Village of Ganges, Saltspring Island, BC Gulf Islands

A public bus transit system covers the main routes on Saltspring Island, and the Ganges Faerie MiniShuttle service operates between the ferry terminals (Fulford, Long Harbour, Vesuvius) and Ganges, Ruckle Park, and Fernwood. Visitors can also hire a taxi or rent a car, motorbike, scooter or even a bicycle to take in some of the breathtaking views to be seen on Saltspring Island. Cycling is popular, but most roads are narrow and none have shoulders.

Population: 6,000

Location: Ganges is located in the geographical centre of Saltspring Island, in the sheltered waters of the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Saltspring is the most accessible of the Gulf Islands, with the most frequent ferry sailings on three routes to three ferry terminals. BC Ferries links Fulford Harbour (7.5 miles / 12 km south of Ganges) with Swartz Bay (near Sidney), and also links Vesuvius to Crofton on Vancouver Island. There's a BC Ferries dock in nearby Long Harbour with links to both Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and Tsawwassen on the BC mainland. Floatplanes also link the village of Ganges to Vancouver and Seattle.

• Ganges Harbour, Saltspring Island, B.C

  Saltspring Farmer's Market: Head to the heart of Ganges every Saturday to see the wares and talents of the islanders on display at Centennial Park, from April to the last Saturday in October. The colourful event offers arts and crafts, pottery, jewelery, woodworkings, fine decorative arts, farm produce, farmstead cheeses, and organic foods, and includes a variety of impromptu musical performances and the occasional theatrical or dance exhibition.

• Artcraft is located in the historic Mahon Hall near the harbour in downtown Ganges, featuring works by more than 200 Gulf Island artists and artisans. Open daily from May through to Sepember.

• Even non-shoppers will enjoy historic Mouat's Mall, a rickety white-and-green building where you can browse a fine collection of arts and crafts. After browsing the galleries, walk down to the water for lunch.

• Enjoy theatre and live entertainment throughout the year at the ArtSpring Theatre in Ganges, Saltspring Island's premier venue for concerts, theatre, exhibitions and much more. Graffiti Theatre Company utilizes the talents of island artists whilst engaging theatre professionals from away to enrich and broaden their work.

• Saltspring is also known as a centre for arts and crafts. Many local artisans open their studios for tours, including spinners and weavers, sculptors and glass blowers, painters and potters. Studios showcase ceramics, woodcraft, jewellery, furniture, metal craft, stained glass, moulded candles, wool and fleece products, and many other unique island products. Pick up a Studio Tour Map from the Visitor Info Centre in Ganges. The unique tour is a self-guided visit to over 30 resident properties of artists and artisans, showcasing their individual talents and creations for your enjoyment and purchase.

• Floatplane docked at Ganges Waterfront

  One of the biggest events of the year on Saltspring Island is the annual Fall Fair, held on the third weekend of September just outside the village of Ganges.

  The two-day fair attracts thousands of visitors who attend the event to see award-winning displays of fruit and vegetables, prize-winning livestock and riding exhibitions by local equestrians.

• Tee off on either of the island's two golf courses. The challenging 9-hole Saltspring Island Golf Club on Lower Ganges Road welcomes the public and operates on a first-come-first-served basis. Ten minutes south of Ganges is the Blackburn Meadows Golf Club.

• Mouat Regional Park in Ganges is just a short walk uphill from the commercial heart of Saltspring and provides a relaxing break amongst its beautiful trees, streams and enormous ferns. Once a popular camping location, a Disc Golf course now occupies the old camping oval. Located just behind ArtSpring, this park is named after one of the founding families of Saltspring Island.

• More Photographs of Ganges