Salt Spring Island Guide
Salt Spring Island is one of those rare places that has it all - comfortable climate, beautiful scenery, and a cosmopolitan culture away from the hectic pace of the city. It is no wonder that people are flocking here to retire or just to lead a simpler lifestyle.
Location
Salt Spring is located off
the southwest coast of British Columbia in the Strait
of Georgia, between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
It is the most popular of British Columbia's Gulf Islands,
with a population exceeding 10,000 permanent residents.
Frequent ferry and float plane services offer residents
and visitors convenient access to the amenities and
attractions of Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo.
Stats:
48° lat., 123.5° long
27km (17 mi.) long
14km (9mi.) wide
133km (83mi.) of shoreline
650km (410mi.) of roads
View
map of Salt Spring Island
Climate
Salt Spring residents enjoy a very
mild climate year-round. Winter is cool and wet, with
usually one or two snowfalls lasting a few days. Relief
from the dark, dreary winter comes as early as February
when Spring flowers start to bloom. Summer temperatures
are comfortably warm, with beautiful, clear blue skies.
The lack of stifling humidity and annoying insects makes
Salt Spring a great place to enjoy outdoor activities
such as hiking and mountain biking. To cool off after
a day of exploring, there are several clean lakes for
swimming, as well as many ocean beaches.
Stats:
Winter 5-10°C (40-50°F)
Summer 20-25°C (70-80°F)
Annual rainfall 84 cm (34 inches)
Annual sunshine 2,000+ hours
Todays Weather:
Nature
Outdoor lovers are attracted
to Salt Spring for more than just the spectacular climate.
The island is a sampling of what makes British Columbia
so special - craggy mountains, coniferous forests, wild
beaches, and fresh, clean air.
An outdoor paradise wouldn't be complete without the
wildlife. Common wildlife includes bald eagles, turkey
vultures, quail (please be careful when driving in early
summer), deer, raccoons, otters, whales, seals, sea
stars, anemones, sand dollars, and so many more. You
won't find any large predators here except the occasional
bear who manages to swim across the Strait.
Visit Islands
Trust to learn more about what makes the Gulf Islands
a unique and special place and what is being done to
preserve it.