Mayne Island
Georgina Point Lighthouse.
POPULATION: 900
FERRY TERMINAL: Village Bay
TOURIST INFO: Pick up a Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce brochure
ATM MACHINES: Trading Post and Mayne Inn.
If your interest in Mayne Island is sparked by its reputation as the Gulf Islands’ “social and drinking hub,” I’m sorry to say you’ve arrived about a century too late.
Today the island’s historic prison serves not as a lock-up for the rabble-rousing prospectors passing through on their way northward, but as the community’s museum.
Visitors strolling through Miners Bay, the island’s commercial hub, are more likely to come across island wildlife and a friendly smile from one of Mayne’s 900 permanent residents than to stumble upon a miner of yore.
“The days of ‘Little Hell,’ as they used to call it, are long gone,” says Mayne Island Conservancy member Ed Pedersen from his home overlooking Active Pass.
According to Pedersen, who’s lived on the island for nearly 30 years, Mayne is renowned for its tranquil setting and as a gateway for people in search of slowing down their busy lives.
Even residents on neighbouring Salt Spring and Galiano islands come here to relax, he adds.
The rural landscape and laid-back attitude make the island the perfect place to take in some of the coast’s best hiking, cycling and sea kayaking adventures on your own or with some help from the local outfitters.
But don’t let appearances fool you. While it may be sleepy on the outside, Mayne also hosts fine restaurants, fun cafes and a pub, and galleries and studios with something for everyone.
Even world-renowned children’s entertainer Raffi moved over from Vancouver 10 years ago after a short weekend visit.
“The moment you arrive on Mayne Island, the fresh, clean and calm surroundings greet you as a friend,” he says.
And Mayne’s craftspeople, painters, musicians and writers continue to inspire him, and do the same to visitors who are welcomed into their studios.
The island’s ferry terminal at Village Bay serves as the Southern Gulf Islands’ transportation hub and islanders pride themselves on having the best ferry service around, despite Mayne’s relatively small population.
The convenient access means day-trippers and weekend visitors from the mainland and Vancouver Island can spend more time exploring the island. For those really wanting to make the most of their trip, floatplane service from downtown Vancouver and Richmond is also available.
For those wanting an extended stay, there are bed and breakfasts, lodges, inns and resorts catering to every budget. The island also has private campgrounds.
Whether you’ve been on the islands for 30 years or are just stopping by for the weekend, the most noticeable and important feature of Mayne Island is its sense of community.
During a walk through Mayne Island’s beautiful Japanese garden, longtime island resident and historian Alan Cheek said the island’s strong volunteer ethic ensures there is always something on the go.
The Japanese Garden itself, initiated to commemorate the island’s early Japanese Canadian settlers, was created almost entirely with equipment and time donated by the community.
“It is unbelievable how quickly people come through when there is a call for help,” he says. “That’s really what living on a small island is all about.”
Thanks to the community’s strong spirit, there’s always something on the calendar for everyone in the family. Beginning on June 30, the Farmers Market at the “Ag” — the historic and charming Agricultural Hall in Miners Bay — gives residents and visitors the chance to stock up on local produce and crafts. The summer season wraps up in early September with the ever-popular Cow Pie Run and Salmon Barbecue.
Things may calm down over the winter, but the cooler weather gets community members involved with decorating the island for the Christmas season.
Even the Japanese Garden, usually noted for its spring blossoms and fall foliage, comes alive with lights and carols in the weeks before Christmas.
With all this and so much more, it’s hard not to agree with the Chamber of Commerce’s Debbie Lancaster when she describes Mayne Island as the type of place people find hard to leave.
From parks to fine dining or even a bit of both, she said, Mayne Island is the perfect getaway and well within reach.
“It’s just a really comfortable spot with so much to see and do, so many people to meet,” she says. “Everything about it made it feel as though I was right at home.”