Saturna Island
Saturna Island Family Estate Winery, Tourism BC/Andrea Johnson photo
Saturna Island is a short floatplane haul from Vancouver and Victoria – the two most urban, densely populated cities in BC. Yet this is by far the most remote, crowd-free refuge in the southern Gulf Islands. A tiny population of just 350 full-time residents combined with cozy accommodations, the bare minimum of retail activity and the island's well-protected natural beauty make Saturna a prime R&R locale.
Saturna draws visitors who appreciate peace, pleasant outdoor activities, and abundant quality time with books, binoculars, journals, art supplies and creative imaginations. Hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, home-studio artist tours, lazy afternoons in parks and miscellaneous water activities (swimming, boating, beachcombing) are favourite pursuits here.
Become a Local
Get up to speed on island life by reading the Saturna Scribbler monthly newsletter. Or strike up a conversation with locals by asking about the legend of “Moby Doll” (involving an ill-fated Orca at East Point) and the no-door outhouse with see-forever views of the Gulf Islands (hint: it's on the Campbell family's Brown Ridge property).
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Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Saturna is immune from civilization's fast pace in large part because 44 percent of the island's 34.7sq km/13.4sq mi land mass is protected parkland – the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The lion's share of green space is in the central uplands around two peaks – Elford on the island's northern half and Warburton Pike to the south. Easily accessible, picnic-friendly waterfront gems are also within Saturna's generous share of this regional national park.
Planning a Visit
Coming to Saturna requires planning, time and, for those crossing the nearby Canada/US maritime border, a passport. BC Ferries provides daily year-round transportation to the island, but Saturna is tucked away from the main routes and getting here requires a transfer to a smaller ferry.
There is no Visitor Centre on the island. Pick up the Saturna Island Tourist Association's annually updated annotated map and event calendar aboard BC Ferries. The bulletin board at the Community Hall near the ferry dock is a good source for local events.
Be sure to book accommodations early. The island's limited selection allows little more than 75 overnight guests at any one time (including wilderness hikers at Saturna's one campground and not counting boaters moored in the island's coves and bays).
About Town
Commercial life, such as it is, is concentrated at the Lyall Harbour BC Ferries dock (site of a waterfront pub, the community hall and book store) and the nearby Saturna General Store (groceries, coffee, superb bistro food).
Much of the island is inaccessible to motorized vehicles. Paved roads are on Saturna's west side, its open northern coastline (leading to the East Point lighthouse, a prime spot for Orca sightings) and through a central valley to Narvaez Bay. The latter is named after the Spanish captain who charted these waters in 1791 aboard the schooner Santa Saturnina.
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