10 Top Things To Do on Cortes Island
Discovery Islands, Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

The Top 10 Things To Do on Cortes Island, British Columbia, Canada located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Discovery Island, Central Gulf Island B.C. Region.

Boating & Sailing. The Cortes Island region which includes the Discovery islands and Desolation Sound marine routes is a very popular boating and sailing destination. The island includes marinas with services and is a major launching point for many exploring Toba Inlet.

Ocean Kayaking. The shoreline of Cortes Island is decorated with many bays and coves to explore on day kayak trips like Squirrel Cove, Gorge Harbour, Cortes Bay and Von Donop Inlet. For overnight long-haul kayaking adventures with wilderness camping the Desolation Sound route is very popular.

Beachcombing. Cortes Island enjoys many beaches. There are pebbled and sandy beaches on the island. One of the more popular and largest sandy beaches on Cortes Island is located in the Smelt Bay Provincial Park.

Art Tours. Cortes Island BC is the home to many artistic people that enjoy the tranquility and creative atmosphere island life provides. There are painters, drum makers, musicians, potters and carvers. Many artists operate art galleries and studios displaying their art.

Top 8 Things To Do in Alert Bay
Cormorant Island, Northern Gulf Islands

Top 8 Things To Do in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, Northern Gulf Islands located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Traditional Big House: The Big House is a large traditional building used for Potlatches. The Big House was first built in 1965 and then was expanded in 1987. During this time a Namgis artist named Doug Cranmer repainted the Big House. But, sadly, in 1997 the traditional building was lost to a fire. In 1999 the Big House was rebuilt keeping with the traditions of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation's people.

World's Largest Totem Pole. On Cormorant Island is a 173 foot tall Totem Pole carved by 6 Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation people. Some of the carved figures on the Totem Pole include the Sun Man which is the crest of the Quatsino Tribe; Kolus ( a Thunderbird cousin ) represents the Kwagul Tribe; a whale representing the Gwa'sala'Nakwaxda'xw and others like a bear holding a salmon; a wolf, a raven,a Dzunukwa embracing a copper and much more.

Alert Bay Museum: An assortment of over 6900 pictures depicting the history of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. There are historical pictures of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation's people dating back to the late 1800s.

Whale Watching: Killer Whales, (Orcas) can be seen from Bere Point and surrounding waters. Many Orcas visit Bere Point because it is a popular rubbing rock. Michael Bigg's Ecological Reserve, nearby is a launching point for whale watching and fantastic wildlife viewing. Located at Robson Bight. Also Paul Spong's Orca Lab is a famous marine biologist who studies Killer Whales in the region. Access by boat on Hanson Island. Must book prior to arrival for acceptance on or near premises.

8 Top Things To Do on Gabriola Island
Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

The Top 8 Things To Do on Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Gulf Island B.C. Region.

Ocean Kayaking. There are many bays and islands to paddle on and near Gabriola Island. Some islands to explore include Mudge, Newcastle and Entrance Islands. Some of the coves and bays to paddle include Taylor, Pilot, Lock, Silva and Degnen.

Boating & Sailing. Silva Bay and Degnen Bay provide moorage for boaters when visiting Gabriola Island. The island is located on two busy marine routes - the Strait of Georgia and Northumberland Channel.

Beachcombing. Gabriola Island enjoys some fine sandy and rocky beaches. They include Berry Point Lock Out, Brickyard Beach, Descanso Bay, Degnen Bay, Drumbeg Park, Sandwell Park and the Gabriola Sands Park.

Birdwatching. Birdwatching includes sea birds and predator birds. From the parks and ocean bays on Gabriola Island there are birding opportunities.

9 Top Things To Do on Galiano Island
Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

The Top 9 Things To Do on Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Gulf Island B.C. Region.

Ocean Kayaking. There are many places to visit on Galiano Island by kayak. There are kayak days trips exploring Retreat Cove, Montague Harbour, Gray Peninsula, Spotlight Cove, Coon Bay, Lighthouse Bay, Whaler Bay, Ballingall Islets, Gossip Island, Georgeson Bay and Parker Island.

Boating & Sailing. There are coves and bay with open water moorage on Galiano and there is a marina with services in Montague Harbour. Some stay for awhile and explore while others are on a schedule exploring the Southern Gulf Islands or San Juan Islands or the Princess Margaret Marine Park.

Beachcombing. Galiano Island has sandy and pebbled beaches. Some of the beaches are old middens sites with crushed shells covering sections of the coastline. There are beaches in Coon Bay, Montague Harbour, Retreat Cove and Georgeson Bay.

Birdwatching. Birdwatching on Galiano includes predator birds and sea birds. Some of the birding parks include Georgeson Bay, Bluffs Park and Dionisio Point Park.

9 Top Things To Do on Hornby Island, 
Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

The Top 9 Things To Do on Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Gulf Island B.C. Region.

Kayaking. Kayaking the bays and coves of Hornby Island makes for great day paddles. Visit such areas as the bluffs in Helliwell Provincial Park or the kilometre long sandy beach in Tribune Bay or the cove in Whaling Station Bay.

Scuba Diving. Diving is big in this region around Hornby and Denman Islands. Some of the diving sites most visited include the south end of Lambert Channel, Heron Rocks, ,Norris Rocks and Flora Islet. The nearby Flora Islet is where the scuba divers head to swim with the six-gill sharks.

Boating & Sailing. Boating and sailing the Gulf Islands includes views of sandstone cliffs, towering bluffs, jagged coastlines and wildlife sightings. There are a few coves and bays on Hornby to visit including Tribune Bay and Whaling Station Bay. There is a small marina on Hornby Island with services in Ford's Cove.

Beachcombing. No visit to Hornby Island is complete without walking the kilometre long sandy beach in Tribune Bay Park.

8 Top Things To Do on Mayne Island, 
Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

The Top 8 Things To Do on Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Gulf Island B.C. Region.

Ocean Kayaking. Mayne Island is on the doorstep to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Active Pass and Plumper Sound. Kayaking Mayne Island also includes exploring the nearby Belle Chain of Islands and the Red Islets, Cabbage Island, Galiano Island and the rest of the Southern Gulf Islands. Kayak tour companies operate on Mayne Island.

Beachcombing. There are short and long trails on Mayne Island accessing the coastline. Some trails lead to sandy beaches while others lead to a rocky shorelines. Bennett Bay, Piggott Bay, Dinner Bay and Campbell Bay are popular beaches. The hiking trail to include on your list that connects to the coastline the trail exploring Campbell Point.

Biking and Cycling. Cycling around Mayne Island is ideal for sightseeing and for transportation because the island is small. It is a short day to circle the island but one can make it a full day adventure when including stops at parks and beaches. Plenty of opportunity for sightseeing and finding a private piece of beach.

Hiking and Walking. There are a few good hikes on Mayne Island. Most hiking trails are considered easy and short leading to viewpoints, rocky coastlines and sandy beaches. Mountain hikes are located in Mt. Park Regional Park and a special coastline hike explores Campbell Point.

11 Top Things To Do on Quadra Island,
Discovery Islands, Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

The Top 11 Things To Do on Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Discovery Islands, Gulf Island B.C. Region.

Sightseeing. Sightseeing includes marine views when visiting Rebecca Spit Provincial Marine Park or the Cape Mudge Lighthouse. There are mountain sightseeing viewpoints overlooking islands like when exploring on the Chinese Mountains Hiking Trail and the Beech Mountain Trail. Boating and sailing views can be enjoyed from the village of Heriot Bay.

Beachcombing. There are some amazing sandy beaches on Quadra Island ideal for beachcombing, picnicking and sightseeing. The beaches located in the Rebecca Spit Provincial Marine Park and the beaches near the Cape Mudge Lighthouse are very popular.

Sea Kayaking. Launching a kayak from Quadra Island puts you within reach of some great day and overnight kayaking destinations. Some of the day kayaks include Octopus Islands, the Small Inlet Marine Park and the coastline of Cortes Island. Some of the multi-day overnight kayak adventures include the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound. There are kayak tour companies operating on the island.

Canoeing. There are lakes to canoe on Quadra. Canoeing is enjoyed in the Main Lake Provincial Park. There is a popular multi-day canoe route exploring the Main Lake chain of interconnected lakes which forms the largest freshwater waterway in the Gulf and Discovery Islands. Access from Village Bay Road.

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