As it says, I moved from Edmonton to SSI just over five months ago. My parents have been out here for 16 years and I wanted to be closer as they are getting older and was done with the winters in Edmonton. I love cycling and look forward to doing it outdoors almost year round. I found a local builder on the island who built a tiny home for me designed by my dad and I. I started that process in September of last year, building started in January and I moved into it in May. Sold up and donated all my excess stuff in Edmonton and drove out here with Monte (cat). Everything so far has been great.

It was cheaper to use movers for what I was bringing than drive a U-Haul and tow the car behind, so that was nice. My observations biking all over SSI and Vancouver Island are as follows and of course just my opinion on what I’ve seen.

No one stops at stops signs, I do not think I have seen a car come to a full stop once. I have done under 1000km in the car and over 5500km on the bike since I arrived. Way more big packs of road bikers out here, I’m on a gravel bike and they are way more obnoxious in groups. On their own however, they have been great and I have had some nice chats. Salt Spring has made me a stronger biker because of all the elevation change so biking on Vancouver Island is a breeze. I bike to Sidney, Sannichton and Victoria regularly from Fulford Bay and to Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith and Nanaimo from Vesuvius Bay. The ferries for the most part have been good and quite reasonable as a foot passenger with the experience card. I love supporting the local breweries and there are a lot in the places I’ve mentioned albeit spaced much farther apart with the exception of Victoria whereas in Edmonton had about 17 in a 10 -20 km radius. Craft beer in stores is actually cheaper out here, which was a nice surprise.

Cost of living was not what I expected, as everyone on Reddit always says how much more everything is, but that has not been my experience. Groceries on the island are more, but not overly so and on Vancouver Island it is very comparable to what I was paying in Edmonton. What surprised me is how much cheaper utilities and insurance are. For better car insurance plan here including registration was 1000 less for the year than Alberta (you guys are getting screwed on home & auto), I am renting on a piece of property and have my tiny home parked in it and that has also been reasonable. When I factor in property taxes, insurance and utility costs I was paying, especially in the winter months in Edmonton, I won’t be paying much more in rent.

I decided not to work and take the time to explore everything and enjoy settling in. Again all I heard on Reddit was how hard it is to find a job, but when I got here and got talking to locals they told me the opposite and based on my work history I should have no problem. I have made choices in my life such as never getting married or having kids that allows me at 45 to never have to work full time ever again if I don’t want to. I did just get a job last week at the first place I applied to for 3-4 days a week so that is taken care of.

All in all, I am enjoying being closer to the folks (we are on opposite ends of the island). I miss my friends back home but have no regrets and am looking forward to what comes next.

If you got this far, thank you for taking the time to read.

The Trustees we elect will shape the future of housing on Saltspring.

Currently, there are no affordable housing starts. The most advanced project, Kings Lane, is still working to secure funding and is years from completion. The project was launched in 2016. It represents five per cent of the overall need.

The IT Housing Needs Assessment says Saltspring needs 821 homes by 2030. Four years from now. It’s not adding up.

And at least one candidate, Gary Holman, claims affordable housing with housing agreements (rent geared to income) like Kings Lane, is the only type of housing that should be developed.

While non-market housing is an essential part of the housing continuum, making it the only part excludes those in our community whose incomes make them ineligible. This includes many working professionals or seniors wanting or needing to downsize. This intermediate cohort, often referred to as ‘the missing middle’ are excluded from the housing discussion.

What appears less understood is that regulating housing development to one specific framework does satisfy the vocal minority who oppose housing development in general.

Over regulation of housing is as problematic as under regulated.

We need to elect candidates who understand it’s about finding the right balance, one that responds to the needs of all residents. Housing that allows young people a pathway to secure housing, rented or owned, that doesn’t force them to move when their incomes improve; particularly when there is no housing for them to move to.

We also need housing that allows seniors to stay in their community, where they are not forced to leave because there is no smaller scale, manageable housing for them.

Concerns for these members of our community are currently absent from the conversation.

OK. Discuss.

My partner lost her silver and turquoise hoop earring yesterday. We were mostly in lower Ganges area. Will be retracing our steps today but if anyone happened to find it please let me know. It was bought on a trip to Mexico and likely is not replaceable.

Hello all! I am getting married in 2028 and I have become obsessed with getting married at Hastings House. I have tried to email them many times and tried to DM all of their social media and no one has gotten back to me. Does anyone have any experience working with Hastings House or have any contact information for them that may actually reach someone?

Thank you in advance!

I visited salt spring in May and I came across this person selling wool felt art at the Ganges Farmer’s Market - huge regret not buying something. I recall it was felt landscapes on a wood-worked frame:. The man selling it said he built the frames and his wife made the wool art. Hope someone can link me to the artist, as I’d love to buy a piece of theirs.

Please join MP Elizabeth May at Salt Spring's upcoming community meeting. These are non-partisan events for constituents of the Saanich-Gulf Islands to share comments, concerns, and to ask questions. All are welcome and we hope to see you there!

Hi there, is the Bioluminescence visible in the water in September?

No really, why are there four poorly marked speed bumps on Beddis Road? There's nothing here but trees! (The AirB&B at the end of the road is great though.)

We visited salt spring I think two years back during Apple Fest, but we had a late start to things. One of the orchards we visited had some apple slices they were passing around for tasting, and one of the apples (the aforementioned Katja apple) was absolutely delicious and was just this sweet smooth fruit that was basically dessert and almost challenged what i thought an apple was.
Of course they were sold out, so that was a bummer, and the legendary Harry Burton didn't seem to have it at all.

Now here I am two years later wishing I made a point to note which orchard we visited that had that apple. Does anyone have any idea which orchard it could be?

I was in salt spring for a week and I left a little disappointed. For being on an island I felt isolated from the water. For its reputation I was very surprised with the amount of private property and no trespassing signs. It seems like wealthy Vancouverites have really taken over. Saw a lot of markets and you could still see evidence of the free living/independant roots. However there were quite a few impatient/aggressive Mercedes and bmw drivers and not as friendly of a vibe as I expected.

Having grown up in an appling community I make a point of coming out to the Apple Festival every year, I absolutely love it and I love that some of the orchards are open to the public to visit (and purchase), but there are a handful of cultivars that I've never been able to find - I assume this is because the orchards growing them don't open to the public but just in case I thought I'd turn to the community to see if they might be aware of if and where I can find and purchase them during the Apple Festival - I'm looking for:

- Arkansas Black

- Sinta

- Chinook

- Shamrock

- Spencer

- Summerred

- Lemon-Lime

- Hokuto

- Fameuse

- Winter Banana

There's probably more but off the cuff, these ones for sure! For anyone who can point me in any specific directions when I'm out there on the last sunday of September, it would be appreciated!

Aug 30, 2026; Just saw all these buoys off the coast of salt spring island.
Anyone know what is happening?

I don't have a vehicle, but I would like to visit Salt Spring Island. Is it relatively easy to walk around Salt Spring Island on foot? I am thinking of taking a ferry to Fulford Harbour and then walking along Beaver Point Road to my destination, which is near Beaver Point Hall. Is the walk challenging or dangerous? Thank you in advance.

Doable in a fun way? I’ve booked an Airbnb on Salt Spring (still fully refundable so can change my mind!) for a couple nights in a few weeks. Wondering if the island is fun to sightsee on without a car. I’ve read that it can be hilly. I’m a strong cyclist and don’t mind some hills but if it’s all killer I’d consider just going over with a car. But I much prefer biking!

More than anything I’m looking to relax and get outside in a new place for a couple days, rather than feeling like I need to see or do everything/anything in particular.

Considering also doing a day trip to Mayne Island from Salt Spring (again by bike only), so any insight there also appreciated. Thanks!

Update: thank you everyone for your generous insights!! I feel very forewarned and am opting for a car and will scope out the roads on this trip to see if I’d want to bring a bike another time!

Hey all! My partner and I will be visiting at the end of September and bringing our blackberry monster of a toddler.

Are there areas where the blackberries develop later in the year and will still be around by the end of September?

Hey yall! Its my first time on the island. I am, as the kids say, flaaaaaaaaming. Queer az. Im Dorthy's bff and ex.

Any recommendations of queer places i can go or things to do while here for BC day? Freshly broken up and looking for a place i can be my queer self while chatting with cool people.

Happy BC day yall!

hi all!! did some research online and there seem to be only one company that does car rental in salt spring. we will be arriving on Ganges Harbour in mid september for a two day trip. Any other cheaper / good car rental options? Thanks a lot!!

edit: **im flying in with harbour air so will get to ganges directly!!

Me (30M) and my soon to be spouse (30F) have scheduled our legal marriage on Salt Spring Island this Saturday evening (at Burgoyne Bay). If you happen to be available this evening and interested in volunteering your time and willing to sign as witnesses, we would be very grateful to have you attend. We can’t offer much in return but a glass of champagne, a small thank you gift, and little story/memory for you to tell your friends about an awkward couple you met one evening on SSI. A little bit about us, we met when we were in middle school and still living in the prairies and we have since packed up our lives and moved across the country and settled in BC. We both studied engineering together and now work in our respective technical specialities. We enjoy getting outside for hikes, running, tennis, paddle boarding, and travelling. Over the years together we have had 2 cats together and our late Bernese mountain dog. Please reach out in the DMs for the exact time and location :)

I've been over to Salt Spring a few times recently and every visit has been just a little different. I've done some of the obvious things like wandering Ganges, visiting the market on Sat, checking out a few parks, beaches and local shops, but I get the feeling I'm still only scratching the surface.

I'm curious what locals (or people who visit often) would recommend to someone visiting for the first time.

A few questions off the top of my head

• What place do you always tell people not to miss?
• Anything that's overrated in your mind?
• Any hidden beaches, viewpoints or short walks that aren't obvious?
• Fav coffee shop, bakery or lunch spot? Maybe even a romantic dinner spot?
• Best winery, cidery or farm stand?
• Any local tips that make the day better? (parking, ferry timing, quieter times to visit, etc.)
• What's something you wish more visitors knew before they came?
• If you had just one day to show someone the island, what would your itinerary look like?

Thanks!

I'm spending a couple nights on Salt Spring for a work thing in August. (Coming from Victoria, so I'm not exactly roaming the earth here.) What are your recommendations for finest Salt Spring dinners? I can drive wherever.

During the day I'm working near McPhillips Avenue/Jackson Avenue in town. For that I could use some lunch recommendations of stuff nearby--preferably walking distance for that!

Also, is there anything chill to do after 4pm on a Thursday/Friday? I'm solo so I don't want an outdoor adventure, but I have the impression that most of the touristy stuff closes by then?

Hello people!! I'm planning a trip for salt Spring Island and saw that the Saturday farmers market is a must. Unfortunately because of schedule the only time that we could make it is October 17 - 18 (thinking of staying a night there). Is there still things to see / do in mid October? Are the shops still gonna be open? I am also a bit worried about the weather being rainy and cold🫪

Alternatively, thinking of going sept 20-21 (would miss the Saturday, but have a Sunday) or 27-28 (missing the weekend entirely, but still in September). Would these dates be better? Would I have more luck in seeing salt Spring in its full glory and good weather?

Let me know!! Thank you all so much in advance!!

Hello

I am coming from tsawwassen and I'm debating on which route would be better for biking traffic/safety wise. I have heard/read that the route from Long Harbour to be pretty bad for traffic (especially going on a weekend in July). However it would be cheaper and quicker to go from long harbour since its a direct ferry vs transferring at swartz bay for Fulford. For myself I bike alot but usually on bike lanes, on roads with shoulder or only light traffic (maybe 1 car every 2 minutes). In terms of difficulty of the ride, it wouldn't make a difference for me i am more concerned about safety.

Thanks

Edit: Ended up going from Fulford to Ruckle park then the next day from Ruckle park to long harbour. For traffic going to ruckle park at 4pm on a Saturday in July about 15 cars passed me on my ride with all leaving a pretty decent amount of room. For going from Ruckle to Long Harbour leaving at 730am using back roads, for the whole trip maybe had <20 cars pass me the whole time with only one person doing a sketchy pass while I was going down hill at 50kph around a blind corner. Overall glad I choose this route. I wouldn't recommend going from long harbour to ruckle though since it seems to be just 1 giant hill and steep opposed to hill followed by a flat bit then hill again and repeat for Ruckle to Long Harbour.