Hornby Island Things To Do
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Hornby Island, like Denman Island, is known for excellent hiking trails, campgrounds, kayaking routes, saltwater swimming spots, salmon fishing, world-class diving, birding, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The influence of Hornby's large artistic community is evident in the island's many galleries and boutiques, as well as arts-oriented events and music festivals held throughout the year.
Hiking & Camping The best hiking trails on both Hornby and Denman Island are in provincial parks. Helliwell Provincial Park, on Hornby, features an easy, 5km/3.1mi hike that passes through old-growth forest before rounding a cliff at the ocean's edge. The 3.5km/2.2mi High Salal Trail starts in Helliwell Provincial Park, crosses a bluff overlooking Tribune Bay, and ends in Tribune Bay Provincial Park. The hike to the summit of Mt. Geoffrey on the west side of Hornby is a challenging 330m/1,083ft. Boyle Point Provincial Park, on Denman, features a 7km/4.3mi forested hike to a viewpoint overlooking Baynes Sound. The easy, 2km/1.2mi walk through old-growth forest in Fillongley Provincial Park (also on Denman) leads to a beach.
The picturesque campgrounds on both islands are very popular, and require booking well in advance. There are more than 100 sites in Hornby Island's two campgrounds. The larger is located at the edge of Tribune Bay Provincial Park. The other overlooks the ocean on the northwest side of the island.The 10 drive-in sites in Fillongley Provincial Park on Denman Island have panoramic views of Hornby Island and the mainland mountains.
Cycling & Mountain Biking Cycling is a wonderful way to explore both islands. Roads are smooth and quiet, for the most part, and Hornby has several multi-use trails suitable for mountain biking. Rentals and guided tours are available.
Arts, Culture & History Hornby Island has a large creative community, with many artists living on the island year round. Locally produced art and crafts are widely available in shops and galleries, and most artists open their studios to the public for at least some part of the year. Arts festivals and events are held annually, including the Denman Island Pottery Tour, and the Denman Island Home and Garden Tour.
In summer, Elderfield Old-Time Farm on Hornby Island, features open-air exhibits and demonstrations of rural life by personnel in pioneer-era costumes. Also in summer, Denman Island Art Gallery exhibits works in various mediums by local artists.
Entertainment Entertainment options on both Hornby and Denman Island are numerous. In early August, the Hornby Festival presents 12-16 concerts at various venues, some of them in scenic, outdoor locations. Denman Island's Community Hall mounts productions of all kinds, including jazz and classical music concerts, operas and plays.
Provincial Parks There are five provincial parks on Hornby and Denman Island, each suitable for hiking and picnicking. Other popular activities include birding at Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park and Boyle Point Provincial Park, camping at Fillongley Provincial Park, diving at Helliwell Provincial Park, and swimming at Tribune Bay Provincial Park, the warmest saltwater swimming destination in BC.
Natural attractions include spring wildflowers in Fillongley Provincial Park, Boyle Point Provincial Park, and Tribune Bay Provincial Park (late April/early May); fall leaves in Fillongley Provincial Park; the view of Baynes Sound from Boyle Point Provincial Park; and the view of the Strait of Georgia and Coast Mountains from the bluffs in Helliwell Provincial Park. Helliwell is also a good place to see massive, old-growth Douglas firs, and rare, native Garry Oaks.
Wildlife Viewing In March, local waters teem with spawning herring and creatures, such as sea lions, that feed on them. This is the largest and most consistent herring spawn in BC. Denman Island is home to thriving populations of deer, pheasants, Great Blue Herons, hawks and Bald Eagles. Hornby Island is one of only a few places in the world where six-gill sharks venture close enough to the surface to be observed by divers.
Swimming & Beaches There are many, beautiful sand and pebble beaches on Hornby and Denman Islands. The warm, aquamarine water and long stretches of white, sandy beach in Tribune Bay Provincial Park on Hornby Island have earned it the nickname "Little Hawaii." It is, in fact, BC's warmest saltwater swimming spot. Denman's top spots for sunning and saltwater swimming are Fillongley Provincial Park and Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park.
Kayaking Kayaking is popular on both islands. Great trips on Hornby Island include the one from Whaling Station Bay to Helliwell Bluffs and the ones from Ford Cove north to Shingle Spit or south to Norman Point. Denman Island's three most popular destinations are Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park in the north and Boyle Point Provincial Park and tiny Chrome Island in the south.
Diving Hornby Island is an amazing diving location, with Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf Eels, Harbour Seals, Lingcod, Rockfish, anemones and nudibranches inhabiting its waters. Migrating herring draw Stellar and California Sea Lions to the area in winter, and between May and September, six-gill sharks enter shallow water at Flora Islet. Six-gills are normally found hundreds of metres (feet) below the surface. Hornby Island is one of only a few locations in the world where they can be observed on a dive.
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