Marine Adventure Tours from Salt Spring Island

Coming to the Gulf Islands to visit Hastings House is like stepping away from the hustle of daily life and into an amazing micro-climate perfect for fun in the sun (especially when whale watching is involved!) Since we’re surrounded by ocean, when you’re not gazing at the calm waters of the Salish Sea, you’ll want to be out on it.

Whale Watching

Have you been on a whale watching tour that involved hours on the windy open ocean just to get to the whales? Salt Spring is ideally located for a most enjoyable whale watching trip. Ganges Harbour is only a 45 minute ride by Zodiac to Active Pass, which is one of the main spots on the whale feeing route. The faster you get to where the whales are, the more time you can spend observing these amazing mammals, including Orcas, Humpback whales, Minke whales, Grey whales and Fin whales.

Salt Spring Adventures offers whale watching tours daily departing at noon during peak season and operates March – October.

Kayak and SUP Tours and Rentals

As Salt Spring is nestled among the other Gulf Islands, the water can be as glassy as a pristine lake. Consider a guided Kayak trip with snacks and tea, or rent a paddle board and head off on your own adventure!

Kayak Salt Spring specializes in small, educational private tours for two up to six people, including a Walker’s Hook Paddle (2 hours), Eleanor Point Tours (3 – 4 hours), and Sansum Narrows Tours (2.5 – 4 hours).

Salt Spring Adventures offers kayaking tours to Goat Island (2 hours), tours to Chocolate Beach (3 hours), a Bioluminescence Paddle (3 hours), and a Marine Park Tour (4 – 6 hours). They also have a Ganges Harbour Paddle for those new to sea kayaking. Salt Spring Adventures also rents SUP boards.

Salt Spring Paddle Board Company offers board rentals for 2-hour or full-day excursions. The launch is at Beddis Beach (ideal for morning) Cusheon Lake, or Vesuvius Beach (ideal for afternoon), and the rental includes drop-off and pick-up of the boards as well as a short lesson in safely paddling an SUP.

Hastings House has a gourmet picnics that would make the perfect accompaniment to your excursion either on or around the island. Order the day before and pick up your picnic after breakfast so that you’re all set for a day in paradise!

*Photo Credit: Salt Spring Adventure Co.