Call Peter: 250.361.7516

Gulf Islands Overview & Information

The Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada.

The Gulf Islands consist of 15 comparatively large islands and several dozen smaller insular masses ranging from Salt Spring Islandat 181.3 square kilometres (70 square miles) down to islets scarcely above water at high tide.

The Gulf Islands are usually divided into two groups, the Southern and Northern Gulf Islands. The dividing line is approximately that formed by the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, and the mouth of the Fraser River on the mainland.

All the major islands are served by B.C. Ferries.

Click to learn about Victoria & Vancouver Island

Southern Gulf Islands

The Southern Gulf Islands include hundreds of islands and islets, and form part of a larger archipelago that also includes the nearby San Juan Islands of the State of Washington, in the United States.

Northern Gulf Islands

These islands lie just beyond the range of Vancouver and Victoria, offering privacy and seclusion.

View in Google Earth Click Here!

Cortes Island, and Quadra Island are referred to as being part of the Gulf Islands, but as they are not in the Strait of Georgia they are more officially designated as part of the Discovery Islands. Bowen Island, the outermost of the islands of Howe Sound, is also often referred to as a Gulf Island, as is neighbouring Gambier Island.

Gulf Islands Climate

The climatic conditions on the Gulf Islands are similar to those on the adjacent parts of Vancouver Island. Temperatures are generally moderate throughout the year, and extremes of temperature are rare because of the marine influence. The average frost-free period for the Gulf Islands is from 200 to 250 days. Rainfall is moderate and varies from an average of 91.4 cm (36 in) per year on Salt Spring Island to an over-all average of 76.2 cm (30 in) each year for the other islands. Most of the rain falls during winter months. Click here for 7-day weather forecast.

Gulf Islands Marinas

Gulf Islands Air Transport

Gulf Islands Links

Gulf Islands Schools

School Name
Grades Served
Principal Contact Information Website
Galiano Community
K-12
Dan Sparanese 1290 Sturdies Bay Road
Galiano Island, BC, V0N 1P0
ph (250) 539-2261
fax (250) 539-2318
Click Here
Mayne Island
K-12
Ty Binfet 535 Fernhill Road
Mayne Island, BC V0N 2J0
ph (250) 539-2371
fax (250) 539-2325
Click Here
Pender Islands
K-12
Martin Blakesley 5714 Canal Road
Pender Island, BC V0N 2M1
ph (250) 629-3711
fax (250) 629-2023
Click Here
Saturna Island
K-12
Steve Dunsmuir 121 Sunset Blvd.
Saturna Island, BC V0N 2Y0
ph (250) 539-2472
fax (250) 539-3173
Click Here
Fernwood
Salt Spring, K-5
Richard Bennett 150 Fernwood Road
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1C5
ph (250) 537-9332
fax (250) 537-5386
Click Here
Fulford Community
Salt Spring, K-5
Shelly Johnson 203 South Ridge Drive
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1Y9
ph (250) 653-9223
fax (250) 653-2090
Click Here
Phoenix
Salt Spring, K-7
Oscar Hanson 163 Drake Road
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2K8
ph (250) 537-1156
fax (250) 537-1842
Click Here
Gulf Islands Secondary
Salt Spring, 9-12
Judy Raddysh 232 Rainbow Road
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2K3
ph (250) 537-9944
fax (250) 537-9512
Click Here
Salt Spring Elementary
Salt Spring, K-5
Marie Mullen 122 Rainbow Road
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2K3
ph (250) 537-9928
fax (250) 537-1397
Click Here
Saltspring Island Middle
Salt Spring, 6-8
Lisa Halstead 120 Rainbow Road
Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2K3
ph (250) 537-1159
fax (250) 537-4991
Click Here