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Mayne is a place of simple pleasures: beautiful seascapes, dense forests, farm-fresh foods and turn-of-the-century architecture. Water-oriented activities include kayaking, swimming, boating, scuba diving and salmon fishing. Shorebirds and marine mammals are common sights around the island’s many sheltered beaches. Naturalists should be sure to visit areas that belong to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Events on the island include the Farmers’ Market, Fall Fair and artists’ studios tour.
Hiking is a wonderful way to experience Mayne’s diverse natural settings. One trail in Mount Parke Regional Park leads to the 263-m (863-ft) summit of Mount Parke, the island’s highest point. The wide-ranging land and ocean views make the challenging, 45-minute ascent to that viewpoint well worth the effort. A short trail in the Bennett Bay area of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve leads to Campbell Point and another lovely view. Georgeson and Saturna Islands and Mount Baker are visible from here.
Bike rentals are available and roads tend to be quiet, so don’t hesitate to do a little two-wheeled touring.
There are several private campgrounds on Mayne.
Miners Bay is the most architecturally interesting area of Mayne. Many buildings there date from the turn-of-the-century, when the island served as the commercial centre for the Gulf Islands. Springwater Lodge, possibly the longest continuously operating hotel in BC, opened its doors in 1892. A small museum operates in the old Plumper Pass Lockup building, where criminals and rabble rousers were incarcerated starting in 1896. St. Mary Magdelene Church, completed in 1898, has commanding view of Active Pass. Stroll through its cemetery to enjoy this view and read some interesting, century-old inscriptions at the same time.
Many artists and artisans live and work on Mayne. They produce woodwork, glasswork, paintings, jewellery, candles and more. Some artists open their studios and workshops to the public. Consult one of the self-guided studio tour maps available on the island for more information.
The Mayne Museum and the Japanese Memorial Garden honour the contributions of past inhabitants of the island. The museum contains Aboriginal artifacts, settler paraphernalia and historic photos. The garden is a beautiful reminder that there was a prosperous and thriving Japanese community on Mayne before the government forced all Japanese-Canadians into internment camps in 1942.
Like most Gulf Islands, Mayne has a seasonal Farmers’ Market where you can buy local produce, art, crafts and freshly prepared foods. Buskers provide the musical entertainment. The market is held at the Agricultural Hall grounds every Saturday from July to October. The long-running Fall Fair, also held at the Agricultural Hall, happens in August and always includes a parade.
The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve protects pockets of land on 15 islands and many islets. It also protects the intertidal zone around these areas to a distance of 25 m (82 ft). On/around Mayne Island, reserve lands include Bennett Bay, Georgeson Island, Anniversary Island and the Belle Chain Islets. Bennett Bay features old-growth forest, a walking trail, superb ocean views and a sandy beach that is popular with swimmers. Georgeson and Anniversary Islands are forested while the Belle Chain Islets are not. All three areas offer good kayaking. Dinner Bay Park is home to the Japanese Memorial Garden, as well as a putting green, baseball diamond, picnic shelter, playground, beachfront swimming area and boat launch. Georgina Point Lighthouse Park features a rocky beach and picnic facilities in addition to a concrete lighthouse built in 1969. A gorgeous view of Active Pass is probably the best feature of that park. The summit of Mount Parke is the highest viewpoint on Mayne. 263 m (863 ft) up, it offers stunning views of the surrounding islands and the BC mainland. At lower elevations, you can’t do better than the Campbell Point viewpoint. Located at the end of a trail in Bennett Bay, it takes in Georgeson and Saturna Islands, and Washington State’s Mount Baker in the distance. Birds, deer and marine mammals are abundant on and around Mayne. Bird species include Winter Wrens, Bald Eagles, robins, finches, towhees, hummingbirds, swallows, goldfinches and Cedar Waxwings. Flocks of shorebirds use the mudflats at Horton Bay and Village Bay for resting and feeding in autumn. Black Oystercatchers, Glaucous-winged Gulls and Pigeon Guillemots nest on the Belle Chain Islets, which are also used by seals and sea lions.
There are plenty of opportunities for water-based recreation on Mayne. Popular swimming areas include Bennett Bay, Campbell Bay, Dinner Bay, Oyster Bay and Piggot Bay. Many of these bays will suit novice kayakers, too. More experienced paddlers can explore the many nearby islands and islets. Active Pass, with its heavy boat traffic and strong tides, should be avoided by all paddlers. Equipment rentals and guided tours are available. Charters for sailing and Chinook Salmon fishing around Georgina Point and Active Pass are also available. Moorage is available at Miners Bay and Horton Bay.
Two of the best dive sites in the area are Georgina Shoals and the wreck of the Zephyr. The shoals feature a rich array of marine life, interesting rocks and reefs at a depth of about 10 m (33 ft). The Zephyr sank more than 100 years ago, midway between David Cove and Edith Point.
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