Island life on Mayne involves plenty of sunnyside up time on local beaches and breezy seagoing journeys by boat and kayak.
Three boat launches and 14 shoreline entry points make coastal waters accessible to everyone. The Association of Mayne Island Boaters works hard to keep the island ship-shape for visitors and residents.
The annually updated Mayne Island Map and Visitor Guide (free on BC Ferries and available around the island) provides a handy one-stop guide to the alternatives for getting feet, oars, and hulls wet in the Salish Sea.
Boating
Mariners can tie up at two public docks on the island. The Miners Bay wharf offers 75m/250ft of moorage on a first-come, first-served basis for daily and overnight visits. It provides quick and easy access to the Springwater Lodge's waterfront pub, the Tru Valu grocery store and the liquor store at the Trading Post. Gas and diesel fuel is available at the nearby gas float.
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On the opposite side of the island at Horton Bay, boats can tie up at a government dock that is nicely sheltered from prevailing winds by St. John Point and nearby Curlew Island. There are no shoreside facilities here apart from a pay telephone
Launch a boat from its trailer at Village Bay (facing Galiano Island and Active Pass) or out towards the Strait of Georgia from David Cove on the island's north coast. There's also the Curlew View ramp at Horton Bay facing Curlew Island, home to a collection of rowdy peacocks.
US Boaters
Boaters visiting from the US need to check in with the Canada Border Service Agency. The nearest customs office is at Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island southwest of Mayne. Or sign up for the CANPASS – Private Boats program to secure border clearances by telephone on the day of arrival.
Swimming
The stretch of sand at Bennett Bay is the most popular swimming spot on the island, but even it is relatively uncrowded on warm summer days. Plenty of morning sun makes the mostly gravel beach at Campbell Bay a favourite spot to relax with a thermos of coffee and good page-turner. Watch the ferries from the beaches at Oyster and Maude bays. Or add a short hike to the experience at secluded Kadonaga Bay tucked into the island's southeast corner.
Kayaking
Mayne has its share of craggy coastlines to explore and makes a good departure point for longer trips to other Gulf Islands. Beginners can paddle around the sheltered bays – Dinner, Campbell, Bennett and Horton included – while more experienced kayakers often head for national park campsites in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (i.e., Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island or Prevost Island's James Bay). One note of caution: Steer clear of the ferry lanes and tricky tidal currents in Active Pass.
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