VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 203

before reaching the more remote islands. Also try to avoid peak periods, such as Friday and
Sunday afternoons. Aside from that, simply roll up and pay your fare.
Regardless of the final destination, the round-trip fare from Swartz Bay (Victoria) to any
of the Southern Gulf Islands is a reasonable adult $11.50, child $5.70, vehicle $34. Inter-
island travel is charged on a one-way basis: adult $6, child $3, vehicle $13.10. The fare
system is designed to be flexible; for example, if you plan to travel to Galiano Island from
Swartz Bay, with a stop on Salt Spring Island on the way out, you would pay the inter-island
fare departing Salt Spring and then use the return portion of the main ticket from Galiano.
From the mainland Tsawwassen terminal (south of downtown Vancouver), the fare is the
same regardless of which island you travel to: one-way adult $18, child $9, vehicle $58.
SALT SPRING ISLAND
Largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, 180-square-kilometer (70-square-mile) Salt Spring
(pop. 10,500) lies close to Vancouver Island, immediately north of Saanich Inlet. Ferries
link the south and north ends of the island to Vancouver Island, and myriad roads converge
on the service town of Ganges. The island is home to many artisans, along with hobby
farmers, retirees, and wealthy Vancouverites who spend their summers at private getaways.
Sights and Recreation
Ask any longtime local and they'll tell you the island's main town, Ganges, is overcom-
mercialized. But it's still quaint and well worth visiting—at the very least to stock up with
supplies. Set around a protected bay, the original waterfront buildings have undergone a
colorful transformation, and where once you would have found boat-builders, you can now
browse through art galleries, shop for antiques, or dine on innovative cuisine. One of the
most eye-catching shops is the boardwalk gallery featuring the whimsical painting of Jill
Louise Campbell. On a smaller scale, Mahon Hall (114 Rainbow Rd., 250/537-0899) is
filled with arty booths during regular art shows, while the Saturday market in Centennial
Park also showcases the work of local artists.