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Mayne
Island
Mayne Island is located across the Strait of Georgia from Tsawwassen,
just south of Galiano Island across
Active Pass, west of Pender Island
and north of Saturna Island.
BC
Ferries
To get to Mayne Island, you have the choice of taking a private
boat, a water taxi, a sea plane or take a regular scheduled ferry
on BC Ferries. You can either leave from Tsawwassen
on the Lower Mainland or Swartz Bay near Sidney
on Vancouver Island and sail through the Gulf Islands to the Village
Bay ferry terminal on Mayne Island.
Miner's
Bay
The main commercial centre for activity on Mayne Island is located
in Miner's Bay just east of Village Bay Ferry Terminal. Once a stopping-off
point for miners going to the Cariboo gold fields, Miner's Bay has
been in existence since the early 1900's.
Heritage
Buildings
You can view some of the oldest buildings on the island in Miner's
Bay with the old Agricultural Hall, Plumper Pass Museum located
in the original lockup and the St. Mary Magdalene Church. The Agricultural
Hall features the Mayne Island Open Market Saturday mornings from
July through October.
Trading
Post
At Miner's Bay you can also find the main island store called the
Trading Post which is situated just up from the CRD government dock.
The Trading Post offers meat, fresh produce, a liquor outlet and
small hardware items.
Georgina
Point Heritage Park & Lighthouse
For some oceanfront adventures situated on the north-east side of
the island facing the entrance to Active Pass from the Strait of
Georgia sits the Georgina Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse and grounds
have been made into a heritage park giving people a day-use facility
with access to the waterfront around Georgina Point.
Bennett
Bay and Georgeson Island
There are two parks on Mayne Island that are now part of the National
Parks of Canada - the Gulf Island National Refuge in 2003. Both
Bennett Bay with beautiful sandy beaches and Georgeson Island featuring
a sandstone rock formations and a forest of Garry Oak, Douglas Fir,
and Arbutus Trees, will give you access to some areas well-renowned
for great kayaking and ocean exploring.
Mount
Parke Regional Park
For a beautiful panoramic view of Mayne Island and the other neighbouring
Gulf Islands, go to Mount Parke Regional Park. About a 45-minute
walk up a slight hill takes you to the top of Mount Parke where
you can enjoy the highest point of Mayne Island at 185 metres (607
feet). Throughout the trail going up you'll pass fields of wildflowers
and native birds.
Dinner
Bay Park
Other places on Mayne Island to beachcomb, wildlife watch or just
marvel at the ocean is at Dinner Bay Park. Dinner Bay is a major
meeting and social gathering place for the local residents of Mayne
Island and also the site of the beautiful memorial Japanese Garden.
The community park features flush toilets, a children's play area
and picnic grounds.
Helen
Point
Helen Point is the site of the oldest aboriginal remains of a fishing
ground next to Active Pass, estimated to be 5,000 years old, in
the Southern Gulf Islands. Today Helen Point serves a location for
a lighthouse station for the entrance into Active Pass and is the
traditional land of the Tsartlip Indian Band.
Springwater
Lodge
For entertainment, the island has a number of choices on Mayne Island
including the Springwater Lodge, Mayne Inn Pub and the Mayne Mast
Pub. Besides the pub, the Springwater Lodge, which was established
in 1892, also has accommodation including waterfront cabins, moorage
and an outdoor patio restaurant.
CRD
Dock
You can find the Springwater Lodge next to the CRD Dock in Miner's
Bay. Also at the CRD Dock, there is a gas and diesel float, fishing
licences and some moorage on a first-come, first-served basis. You
can find a boat ramp at the Village Bay where there is ample launch
space.
'Cow
Pie Run' and the Lions' Salmon Barbecue
Definitely one of the highlights of Mayne Island is the annual 'Cow
Pie Run' and the Lions' Salmon Barbecue taking place at the end
of August. This event attracts all of Mayne Island's residents into
a full weekend of celebration, fun and entertainment.
'Gardens
of Quilts' Show
Billed as a unique quilt show is the 'Gardens of Quilts - a show
put on by the Mayne Island Quilters' Guild. The event which takes
place at the Japanese Garden in Dinner Bay Park in July brings together
a number of featured artists' displaying beautiful and imaginative
quilts.
Mayne
Island Artists and Galleries
Other artists' studios and galleries found throughout the island
include the Mayne Island Glass Foundry, John Charowsky Studio &
Art Gallery, En-Vision Gallery, Active Pass Fine Art Gallery and
the McKenzie Fine Art Gallery.
Accommodation
For accommodation there are a number of lodges, Bed & Breakfast
outlets from which to choose. If you prefer to camp, there are no
campgrounds in any of the parks but there are two private operators
- Fern Hollow Campground and Eco-Camping.
Information
on Mayne Island
Accommodation
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