A previous post (Portland Island) covers the history and visiting information for the island. Words don’t do Portland Island justice however so here are some more photographs.

Portland Island, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

Portland Island, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

Kayaking at Portland Island, British Columbia, Canada

Hiking Trail on Portland Island, British Columbia, Canada

Ango Retreat, Salt Spring Island

Ango Retreat is an enchanting waterview haven: 20 gorgeous acres of sunny meadows, orchards, woods and gardens nestled privately at the end of an idyllic country lane.

‘Ango’ means ‘Peaceful Dwelling’, as both an action or state of being, as well as a place to be.

Here, birds and frogs sing, tall fir trees dance in the breeze, the water reflects ever-shifting light, bright dragonflies flash over the pond, the air is fresh and sweet. Here we breathe deeply, drink in beauty, and forget for a while the busy world beyond.

With fully self-contained guest suites and a variety of facilities for group activities, Ango offers an extraordinary setting for your vacation, class, workshop, personal retreat, ceremony or meeting.

And within this beautiful locale, the resident Ango team offer a range of healing and creative arts services, to further delight, restore, inspire and nurture you, body, mind and soul. (Full details on the About pages.) We’re especially excited that the fabulously talented pianist Don Conley is now in residence, ready to entertain or teach you in the lovely new separate music studio.

For a uniquely memorable experience we invite you to book Don for your very own program of musical magic, played on his magnificent Steinway concert grand piano!

Ango Retreat is wheelchair accessible, and environmentally friendly; we clean with ‘green’ and fragrance-free products, raise all our crops organically, and maintain diverse wildlife habitats.

No matter the season, or whether you visit for a few hours, days, or weeks, we know that the beauty of this land will touch you deeply, and you will leave feeling nourished and revitalized.

Ango Retreat
340 Lepage Rd.
Salt Spring, British Columbia, V8K 1N1

Phone: 250.537.0022

www.angoretreat.com    email: angoretreat@telus.net

Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia

British Columbia’s Portland Island is a much-loved location in the Southern Gulf Islands for both boaters as well as kayakers. The island is a wonderful destination for a day trip or multi-day boating and camping adventures with a pair of protected moorages and three campgrounds available. Portland Island is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.

First Nations people utilized Portland Island going back 3,000 years as is verified from the middens that can be found on the island. These middens are classified as archaeological sites and are protected legally. As such these middens must not be disturbed. Subsequently the island ended up being inhabited by Kanaka (Hawaiian) immigrants and was utilized primarily for farming purposes. An ecentric owner in the 1920′s was Frank “One Arm” Sutton, a retired British army officer. Frank Sutton acquired the island with funds he had won gambling on horse races within China. The plan was to raise & train thoroughbred race horses on the island. All evidence of the old horse racing track and a golf course have now vanished.

In 1958 the island was presented as a gift from the Province of British Columbia to Princess Margaret to commemorate her visit to the province. It was apparently expected that the princess would accept the island and immediately return it but apparently she had other ideas for the next 9 years! Princess Margaret finally returned the island to the province of British Columbia in 1967 to be used as a park and it became known as Princess Margaret Marine Park. The Canadian Government bought the island from the Province of British Columbia and it became known once again as Portland Island and became a portion of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.

Portland Island is located around 4.5 kilometers from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island making it a well known day destination for kayakers and boaters. Even though it is not a very lengthy crossing, it may occasionally get quite rough during poor weather conditions so plan your trip accordingly.

3 campsites are available on the island; Shell Beach Campsite is situated on a gorgeous shell beach directly across from Brackman Island (Brackman Island is an ecological reserve and visiting isn’t permitted). The beautiful shell beach is partially sheltered by Brackman Island and does not get hit directly by ferry wake. Arbutus Point Campsite is located on a small peninsula on the northeast end of the island and provides excellent views of the surrounding islands. The beach for the campground is situated on the north side of the peninsula. Princess Bay campsite is situated above the bay and has a wonderful view of the scenic bay, the most used overnight stop for pleasure boaters. Pit toilets can be found at each of the campsites on Portland Island.

In addition to Princess Bay, boaters have an option of staying on the northern end of the island at Royal Cove.

BC’s first artificial reef, the sunken freighter G.B. Church, is situated off the northeast shore of Portland Island. The scuttled ship now serves as a haven for marine organisms and is an attraction for divers from around the world.

Shell Beach at Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

The moorage at Princess Bay, Portland Island, British Columbia

Grasses at Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

Jellyfish at Portland Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

The Villas at Vesuvius

Relax and take in the famous vistas and sunsets of Vesuvius from Salt Spring’s newest and most unique vacation accommodation, just a short stroll from store, restaurant and the island’s warmest swimming beach.

Set against a wooded hillside overlooking Vesuvius Bay, the Mediterranean style Villas contain 12 independently owned, tastefully furnished one and two-bedroom suites ranging in size from 900 to 1,300 square feet. The upper floor suites are accessed by elevator and covered breezeways.

All suites feature an open plan kitchen/dining and living area with fireplace, opening onto a large shaded porch or balcony. In addition each of the four terrace level suites has a private garden/patio area. Facing southwest, the balconies and terraces are bathed in sunlight from morning until sunset.

Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen, including full size fridge, range/oven, microwave, dishwasher and attractive table settings for dining indoors or out, as well as extra changes of linen and towels and its own washer and dryer.

anitataj@hotmail.com        www.tajmahalacres.com

Welcome to the Taj Mahal Acres, a beautiful accommodation on Denman Island that is a perfect place to relax, play and feast.

Come and relax in peaceful surroundings of the open living concept of the ‘Taj Mahal’. Your booking includes the entire 3 story studio building on 15 acres of forested footpaths and stunning ocean and mountain views. Perfect for reunions, group getaways and extended weekend escapes, that is steps from the beach. Spend your time in comfort, reading by the wood stove, bird watching, barbecuing local seafood and relaxing in the freshest air imaginable.

Wildlife at Taj Mahal Acres is ever present, with song birds flying about and deer grazing on the edges of the property. We are animal lovers and have made Taj Mahal Acres dog friendly.

Part of the charm of our accommodation is that it is on a small rural island. Denman village has some amenities, mostly arts and crafts with 2 food shops and a gas pump. Come prepared with what you need for your stay, but a tour of the 19 km long island is always recommended.

However you choose to spend your time while staying at Taj Mahal Acres, you’ll surely depart more peaceful than when you arrived.

End, or even start your day, with a hot soak in the unique claw tub with ocean & mountain views.

anitataj@hotmail.com        www.tajmahalacres.com

The large town of Ganges is of course the hub of the island. While Ganges seems busy from the narrow streets, from the air one notices that it is quite small and actually very picturesque. Ganges must truly be one of the prettier little towns in British Columbia!

Ganges, Salt Spring Island Aerial Photographs, British Columbia, Canada.

The Fulford Valley at the south end of Salt Spring Island is a picturesque farming community. Mount Maxwell looms over the valley, for an aerial view of Fulford Valley without hiring a helicopter drive to the top of Mount Maxwell and enjoy the spectacular vista.

Fulford Valley and Mt. Maxwell, Salt Spring Island Aerial Photogaph

Walker Hook is likely the most noticeable landmark on Salt Spring Island when flying over the area. The sandy beach is a very pleasant area to spend an afternoon.

Aerial photo of Walker Hook, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

St. Mary Lake is the largest lake on Salt Spring Island and has been a popular resort area for years.

Aerial photograph of Saint Mary Lake, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Ruckle Provincial Park  is a stunning park overlooking Swanson Channel. From the rocky shoreline you can watch ferries and pleasure boats ply the waters while enjoying one of the most spectacular camping spots in the Southern Gulf Islands. Orcas and sea lions are often seen and the 7 km of rocky shoreline is great to explore.

The park is named after Irish emigrant Henry Ruckle who homesteaded here in 1872 and married Ella Anna Christensen in 1877. Most of the property was donated to the province in 1974 but the Ruckle family continues to farm on private land near the entrance to the park.

Old farm buildings at Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Ruckle Provincial Park from the water, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Sheep in the old orchard, Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Burgoyne Bay is both accessible by land from a turn off in the Fulford Valley as well as water as there is a government dock and good moorage in the area. The tree lined roads to the bay are very picturesque with many old farm buildings and funky fences. This road is also incredibly dusty!

The area around Burgoyne Bay was recently acquired and is now Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park. The park contains wooded Douglas fir forests, a beautiful Garry oak forest, a number of old farm buildings and a native archaeological site.

Tree lined roads near Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

The public wharf at Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

The rocky shore at Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Walker Hook is located on the north end of Salt Spring Island and was named after schooner captain Edward Walker. The area has been used for fish farming in recent years and is also one of the largest archaeological sites in the Gulf Islands. This beautiful spit is well worth a visit.

Aerial photograph of Walker Hook with Wallace Island in the background, Salt Spring Island, BC

A boat at Walker Hook, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia