Salt Spring Island Maps and Statistics

Maps

Population

Approximately 10,000 'Islanders'

Location

Off the Southwest coast of British Columbia, Canada. Salt Spring Island lies between Mainland B.C. and Vancouver Island to the west. (48° lat., 123.5° long.)

Travel

The island is serviced by three government ferry terminals, private air operators with connections in Victoria and Vancouver (15 min. flight), and a water taxi service.

For more information:

• Salt Spring Air
• See the B.C. Ferries Route Map
• B.C. Ferries schedule for Salt Spring destinations
• Harbour Air will fly you into Ganges by seaplane on one of their regular scheduled daily flights.
• Kenmore Air flies directly from Seattle to Salt Spring Island
• Victoria Express: Passenger travel only - 1 hour service for passengers only between Port Angeles and Victoria for $20 to $25 US round trip.
• Anacortes, WA ferry to Sidney, BC: a stress-free way to go.
• More ferry services between Seattle and Victoria
• Gulf Islands Water Taxi

Climate

Our climate is envied by the rest of the country. We boast a moderate, sunny climate where seasons blend together almost imperceptibly. Fall rains announce the approach  of a winter that usually stays above the freezing level. Snowfalls are rare, and are beautifully clean, pristine and very short-lived when they do occur.

Salt Spring is in the Canadian 'Banana Belt' with a moderate, sunny climate, and yes, we do grow bananas here. Plenty of sunshine, and approximately 36 inches. of rainfall per year. The island is a haven for year-round gardeners.

For more information:

• Read an Historical Account of Fruit Growing in the Gulf Islands, by local orchardist Harry Burton.
• Read about gardening in Salt Spring's Banana Belt from local expert "Banana Joe".
• Visit Apple Luscious Organic Orchards for a first-person account of fruit growing on Salt Spring Island
• Visit Salt Spring Seeds and see how many varieties of flowers and foods can be grown year-round.