A Slow Weekend on Saturna Island

When I think of the Southern Gulf Islands, I think of quaint farmers markets, local farms with fresh produce, cute local bakeries and coffee shops. I was not at all prepared for how remote Saturna is. A place that you really need to prepare for, with one restaurant, one local store and zero gas stations but so much more to love. As Southern Gulf Islands go, it’s one of the smaller ones, home to about 465 people. Nature is the main attraction.

Stocking up

The Saturna General Store is the heart of the island. It has fresh produce, local meats, baked goods, deli items and a liquor store. The pizza on Fridays, pasta on Saturdays and Pizza on Sunday restaurant La Cucina offers authentic Italian food. Seating is limited and reservations are required but Sarah-Dawn will ensure you are taken care of. On Saturday mornings in summer, the farmers market sets up at the store, but don’t expect a large assortment of goods, it’s mostly trinkets, Pokémon tarot readings and jam.

Hikes and beaches

Most of the best things to do here are outdoors. We spent time at Winter Cove, where the trails and shoreline make for an easy, beautiful wander. We also made it out to East Point, the island’s easternmost tip, with open views across the Strait of Georgia. We had the hopes of seeing whales but sadly it wasn’t in the cards for us.
We also did the west trail, on a very windy road to get to the trail head but the panoramic views of the vineyard and ocean make it worthwhile.

The trails around Narvaez Bay and Ecco beach are short easy walks, with access to the beach. It’s worthwhile to collect rocks and go for a quick dip.

Sage Hayward Vineyards

We stopped into the Sage Hayward Vineyards, a family-owned winery with a bistro after we finished our West Trail Hike. They were nice enough to allow us to do a wine tasting and then stay for brunch but reservations are definitely recommended.

Wildlife

Keep your eyes open on the water and in the sky. Seals, eagles and, with luck, whales are all part of the Saturna experience, especially around East Point. We had high hopes of also seeing some wild goats but none of them crossed our path.

Final thoughts

Saturna is a place to slow down. Pack a picnic from the general store, pick a trail, and don’t rush. There are no street lights so at night you can view the stars, if it’s warm enough you can see the bioluminescence in the water and if you are lucky enough you can see a pod of orcas.

Just remember to bring a full tank of gas (its