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Captain's Quarters on Mayne |
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"Your Home away from Home" |
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1+(250) 539-2629 Toll Free: 1-877-539-2629 |
Today, Mayne Island is a small, charming community, in a beautiful and
tranquil setting. Its quaintness is maintained as it offers limited shops and services, and has no traffic lights. Visitors flock to the island year round to experience its long, sunny summers, mild winters, nature and diversity of activities offered. Deer roam freely and graze tranquilly along the roadside and there are no predators on Mayne Island. The Captain's Quarters is the perfect choice from which you can participate in all the offerings of the Southern Gulf Islands. Over 250 different wild flowers grow abundantly and flourish on the island. Blue-eyed Mary's, rare orchids, common daisies, wild native roses and blue bells are among some of the flowers brought to the island by early settlers. You will also see many black-tailed mule deer roaming and grazing on the floral offerings. The island is covered with Douglas and Grand Firs, Western Red Cedar, Alder, Maple, and unique Arbutus trees.
What to Do:
At the ferry docks, crowds of people disembark and quickly disappear. Disbursed around the island, they are hiking in the forests, riding horses or cycling around exploring the island, digging for clams or oysters, beachcombing, canoeing or kayaking amongst the seals, or whatever activity brings them here to absorb the silence and natural beauty of Mayne Island.
Take a leisurely stroll, relax or beachcomb at one of the beaches at Campbell Bay, Bennett Bay, Piggot Bay, Oyster Bay, and Dinner Bay Community Park. Perhaps, you may view a pod of whales, sea-lions and seals frolicking in the waters. Look into the tidal pools that are home to many small marine creatures, or view colourful starfish and large jelly fish. See the sculpted sandstone along the water's edge. Catch a sunset on the western side of the island or from the patio of the oldest running hotel in BC, the Springwater Lodge.
Some roads lead to beach access with views of Vancouver's skyline or Mount Baker's outline. Some roads meander by ocean vistas and other roads cut through the thick forest or farmland. It's a 45-minute uphill climb to the 271-metre summit in Mount Parke Regional Park for a panoramic view of the area.
Up in the skies you can see turkey vultures swoop and glide on air currents, seagulls and eagles soaring up high as well singing chickadees, wrens and hummingbirds flittering amongst the flowers. There are dozens of different species of birds that make the island a bird-watcher's paradise, especially during the migratory seasons.
There are plenty of remnants of the past that may appeal to photographers.
Historical buildings such as the 1897 St Mary Magdalene Church and adjoining cemetery, the 1885 Georgina Point Lighthouse, the 1900's Agricultural Hall which now houses the farmer's market every summer and a tiny museum which housed the Plumper Pass Lock-up built in 1896, and the Springwater Lodge which is the oldest, continually operating hotel, built in 1892. The island's main commercial centre is the village of Miners Bay which overlooks Active Pass. Ferries come from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen and dock near Village Bay. A number and variety of services, shops, and galleries,specializing in painting, pottery, fabric art, dried flowers, home preserves, jewellery and carvings are located throughout the island, particularly near Miners Bay
Weather:
The Southern Gulf Islands are blessed with the mildest climate in Canada and are also known as The Canadian Hawaiian Islands, with only about 70cm of rain annually, and sunshine from March through October. Spring comes as early as February, when blossoms begin to appear on trees and colourful bulbs emerge. Winds are strongest in March and April. Summer is warm, sunny, and dry and usually in the 70's with the occasional hot spell. Fall is a magnificent season of vibrant colours, with temperatures remaining mild and it can also be mysteriously foggy and overcast. Frost is rare in the winter and although December and January are the coldest months, it snows rarely. The mild temperatures allow year round activities for hikers, cyclists, and kayakers.
What to Pack:
Leave your tuxedo and gown at home when packing for a trip to British Columbia's Southern Gulf Islands. Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are a must year-round, and if you plan on beachcombing in the winter you may want to pick up a pair of gumboots. Take a hat, sunglasses, a rain jacket, a warm sweater for evenings, a camera, binoculars and maybe a bike or fishing gear if you're so inclined. Pack casual clothing as you want to be able to sit on the logs when you are beachcombing. Include gloves, scarf, warm socks, long underwear and layers if you're travelling in the winter as the dampness can be chilly. You don't have to concern yourself with bug repellant at any time of the year.
Ferries:
Access to the Southern Gulf Islands is by BC Ferries via the Swartz Bay terminal 
at the foot of Highway 17 just past Sydney on Vancouver Island and the Tsawwassen Terminal at the foot of Highway 17 in Delta on BC's mainland. Sailing times from Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay are anywhere from 60 minutes to three hours.
at the foot of Highway 17 just past Sydney on Vancouver Island and the Tsawwassen Terminal at the foot of Highway 17 in Delta on BC's mainland. Sailing times from Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay are anywhere from 60 minutes to three hours. Reservations are recommended at the Tsawwassen Terminal and it's almost impossible to get on during the summer or holiday weekends without them. Reservations are not accepted at the Swartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island. There is a minimum of two sailings a day going in both directions from both terminals. The schedules change twice a year, summer and winter. For rates, routings and current schedules and to make reservations call 1-888-BC Ferry or visit their website BC Ferries In the summer months, sails flutter on the waters around the Southern Gulf Islands. These rocky islands are a boater's haven, both for fishing, exploring the shores or for just relaxing in a tranquil cove. Most islands have docks and harbors where private sailors can drop anchor or tie up to the pier and walk about the islands on foot.
For safety rules and regulations when cruising British Columbia and Canadian waters visit these two websites: Canadian Coast Guard Boating Safety and Boating And Sailing Safety
Getting Around Mayne Island
Walking:
If you are in good shape, walking is a great way to explore the island. You will also be able to encounter deer without scaring them away as easily. There are plenty of country roads to explore or climb up to the top of Mount Parke for a beautiful vista.
Cycling:
The Gulf Islands are made for cyclists and usually dozens of families get off the ferries with bikes in tow. There is very little traffic and lots of paved country roads. Bicycles can be rented at Mayne Island Kayak. Additionally, Mayne Island Kayak rents scooters to ride around the island.
Taxi: Midas Taxi is the only taxi service available on Mayne Island. Call 250-539-3132 or Cell 250-539-0181 for arrangements.
For safety rules and regulations when cruising British Columbia and Canadian waters visit these two websites: Canadian Coast Guard Boating Safety and Boating And Sailing Safety
Getting Around Mayne Island
Walking:
If you are in good shape, walking is a great way to explore the island. You will also be able to encounter deer without scaring them away as easily. There are plenty of country roads to explore or climb up to the top of Mount Parke for a beautiful vista.
Cycling:
The Gulf Islands are made for cyclists and usually dozens of families get off the ferries with bikes in tow. There is very little traffic and lots of paved country roads. Bicycles can be rented at Mayne Island Kayak. Additionally, Mayne Island Kayak rents scooters to ride around the island.
Taxi: Midas Taxi is the only taxi service available on Mayne Island. Call 250-539-3132 or Cell 250-539-0181 for arrangements.
Captain's Quarters on Mayne
563 Blitz Rd, Site 8 Comp 42,
563 Blitz Rd, Site 8 Comp 42,
Mayne Island, BC, Canada, V0N 2J0
+1 (250) 539-2629 Toll-free 1-877-539-2629