BC Ferries offers a day trip out of Swartz Bay (north of Victoria) on one of the local ferries that serves the Gulf Islands, a series of small islands located generally between Victoria and Vancouver. For only about $12 you get a 4-hour trip stopping at Saturna, Mayne, and Pender Islands, and then returning to Swartz Bay. We took the trip on a nice sunny and calm day. Being on the water helped us to avoid some of the heat wave.
We saw some beautiful island scenery along with waterbirds in the channel. It was interesting to stop at these isolated islands and get a glimpse of life there. Tourism is a major industry and we saw lots of nice looking vacation homes along the water. Other folks raise sheep or operate small craft businesses such as weaving or soap making.
Following the ferry ride we stopped for lunch at Sea Glass Waterfront Grill in Sidney. We had a window table by the water so we continued our nautical day. Sidney is a busy town, the center of commerce on the Saanich Peninsula north of Victoria.
