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Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter...Your year round Salt Spring
Island Holiday Destination
Salt Spring Island
 Where
is Salt Spring Island?
Salt Spring Island is on the west coast of Canada. It is tucked
up against Vancouver Island between Vancouver and Victoria. (Ferry
routes are marked in blue on adjacent map)
Drier than Vancouver and more protected than Victoria, the Gulf
Islands are blessed with the mildest climate in Canada. Spring
comes as early as February, when blossoms begin to appear on trees
and colourful bulbs emerge. Summer is warm, sunny, and dry and
never sweltering hot. Fall is a magnificent season of vibrant colour,
with temperatures remaining pleasant. Frost is rare in the winter,
and while the chance of rain is greater, the mild temperatures
encourage hikers, cyclists, and kayakers to carry on with their
activities right thru the season. When deciding what clothing to
bring to the Gulf Islands in the cooler months, think "layers"
and include something for warmth, something for wind, and something
for water. Even in the summer, it is a good idea to bring something
to keep the chill out on evening strolls by the water.
At 180 square kilometers, Salt Spring Island is the largest of the Gulf Islands
and the most geographically diverse. Salt Spring Island has several freshwater
lakes, including St. Mary Lake, Stowell Lake, Blackburn Lake, Cusheon Lake, and
Weston Lake, as well as the highest peaks in the Gulf Islands, namely Mount Bruce,
Mount Maxwell, and Mount Tuam.
How do I get there?
 The
Gulf Islands are easily accessible from Vancouver Island and from
Vancouver and
Seattle
on the Mainland.
The transportation
alternatives are where your Gulf Island adventures begin. By
Floatplane, by Boat, or by Ferry. Generally, most visitors travel
to the Gulf Islands on BC Ferries. The best way to find out more
about BC Ferries service to the Gulf Islands, including fares,
reservations, and schedules, is to visit their web site at www.bcferries.com.
For many visitors, traveling by ferry is a unique experience that
becomes as much a part of the excitement of visiting the Gulf Islands
as being there. Frequently, marine wildlife such as killer whales,
porpoises, and a multitude of seabirds can be spotted along the
way.
Fulford Harbour is towards the southern end of the Island, and
is the ferry terminal for sailings to Swartz Bay and Victoria.
There is a grocery store, gas station and restaurant right beside
the terminal.
From Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport: South
on Highway 99 to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (approximately 30 minutes).
Ask
for a Thru Fare to Salt Spring Island via Swartz Bay. The Swartz
Bay ferry departs Tsawwassen every hour on the hour during the
summer months and takes approximately 1½ hours. (Advance
reservations are advisable.) At Swartz Bay after disembarking,
move as soon
as possible into the left hand lane. Immediately after passing
the toll booths on your left, look for a STOP sign where you can
make a left hand U turn into the toll booths area. Look for the
booth specifically marked Salt Spring Island and show your thru
fare ticket. Proceed to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island.
See directions following from Fulford Harbour to Fulford-Dunderry.
From Sidney/Victoria Airport: Take the Patricia
Bay Highway north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (approximately 15
minutes). Bear to
the right at the ticket booths and look for the booth specifically
marked Sal Spring Island. The ferry leaves approximately every
1½ hours and takes 35 minutes to reach Fulford Harbour on
Salt Spring Island.
From Fulford Harbour: Fulford-Dunderry is situated in Fulford Village.
Departing from the ferry, we are the 3rd house on the water/ocean
side.
From Long Harbour or Vesuvius Bay: Follow the signs posted for
Fulford Harbour.
What can I do for fun?
Salt Spring Island has long been known as a very special place
in BC. For the population, there are a very large number of artists,
sculptors, and musicians living here. The community got together
and raised funds to build Art Spring -- a brand new community hall.
Many well known musicians, both local and from afar, have performed
here already. Even the pubs have a pretty good showing of local
talent performing there.
Fulford
house is situated in the tiny village of Fulford on the southern point of Salt
Spring Island. Despite
its size Fulford features such amenities as a post office, bakery,
grocery store, coffee shop-restaurant, Bike-Kayak rental store and
three marinas, to say nothing of several unique and idiosyncratic
boutique shops.
You can enjoy a time of natural serenity, or one fun activity after another.
It's your choice... As the largest
of the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring can offer you a wide range of activities and
large areas of forests, mountains and beaches.
Kayaking, sailing, hiking, bird-watching, golf, swimming (salt water and lake),
spectacular scuba-diving areas, horseback riding, hang-gliding, fresh and salt
water fishing, tennis and a public Ultimate Frisbee course are available for
the sporting and active.  Browsing galleries and gourmet dining are on offer for
those wishing a more leisurely experience. The Saturday open-air market in Ganges
features the works of many of the gifted and accomplished local artisans. Many of the artisans also hold open house
in their workshops through the week. Local
maps are available to guide you.
And finally, don't miss trying locally-made products that range from beer --
Gulf Islands Brewery -- to soap, the makers of which are artists themselves.
Locally-made
cheeses, beer, soap, aromatherapy products and much more are further proof that
Salt Spring is a creative island.
Fulford-Dunderry has been fortunate to place in the Champion
Section of Flowers at the local level of the Salt Springs Island Fall Fair. It
is our aim to have
some part of our garden in bloom through-out the year, in this, our Island home.
Welcome! You have arrived!
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