| Size: | 180 square kilometers (70 square miles) |
| Population: | 10,500 |
| Ferry Terminal: | Fulford Harbour, Vesuvius Bay, Long Harbour |
| Tourist Info: | 121 Lower Ganges Road 1.866.216.2936 |
Salt Spring Island TODAY
Salt Spring is the largest, most populated and some might say most popular of the Southern Gulf Islands. Salt Spring is located between Vancouver Island and the Mainland in the Strait of Georgia alongside its neighbouring islands of Galiano, Pender, Saturna, Maine and Prevost.
Artists, farmers, chefs, mechanics, romantics, writers, retirees and dreamers have been drawn to its shores and have recognized it, as one of the world's best places to stay. The accommodations on Salt Spring Island range from quaint cabins to luxurious Bed & Breakfasts to motels and hotels. There is something on Salt Spring for everyone. If you haven't been here yet, plan your trip today. Contact us at the Visitor Information Centre with your questions. Our amazing long time islander volunteers will be happy to help you with all of your questions!
A public transit system covers the main roads of the island, runs Monday to Saturday and transports passengers to and from the three BC Ferries terminals in Fulford, Long Harbour and Vesuvius.
Renowned for its creativity Salt Spring Island is known as one of North America's best small arts towns. With Gallery and Artists' Studios situated throughout the island, visitors can take a Studio Tour to view and purchase the creations of the artists. The famous Saturday Market displays a great cross-section of the high-quality arts & crafts from paintings to pottery, jewellery and clothing, weaving and woodworks.
Visit one of our beautiful and famous seaside villages. The largest, Ganges, located in the centre of the island is a focal point for arts, restaurants and pubs, unique shops and book stores and our spectacular outdoor Saturday craft market. Our local marinas attract pleasure boaters, commercial and sports fishermen.
Salt Spring has its own legal, local currency. Each denomination consists of a world renowned Salt Spring Artists work. It can be used at par with the Canadian Dollar on Salt Spring Island and is also a great collector item and/or gift. Click Here for more information on Salt Spring Dollars.
Recreational activities on the island are numerous and there is something for everyone. Hike through one of many trails with spectacular vistas. Swim in one of the refreshing lakes or a sheltered ocean cove. Or maybe you prefer the local swimming pool. Got a racquet? Play a game of tennis at the court in Portlock Park and if tennis isn't your thing, maybe you'll want to jog around the track instead. Workout, tan or sauna in one of our two fitness centres. Other activities include fishing, diving, sailing, kayaking, cycling, golfing (including a disc golf course), camping and beachcombing. Another impressive feature is Ruckle Provincial Park, the Gulf Island's largest provincial campground.
The island has quite a lot in the way of agriculture with 225 farms and is well known for the local sheep farming. Come by in the spring and enjoy what most anyone would say is the best rack of lamb you'll ever taste. Be sure to visit the outdoor Market in Ganges, where many of the local farmers and growers display their organic crops. Visit one of the Vineyards or Cheese Farms or stop by in the fall to partake of our famous Fall Fair and our Apple Festival
There are plenty of alternative health practitioners on Salt Spring Island. You can pamper yourself with various health treatments at any one of our many local spas or how about a weekend yoga or spiritual retreat?
History
Early SettlersSalt Spring Island was and still is Coast Salish territory. A small 43 acre reserve on the eastern side of Fulford Harbour was established in 1877 and still provides breath taking un-populated vistas of the Southern Gulf Islands today. Many of the first settlers that came to the island in 1858 were African Americans fleeing from racism in California to a place where they had the same rights as everyone else. Other early settlers such as Hawaiians that were hired to work in the whaling industry and in fur trade posts in North Western BC, settled on Salt Spring once their contract ended. Japanese labourers settled on Salt Spring beginning in 1890. After the bombing in 1941 of Pearl Harbour, the Japanese living on the west coast were "expelled" from the coast and interned in the interior. The Japanese on Salt Spring suffered this same fate. In 1949 the Japanese were allowed to return to the coast. In 1954 just a couple of the Japanese families returned to Salt Spring. Upon their return they found that the government had sold all of their land and possessions. One family, the Murakami's, continue to reside on Salt Spring and with the passage of time have become highly regarded Salt Spring Island residents. The white settlers came to Salt Spring in 1859. Land in Victoria was expensive and there was a large unemployed population. Settlers were given the approval to pre-empt land in the Chemainus district which included Salt Spring. On July 27, 1859 the first white settlers began to arrive by ship to Salt Spring Island.
Salt Spring was, and still is, an important source of natural resources and diverse environment, however, as far as the settlers and pioneers were concerned it was geographically rugged and much of the land that was to be farmed had to be cleared of the huge Douglas Firs that populate the island. This was only one of the many problems the first settlers had to overcome. Another was the fact that the island was previously unsettled and had no roads, wharves, regular transport to and from the island, stores, mail service or people to hire for help. Most had little or no farming experience and had not brought many supplies or farming equipment with them. The local environment had sustained the aboriginals for years and it proved sustainable to these first settlers as well. The population increased and island services such as schools, churches, groceries and supply stores were opened to facilitate the needs of the settlers. Small businesses began to grow; farming local fruits, vegetables and animals, the lucrative logging industry, and the not so lucrative mining explorations. By the 1930s the island's reputation grew and the word got out to vacationers and resorts were opened to welcome these early tourists. By the 1960s, artists such as potters, painters, stained-glass and basket makers, woodworkers, quilters and paper makers began arriving on the island and started what is now the heart of island culture.
Naming an Island
The name of the island has changed over the years. The Cowichan called it Klaathem (meaning 'salt'). The Saanich called it Cuan (meaning 'each end' referring to mountains at each end of the island). In a letter written in 1853 the island was referred to as Chuan. In the late 1850's it was renamed Admiral Island in honour of Rear-Admiral Robert Lambert Baynes. The island became known as Salt Spring because of the North End salt springs which exist today. The Geographic Board of Canada adopted the name Saltspring in 1905 although Canada Post and many residents prefer it spelled Salt Spring (two words).