Hotels near Ganges Water Aerodrome - YGG, Ganges

There were many restaurants & shops in the town a short drive from the retreat, we drove all around the island & the scenery is really beautiful. The island is not busy & the ferry ride over was on time and very convenient.

The Saturday market is amazing although parking is tough. For a relatively small island it has a good variety of restaurant and grocery options and there are plenty of outdoor activity possibilities. There are good hikes, a mix of small town urban activity and quiet rural areas. I even found an inexpensive gym where I was able to do my usual fitness routine inexpensively.

The atmosphere is laid back with a bohemian vibe. The scenery was beautiful, and the Farmers Market is a must-see. The local made products are a must try/buy as the ingredients are grown on the island. Harlan's Ice Cream and Barb's Bakery & Bistro are not to be missed. The homemade taste is amazing. Embe Bakery was great as well. Lower Ganges is easily walkable, though parking is limited.

We love Salt Spring! Ganges has lots of good spots to eat and we especially enjoyed Auntie Pesto’s. We noticed the traffic has increased since the last time we were there especially in the core where it is very hard to find parking.

We felt that Salt Spring was over rated. The ferry was expensive $58 return, and the roads were in poor condition. Ganges was packed, as was Fulford, and finding a space to park was not easy. Ganges has quaint shops and friendly people, and the boats in the harbor are pretty. It rained whilst we were there, so going for a good walk was out of the question. The Saturday Market starts in mid April and I'm sure it will be mass congestion from then on until the fall.

Ganges is a very busy little town in the tourist season, with heavy traffic and tons of tourists and locals. Many lovely shops, but too many people in town. I wouldn't recommend Saltspring for cycling, although we did see people cycling - but roads are narrow and windy, and busy. We weren't cycling, but I grew up there and know that the roads are not good for bikes. It is definitely better to go to Saltspring in the off-season. It is an expensive place to visit, particularly in tourist season. A drive up Mount Maxwell is definitely worth it for the amazing views of Sansum Narrows, Cowichan Bay, Fulford Valley and other Gulf Islands - go with a 4 wheel drive, and not towing anything, or in an RV - road too bumpy and narrow, much of it only 1 lane.