A Stress-free Weekend on Mayne Island, B.C.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for the right place to loosen up, unwind, and spend time outside, then look no additional than certainly one of B.C.’s most lovely Southern Gulf Islands: Mayne Island. It’s the excellent place to decelerate and take a break from the each day grind whereas being surrounded by water and nature.
Easy methods to get to Mayne Island
It’s very straightforward to get to Mayne Island from Vancouver. I all the time advocate making advance reservations by means of B.C. Ferries, each time attainable. Our ferry journey took 1.5 hours, stopping at Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay) after which Mayne Island (Village Bay). It was a gorgeous night for a ferry journey and we had been capable of catch a surprising pink sundown over the mountains and water – not a nasty technique to begin our weekend!
Day One on Mayne Island: Friday Night
Relying on what time you arrive on Mayne Island, a lot of the island’s few eating places and outlets could also be closed (there should not very many), particularly when you arrive within the night like we did.
Should-try Dinner at Montrose Native
I like to recommend checking in to your lodging after which heading out to the Montrose Native. We didn’t make a reservation since we had been visiting in January. Nonetheless, I might think about this spot will get busy within the touristy months provided that the meals and vibe had been distinctive. My husband and I shared the Laotian Beef Brief Ribs to begin (get them and thank me later!). He had the pink thai curry prawns and I had a hamburger bowl. All the pieces was scrumptious and we actually loved our night there. They’ve a big board recreation choice to select from as properly.
As a substitute of going out for dinner, when you’d prefer to have a comfy night in, I might advocate getting groceries on the mainland earlier than catching the ferry as there aren’t too many outlets on the island.
Loosen up and Unwind
After dinner we returned to our mattress and breakfast and loved a comfy hearth and a late night time soak within the scorching tub. Mayne Island could be very quiet and serene, particularly within the evenings the place nothing is admittedly open. This was excellent because it actually pressured us to loosen up, decelerate and unwind, which was a lot wanted after a busy vacation season.
Day Two on Mayne Island: Saturday
The Grove Mattress and Breakfast
We began our morning off with a delicious breakfast at The Grove Mattress and Breakfast the place our superb hosts, Marc and Dana, had supplied us with a really beneficiant record of yummy choices to select from the night time earlier than. Highlights included freshly baked croissants and scrumptious native jam from Mayne island (extra on that beneath!).
Japanese Gardens
We had been then prepared to start our day of exploring. We began off on the Japanese Gardens which had been very enjoyable and reminded us of our journey to Japan. We then took our canine Luna for a fast run and swim at Dinner Bay Park, proper subsequent to the gardens.
Native Suggestions You Can’t Miss
We had requested our hosts for some native suggestions and so they recommended we try Edith Level, in order that’s the place we went subsequent. We loved a serene, peaceable and simple stroll alongside the water. Additionally they advised us a couple of native winter craft truthful that was going down on the Agricultural Corridor, alongside the primary strip on the town. We stopped by to take a look at some native merchandise and ended up selecting up some pretty handmade sweets, soaps, and candles. That is all the time a spotlight for me as I like supporting small companies and native makers.
Mayne Island Cafe to Attempt
Subsequent, we had been prepared for some a lot wanted caffeine, so we checked out the cutest espresso wagon on the town: The Mayne Bean. The house owners, Alison and Sunny, had been extremely pleasant and welcoming. After all we needed to strive their “Fancy Coffees” so we had the Candy N’ Salty Latte (espresso, steamed milk, honey, pink sea salt) and the Salted Caramel Macchiato. The baked items they’ve on provide are to die for – we shared the New York Crumb Bar. We loved trying out the neighboring outlets which included a cute boutique and bookstore.
Exploring Mayne Island Scenic Views
After you’ve loved your espresso and searching, it’s time to hike to the Summit of Mt. Parke to take pleasure in some breathtaking west coast views. The hike itself wasn’t overly strenuous, but it surely was difficult in the direction of the highest. Ensure you have the suitable footwear and water. I might say it was completely value it – it was a spotlight of this journey for me for positive.
I might then advocate trying out Campbell Level and Bennet Bay. The Campbell Level stroll is flat and fast, however I might squeeze it in when you can. After your stroll, head to the Bennett Bay Bistro to take pleasure in pleased hour (on a regular basis from 3-5pm) whereas having fun with the gorgeous view.
After your full day of outside exploration, it’s time to wind down for the night and loosen up. We known as to pre-order a pizza from Give Pizza a Probability proper earlier than they closed at 7pm – it’s a cute little spot the place they make wood-fired pizzas. It could actually get busy so attempt to plan forward/be ready to attend. We took it again to our BnB and loved it by the fireplace whereas enjoying video games and studying. Relaxation up for an additional day of exploring!
Day Three on Mayne Island: Sunday
Sunny Possibly Bakery & Cafe
Begin your morning off with a espresso and scrumptious deal with from Sunny Mayne Bakery & Cafe – they’re recognized for his or her cronuts and I don’t assume you’ll be able to depart Mayne Island with out making an attempt one! You possibly can take your goodies to go and luxuriate in them whereas taking within the views at Georgina Level Heritage Park and Lighthouse.
Saint John Regional Park
Then it’s time to move out in your final, and arguably essentially the most beautiful, out of doors journey: Saint John Regional Park. This was a gorgeous path alongside the water. We loved stopping alongside the best way and taking within the lovely views. Various locals had advised us this was their favorite path to discover on Mayne Island, and we might see why. We had been there on a sunny Sunday morning and it was excellent. It felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.
Our Ultimate Stops on Mayne Island
Subsequent, it’s time for certainly one of my favorite components of the journey. You will need to go to The Briary – a cute little roadside stand with the yummiest jams and jellies. You possibly can pay by money or e-transfer, and it’s based mostly on the honour system – such a gorgeous idea. We picked up some strawberry and raspberry jams to take to our mates in Ottawa to entice them to come back go to us out west ;). Our hosts on the Grove had additionally extremely advisable this spot, and I had sampled the scrumptious jams as a part of the breakfasts they’d ready for us. Don’t miss this!
We had been then prepared for some lunch so we headed to the Farm Gate Retailer as we had been advised they’d one of the best freshly made paninis. Sadly they had been bought out of all their sandwiches, however we had a scrumptious beef quesadilla to share and the flavours had been excellent.
Subsequent it was time for our final cease on our Mayne Island journey earlier than catching the ferry house.
We couldn’t have requested for a extra excellent afternoon, with the solar shining by means of the tall timber at Mayne Island Brewing Co. Though I don’t drink beer, I nonetheless had an superior time having fun with some kombucha and constructing our personal charcuterie board by selecting from a collection of native cheeses, crackers, mustards and meats – I beloved this concept! It was such a chill place to spend a day, the house owners and all of the locals that got here by had been very pleasant, and Luna had a good time as properly – a lot of the seating is outside, nestled amongst the timber. I can see this place being completely packed all summer time – it’s a neat place to hang around.
With that, it was someway time to catch our ferry house. We had an exquisite time and may’t consider how shortly our weekend glided by. I might love to come back again over the summer time!
The place to Keep on Mayne Island
We completely beloved our keep at this charming spot: The Grove Mattress and Breakfast.
Our hosts, Marc and Dana, had been very welcoming, pleasant, and accommodating. They beloved offering native suggestions and sharing the story of how they constructed their mattress and breakfast. We discovered the placement handy and really peaceable. The island is small so nothing is admittedly distant. They went above and past by making us unbelievable night fires in the lounge, organising the new tub for us, giving Luna a lot of consideration and love, and making scrumptious breakfasts every morning. We beloved our keep!
Glad exploring 🙂
Our go to was from January 10-12, 2025
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