I came from an Island (Britain), and have lived on an Island (Vancouver Island, BC) since I was 9 years old, but the Island I like to visit is a tiny one here in British Columbia ... Portland Island. Access is only by boat or kayak and it's located between Salt Spring Island and Sidney on Vancouver Island. There are 10 kilometres of walking trails around Portland Island and it really is a wonderful place to visit.
Although now uninhabited it was the site of a First Nations' village, and Hawaiian immigrants who settled there in the 1880's. Consequently, there are fruit trees, roses and garden plants and shell midden beaches throughout the island. I was even told that there was once a horse race track through the middle of the island.
In 1958 the island was given to Princess Margaret to commemorate her visit to BC. Princess Margaret returned the island to the people of British Columbia in 1967 and it became a park. There are two small coves for anchorage, called Princess Bay and Royal Cove. Today it is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Photo Gulf Islands Guide
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