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Texada
Island
Texada Island is located across Malaspina Strait west of Powell
River, Nelson Island and the Sechelt Peninsula.
BC
Ferries
To get there by car you have to use BC Ferries from the terminal
at Westview in Powell River. The ferry takes around 35 minutes to
Blubber Bay which is situated at the northern tip of the island
directly west of Powell River by 5 km (3 miles).
Largest
Gulf Island
Texada Island is the largest of British Columbia's Gulf Islands
at around 50 km (30 miles) long and 10 km (6 miles) wide with a
population of approximately 1,300 inhabitants.
Van
Anda and Gillies Bay
Besides the ferry terminal at Blubber Bay there are two other small
settlements on Texada Island. Van Anda is situated on the east side
of the island and Gillies Bay on the west side.
Limestone
Quarries
Texada is a very old settlement along British Columbia's coast discovered
by Spanish explorers in 1791. Later in the 1800s iron, gold and
copper mines flourished at Marble Bay. Today Texada also has large
limestone quarries for use in cement, chemical industries and the
production of pulp.
Rockhound
There are lots of evidence of this found in the landscape with small
deactivated mines and relic equipment still found in the bush. If
you're a rockhound, you'll love the possibility of finding a gem
located in some of the old debris. If you get a chance visit the
Texada Island Inn and look at the display that local prospector,
Ed Johanson, has assembled.
Visiting
Texada
When you're visiting Texada, there are a variety of things to do.
Fishing is great, hiking up to the top of 532 metres (1,745 feet)
Mount Pocahontas, kayaking, scuba diving, cycling, exploring along
the old mine trails, wildlife viewing or golfing at the 9-hole Deer
Leap Golf Course. Besides the great recreation, the residents are
very friendly and proud of their lifestyle pointing out areas for
you to visit.
Texada
Island Heritage Society
Texada Island Heritage Society now hosts two museums and archives
where they store, preserve and display the historic artifacts that
illustrate and document the exciting past of Texada Island. There
is the mining museum in Blubber Bay located on the original sponsor,
Ash Grove Cement Company property, and the second one is situated
in the former Van Anda Elementary School.
Logging
and Mining Roads
If you want to travel to the south of the island, the pavement turns
to gravel on logging and mining roads. One road turns south at Van
Anda and goes south right through the middle of the island. The
other route will take you along the west coastline from Gillies
Bay and Mouat Bay.
Excellent
Camping
Located on the southern half of the island are some excellent camping
areas. One favourite is a forestry recreation site that is directly
across from the northern tip of Lasqueti Island at Shingle Beach
offering great sunsets and boating. Then, located at the very southern
tip, is Anderson Bay and South Texada Provincial Park. Other areas
include Bob’s Lake Forestry Campground.
Shelter
Point Regional Park
Texada Island also has a campground at Shelter Point Regional Park
just south of Gillies Bay supplying hot showers, spectacular beach
and wonderful views. Besides the campground there is also the Retreat
Motel Resort. This resort is located next to Shelter Point Regional
Park and makes available cabin rentals along the waterfront and
a very relaxing atmosphere in the bay.
Sandcastle
Weekend
Another festival that will keep you entertained all weekend is the
annual Sandcastle Weekend. Happening at the end of July this event
has entertainment for the whole family with a sandcastle contest,
parade, art and craft vendors, live music, pancake breakfast and
a mountain bike race.
AeroSpace
Camp
If you have a child that is between 10 to 18 years old and is
interested in the aviation and aerospace industry enroll them in
the annual AeroSpace Camp that happens in early July at the Texada
Arts, Culture and Tourism Centre in Van Anda.
Events
on Texada Island
Other
events on Texada Island include the annual Fly-In occurring in mid
July at the Texada Airport in Gillies Bay which includes the dance
at the Royal Canadian Legion the night before, in mid August the
Artist's Studio Tour which is sponsored by the Texada Arts, Culture
and Tourism Society and at the end of August the 'Run the Rocks'
half marathon and full marathon.
BC
Transit
If you want to just come over for the day and not worry about parking
a car you can bike on the ferry or take bus service from BC Transit
right from Powell River.
Other
Travel
If you are boating along BC's coastline there is a nice sheltered
area with limited moorage available at the Texada Boat Club in Sturt
(Marble) Bay. There is also an airport located on the island at
Gillies Bay with daily flights from Vancouver and Qualicum Beach
from KD Air.
Information
on Texada Island
Accommodation
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