Salt Spring is a special place.
Whether you’re among the lucky few to live there, or a passing visitor, Salt Spring calls to us all. With its moss-covered forests, artisan studios, Salt Spring is a sanctuary where time slows down and natural beauty casts an enchanting spell. Allow this place to fill your cup and renew your spirit with some of these spots:
Saturday Market
April – October
Come catch the Saturday Market transform Ganges village into a vibrant mini festival of the best the island has to offer.
Makers like painters, potters, glassblowers, and jewellers showcase their creations as well as farmers, bakers, candlemakers, leather workers; and you might catch a tarot reader along the edge of the market! It is the ideal spot to enjoy local cuisine, meet creators, and find a special handmade souvenir. We picked up some gorgeous gemstone jewelry from Hawk and Owl.
Check them out here
Mount Erskine
The Fae are among us, and you can see their homes here! If you’re up for the hike, this relatively short but tough hike up the 1,600 ft (488 m) mountain. This trail includes gorgeous gnarled trees, lush moss carpet, and charming fairy doors. To access the park, travel to the Mount Erskine Upper Access Park Reserved (CRD). This is in the Rainbow Grove Subdivision at the end of the Trustees Trail. This hike can take 2-3 hours, so please plan accordingly.
Check it out here
Tree House Cafe
Like a magical oasis in the parking lot, the Tree House Cafe. Dining here feels like stepping into a storybook; the outdoor patio is draped in twinkling lights and vibrant greenery, creating a cozy, ethereal atmosphere that hums with live music almost every night of the summer. The menu leans into this earthy charm, focusing on fresh, wholesome “island-style” comfort food and organic coffee. Whether you’re tucked under the branches for a rainy morning brew or sipping wine under the stars, it captures the soulful, bohemian magic that Salt Spring is known for.
Check them out here
Nerissa, the Mermaid
For our magical friends that appreciate the aquatic magic, Nerissa the goddess of the sea. She sits in Ganges Rotary Marine Park, holding an astrolabe, an ancient sea navigational tool with the words “Service Above Self”. She represents a sacred equilibrium, poised between guarding the world from ruin and silently watching over its preservation. She is beautifully sculpted in a way that can only be described as “satisfying”. Her hair is like a sumptuous sphere of undulating strands while she sits proudly upon a swirling tide.
Check her out here
Black Sheep Books
This book store acts as a cozy space sor wandering souls, offering a treasure trove of rare, antiquinarian, and beautifully bound books that feel plucked from forgotten times as well as a variety ever-changing tarot card offerings and cards. Within its two-levels of floor-to-ceiling shelves, the air is thick with the scent of old paper and local magic, inviting readers to lose themselves for a spell.
Check them out here
Francis Bread
Tucked away on a sunny, rustic corner, this an absolute dream for carb lovers (and we are foodies at heart), serving up naturally leavened, wood-fired sourdough and flaky pastries that smell like heaven. This charming spot is part of a delightful little hub where you can watch the bakers work their magic before exploring the nearby treasures. Just steps away, you can pop into Woodshead for gourmet take-home treats or browse the artisanal jams and savory preserves at Salt Spring Kitchen Co. It’s the perfect, cozy island stop to grab a buttery kouign-amann and a coffee, turning a simple errand into a magical morning.
