Ganges Harbour is an excellent port of call; whether you're just beginning your vacation and need a place to provision your boat with local organic produce, or whether you've been out cruising for a while and need a little break.
Things to see and do: The possibilities are endless on Salt Spring Island: from restaurants and pubs, to the arts & crafts market on Saturdays, to the farmers' market on Tuesdays, to art galleries, wineries, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving and more! Salt Spring Island is a must on any cruiser's itinerary.
Marinas and anchorages: Located at 48°51' N 123°28' W, Ganges Harbour is a single day sail from the Island Cruising base at Port Sidney. There are several marinas and anchorages to choose from at Ganges: Ganges Marina is a good choice if you're expecting strong winds blowing southeasterly, as there is a floating breakwater there. It is also the closest marina to the town centre. Other services offered are refueling, wireless internet, and laundry facilities. Best of all, the marina offers complimentary coffee and muffins from 8.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. every morning in the summer months! Another option is Salt Spring Marina, which has the best views of Ganges Harbour! Located next to the popular Moby's Pub, Salt Spring Marina offers affordable overnight moorage, wireless internet, laundry facilities, and car, scooter & bicycle rentals. There are also good anchorage sites east of Money Makers Rock and the marinas, where the anchor will hold well in the sticky black mud of the ocean floor.
Hazards in the area: Be aware of Money Makers Rock to the SE of Salt Spring Marina. This area is well marked on both the charts and in the water. Nevertheless, boaters do touch bottom at this location each and every year, so be vigilant! According to Northwest Yachting, "the real problem area is in the Chain Islands between Ganges and Long Harbour. Just north of the Third Sister Island is an area of shoal and rocks that over the years has claimed its share of boats. Last fall, it added two fatalities to its score as two boaters attempted to cut through this area in a fast boat, late in the day, hitting the rocks at full speed. The best advice is not to cut through the Chain Islands. On the surface the area looks clear, yet as the charts show, lurking below the surface are many areas with rocks and shoal. We are often complacent thinking that cruising on the water is safe, safer than driving on a solid highway. But underwater rocks, logs and other obstructions, combined with speed, can lead to fatal results".
Things to see and do: The possibilities are endless on Salt Spring Island: from restaurants and pubs, to the arts & crafts market on Saturdays, to the farmers' market on Tuesdays, to art galleries, wineries, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving and more! Salt Spring Island is a must on any cruiser's itinerary.
Marinas and anchorages: Located at 48°51' N 123°28' W, Ganges Harbour is a single day sail from the Island Cruising base at Port Sidney. There are several marinas and anchorages to choose from at Ganges: Ganges Marina is a good choice if you're expecting strong winds blowing southeasterly, as there is a floating breakwater there. It is also the closest marina to the town centre. Other services offered are refueling, wireless internet, and laundry facilities. Best of all, the marina offers complimentary coffee and muffins from 8.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. every morning in the summer months! Another option is Salt Spring Marina, which has the best views of Ganges Harbour! Located next to the popular Moby's Pub, Salt Spring Marina offers affordable overnight moorage, wireless internet, laundry facilities, and car, scooter & bicycle rentals. There are also good anchorage sites east of Money Makers Rock and the marinas, where the anchor will hold well in the sticky black mud of the ocean floor.
Hazards in the area: Be aware of Money Makers Rock to the SE of Salt Spring Marina. This area is well marked on both the charts and in the water. Nevertheless, boaters do touch bottom at this location each and every year, so be vigilant! According to Northwest Yachting, "the real problem area is in the Chain Islands between Ganges and Long Harbour. Just north of the Third Sister Island is an area of shoal and rocks that over the years has claimed its share of boats. Last fall, it added two fatalities to its score as two boaters attempted to cut through this area in a fast boat, late in the day, hitting the rocks at full speed. The best advice is not to cut through the Chain Islands. On the surface the area looks clear, yet as the charts show, lurking below the surface are many areas with rocks and shoal. We are often complacent thinking that cruising on the water is safe, safer than driving on a solid highway. But underwater rocks, logs and other obstructions, combined with speed, can lead to fatal results".
