Outer Southern Gulf Islands - Salish Sea Chapter
Live, Work, and Play on the Gulf Islands
Video Copyright: Robin Cleator
Comprised of four unique islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna) located in the Salish Sea, between the southern tip of Vancouver Island and the mainland, near Vancouver. These islands have the very best the West Coast has to offer: incredible Mediterranean-like beaches and mild climate, mountains with numerous trails, meadows with indigenous Coast Salish plants and flowers, sandstones sculptured by the waves, temperate rain-forest, and all the west coast wild-life you can imagine deer, whales, dolphins, seals, otters, and so much more; but it is the people who make the islands so special. Each island has its own culture, but they all have that friendly islander hospitality and the rural “everyone is a neighbour” community feeling.
These islands have regular BC Ferry service (BC Ferries Schedule), many shops, first class restaurants, luxury resorts and spas, fantastic galleries, and well equipped, excellent medical clinics. Pender Island has a population of ~2470, Galiano and Mayne have about the same population of over 1300, and Saturna’s population is ~465. During the summer tourist season, the population is more than double.
Each Southern Gulf islands is a peaceful place to call home however, there are activities abound. The most popular adventures and activities enjoyed on the Gulf Islands, includes sea kayaking, boating, sailing, fishing, scuba diving, paddle-boarding, wildlife/whale touring, beachcombing, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, birdwatching, camping, swimming, wind surfing and kite surfing. Looking for a quieter activity, the Islands have you covered. Each Island has its own community library, art galleries, community clubs, theatre and activities.
Medical Clinics and Health Associations
The Galiano Health Care Centre is operated by the Galiano Health Care Society.
The Center provides:
- Clinic primary care services
- 24/7 -911 emergency care
- After-hour urgent care and advice according to the shared Outer Southern Gulf Island on-call (Mayne, Galiano and Pender Island) Physician schedule.
The Mayne Island Health Care Centre is operated by the Mayne Island Heath Centre Association. The Health Center entails physician - run Health Care Clinic providing:
- primary health care services to the residents of Mayne Island
- 24/7 - 911 emergency care
- Urgent care and advice according to the after-hour Outer Southern Gulf Island on-call Physician schedule.
The Saturna Island Medical Centre is operated by the Saturna Community Club. Primary Care services for Saturna residents are provided in person and virtually by visiting Family Physician 2 days a week. 911 for urgent and emergency care.
The Pender Island Health Centre is operated by the Pender Island Health Care Society. The Health Center Clinic provides:
- primary health services to the residents of Pender Island.
- 24/7 - 911 emergency care
- Urgent care and advice according to the after-hour on call Outer Southern Gulf Island Physician schedule.
School District and Schools
The schools on the islands are as unique as the Island’s themselves, all the schools are part of the SD64 School District.
Pender Islands Elementary Secondary School (PIESS) serves approximately 130 learners from North and South Pender Island, as well as middle and junior high school learners from Galiano, Mayne and Saturna Island.
Galiano Community School is a K-7 - The school is situated in a rural setting, surrounded by 7 acres of beautiful and diverse forest.
Saturna Island Elementary School serves a small class of students in grades K-5 as well as an ecologically based secondary program, Saturna Ecological Education Centre, drawing students from around the province.
Mayne Island School is uniquely situated on a large campus surrounded by nature, and nestled in a safe, inviting and inclusive community.
Other Resources
Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce
Pender Island Chamber of Commerce
Galiano Island Chamber of Commerce
Saturna Island Chamber of Commerce
Contact us to learn more about the Outer Southern Gulf Islands - Salish Sea Chapter.
Juliana Losier, Physician Lead
Phemie Guttin, Chapter Coordinator
