This stunning B.C. island has some of the warmest waters north of Mexico

Savary Island is a sub-tropical paradise right here in B.C., covered in beautiful white-sand beaches, ancient cliffsides, and sand dunes. If you’re itching to take a vacation but want to stay close to home, this is absolutely the place to set your sights on this summer.

Some of the warmest waters north of Mexico

Known as one of the most beautiful islands in the Salish Sea, Savary Island boasts some of the warmest waters north of Mexico, which makes it all the more incredible for beach vacationing.

Those wanting to make a weekend trip out of their stay have several on-island accommodations to choose from, including a resort, vacation rentals, B&Bs, and private campsites.

Visitors can easily bike between the island’s many public beaches and forested trails, with a handful of suggested stops including South Beach, Duck Bay, Mermaid Beach, and the Malaspina Promenade.

So whether it’s a beachside picnic, paddle session, or afternoon of swimming that you’re after, you have tons of activities to choose from here, and plenty of space to do it all.

Situated on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, Klahoose, and Homalco First Nations, Savary Island is home to around 100 residents year-round, but it comes alive during the warmer months with curious travellers.

Know before you visit

As space is limited and typically booked well ahead of time, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when it comes to rentals and cabins.

Note that you’ll also need to book transportation to the island, as water taxis from Lund and Vancouver Island are walk-on only.

The Savary Island General Store is open year-round, has all of the basic necessities you’ll need during your trip, and is licensed to sell beer, wine, and liquor.

Other dining options open seasonally include Rigger’s Pub, the Mermaid Café, Hilltop Goodies, and the Savary Sugar Shack.

Sunshine Coast Tourism notes that there is no electrical power on the island or public washrooms, and as such, day-tripping is not currently encouraged. But if you’re looking for a more remote getaway that gets you off of your devices and out into nature, we can think of no place better to visit in B.C.

How to get there: Take a ferry to Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast, and then take a water taxi from Lund, Oyster Bay/Black Creek, or Campbell River to Savary Island.

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