Traveling to Salt Spring Island

As one of the largest and most complex ferry systems in the world, our routes are lifelines for our customers and the communities we serve.

Harbour Air serves as a vital transportation link to Salt Spring Island by providing direct, scenic seaplane connections that bypass traditional ferry routes. Operating out of the island's central hub, it dramatically cuts travel times to major mainland and Vancouver Island destinations.

Seair Seaplanes offers direct seaplane flights connecting Metro Vancouver with Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island. These flights provide a fast, scenic alternative to traditional ferry travel, cutting transit times down to just 15 minutes.

The Gulf Islands Water Taxi operates as a crucial foot-passenger marine link that connects Salt Spring Island to the surrounding Southern Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. Operating primarily out of Ganges Harbour, it fills a vital transit gap by providing direct, scheduled services for students and commuters, alongside seasonal "island-hopping" tourism routes.

Silver Shadow Taxi operates as Salt Spring Island's sole vehicle-based taxi and commercial courier service, filling critical transit gaps across the island with 24/7 on-demand dispatch. Utilizing a modern fleet of seven hybrid, electric, and high-capacity vehicles, the company provides essential point-to-point passenger transport, late-night safe rides from local venues, and dedicated airport and ferry terminal connections. Beyond standard cab services, Silver Shadow offers island-wide commercial freight and grocery deliveries, custom flat-rate tours of local wineries and scenic viewpoints, and specialized community transit programs for local students. Because it is the island's only taxi provider, pre-booking at +1 (250) 537-3030 is highly recommended, especially during the busy summer tourist season and Saturday market hours.

Salt Spring Island Transit provides an accessible public bus network of six core year-round routes that connect the central hub of Ganges directly to the island's three major BC Ferries terminals (Fulford Harbour, Vesuvius, and Long Harbour), with schedules synchronized to ferry sailings. Operated by BC Transit, the system uses wheelchair-accessible minibuses and features a flexible "wave-down" system, allowing passengers in rural areas to hail or exit the bus anywhere it is safe to pull over. The service also expands during the summer months with increased weekend frequencies and seasonal routing to Ruckle Park to accommodate peak tourism.

Renting a car or scooter can be an excellent way to see the sights and enjoy all the special spots on Salt Spring Island offering visitors independence.

We are committed to providing a professional and reliable service for all Salt Spring Island visitors and residents. Throughout the year we are open seven days a week and happily accommodate any special requirements you may need to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

We offer vehicle delivery for car rental customers to Salt Spring Air, the float plane dock, the info centre bus stop and Long Harbour ferry terminal for a fee.

The Salt Spring Hop On Hop Off Tour is a seasonal, weekend shuttle service operating from May through September that provides a stress-free way to explore the island's top attractions. Departing from downtown Ganges, the 20-seat shuttle loops along a 28 km "Artisan Trail," allowing you to explore destinations at your own pace between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. A single full-day pass (approximately $55 for adults) grants unlimited hop-on, hop-off access to six curated stops, including the local public market, an organic lavender farm, a world-class cheese farm, and multiple craft distilleries, breweries, cideries, and boutique wineries.

Island Pathways is a Salt Spring Island non-profit dedicated to safe, active, and sustainable transportation. They build off-road, multi-use trails, publish detailed walking and cycling maps, advocate for better road infrastructure, and run education programs like "Helmets for Life" and "Cycling Without Age".