Well we finally have done it, another issue of The Gulf Islands Newsletter. With great intentions we have been diligently producing this Gulf Islands newsletter for the past few months and have never quite put it together in full. Call it "island time" or maybe just a little too much work to keep up but ... At any rate, we finally have a new volume and are well along with the next so this may yet become a more regular newsletter.

Summer is here and our weather has been perfect as many may have noticed from looking at the weekly photos on The Gulf Islands Guide or those that are following our web cam at www.penderisland.info. We have a number of island topics from diving to wineries and the arts. Sit back and enjoy.

Diving in the Gulf Islands

Most of us travel to the islands by water but have you ever thought about what lurks below you during your travels. Everything from sharks to sea cucumbers and from beautiful to a tad looks challenged. Sam at Diving Adventures in Vancouver has been very busy putting together some wonderful information on diving in the Gulf Islands. 

Captain Jacques Cousteau considered our North West waters the second best place to dive in the world, and more recently Rodale’s Readers’ Choice Awards voted British Columbia as ‘the best place to dive in North America’. Take a look at some of the amazing scenes and destinations for an understanding of what lies in our surrounding waters. Visit Sam's feature on diving at Diving the Gulf Islands.

The Malaspina Galleries

The Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola Island are considered one of the Gulf Islands premier attractions. Pender Island travel writer Cherie Thiessen takes us on a historical journey to these spectacular rock forms. 

Arts in the Gulf Islands

Summer is the time for the many arts festivals and exhibitions put on by the islands artists. While we can't list them all we have put together a list of many of the events and where to get more information.
Gulf Islands Vineyards

Vineyards have become a Gulf Islands tradition as of late. Saturna Island Vineyards was one of the first and must be located in one of the more spectacular locations .The mild climate and long summers are producing prize winning wines for our enjoyment. A few new vineyards are beginning to produce on Salt Spring Island and Thetis Island as well. While I'm sure we have missed a few, the following list of vineyards should keep the internet enabled wine connoisseur occupied..

Gulf Island vineyards:

Vancouver Island vineyards:


British Columbia Wine Country

Other books about Northwest Wines

Arts in the Gulf Islands

Summer is the time for the many arts festivals and exhibitions put on by the islands artists. While we can't list them all we have put together a list of many of the events and where to get more information.

ARTCRAFT is an annual summer long exhibition and sale of wares made by the artisans and artists of the Gulf Islands.

Artcraft is open daily May 16 through Sept. 14, 2003 10am - 5pm, Fridays in July and August until 9pm at historic Mahon Hall in downtown Ganges, Salt Spring Island, B.C.

The objective of ARTCRAFT is the development and marketing of quality arts and crafts, as well as supporting and encouraging artists and artisans.

For more information visit the Gulf Islands Community Arts Council.

Salt Spring Island also has a large self-guided studio tour featuring over 30 artists of all disciplines, information may be viewed at Salt Spring Island Studio Tour.

Gabriola Island is well known for its thriving arts community. Dozens of artists have their studios open for visits during the summer and this makes a trip well worth the effort. Visit the Galiano Chamber artists listings for more information.

The Southern Gulf Islands are well represented by the Trincomali Community Arts Council. Their territory covers Galiano, Mayne, the Penders and Saturna Islands.


Garden Chairs
by
Corrie Alice

The Malaspina Galleries

Gabriola may call itself the "Isle of the Arts", and with over a dozen galleries featuring a full range of arts and crafts, it has every reason to do so, but the most spectacular gallery of all has nothing to do with artists, at least not human artists!

When Spanish explorer Captain Malaspina first came across the eroded sandstone shelves that now bear his name, he compared them to cloisters in Spanish monasteries. Some of his awed crew sketched the sculptured overhangs. These natural works of art can be found in the community park at Malaspina Point, one hundred meters up South Road from the ferry landing on a short trail. On the south side of the point, visitors can marvel at the shape of these formations, which in places resemble the surging waves that helped to create them. One of the first noted natural wonders in the province, the gallery has been a tourist attraction for over two centuries and a sacred place for First Nations peoples who buried their dead here for much longer than that.

A seventy meter long sea cave, five meters high, the eroded cave floor was probably formed during the Ice Age. The weathered patterns on the walls, the overhang and the cave floor create mesmerizing patterns.

And like all works of art, the Gallery can be interpreted in many different ways. Be warned, however, that as you stand and interpret, work on the masterpiece is continuing: the waves are chipping away at the base and the elements are causing rocks to tumble from the overhang. So, be careful. This is a work in progress!

Be sure to visit Cherie's web site at www.cthiessen.com for more fascinating travel stories from around the globe.

All contents copyright 2003, The Gulf Islands Guide.  All rights reserved.

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