Hiking
Saturna Island has many hiking and exploring opportunities. We've highlighted just a few here with pictures and descriptions. Visit Saturna Tourism to find a map and lots of wonderful information about Saturna Island.
Half of Saturna Island is protected as part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). A gold mine of information is available at their website, or call (866) 944-1744 for information.
Wildlife abounds on Saturna Island. You can hike, cycle, swim, explore intertidal life, sunbathe, beachcomb, kayak, boat, go birding, or just sit still and let nature's wildlife present itself to you! Don't forget your binoculars and camera!
Winter Cove and Boat Pass
Boat pass is the small waterway between Samuel Island and Saturna Island. Winter Cove Park is a 5 minute walk via Winter Cove Road and Boat Pass is reached via an additional 10 minute walk on a beautiful path through the park. It is always exciting to watch boats negotiate this pass as the tidal currents can be quite extreme! Be careful!
East Point Lighthouse
The Fog Alarm Building (FOB)/Heritage Center at East Point, East Point CRD Park and GINPR are all a 15 minute drive or 30 minute bike ride from Saturna Seaside. This is a great place to watch for orca whales or have a picnic. You'll see Mt. Baker on the east side, sunsets on the west side, and seals on the rocks to the north and all around.
Mt. Warburton
Mt. Warburton is a 30-minute drive from Saturna Seaside. Once there, you are at an elevation that delivers panoramic views of more islands than you can imagine. This hike is mostly along the Brown Ridge Crest.
Sage Hayward Vineyard
A family-owned estate vineyard on Saturna Island.
Taylor Point
The trailhead for the Murder Point hike is a 30 minute drive from Saturna Seaside (parking is at the end of Trueworthy Road) and continues on to Taylor Point. This cliffside trail is mostly in the forest. Feral goats are often seen in this area.
Echo Bay, Monarch Head and Narvaez Bay
Echo Bay, Little Bay, and Narvaez Bay are a 20 minute drive from Saturna Seaside through the center forest of the island. There you will find beautiful views and great trails to explore.
Saturna offers many more hidden treasures. We'll leave these for you to discover and explore!
Activities
Kayaking and Boating
Kayaking is a great way to see the water and land of the island up close - slowly and personally. You can walk down to the beach in front of Saturna Seaside and put your kayak, or rubber ducky right into the water and enjoy yourself. Before heading out to kayak, it's a good idea to know the local tides and currents. We also advise checking the local weather at Canadian Weather Office or Weather Underground. You can also check Fisheries and Oceans Canada for more information.
We have four sit-in kayaks (3 single and 1 double) for our guests to use. Winter Cove is an easy place to kayak as the water is usually relatively calm. If you are new to kayaking, you can take lessons from Fred at KayakingSkills.com. It is always fun to watch your friends and family "master" their kayaking skills in Winter Cove from the comfort of Saturna Seaside's warm deck!
Weather, Tides and Currents
Beaches
While Saturna Island is not in the tropics, you will still find a number of beautiful beaches for swimming, sun and exploration during your stay at Saturna Seaside.Our beach is accessed directly in front of our house via large stone steps. The beach is flat with a gravel bottom.
Veruna Bay Beach is a wonderful sandy beach that is an easy 10 minute walk from Saturna Seaside, at the end of Church Cove Rd.
Saturna Beach is another sandy beach that is a 30 minute drive from Saturna Seaside at Thomson Park, near the Vineyard.
Winter Cove Park is just a five minute walk from Saturna Seaside or a short kayak trip. Winter Cove Park has picnic tables, cozy beach coves, a boat launch, a dinghy dock, grassy grounds, forested trails, a tidal marsh, and a view of Boat Pass.
Across the road is a softball field and more trails.
Russell Reef, on East Point Road is a great place to snorkel, lounge in the sun and play in the natural shallow pools.
Victoria
The charming, vibrant city of Victoria is only an hour ferry ride from Saturna Seaside making it a great day trip destination.
The Empress Hotel, the Inner Harbor, museums, Butchart Gardens, shopping, Parliament and much, much more are all waiting for you in Victoria.
Some popular tourism websites include: Gulf Islands Online, Official Travel Site of Vancouver Island, Official Tourism Site of British Columbia Tourism.
The famous Empress Hotel, pictured here is right on the waterfront.
The Victoria Harbour Ferry will take you on a tour of Victoria's marina and waterfront district.
Victoria Harbour Ferry
Victoria Empress Hotel
Gulf Islands
Vancouver Island
British Columbia Tourism