Warm aquamarine waters, fine white sand and tropical-like temperatures aren’t exactly signatures of many Canadian destinations, but this park, set on a tiny island in B.C., has all that and more.
This slice of paradise had been dubbed ‘Little Hawaii’ thanks to its trademark beauty and stretch of sparkling shoreline with velvety sand. Luckily getting here doesn’t require a flight though — just a four-and-a-half-hour journey from the city of Vancouver.
This bucket-list spot requires a bit of a drive and going on BC ferries, but basking in the beauty of the island is worth every minute of the trip there.
If you’re intrigued by the picturesque shoreline of Tribune Bay, set on Hornby Island — one of B.C.’s Gulf Islands — then here’s what you need to know about getting there, and having the perfect trip when you make it.
Getting to Hornby Island
It’s not the easiest spot to get to, but that just adds to the allure of it and means that going here likely a reprieve from the crowds of people that come with many B.C. destinations.
Coming from Vancouver you’ll want to hop on BC ferries, which will take you to Vancouver Island. The ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver can take you right to Departure Bay in Nanaimo, which is then about an hour from where you’ll grab the next ferry.
If you want to break up the trip a bit you could even stay in Nanaimo for a night or so, enjoying the small oceanside city.
Once you get to Vancouver Island you then drive to Buckley Bay and take a ferry from there to Denman Island West. Then you can drive to the Hornby ferry terminal and finally take one last ferry to Hornby Island.
Three ferries and some driving not up your alley? There are also float plan options that can cost around $300 but will save you some serious time and give you an unforgettable view while at it.
Tribune Bay Park
Tribune Bay Park draws in visitors to the island from all over, and is home to the picture-perfect beach, which is close to 1 kilometre of white sand. Shallow water means swimming here is extra enjoyable, and the BC Parks website says that the waters “meet near tropical temperatures during the summer and the bay is considered to be one of the warmest salt water swimming areas in B.C.”
In the springtime wildflowers bloom next to the crescent-shaped beach, making it that much more spectacular. You can’t beat visiting this spot in the summer though, when you can lay out in the sun and bask in the warm salt water.
Exploring the island
The spectacular beach is what the island is widely known for, because photos of the bright waters and stretch of sand are undeniably enticing, but there’s a whole lot else on the island that you’ll want to stay for.
Hornby Island is actually home to three provincial parks, is made up of 40 percent parkland, and has 70 hiking and biking trails. If you want to embrace the beautiful nature that B.C. is known for, this is the spot to do it.
The surrounding Salish Sea is a big draw of the island, thanks to its warm and clear waters, so getting out and exploring the coastline and beyond is key when visiting. Because of the clear waters, it’s actually one of the top driving and snorkelling spots in North America, according to the Hornby Island website, so you can dive in and explore the underwater life.
You can also rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards to go and see the island from a different perspective. There are also sailing tours on the island, which is a pretty cool way to spend an evening — out on the water watching the sun go down.
There are also lush forests around the island with trails winding through them, so you can go and walk around the old trees that tower above.
Oceanside trails here take you through tall grass blowing in the wind and offer up views of the sparkling ocean beyond.
For a bigger challenge and a higher up view, you can also hike up Mount Geoffrey.
While Tribune Bay Park has the beach, Helliwell Park is equally as beautiful and worth exploring while there.
This park has old-growth Douglas fir trees and breathtaking oceanside bluffs. Again this spot comes alive with colour in the spring, as the wildflowers bloom and cover the hills.
The island is clearly brimming with natural wonders and scenic views, but it’s also home to a lively community, cute shops, and great food.
On Saturdays during the summer — and both Saturdays and Wednesdays in July and August — you can stop by The Hornby Island Farmer’s Market and check out all of the local vendors. There are local artisans, produce, baked goods, and painters there.
There are other delicious-looking food spots around the island too, like Forage Farm + Kitchen.
Since it takes a decent amount of time to travel to Hornby Island, you’ll probably want to stay a while and make the trip worth it.
There’ are a few campsites on the island if you’re looking for something cheaper and want to sleep beneath the stars and really soak up all the nature while away. If camping isn’t your thing then there are also B&Bs and glamping options on the island to cozy up in.
The wonders of this place are pretty unique, and it makes for a backlist-worthy summer adventure. If you want to make the season extra exciting then add this to your itinerary, because it will be a trip full of stunning nature, local artistry, and relaxing by the ocean.
There’s also other beautiful Gulf Island to explore, which you can get to on B.C. ferries. Each one has its own unique community and offers up incredible scenery — so maybe this summer calls for an island-hopping adventure!
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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