| The Canadian Gulf Islands, in the south-western corner | | | | months the marinas are busy and many boaters have |
| of British Columbia, are world famous for their natural | | | | to set anchor in one of the nearby sheltered bays, |
| beauty. This area has been referred to as the | | | | coves, inlets, or channels. |
| Mediterranean of the Northwest because of its | | | | The most popular destinations in the southern Gulf |
| dramatic coastlines, narrow channels and untouched | | | | Islands include D'Arcy Island Marine Park, Sidney Spit, |
| natural landscape. The waters are considered ideal for | | | | Princess Margaret Marine Park (on Portland Island |
| both novice and experienced sailors and even suitable | | | | between Saltspring Island and the Pender Islands) , |
| for families with children. Many marinas are available | | | | Beaumont Provincial Marine Park (the Pender Islands), |
| ranging from open water moorage to deluxe facilities | | | | Winter Cove Provincial Marine Park (Saturna Island), |
| with many extras, and these marinas vary in capacity | | | | Cabbage Island Marine Park, Prevost Island, and |
| from one boat to hundreds of boats. The Gulf Islands | | | | Montague Harbour Marine Park (Galiano Island). Other |
| make a great choice for a sailing trip. | | | | great places to sail are Captain Passage, right at the |
| When you sail the Gulf Islands, you can explore miles | | | | mouth of Ganges Harbour, and Plumper Sound |
| of beaches that are teeming with marine life, such as | | | | between Saturna and Pender islands both of which |
| orca whales, eagles, great blue heron, otters, dolphins, | | | | usually have good winds. Port Browning on North |
| sea lions and seals. There are many limestone cliffs | | | | Pender Island, Poets Cove at Bedwell Harbour on |
| and forests of Arbutus trees (Canada's only native | | | | South Pender Island, Conover Cove on Wallace Island, |
| broadleaf evergreen). The Gulf Islands National Park is | | | | and Dionisio Provincial Park (Galiano Island) are still |
| a marine park established largely due to the large | | | | other popular options. |
| migratory sea bird population and many marine animals | | | | Even for a seasoned sailor, knowing your own limits is |
| in the region, and due to the fragile marine eco-system. | | | | always crucial. Although navigation is easy, destinations |
| Many boaters come here to view some of the rare | | | | are usually in plain sight, and you're never very far |
| west coast marine birds, and to see a whale breach. | | | | from shelter, tidal currents in the southern Gulf Islands |
| Spend some time on the islands, with their laid back | | | | can reach 4 knots in the spring and some ocean |
| atmosphere and many beaches; you are never far | | | | channel passes reach up to 9 knots. Some very |
| from a decent pub or restaurant. Ganges (on | | | | experienced sailors that are new to this area have |
| Saltspring Island) and Nanaimo (on Vancouver Island) | | | | been taken by surprise. Because of the many |
| are the two best places to get supplies, since both | | | | channels and tidal currents in this area, it is essential to |
| places have groceries and shopping within walking | | | | have the proper tidal and navigation charts, which are |
| distance of the docks. | | | | available in various places, when sailing the southern |
| The pleasant mild climate makes the islands a great | | | | Gulf Islands. Guides are plentiful so you may want to |
| place to visit at any time of the year. | | | | look them over and pick a favorite spot before coming |
| The Gulf Islands enjoy sunshine 247 days of the year | | | | to the islands. |
| and less than 20 cm of rain per year. They are known | | | | Your sailboat's engine has to be in good working order |
| for having the finest weather on the B.C. coast. | | | | because in summer, fine warm weather is often |
| There are six main islands in the southern Gulf Islands: | | | | accompanied by light or calm winds, and then there |
| Gabriola, Salt Spring, Galiano, Pender (North and South), | | | | are the extreme tidal currents too. The weather can |
| Mayne and Saturna, and about 200 smaller ones. The | | | | change quickly at any time of year, particularly in late |
| people there are passionate about the joys and | | | | winter and early spring. There is less fog in the Gulf |
| adventures of sailing this region. Plan your trip ahead of | | | | Islands than anywhere else on the coast but it is still a |
| time, because in the peak summer and early fall | | | | hazard to be watched out for. |