Hawaii of the North – Texada, Lasquiti, Jedidiah, and Hornby Island

Hawaii of the North – Texada, Lasquiti, Jedidiah, and Hornby Island

Duration: 1 to 2 days, from 1500$ + 500$ ( fuel ) = 1 day

Maximum: 10 guests with a captain and chef included.

We’ll head to Texada Island, 10 km away, to dock and check out the town. Then we’ll go to Lasquiti Island, Jedediah Island, and the beaches of the “Hawaii of the North,” Hornby Island on Vancouver Island. Here, the guests can decide if they want to lay on the beach in the afternoon and stay in the Bay overnight, or return to Port.

Texada Island is a large island located in the Strait of Georgia of British Columbia, Canada. With an area of 300.45 km² (116.00 sq mi), it is the largest island of the Gulf Islands and the third largest island in the Strait of Georgia after Whidbey Island in Washington and Quadra Island of the Discovery Islands. Once a major mining and logging centre home to a fairly large population, Texada’s industry has largely disappeared and its population shrunk since the decline began in the 1950s. In the present, it is mostly recognized as an out-of-the-way cottage and camping destination known for its warm waters and scenic beaches.

Jedediah Island, located between Lasqueti and Texada islands in the Strait of Georgia off central Vancouver Island, has long been a popular destination for recreational boaters and kayakers. It is the largest and most diverse of a chain of more than 30 islands and rocky islets located north and west of Lasqueti Island. The interior of Jedediah is comprised of forest ecosystems where you will see a variety of mature tree species, including Douglas fir and arbutus, intermingled with rocky outcrops. In several areas evidence of previous human settlements are evident. A rich marine environment encircles Jedediah Island, which offers secluded bays and coves for safer harbour. Jedediah’s isolation and tranquility make it an excellent destination for kayaking and wilderness camping. What sets Jedediah apart is its size – it is one of the largest island parks in the province. Some of the best camping areas are near the shoreline around Long Bay. Small bays on the east side of the island provide campers with a little more privacy, especially during the summer at the height of kayaking-touring season, when the island can get quite busy.

Tranquil and bucolic, Denman Island and Hornby Island sit just off the east coast of Vancouver Island. Lying off the south end of Denman Island, Hornby Island is the smaller of the two and offers a rugged, seductive mix of northwest rainforest and magnificent warm-water swimming beaches. Hornby is somewhat mountainous, and the powerful force of the sea has beaten the softer rock faces, leaving dramatic cave and hoodoo formations at Tribune Bay and other sites. Every island is invested with magic. Those who visit Hornby Island have really bought into the dream, as it takes two ferries to reach. There are no provincial campgrounds on Hornby Island, but there are a number of commercial campgrounds, resort lodges, and B&Bs. These Gulf Islands are a holdover from a distant time when the entire Strait of Georgia was filled with sand. In more recent geological times, glaciation gouged out the trench that is now filled with seawater. Because of certain inhibiting conditions – lack of water and garbage facilities, as well as tinder-dry forests in summer months – many islands have no public campgrounds. In most places, private accommodation must be arranged. In summer, reservations are highly recommended. However, there are public campgrounds on adjacent Denman Island. Even though there are no public campgrounds on Hornby Island, there are attractive parks especially for picnickers, located where you can take best advantage of the seaside environment. Whether you’re on the island just for the day or have made arrangements for private overnight accommodation, you’ll want to head for these places to complement your visit.