With its incredible scenery and mild climate, Salt Spring Island is naturally a wonderland of outdoor activities for all ages and stages. Here is a look at what to do in the great outdoors.

Kayaking What better way to explore the coastlines, watch for wildlife, and commune with nature than by skimming along the water's surface in a kayak. A favourite of the environmentally conscious, kayaking is one of the least damaging ways to explore marine eco-systems and is also one of the most popular activities among visitors to Salt Spring. The wildlife watching opportunities are fabulous. Species commonly spotted from kayaks include stellar sea lions, seals, river otters, mink, dall porpoises, ducks, sandpipers, oystercatchers, starfish, sea cucumbers, and the list goes on and on.

People come from all over the world to paddle along the shorelines and in the calm bays and coves. Some avid, experienced kayakers actually arrive here by kayak! Never tried it before? Now's your chance. Salt Spring Island is the ideal place to learn. Be warned, however: kayaking is highly addictive! Equipment rentals, lessons, tours for all experience levels, and customized guided trips are all available from local companies.

Hiking Next on the popularity list has got to be hiking. And, whether your idea of hiking is a 20-minute stroll on the beach or a gruelling climb up a mountainside, Salt Spring has just the trail for you. The trek up Mount Maxwell is a popular year-round hike described as "moderate." Although more challenging in the winter, this five-kilometre hike takes approximately two hours (return) and leads through second-growth forest to an awe-inspiring view from the summit. If the hike sounds like more of a challenge than you want, you can also drive to the top.

Ruckle Provincial Park is a great choice for families and features 11 kilometres of easy trails through mixed forest and along oceanview bluffs. Mouat Park, located just behind ArtSpring in Ganges, is a great place for a stroll after lunch or dinner at one of Ganges' fine restaurants; there are several 10 to 15-minute walks in the park, which is also the location of a course for disk golf. Duck Creek, near Vesuvius, features a 20 to 45-minute loop trail along a meandering creek that becomes a salmon stream during the November spawning season. Hope Hill, off Musgrave Road near Fulford Harbour, features a seven-kilometre hike (return) through second-growth forest to a great viewpoint just below its summit.

Nearby, Mount Bruce is renowned for arbutus trees, seasonal wildflowers, and an excellent view from its 701-metre summit. The trail to the summit is six kilometres long (return) and there are several side trails as well. Mount Tuam is also in the area; follow the roadway three kilometres to the summit for a panoramic view. Hikers who want more of a challenge will enjoy the steep, slippery climb to the summit of Mount Erskine. The 2.5-kilometre (return) trail is on private property and marked with red markers; please be respectful of all private property. Other hiking trails are located at Southey Point, Musgrave Landing, and Cape Keppel. For more details on hiking trails, ask at the Info Centre in Ganges.

Golfing If your idea of outdoor adventure is swinging a club on a scenic golf course, you won't want to miss the beautiful scenery at Salt Spring Island's two courses. Established 76 years ago, the Salt Spring Island Golf and Country Club features a sporty nine-hole, par-36 course that offers a good challenge to all ages and skill levels, as well as a driving range and a pro shop. The course is open year-round and tee times are determined on a first come, first served basis. The licensed restaurant is a great place to re-live the highlights of the day's game and enjoy a satisfying meal from the full menu. Club and cart rentals (including power carts), lessons, and junior programs are available.

More great golf awaits at Blackburn Meadows Golf Course, the only totally organically maintained course in Canada. Designed to retain the natural features of the landscape, this nine-hole, par-32 course is situated next to lovely Blackburn Lake and is home to a a variety of wildlife, including herons, deer and mallard ducks. Blackburn Meadows has a gift shop and snack bar and is suitable for the whole family.

Swimming With eight lakes and more than 20 marked beaches, Salt Spring Island offers some good options to swimmers. For ocean swimming and wading, the most popular beaches are those at Vesuvius Bay, Drummond Park, Booth Bay, and Beddis Beach. If ocean dips seem a bit too chilly for you, consider a freshwater lake instead. St Mary Lake, the largest lake on the island, has a beach area and is a great spot to cool off on a hot summer's day. Weston Lake, Stowell Lake, and Cusheon Lake offer more refreshing choices to swimmers. Shelby Pool at Portlock Park, located at Central at the junction of Vesuvius Bay and North End roads, is an indoor swimming pool open to visitors.

Tennis Tennis players will enjoy the public courts at Portlock Park, one of which is enclosed within a bubble for indoor play during the winter.
Disc Golf - Growing in popularity and great fun for all ages, disc golf is basically golf played with a frisbee instead of golf balls and clubs. A portion of Mouat Park in Ganges has been converted to a public disc golfing course and is a blast for the whole family.

Bird Watching Novice and seasoned bird watchers will want to keep their binoculars close at hand when visiting Salt Spring Island. Well over a hundred species of our fine-feathered friends are regularly sighted on Salt Spring, in the forests, at the beaches, at mountain summits, from the water, and right in town. Top places haunted by bird watchers include Ruckle Provincial Park, Drummond Park, Mount Maxwell Park, the Blackburn Lake area, and the area of Booth Bay known as Cranberry Outlet.

Parks The largest park on Salt Spring Island, Ruckle Provincial Park was originally the property of Henry Ruckle, an Irish immigrant who homesteaded here in 1872. He and his ancestors farmed here for more than a century and his heirs continue to hold a life tenancy. The park lies along the shoreline and offers some wonderful water views. Exploring tidal pools, hiking the 10 kilometres of easy trails, picnicking, and camping are all great ways to enjoy this beautiful park. Drummond Park, on the shores of Fulford Harbour, is a family favourite that offers a playground, beach, and picnic area. Mount Maxwell Park encompasses the highest point on the island and grants stunning views and hiking trails. A gravel road leads to the top.

And that's not all! Other outdoor activities pursued on Salt Spring include diving, horseback riding, hang gliding, and both fresh and salt water fishing. Motor scooter touring is a popular way to see the sights around the island, and water taxis are available for both transportation between islands and for seeing the sights. Sailing tours and lessons are available for visitors interested in exploring the area by boat.