Gulf Islands
The extensive Gulf Islands group lies off the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Several times more extensive than the San Juan’s in Washington State, the Gulf Islands offer numerous marine parks, anchorages, marinas, and attractive villages with good restaurants, markets, and island activities. The cities of Victoria, Sidney, Ganges, Chemainus, and Nanaimo are included in this section. The Gulf Islands offer everything from remote beaches, farms, and villages to city attractions and tourist destinations like Butchart Gardens. When planning your trip, be sure to check the updates for this region shown on the table below.
| Name | Status | Description – 2026 Updates | Date |
| Oyster Bay Marina | Update | No guest moorage in 2026; permanent moorage only during development. Dinghy dock available for $10 to use the showers, visit the seasonal Cafe (opens May 15), or go into town (key fob provided). | 05/06/2026 |
| Montague Harbour, Galiano Island | Update | An additional $20 fee is assessed for non-residents of BC for park buoy moorage. The Pilgrimme Restaurant up the road from Montague Harbour Marina is no longer in business. An electric Community Bus runs on the Island on Friday and Saturday, see www.galianobus.ca | 06/24/2026 |
| Nanaimo | Update | The cannon gun salute at Bastion Square at noon in Nanaimo no longer takes place. | 06/26/2026 |
| Telegraph Harbour Marina | Update | The Elvis impersonator (Elris Parsley) no longer performs at the marina. | 07/30/2026 |
| Manana Marina, Ladysmith | Update | New docks and New Fuel Dock. Shuttle to town when available and with prior arrangements. The 1948 Bar & Bistro restaurant is great. | 07/30/2026 |
| Stones Marina, Nanaimo | Update | No transient moorage, permanent moorage only. | 07/31/2026 |
| Stones Boatyard | Update | Now called Nanaimo Yacht Services @ Stones Boatyard; website and phone number unchanged. | 07/31/2026 |
| Telegraph Cove | Update | The Whale Interpretive Centre at Telegraph Cove has been rebuilt with the interior yet to be completed and fully opened in 2027. The Centre is currently operating with temporary displays from the Royal BC Museum. Staff provides marine mammal information and hosts the traveling exhibit; open daily from 9:00am to 5:30 pm this summer. | 08/05/2026 |