Saturna Island
Saturna Island is Simply Natural. Come to Saturna and experience the beauty, charm and rural character of island life. With a moderate climate and a low annual rainfall, Saturna Island is truly a nature lover's paradise. The island’s 312 kilometers include forest, rock bluffs, wetlands, mudflat's, reefs and beaches. Saturna Island is a unique year-round holiday destination, ideal for a special occasion or a weekend getaway.
Nature’s Paradise Saturna has public beaches and trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes. Kayaking, canoeing, swimming and cycling are popular activities. Hummingbirds, bald eagles, and over one hundred and eighty other species of birds call Saturna home. Visitors can also expect to see deer, otters, seals, orcas and sea lions. Tidal pools rich with marine life offer hours of exploration. Winter Cove, site of the famous annual Saturna Lamb Barbecue, features sheltered anchorage and easy shore access.
On the south side of the island below the rock bluffs are, Thomson Park, the winery and Taylor Point. Saturna’s restaurants provide a variety of dining experiences and two general stores offer groceries and provisions. Artists’ studios and friendly accommodations are located throughout the island.
As in all forested areas, fire is a serious hazard. Outside fires are not permitted during the summer months and a fire permit is required at any other time. Please conserve water as it is a limited resource.
The permanent population on Saturna has remained small, preserving the charm and rural character of the island. Come to Saturna and experience the rhythm of island life for yourself.
Saturna Island Tourism Association (SITA) is a volunteer non-profit organization which supports and advertises the services of its members from the tourism and business community on Saturna Island.
Parks and Beaches
Many beaches also grace Saturna Island. The sandy Thomson Park provides a perfect place to swim and relax. Russell Reef, off East Point Road, showcases a natural swimming hole. And at East Point Regional Park, the shoreline ranges from flat and shelly to sloping and rocky. Mount Warburton Pike, Saturna's highest point (and the highest summit in the Gulf Islands excluding the peaks on Saltspring Island), and the nearby Brown Ridge Trail offer spectacular views of the Gulf Islands. Another short hike leads you to picturesque Narvaez Bay, where there is a perfect view of the San Juan Islands.
Almost half of Saturna Island is protected within Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. If you are planning to stay overnight on the island, be sure to make arrangements in advance. There are several accommodations options, from rustic cabins to bed & breakfasts to inn-type lodgings, but they are limited in number. Garbage disposal is a costly service for islanders because garbage must be shipped off-island. Please don't litter, and be prepared to take any garbage you generate off-island with you for disposal.
Credit: http://www.saturnatourism.com and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturna_Island