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Nature in the Gulf Islands The Gulf Islands have what is often described as a "Mediterranean climate". Rainy, relatively warm winters with little or no snow are accompanied by sunny moderate summers. All of which makes for one of the finest climates in Canada. This translates into a diverse range of flora and fauna with species that are not often found this far north, such as the beautiful Garry Oak and Canada's only broad leaf evergreen tree, the coastal Arbutus. The area is a favorite of bird watchers and is a particular draw in the migration seasons. Expect to see Cormorants, Bald Eagles, Peregrines, Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Oyster Catchers and the seemingly ubiquitous Turkey Vultures, usually seen taking advantage of the updrafts of the islands cliffs and mountains. |
At low tide, the inter-tidal zones along the islands shores contain pools with a wealth of life. Star fish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, crabs, urchins and a supporting cast of dozens more. These tidal pools make for some very entertaining and educational viewing. The areas waters are also home to seals, sea lions and even porpoises and dolphins. Of course one of the biggest draws for nature lovers is a chance to view the Orcas as they move through the area during migration. Several companies provide boat and kayak tours in the area so you can observe the bird colonies, seal haul outs and hopefully a pod of Killer Whales.
Nature, Whale Watching & Nature Viewing
Gulf Islands
- Adelaar Ridge Cruises - Boat Cruises, Galiano Island
- Sea Quest Adventures - Sidney, Vancouver Island
- Sidney Marine Safari - Sidney & Gulf Islands
- Sporades Tours - Eco Tours
- Steveston Seabreeze Adventures - Richmond, Vancouver Coast & Mountains
- WeGo
Kayaking Expeditions - Duncan, Vancouver Island
The companies listed above are not located in the islands but do provide whale watching cruises in the area. Contact them through there website for details on there services.
Vancouver Island
- Jamies Whaling Station - Ucluelet
- Marine Ecology Centre - Port Sidney
- Orca Spirit - Victoria
- Prince of Whales - Victoria
- Sea Quest Adventures - Sidney, Vancouver Island
- Steveston Seabreeze Adventures - Richmond, Vancouver Coast & Mountains
- Stubbs Island Whale Watching - Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island
- WeGo Kayaking Expeditions - Duncan, Vancouver Island
Kayaking Tours and Rentals
Gulf Islands
- Island Escapedes - Guides, School, Outdoor Clothing, Gear & Rentals, Salt Spring Island
- Saltspring Kayak & Cycle - Salt Spring Island
- Saturna Sea Kayaking - Saturna Island
Vancouver Island
- Alberni Outpost - Port Alberni, Nanaimo
- Barkley Sound Kayak Centre
- Comox Valley Kayaks - Paddlesports
- Natural West Coast Gear - Victoria
- Ocean River Sports - Paddlesports, Victoria
- Vancouver Island Canoe & Kayak Centre
Wild Life Viewing Areas
- Bennet Bay Beach - Birding, Mayne Island
- East Point Regional Park - Birding, Saturna Island
- Fulford Harbour - Birding, Salt Spring Island
- Medicine Beach Nature Sanctuary - Birding, Pender Island, Land Trust Alliance
- Montague Harbour - Birding, Galiano Island, Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park
- Mount Maxwell - Birding, Raptors, Salt Spring Island, Mount Maxwell Provincial Park
- Ruckle Park - Birding, Beach Combing, Salt Spring Island, Ruckle Provincial Park
- Sidney Spit - Birding, Beach Combing, Sidney Island, Gulf Islands National Park
Flora and Fauna
Gulf Islands Flora & Fauna (Abridged)
There are an endless variety of animals and plant species in the islands. This humble list is a small beginning for those of you who wish to explore the great diversity of life in the islands terrestrial and marine environments.
- Arbutus
- Bald Eagle
- Banana Slug
- Black Slug (European Black Slug)
- Belted Kingfisher
- Black Oyster Catcher
- Black Tailed Deer
- California Mussels
- California Quail
- California Sea Lion
- Canada Goose
- Dall's Porpoise
- Double Crested Cormorant
- Douglas Fir
- Dungenous Crab
- Garry Oak
- Glaucous Winged Gull
- Great Blue Heron
- Harbour Porpoise
- Harbour Seal (Common Seal)
- Killer Whales (Orcas)
- Loon
- Oregon Grape
- Pacific Salmon
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Razor Clam
- River Otter
- Rough Skinned Newt
- Rufous Hummung Bird
- Salal
- Sea Cucumbers
- Sea Urchin
- Steller Sea Lion
- Turkey Vulture
- Western Hemlock
- Western
Red Cedar
Note: There are no large predators in the Gulf Islands
British Columbia Flora and Fauna (Abridged)
- Black Bear
- Cougar (Mountain Lion, Puma)
- Dall Sheep
- Elk
- Grizzly Bear
- Mountain Goat
- Kermode Bear (Sprit Bear)
For outdoor retailers, guides, outfitters and instructors in the Gulf Islands and the surrounding regions have a look at our Outdoor Resources section.
Nature Links
Gulf Islands
- Big Trees - The Big Trees of Salt Spring Island
- Capital Regional District Parks
- Cusheon Lake Stewardship
- Friends of Mount Parke - Mayne Island, Gulf Islands
- Gabriola Land and Trails Trust - (250) 247-8066, Gabriola Island, Gulf Islands
- Galiano Conservancy Association - Galiano Island, Gulf Islands
- Georgia Strait Alliance - Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team
- Gulf Island Centre for Ecological Learning
- Gulf Islands Conservancy
- Island Trust
- Islands Trust Fund - (Vancouver & Gulf/Discovery Islands) Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre - Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands
- Mount Erskine - Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands
- Nature Diver - Marine Life in the Gulf Islands Region
- Birdsong CD - Neville Recording, Salt Spring Island
- Pender Islands Conservancy Association - (250) 629-2075, Pender Island, Gulf Islands
- Salt Spring Butterflys
- Salt Spring Island Conservancy - Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands
- Salt Spring Island Paddlers - Paddling Club, Salt Spring Island
Vancouver Island
- Bowen Island Conservancy - (604)947-0483, Bowen Island
- Brant Wildlife Festival - Parksville, Vancouver Island
- Birding Vancouver Island - Vancouver Island
- Capital Regional District Parks
- City Green - Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Comox Valley Land Trust - Vancouver Island
- Cortes Land Conservancy - (250)935-6467, Cortes Island
- Cowichan Community Land Trust - Vancouver Island
- Denman Conservancy
- Esquimalt Lagoon Enhancement Association (ELEA) - Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Friends of Beacon Hill Park - Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Friends of Clayoquot Sound - Northern Vancouver Island
- Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society - Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Georgia Strait Alliance - Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Goldstream Nature House - Gold Stream Provincial Park
- Hornby Island Conservancy - (250) 335-2603, Hornby Island
- Islands Trust Fund - (Vancouver & Gulf/Discovery Islands) Victoria, Vancouver Island
- Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society - Vancouver Island
- Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere - Vancouver Island
- Marine Ecology Station - Sidney, Vancouver Island
- Nanaimo Area Land Trust - Nanaimo, Vancouver Island
- North Island Wildlife Recovery Association - Vancouver Island
- Oak Bay Green Committee - Oak Bay, Vancouver Island
- Pacific Rim Whale Festival - Winter, Ucluelet/Tofino, Vancouver Island
- Quadra Island Conservancy & Stewardship Society - (250) 285-3582, Quadra Island, Gulf Islands (Discovery Islands)
- Race Rocks Marine Protected Area - Vancouver Island
- Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary - Vancouver Island
- Vancouver Island Birding - Vancouver Island
- Victoria Natural History Society - Victoria, Vancouver Island
Parks, Lands, Rivers, Lakes & Marine Conservation Areas
- Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve - Salt Spring Island, Land Trust Alliance
- Bodega Ridge Provincial Park - Galiano Island
- Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park - Salt Spring Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Descanso Bay Regional Park - Gabriola Island, Regional District of Nanaimo
- Dionisio Point Provincial Park - Galiano Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Drumbeg Provincial Park - Gabriola Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Gabriola Sands Provincial Park - Gabriola Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Gulf Islands National Park - National Parks Canada
- Medicine Beach Nature Sanctuary - Land Trust Alliance
- Manzanita Ridge Nature Reserve - Salt Spring Island, Land Trust Alliance
- Matthews Point - Galiano Island, Land Conservancy of BC
- Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park - Galiano Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Mount Erskine - Salt Spring Island, Land Trust Alliance
- Mount Maxwell Provincial Park - BC Provincial Parks
- Mount Park Park - Mayne Island, Capital Regional District
- Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park - De Courcy Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Ruckle Provincial Park - Salt Spring Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Sandwell Provincial Park - Gabriola Island, BC Provincial Parks
- Wallace Island Provincial Marine Park - Wallace Island, BC Provincial Parks
Provincial Ecological Reserves
British Columbia Ecological Reserves
Click on the link above for information on any of the following reserves.
- Anne Vallee - Northern Vancouver Island
- Ballingall Straight - Gulf Islands
- Bowser - Central Vancouver Island
- Brackman Island - Southern Vancouver Island
- Beresford Island - Northern Vancouver Island
- Checleset Bay - Northern Vancouver Island
- Clanninick Creek - Northern Vancouver Island
- Claude Elliott Creek - Northern Vancouver Island
- Cleland Island - Central Vancouver Island
- Comox Lake Bluffs - Central Vancouver Island
- Canoe Islet - Gulf Islands
- Duke of Edinburgh - Northern Vancouver Island
- Galiano Island - Gulf Islands
- Haley Lake - Southern Vancouver Island
- Harmony Bay - Southern Vancouver Island
- Hudson Rock - Southern Vancouver Island
- Klanawa River - Southern Vancouver Island
- Ladysmith Bog - Southern Vancouver Island
- Megan River - Central Vancouver Island
- Misty Lake - Northern Vancouver Island
- Mount Derby - Northern Vancouver Island
- Mount Elliot - Northern Vancouver Island
- Mount Maxwell - Southern Vancouver Island
- Mount Tuam - Gulf Islands
- Mount Tzuhalem - Southern Vancouver Island
- Nimpkish River - Northern Vancouver Island
- Oak Bay Islands - Southern Vancouver Island
- Nitinat Lake - Southern Vancouver Island
- Race Rocks - Southern Vancouver Island
- Robson Bight - Northern Vancouver Island
- Rose Islet - Gulf Islands
- San Juan Ridge - Southern Vancouver Island
- San Juan River Estuary - Southern Vancouver Island
- Sartine Island - Northern Vancouver Island
- Satellite Channel - Gulf Islands
- Saturna Island - Gulf Islands
- Solander Island - Northern Vancouver Island
- Sutton Place - Central Vancouver Island
- Tahsish River - Northern Vancouver Island
- Ten Mile Point - Southern Vancouver Island
- Trial Island - Southern Vancouver Island
- Tsitika Mountain - Northern Vancouver Island
- Tsitika River - Northern Vancouver Island
- Woodley Range
- Southern Vancouver Island
Click on the link above for information on any of the reserves listed.
Resources
Gulf Islands Accommodations
Gulf Islands Restaurants
Gulf Islands Shopping
Gulf Islands Events, Festivals and Attractions
Vancouver Island
- Accommodations & Lodgings
- Restaurants, Dining and Bars
- Events, Festivals and Attractions
- Tourism, Culture & History
- Travel & Transportation
Vancouver Coast & Mountains
- Accommodations and Lodgings
- Restaurant and Bars
- Events, Festivals and Attractions
- Tourism
- Transportation
Related Links
- British Columbia
- BC Lands In Trust Registry
- BC Ecological Reserves - See Also - Friends of Ecological Reserves
- BC Endangered Species Coalition
- BC Naturalists
- BC Spaces for Nature
- Birding BC
- British Columbia Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - Government
- British Columbia Environment, Lands and Parks - Government
- British Columbia Forests - Government
- British Columbia Conservation Connection
- British Columbia Conservation Foundation
- British Columbia Environmental Network
- British Columbia Grasslands Conservation Council
- British Columbia Stewardship Centre
- Burns Bog Conservation Society
- Creston Valley Osprey Festival - Creston, Kootenays
- Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
- Earth Easy
- Forest Action Network
- Friends of Ecological Reserves - British Columbia
- Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
- Land Conservancy of British Columbia
- Land Trust Alliance of BC
- Meadowlark Festival - Penticton
- Native Plant Society of British Columbia
- NatureViewing.com
- Nature Trust of British Columbia
- Pacific Salmon Foundation
- Spring to Life Festival - Golden, BC Rockies
- Stewardship Centre for British Columbia
- University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre
- Vancouver Aquarium
- West Coast Environmental Law
- Western Canada Wilderness Committee
- Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia
- Wings
Over the Rockies Bird Festival - Columbia Valley, BC Rockies
National & International
- Bear Aware
- Birding FAQs
- Bird Studies Canada
- British Butterfly Conservation Society
- Canadian Centre for Inland Waterways
- Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
- Conservation Ontario
- CPAWS
- David Suzuki Foundation
- Earth Roots
- Eco System Information - Government of Canada
- Ecotrust Canada
- Environment Canada
- Environmental News Network
- Federation of Ontario Naturalists
- Green Tourism
- Habitat Acquisition Trust
- Mother Earth
- National Resources Canada
- Nature Conservancy of Canada
- Parks Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Society
- Killer Whales
- Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
- Sierra Club of Canada
- Wild Lands League
- Wilde Whales
Out-There's Destinations
- Banff - AB
- Bruce Peninsula - ON
- Eastern Townships - QC
- Georgian Bay - ON
- Gulf Islands - BC
- Halifax - NS
- Lake Simcoe - ON
- Laurentians - QC
- Montreal - QC
- Mont Tremblant - QC
- Muskoka - ON
- Niagara Falls - ON
- Pacific Rim - BC
- Ottawa - ON
- Quebec City - QC
- Toronto - ON
- Vancouver - BC
- Vancouver Island - BC
- Victoria - BC
- Whistler - BC
