Looking for an off-the-beaten-path weekend getaway this summer? Look no further than Hornby Island. Home to beautiful coastal parks, several amazing wineries and countless local artists, Hornby Island is the perfect place to go off the grid and avoid the crowds.
If you are travelling from the mainland you will need to take 3 ferries and drive through 2 different islands to get to Hornby. Don’t be discouraged though — once you are on Vancouver Island, the connecting ferries are easy (plus the illusion of a logistics nightmare scares most tourists away from the island). Below is a breakdown of the ferries we took:
West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) -> Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
We took an 8 AM sailing. As long as you arrive at least an hour early, there should be no need for reservations.
Vancouver Island (Buckley Bay) -> Denman Island (Gravelly Bay)
On your way to Buckley Bay from Nanaimo be sure to stop in Coombs and checkout the Old Country Market!
Denman Island (Gravelly Bay) -> Hornby Island (Shingle Spit)
Once you are on Vancouver Island, the Denman/Hornby ferries run pretty much every hour. They are also timed perfectly to ensure you don’t have to wait long for the next one once you are on Denman Island. You can find the latest BC Ferries scheduled sailings and destinations here.
(Tip
Make sure to do the math and purchase the BC Ferries Experience Card. You will save roughly 40% on the Denman Island - Hornby Island routes!)
Fossil Beach Farm
If you are looking for a unique experience during your stay on Hornby Island, look no further than Fossil Beach Farm. Not only do they produce some tasty cider, but they also offer 7 oceanfront glamping tents. Each tent is equipped with beds, fresh linens, solar lights and a small welcome gift that was a nice touch. In front of your tent you have a personal picnic table, patio chairs and a propane fire pit. The tents open up onto the western side of the island, so every night you are treated to an amazing sunset. The farm also has two private, heated bathrooms equipped with coin operated showers (your first 16 minutes is included). The campground is situated next to an active farm so don’t be surprised to be waiting for a herd of cows to pass as you drive out to the main road.
Helliwell Provincial Park
This was one of the most beautiful coastal provincial parks we have been to in BC. The park features a 5 km loop trail that will take you on a brisk walk through old growth fir trees and lush green meadows atop the ocean side bluffs, juxtaposed against the Vancouver Island mountain range. The park is a great place to relax, have a picnic or go swimming. Be prepared to see a lot of deer on this side of the island.
Tribune Bay
Voted the #1 beach in all of BC and often referred to as “Little Hawaii”, Tribune Bay is home to nearly a 1 km white sand beach. Perfect for basking in the sun, swimming and exploring the many sea creatures within the tide pools at low tide.
Mt Geoffrey Provincial Park
Home to Mt Geoffrey, the highest peak on the island, this park offers spectacular views and endless trails. If you own a mountain bike be sure to bring it as there are three main trails ranking from easy to very difficult. If you don’t have a bike, we still recommend hiking the summit trail and enjoying the rewarding vistas at the top. You can check out the complete trail map here.
Local Artists
Hornby Island is home to over 50 artists, ranging from painters to musicians and wood workers. You will see works of many of these artists all around as you explore the island. The island is also home to The Hornby Spark which offers a community shop space and hands-on training to locals and tourists looking to learn a new skill.
Restaurants
There are a handful of restaurants to choose from on the island, ranging from quick bites to fine dining.
(Tip Depending on the time of year, it can be quite difficult to find a place to eat after 5 PM. Be sure to stock up on food/snacks from the local Coop in town just in case!)
Forage Farm and Kitchen - “Farm to fork” restaurant offering a wide variety of menu items all made with local Hornby organic ingredients; the perfect spot for lunch!
Hornby Island Bakery & Pizzeria - Who doesn’t want pizza and donuts while on vacation? Be sure to call ahead as orders back up very quickly in the summer.
Sea Breeze Lodge - Oceanfront table service dining that features breakfast buffets and rotating culinary themed dinner menus.
Sizzle - Local food truck serving lunch and breakfast. Be sure to try the ‘Breakfast in a Box’!
Thatch Pub - Standard pub fare, a great choice if you are in need of a late evening dinner and beer.
Drinks
Despite its small size, Hornby Island is home to 5 wineries and distilleries.
Fossil Beach Farm - Using local apple varieties and other fruit, this cider house offers unique takes on traditional cider. Be sure to stock up as the only way to get this stuff is through direct sales.
Hornby Island Estate Winery - Famous for their fruit wines and ports. Our favorite was the blueberry port!
Isla de Lerena Vineyard - The most traditional winery on the island. I’m not going to pretend to know much about wine, but the ones we sampled were tasty (and perfectly paired with a slice of pizza from the adjacent Hornby Island Pizzeria).
Island Spirits Distillery - If you are a fan of gin or vodka, this is the place for you. Made from blends of over 10 different botanicals, the distiller provides several different elixirs that claim “no hangover”.
Middle Mountain Mead - Small batch honey wine, flavored with various local grown herbs and fruit. If you are going to choose just one place for a tasting, we highly recommend this one!
Have you made the trek to Hornby Island yet? Do you have any questions or want to share your highlights from your trip? Let us know in the comments section below!
Happy adventuring,
Slade
