Paradise Found

Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island lies about 20 miles off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada (next to Vancouver Island). It's part of a beautiful group of Islands known as the Canadian Gulf Islands. Salt Spring Island is the largest of the southern Gulf Islands and has a population of about 10,000 residents that more than doubles in the summer months.

Each of the islands has its own unique personality, and Salt Spring being the most populated, is the most diverse. The town of Ganges is the hub of the island and offers all the amenities of a city packed into a remarkable artisan community.

Saturday mornings there is a Farmer's Market in the town of Ganges which is a nice way to see a sampling of some of the talented artists in the area. There is also a self guided studio tour for a more comprehensive viewing of the artists talents.

There's a lot of great outdoor activities to experience on Salt Spring including hiking, biking, kayaking, and of course golfing. There are two regular ball golf courses and several disc golf courses on the island (one public, the rest private).

For spectacular views of the area and a fun ride, you can't beat a scenic tour in a float plane. Salt Spring Air is a local outfit that has regularly scheduled flights as well as charter and scenic flights.

Although the infrastructure is comparable to other incorporated areas (with hospitals, police and fire stations) the island is proud to boast that there are no traffic lights (yet) and no chain fast food joints.