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Your Journey to Salt Spring Island:

Travel & Arrival Guide

Getting to Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island may feel worlds away, but it’s easily reached from major travel hubs in British Columbia. Whether you arrive through Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Victoria International Airport (YYJ), Seattle International Airport (SEA) or even via the Black Ball Ferry from Washington State, you’ll find beautiful, scenic routes that bring you across the ocean and forest to our island home.

Here is a quick guide – please see details for each option below.

Travel Options to Salt Spring Island

If You’re Flying into Vancouver (YVR)

Option 1: Floatplane from Vancouver to Salt Spring

  • The most direct and scenic way to reach Salt Spring Island is by floatplane.
  • Harbour Air and Seair Seaplanes both offer regular flights from downtown Vancouver or YVR South Terminal to Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island.
  • The flight takes about 35 minutes and offers stunning views of the Gulf Islands.
  • From the Ganges floatplane dock, our retreat location is only about 10–15 minutes by car.

     

  • NOTE: Pay attention to luggage weight allowance when you’re booking your ticket!

🚗 Tip: We can help arrange a pick-up from Ganges Harbour if needed, though having or sharing a vehicle will give you more flexibility during your stay.

Option 2: Ferry from Vancouver to Salt Spring

  • From YVR, take a taxi, rideshare, or shuttle (about 30–45 minutes) to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
  • BC Ferries sails directly from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island) a few times daily, or you can connect through Swartz Bay (Victoria) to Fulford Harbour.
  • The ferry trip takes 1.5–3 hours, depending on the route and transfer time.
  • Once you arrive on Salt Spring, it’s about 20 minutes by car from Long Harbour to our location near Ganges.

Note: Ferry reservations are highly recommended, especially for vehicles or peak travel times (which the summer always is).

If You’re Flying into Victoria (YYJ)

Option 1: Ferry from Swartz Bay (Victoria) to Salt Spring Island

  • From Victoria International Airport, it’s a 10–15 minute drive or taxi ride to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
  • Take the BC Ferries route from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) — a short, beautiful 35-minute sailing.
  • From Fulford Harbour, it’s about a 20–25 minute drive to our retreat location, just outside Ganges Village.

🚗 Tip: Renting a car at Victoria Airport or arranging a carpool with another participant is the most convenient option. 

Option 2: Floatplane from Victoria to Salt Spring Island

  • Harbour Air also offers seasonal flights from Victoria Inner Harbour to Ganges Harbour, taking just 20 minutes.
  • First you’d need to get to Victoria Inner Harbour from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, which is a 30-45 minute ride.

If You’re Coming from Washington State, US – The Black Ball Ferry (MV Coho)

For travelers coming from the Pacific Northwest or Washington State, another beautiful route to Salt Spring is via the Black Ball Ferry Line. This is a great option with or without a car.

  • The MV Coho sails daily between Port Angeles, Washington and Victoria, BC (Inner Harbour).
  • The crossing takes about 90 minutes and you can travel on foot or with your vehicle.
  • Once you arrive in Victoria, it’s approximately a 30-45 minute drive to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, where you’ll catch the BC Ferry to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
  • The Salt Spring sailing is about 35 minutes, followed by a 20 minute drive to our location near Ganges or anywhere from 5-45 minutes to your accommodations, depending on where it will be on the island.

🚙 Tip: If you’re driving, this route allows you to bring your car across both ferries, making island travel simple and flexible.

 🛂 Note: A passport (and any required travel documents) is needed to cross the U.S.–Canada border.

    If You’re Flying into Seattle (SEA)

    For international or U.S.-based travelers, another lovely route to Salt Spring Island is to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and continue north by land or sea.

    Option 1: Drive from Seattle to Tsawwassen and take the ferry to Salt Spring

    • From Seattle Airport, rent a car and drive north on I-5 toward Vancouver, BC (about 3–3.5 hours, depending on border traffic).
    • Cross the border at Peace Arch or Pacific Highway, then continue about 30–40 minutes to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
    • Take the BC Ferry to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island) — a scenic 1.5–3 hour sailing through the Gulf Islands.
    • Once on the island, it’s about 20 minutes by car to our retreat location near Ganges. 

    🛂 Note: A passport (and any required travel documents) is needed to cross the U.S.–Canada border.

    🌊 Tip: Make a BC Ferries reservation ahead of time, especially if traveling during the summer months, on weekends or holidays.

    Option 2: Take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria, then ferry to Salt Spring

    • The Victoria Clipper, a PASSENGER ONLY ferry sails directly from downtown Seattle to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Note: first you’d need to get to downtown Seattle from the Seatac Airport (30+ minutes)
    • Once you arrive in Victoria, it’s a 30 to 45-minute drive or taxi ride to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
    • From Swartz Bay, take the BC Ferry to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) — a short 35-minute sailing.
    • From Fulford Harbour, it’s another 20–25 minutes by car to our location near Ganges Village.

    🧳 Tip: This is a wonderful option if you prefer not to drive or want to enjoy a scenic journey by sea — the Clipper offers onboard food, drinks, and stunning views of the Salish Sea.

    Once You’re on the Island

    Our retreat space is located close to (>10 min) Ganges Village, the island’s main hub for shops, cafés, float plane harbour and services.

    We’ll share the exact address and arrival instructions once your registration is confirmed.

    Transportation Notes:

    • We can assist connecting participants, so they can coordinate shared rides or make pickup arrangements for those arriving by ferry or floatplane.

    • It’s ideal to have your own vehicle or arrange to carpool with another participant, especially if your accommodation is off-site.