Camping at Ruckle Park, Salt Spring Island

The Saturday Market in Ganges, Salt Spring Island

Peace, tranquility, beautiful views and a good book

Aerial view of Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island

Searching for treasures on a Gulf Islands beach

Salt Spring is famous for its apples, and its annual Apple Festival in September

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Welcome to the Gulf Islands

How do you know you've left your hectic daily life behind and stepped into the paradise known as the Gulf Islands? Your first clue will be a perceptible drop in stress level as you absorb the natural scenery along winding country roads, see your first glimpses of seals, deer or bald eagles, or nestle in for a quiet night's sleep at one of the islands' diverse accommodation choices. MORE

From the calendar

Through January:

The Salt Spring Photography Club presents The Best of 2011. ArtSpring, weekdays from 9 till 5

Saturday & Sunday, January 21 & 22:

The Salt Spring Chamber Orchestra in concert at All Saints Anglican Church, 7 pm on Saturday, 2 pm on Sunday

Saturday January 28:

A concert by new music pianist Eve Egoyan at ArtSpring 8 pm; pre-concert chat at 7

Monday, January 30:

Tara and Colleen Eccleston at the Salt Spring Folk Club, Fulford Hall 7 pm

DETAILS AND MORE EVENTS

SALT SPRING ISLAND

Famous for its Saturday Market and as a world-class centre for the arts, Salt Spring is the largest of the islands and offers many amenities to visitors. Studios and galleries and beautiful scenery are among the attractions. MORE

WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO EAT • MAP

MAYNE ISLAND

Known as "little hell" during the Gold Rush years, Mayne is now a very peaceful island with very strong community spirit. It is also popular for its quiet roads, gentle hills, sheltered coves and seaside inns. A summertime farmers' market is an attraction for many visitors. MORE

WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO EAT • MAP

SATURNA ISLAND

A landscape of forests, bluffs and long empty beaches, Saturna Island is the most remote of the islands. But among its amenities is a very large portion of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve — almost half the island is within the reserve. MORE

WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO EAT • MAP

GABRIOLA ISLAND

The northernmost of the islands, located 20 minutes away from Nanaimo, is often called the Isle of the Arts. Among the attractions: six waterfront parks, access to many beaches, artists' studios and ancient stone carvings known as petroglyphs. MORE

WHERE TO STAY • MAP

PENDER ISLAND

North and South Pender Islands are not as busy as Salt Spring, but offer more amenities than the other, smaller islands. Pristine South Pender is the less developed of the two; both have areas that are part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. MORE

WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO EAT • MAP

GALIANO ISLAND

Long and lean Galiano claims to be the most romantic of the islands: sunset views, sandstone cliffs and lush forests are features of Galiano, as is the tranquility. The closest island to Vancouver offers an extensive trail network. MORE

WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO EAT • MAP