Getting to Quarrystone House B&B
Quarrystone House Bed and Breakfast is on Salt Spring Island in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. It is close to Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, and within an easy days drive from Bellingham and Seattle in Washington State. Once on the island, Quarrystone House Bed and Breakfast is easy to find.
By BC Ferries
The most common way of getting to Salt Spring Island is by Ferry. There are three possible ferry routes to Salt Spring Island. Please check the BC Ferries website for ferry times.
1. Tsawwassen to Long Harbour Ferry
From the ferry terminal in Tsawwassen there is a direct ferry to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island. Usually this ferry makes three brief stops at other Gulf Islands along the way and only goes twice each day. In July and August there are several non-stop sailings added to the schedule. It is recommended you make a reservation on this ferry especially on long weekends or in the summer. Long Harbour is about 20 minutes from Quarrystone House.
Directions from Long Harbour ferry: Take Long Harbour Road to Upper Ganges Road. Turn right and then immediately left. Stay on Upper Ganges Road to the intersection with Lower Ganges Road. Continuing straight through the road becomes Vesuvius Bay Road. Follow until Sunset Drive and then turn right. After about 6 km watch for the sign for Quarrystone House at 1340 Sunset Drive.
2. Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay to Fulford Ferry
More frequent ferries leave from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. You then catch a connecting ferry to Fulford Harbour on the south end of Salt Spring. The ferries leave Tsawwassen every 2 hours on the odd hour and every hour in the summer. At the Tsawwassen ticket booth, be sure you ask for a THROUGH-FARE ticket to Saltspring Island. (It is cheaper this way!) The Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour ferry takes 35 minutes and leaves every 2 hours on the odd hour enabling perfect connections to Salt Spring. From Fulford Harbour, you’ll have a 30 minute drive to Quarrystone House.
Directions from Fulford ferry: Take Fulford-Ganges Road to the village of Ganges, where the main road becomes Lower Ganges Road. Continue north until the intersection with Vesuvius Bay Road. Turn left and watch for Sunset Drive. Turn right on Sunset and follow for about 6 km until you get to 1340 Sunset Drive.
3. Crofton to Vesuvius Ferry
If you arrive from further north on Vancouver Island (e.g. Nanaimo, Tofino, Campbell River), you can take the Crofton Ferry to Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island. Sometimes it makes more sense for those living in North Vancouver or West Vancouver or those travelling on Hwy 1 to take the Horseshoe Bay Ferry to Nanaimo, then drive 40 minutes south to Crofton and take the Crofton Ferry.
Directions from Vesuvius ferry: Take Vesuvius Bay Road to Sunset Drive (the first road on the left) and then follow Sunset Drive for about 6 km. Quarrystone House B&B will be on your left at 1340 Sunset Drive.
By Float Plane
Since there is no airport on Salt Spring, air travel is by float plane (about 20 minutes). This is a lovely scenic flight from downtown Vancouver or the South Terminal of the Airport and can save 3 hours or more each direction.
- HARBOUR AIR Scheduled service between downtown Vancouver, Vancouver International Airport and Ganges Harbour, year round. Harbour Air now operates the former Salt Spring Air routes to the outer Gulf Islands and beyond.
- SEAIR SEAPLANES Service between Vancouver International Airport and Salt Spring Island, year round.
- KENMORE AIR Floatplane service out of Seattle to Victoria and the San Juans. Check their route map for current Gulf Islands service.
Getting here by boat
Gulf Islands Water Taxi carries passengers and bicycles only, and will get you from the other Gulf Islands to Salt Spring. Service is limited to a few sailings a day, so check their schedule before you plan around it.
Marinas
- SALTSPRING MARINA In Ganges Harbour, moorage and services.
- GANGES MARINA In Ganges Harbour.
- FULFORD HARBOUR Public moorage at the south end of the island, run by the Salt Spring Island Harbour Authority.
Getting around Salt Spring
- SALT SPRING ISLAND TRANSIT Local bus service, with routes and schedules on the BC Transit site.
- SILVER SHADOW TAXI Island taxi service. There is very little of it, so book ahead if you are arriving on a late ferry.
- CAR AND SCOOTER RENTALS Available in Ganges. Ask us and we will point you at whoever is currently running.
Travel from Washington State
Here are a few options for visitors coming from Washington State.
- CLIPPER VACATIONS Passenger only ferry from downtown Seattle to the inner harbour of Victoria. Formerly the Victoria Clipper.
- BLACK BALL FERRY LINE (COHO) Sails to Victoria from Port Angeles.
- WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES From Anacortes and the San Juan Islands, docking at Sidney, north of Victoria near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Salt Spring Island, BC
Beautiful West-Coast Nature
Between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, along the boundary with USA, is an archipelago of hundreds of islands. Those south of the border are called the San Juan Islands, while those in Canada are the Gulf Islands. This is an area of extraordinary natural beauty, sheltered in the Georgia Strait, between the mainland of British Columbia and the 300-mile long Vancouver Island. The Gulf Islands of British Columbia are sometimes called The Martha’s Vineyard of the West Coast or Canada’s Caribbean.
The Wonder of Nature
Salt Spring Island gives you the best of all worlds: spectacular natural beauty, but with all the amenities right here. You can hike through the forests, kayak past gorgeous sculptured sandstone shores, watch eagles and hummingbirds, or simply sit and enjoy a spectacular view. You’ll find secluded forests, lakes, beaches, rocky shores, pastoral farmland.
Our sheltered waters are popular with boaters, kayakers and divers. Freshwater and ocean swimming are excellent. The rock, water, forests and wildlife provide a diversity of terrain to hike and explore.
Wild mink, hummingbirds, bald eagles, deer, sea lions, seals, river otters, porpoises, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, swans, starfish, sea cucumbers. No large predators and no poisonous insects. One visitor to Salt Spring spotted 86 species of birds in three mornings, just sitting on the deck of a nearby house! Over 120 species of birds have been spotted.
Arts and Crafts Mecca
Salt Spring Island is Canada’s arts and crafts island, and has been named one of the top artistic communities in North America. Since the late sixties, artists and crafts people have been drawn here from all over the world. The artistic and cultural richness of the island goes far beyond what the size of the community might suggest. Indeed, the arts community includes many world-renowned individuals such as Robert Bateman, Carol Evans and many others who are shown in major galleries and museums in cities around the world.
ArtSpring centre offers top performances by local and touring artists. Particularly in the warmer weather, there are numerous musical and cultural events as well as festivals. Our Saturday Market in the Park is one of the most popular attractions from spring to fall, with hundreds of unique local vendors who “grow, make or bake” on Salt Spring Island.
Just some of our arts attractions
Salt Spring Island is a melting pot of local artists and artisans, crafts people, singers and musicians, and is acclaimed as one of the best small art towns in Canada. Salt Spring boasts very well known artists such as Robert Bateman, and musicians such as Valdy, Randy Bachman, Donnie McDougall, Dave Lettinga and Bill Henderson. Talented artists in almost every discipline will be found here: potters, sculptors, woodworkers, metalworkers, basket makers, glassworkers of every description and weavers.
Salt Spring Island Studio Tour
Take a self-guided tour of 37 diverse and fascinating artists studios located throughout beautiful Salt Spring Island. Meet the individual artists and perhaps take home some special treasures. The roadside studio signs guide you to each individual studio. Maps can be obtained at Quarrystone House upon check-in. Officially open May through to October; but a quick phone call ahead and they will open their doors!
The Saturday Market
Canada’s best loved outdoor arts, crafts, and farmers market. Every Saturday, rain or shine, April to October, 8:30am to 3:30pm in Centennial Park at the heart of Ganges. Internationally acclaimed arts and crafts, all locally produced on Canada’s Island of the Arts. The market is made up of local artists, farmers and food vendors who have all made it, baked it or grown it themselves. This simple policy requirement is the essence of the market.
Artspring, The Cinema, Live Music and The Gallery Walk
Artspring is a performing arts center and gallery offering local theatre, live entertainment, festivals and concerts; phone 250-537-2125. The Cinema shows first-run movies year round in a unique little cinema with a full concession, located at Central Hall. Live music at The Local Pub every Friday night, Oystercatcher and Treehouse Restaurant, among others. The Gallery Walk: most galleries are open daily and some are open late Friday evenings during the summer. A tour map may be obtained at Quarrystone House upon check-in.
Outdoor Adventures
Kayaking
Currently the most popular activity and there are four organizations offering equipment and instructions. Salt Spring Island and the surrounding islands offer kayakers a paradise to explore! The small islets nearby provide viewing of stellar sea lions, seals, and river otters. Out on the water, you may even spot dolphins and Orcas. The most requested kayak trips include the sunset paddle and those that include a salmon barbeque. Andale Kayaking (537-0700) and Salt Spring Adventure Co (537-2764).
Salt Spring Island Golf and Country Club
Their nine-hole, 3000+ yard, par 36 course with small greens and undulating fairways provides a challenge for all. Driving range, club and power-cart rentals, pro shop, and the 19th Hole Restaurant and Bar. First-come first-serve basis, so please phone prior to your game. 537-2121
Boating
The magnificent scenery here makes the Gulf Islands a major destination for boaters all over the Pacific Northwest. Salt Spring Island has several locations for docking and moorage; make advance arrangements in the summer. Details on marinas are available on VHF Channel 68. Saltspring Island Marina: Harbours End (Moby’s Pub), 1-800-334-6629
Fishing
Fishing in, around and on Salt Spring is excellent, both saltwater and freshwater. Three to five pound bass and even larger trout are not uncommon in our lakes, and salmon fishing is available offshore all year round. Saltspring Marine Rentals 250-537-5464, South Saltspring Salmon Charters 250-653-4902, Ropn and Reeln Charters 250-537-9509
Beaches
There are eight lakes, although only five have public beaches, plus 22 ocean beaches with four designated for swimming.
Tennis Courts
Three locations on the island with a total of five public courts. The main tennis courts are at Portlock park and are covered in the winter. Please call to reserve 250-537-9917
Cycling
Popular but most roads are narrow and none have shoulders. Expect beautiful scenery. There is a 100 km circuit route that pretty much goes around the island, or many shorter alternatives. Rentals at Saltspring Kayaking and Cycling 250-653-4222, or the bike shop on McPhillips in Ganges 250-537-1544.
Hiking
A major activity with many mountain, beach and park trails. Check out the map in our information center for detailed trails and locations or purchase one at the Visitor Information Centre, phone 537-5252.
Scooter Rentals
SeaBreeze Inn and Saltspring Marine Rentals (Moby’s 537-5464).
Disk or Frisbee Golf
This has become a major activity in Mouat Park in Ganges with tournaments every Sunday. Call SSI Disc Golf Association at 250-538-1965.
Diving
Diving in the Gulf Islands is exceptional. Many consider the area to offer some of the best diving in the world. Crystal clear waters, an abundance of life forms, shipwrecks, and cool-water coral reefs. There are several dive shops on Salt Spring Island.
Bird Watching and Tours
Salt Spring Island is home to over a hundred species of birds. We can even make arrangements for a local ornithologist to spend some time with you. Western Splendour Tours and Charters specializes in a unique experience of Salt Spring Island’s history, culture, politics and hidden gems. Contact Jason Griffin 250-538-7307, www.toursaltspring.com
Restaurants
Salt Spring Island offers some of the best food and fare available anywhere on the West Coast. For those that would rather dine in from your room at the Quarrystone House, there is free delivery from the following fine restaurants.
- Oystercatcher Seafood Bar & Grill
- Shipstones Taproom
- The Local Bar
- Boardwalk
- Uptown Pizza
- Fishery & Chips
These establishments use lamb from our very own Quarrystone House when available, and local ingredients whenever possible.
Salt Spring Island offers a diverse selection of restaurants, from Chinese or Japanese food, to pizza, pasta, upscale dining and top shelf 5 star dining at Hastings House or House Piccolo.
Book Your Salt Spring Island Adventure Today!
Book online or call 250-537-7891.