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Summary

A waterfront small town set on a tiny BC island was named among Canada's best spots to live

It's the perfect summer escape.

Someone walking in a forest. Right: a dock in the water.

Salt Spring Island in B.C.

@hanna_teevan | Instagram,, Roxana Gonzalez | Dreamstime
Editor

This tiny island in B.C. is a ferry ride away from Vancouver, or Victoria, and offers the reprieve from the hustle and bustle that you're probably craving in the warmer months. A trip to this BC small town is full of salty air, quaint shops and picturesque views.

Recently, on a Narcity Facebook page poll, it was named among the best small towns in the country to live in. With a classic small-town feel mixed with a unique creativity and lively atmosphere — it's easy to see why people love Salt Spring Island.

To get to the island you'll want to hop on BC Ferries, which will take around two hours from the Tsawwassen terminal in Vancouver.

Ganges is the main town on the island, where you'll find a gathering of small businesses, cute shops, and great food.

Driving around the island though you'll spot galleries, farms and other businesses all over. Farm stands even sit along the side of the road, so you can pull up and take your pick of goodies — trusted to leave behind payment.

It all has a very wholesome and relaxed feel to it, and paired with the incredible scenery, it's one special place.

The winding road can take you all around Salt Spring Island, and you can take you pick of stops depending on what you like. Artisans here offer everything from jewelry and glassblowing to sculpture, and it's the perfect place for art lovers to visit.

If you want to enjoy a drink on a nice day you can head to Salt Spring Wild Cider House.

Lavender & Black is another go-to stop here, where you can roam the vibrant fields and look out onto the distant ocean.

Surrounded by the Salish Sea, the rocky beaches here are beautiful with clear blue water.

Then you have the towering trees, making a forest walk especially stunning.

A trip here is all about slowing down and enjoying the vibes of the community, so if that sounds up your alley — book a ferry ticket!

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

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    • Editor

      Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. After working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, she joined Narcity with a move to B.C., drawn to the beauty of Western Canada. Since then, she's documented her experience moving to Vancouver, covering everything from local events to bucket-list travel destinations across Canada's West Coast.

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