Ocean water provides the heat, low-flush toilets use rainwater and even the temperature rises and falls depending on the number of people inside.

Nearby McDonald Park provides an overnight stop for campers arriving on a late ferry. You'll find a lot of marine traffic swirling around the area during the day, in the evening the pulse slows to a sleep-inducing rhythm, especially once the last ferries have sailed or docked for the night.

Island View Beach Regional Park south of Sidney offers a gentle cobble- and driftwood-strewn beach, with good views of James and Sidney Islands and wildlife viewing in the open fields behind the beach. Locals use the beach area fronting Indian reserve land north of the park for discreet, clothing-optional tanning. Island View Beach is a favourite beachcombing area, and a boat ramp is conveniently located at the entrance to the park.

Other parks near Sidney include Horth Hill Regional Park in North Saanich, and John Dean Provincial Park to the southwest of Sidney.

North of Sidney are the alluring Gulf Islands, snug in the Georgia Strait between the BC mainland and the east coast of Vancouver Island.

South of Sidney is Saanichton, well known for flowers and rose gardens. Bed and breakfast homes and riding stables are nestled alongside parks, campgrounds, old-growth forests and small farms.