Residents live quiet communal lives in the winter, then roll out the summertime welcome mat (and often rent their own homes while vacationing elsewhere) when the crowds arrive.
Savvy travellers arrive in spring and fall when the weather is often gorgeous and the visitor count relatively minimal.
Water Activities
Kayakers paddle along the Hornby coastline and make there-and-back crossings to Chrome and Denman islands; rentals are available at the Ringside Market. Pleasure boaters travelling along Vancouver Island's east coast pull into Ford's Cove Marina, site of a dive shop that gives scuba divers opportunities to go nose-to-nose with six-gilled shark and Sea Lions. Skimboarders and body surfers play in Tribune Bay's tidal rollers, while swimmers strike out for deeper waters here and at such lovely spots as Whaling Station Bay and Heron Rock.
Land Activities
Mount Geoffrey's crown lands and regional park are famed among the mountain biking set for the cliffside views, single-track joyrides, and expertly maintained trail network. Hikers head to the summit here and stride out to the island's eastern tip at Helliwell Provincial Park. Shingle Spit near the ferry terminal is one of a half-dozen beach strolls on the island.
With one in 18 Hornby residents a working artist, gallery and home studio tours can be multi-day pleasures with the assistance of the free Hornby Island Studio Guide. One highlight: The remarkable, art-strewn grounds of sculptor Jeffrey Rubinoff's home near the ferry terminal. Like many other art studios here, it can be visited by appointment.
Drop-ins are welcome in many of the programs offered by Hornby Recreation – yoga, dance and Taekwondo included – at the New Horizons Hall and Joe King Ballpark. Families with young children can investigate summer exhibits, guest speakers and activity programs at the Hornby Island Community School (2100 Sollans Road off Central Road). The Tribute Bay Outdoor Education Centre offers skills and leadership programs to school groups year-round and drop-in youngsters in August.
Festivals and Events
The island's arts calendar is highlighted by the annual Hornby Festival over two weekends and a week in early August. Main stage performers get audiences dancing in the orchard at Olsen's Farm near Ford's Cove, classical music is heard in the Hornby Hall, and the "art in unusual places" component of the festival finds musicians at the Recycling Depot, Sandpiper Bluffs, and Trib Bay. The festival society also presents spring and fall concert series with top BC and touring artists.
Live jazz steams up the windows at the Thatch Pub on Fridays year-round. And mojos work overtime at the annual Hornby Island Blues Workshop held annually in mid-May. Leading names in the genre like Carlos Del Junco, Amos Garrett and Doug Cox offer boot-camp instruction in technique, songwriting and how to effectively work a whammy bar.
Shopping
The funky collection of caravans and small shacks in the Ringside Market is a unique environment for island-made fibre arts, clothing, pottery, gifts, and plenty of good eats. The tiny, wonderfully stocked 32 Book Co. carries titles by such Hornby Islanders as Amanda Hale, Janey Bennett, and Doug Carrick (author of a book about his famed "eaglecam," which has been drawing long-distance gawkers since the world's first such online camera went live on Hornby in 2006). The HI Co-op carries island-made veggies, meat-free pate, smoked fish, nutritional supplements and herbal cosmetics.
Where to Begin
Pick up the annually updated Hornby and Denman Islands Visitor's Guide aboard the ferries and at brochure racks on the island. It includes a list of activities, art galleries, restaurants and a map.
Visitor information is also available at the Ringside Market. The bulletin board here is chockablock with notices of upcoming events.
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