The South Island includes the pastoral Saanich peninsula and a rugged southwest coastline framed by postcard views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the towering peaks of Washington State’s Olympic Mountain range. Victoria, the most populous area on Vancouver Island, is still quiet enough to attract residents who treasure peace, serenity and all kinds of holistic opportunities to stay fit and healthy. It’s possible thanks to numerous parks, easy-access beaches, recreation facilities, yoga studios and two of Canada’s best family hiking and biking routes – the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails.
The Gulf Islands are the heart of the Salish Sea. Each island has it's own distinctive character yet all sharing unspoilt natural beauty and a sublimely tranquil pace of life. The people who reside here have set their clocks to “Island Time,” and that means no fuss, no rush (at least until it’s time to catch the next ferry out). The southern Gulf Islands sit pretty along Vancouver Island’s eastern coastline, stretching from Saturna near the Canada/ U.S.maritime border north to Gabriola off shore from Nanaimo. A half dozen of the larger islands are home to vibrant communities.
