Hastings House is an excellent base to explore Salt Spring Island and neighbouring Vancouver Island which is just a short ferry ride away. Our Concierge is always happy to assist with planning the excursions or to make arrangements with our partners. The following are some sample half and full day itineraries:
Half day Studio Tour (self-guided)
- After enjoying your morning hamper, pick up your gourmet picnic for two. A short drive from the hotel you can visit several artist studios. We recommend Stoneridge Pottery, Ulrieke Benner Textile Art Studio, Renee at Play Pottery Studio on Long Harbour Road.
- Backtrack to Upper Ganges Road, taking a right to head North. Stop at lookouts over Wallace and Galiano Islands, then visit Blue Horse Folk Art Gallery.
- Continue on just a little further to a great waterside picnic location at the end of Southey Point Road.
Half day Culinary Tour (self-guided)
- Take a drive to the south end of the island (through the village and along Fulford-Ganges Road) to visit our two wineries—you’ll be able to taste and buy wines at both Salt Spring Vineyards and Garry Oak Winery.
- Continue along Fulford Ganges Road and take the turnoff on your left heading to Beaver Point Road. Your first stop will be Salt Spring Island Cheese Co. for a taste of handmade goat and sheep cheeses, and condiments. Learn all about the cheesemaking operation through glass windows, and buy some to sustain you for the rest of your adventure.
- Before heading into Ruckle Park, visit Salt Spring Island Bread Co. for a taste of some incredible baked goods fresh out of the wood fired oven.
- Now you are ready to have a walk through 1000 acre Ruckle Park and enjoy some spectacular scenery, watch the marine traffic, and enjoy a made-on-Salt Spring picnic--wine, cheese and bread.
Half day + Whale Watching
- After enjoying your morning hamper, take the path beside The Verandah to Salt Spring Marina, where you will find Sidney Marine Charters bright orange expedition boat. You’ll be outfitted with protective clothing for your exciting 3 hour ride to see resident pods of Orca whales and other marine mammals and birds.
- Return to Ganges Harbour and stretch your legs with a 15 minute walk to the village to try one of the village bistros for lunch. We recommend Calvin’s (above Thrifty’s on Lower Ganges Road), La Cucina (in Mouat’s Mall), or Auntie Pesto’s (in Grace Point Square).
- After lunch, take the Queen of de Nile, a refurbished electric passenger ferry, for a 10 minute slow cruise back to Salt Spring Marina. Perhaps a relaxing spa treatment would be just the thing to complement the excitement of the morning. Stop into the Snug afterwards for afternoon treats to see you through until dinner.
Half day + Fishing or Sailing
- After enjoying your morning hamper, pick up your picnic, and don’t forget your camera, hat, jacket, sunscreen and sunglasses. Take the path beside The Verandah to Salt Spring Marina, where you’ll find one of several fishing boats or sailing vessels, complete with captain and his sea stories. During the four hours you’re aboard, you’ll have the chance to catch wild Pacific Salmon, Halibut, Ling Cod, and Dungeness Crab. Watch an eagle snatch a fish out of the water; see seals bob up to look back at you. You might also see a pod of porpoises or whales, as well as get a good look at the geology of the islands. If you’re sailing, not fishing, then just sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Gulf Islands, and the clean quiet efficiency of sailpower! The salt air is sure to give you an appetite for the treats in your amply stocked picnic basket.
- Bring your catch back to Hastings House kitchen—the Chef will be happy to turn it into a delectable dish for your dinner.
- Regain your land legs on our Woodland Walk to Churchill Road, turn left and visit the Salt Spring Woodworks Gallery. Run your hand as well as your eyes over the smooth surfaces of island-made furniture and accessories.
- Join other guests in the Snug over Afternoon Treats, or in the Living Room for cocktails before dinner to share your adventures of the day.
Full day Kayaking / Village Browse / Afternoon Tea / Mt. Maxwell
- After enjoying your morning hamper, pick up your picnic, and take a short stroll to Sea Otter Kayaking for three hours of guided kayaking, no experience necessary! Enjoy your picnic at Chocolate Beach, a white sand beach on an uninhabited island, with permission of the owner.
- Return to Ganges Harbour and have a walk through the village visiting the local galleries and shops. We suggest J. Mitchell Gallery, Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art, Off the Waterfront Gallery, Jill Louis Campbell Gallery. Mouat’s Trading Company has a great selection of unique and fun fashions. West of the Moon stocks toys for the young at heart.
- Return to Hastings House on foot or on the Queen of de Nile across the harbour. Have a light snack in the Snug with a cup of tea or your favourite beverage.
- If you have a vehicle, drive up Mount Maxwell to take in the incredible views over the Burgoyne Valley and beyond to Victoria, several trails are available for hiking.
Full day Falconry / Chemainus murals on Vancouver Island
- After enjoying your morning hamper, drive to the Vesuvius ferry (10 minutes) for a 20 minute sailing to Crofton. Once off the ferry, drive another 15 minutes to the Pacific Northwest Raptor Center, where you will see many species of raptor (birds of prey) in educational flying demonstrations. The 20 minute Hawk Walk lets you experience a hawk flying to your gloved hand. (Half day and full day falconry training is also available by appointment. www.pnwraptors.com ) .
- After the thrills of falconry, wind your way to Chemainus, a town known for its many historic murals. Follow the trail of yellow footprints from one to another—you’ll find many quaint cafés along the way, if your tummy rumbles before teatime.
- Head back to Crofton to catch the ferry back to Salt Spring.
Full day Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island
- After enjoying your morning hamper, pack your camera, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and drive to the Fulford ferry (20 minutes) for a 35 minute sailing to Swartz Bay on the Saanich Peninsula at the south end of Vancouver Island. Once off the ferry, drive another 20 minutes to the world-famous Butchart Gardens. View the many spectacular floral displays at your own pace, stopping for refreshments in one of three dining locations. You might even catch an outdoor concert on the lawns.
- If time allows, you might stop at the Butterfly Gardens, 5 minutes from Butchart Gardens, to enjoy hundreds of exotic free-flying butterflies, before heading back to the ferry to Salt Spring. www.butterflygardens.com
- After a dazzling day of beauty, you’ll be glad to relax with a glass of wine or your favourite cocktail in the Living Room or on the lawns in front of the Manor House before dinner.
Full day Winery Tour on Vancouver Island
- After enjoying your morning hamper, pick up your picnic basket from the kitchen and your winery tour maps in Reception. Drive to Vesuvius (10 minutes) to take the 20 minute ferry ride to Crofton. You can easily visit 6-10 wineries on Vancouver Island, enjoying a progressive lunch with appetizers at one winery, your main course at another, finishing with cheese and dessert later in the day. Complete the loop back to the Crofton ferry at the end of the day.
- To enjoy the day even more, let us hire you a limousine and driver who knows the roads and the winemakers—you’ll have a more carefree day of wine tasting. We’ll provide courtesy transportation to and from Vesuvius and you can meet him on the other side of Satellite Channel at Crofton.
- After a full day of wine touring, you may wish to kick back and have us deliver a fireside supper to your suite.
