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Why pick one island when you can have two? The Southern Gulf Islands Passport Tour takes you across Salt Spring and Pender, two of BC’s most beloved island communities, each with its own farmers’ market day, its own pace, and its own reasons to linger.
Don’t forget to download the BC Farmers’ Market Trail app before you go! Checking in at select stops unlocks exclusive discounts available only to Passport visitors.
Every Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of visitors stream through the Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market, hunting for the most succulent basket of strawberries or the first tomatoes of the season. The air fills with music, laughter, and kids underfoot while local chefs serve up fresh seasonal fare. It is less a market and more a weekly island gathering, and it sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Open Tuesdays, 1:30pm to 5:30pm.
Artcraft
A short walk from the farmers’ market, Artcraft is BC’s largest and longest-running exhibition and retail gallery of fine art and craft. Organized by the Salt Spring Arts Council and running since 1968, it showcases work from more than 100 local artists and craftspeople, alongside rotating Showcase Exhibitions. With nearly six decades behind it, Artcraft is as much a Salt Spring institution as the farmers’ market itself.
Salt Spring Chocolate
Just a few doors from the farmers’ market, Salt Spring Chocolate is an easy stop to fold into your afternoon of browsing. The shop crafts small-batch bars and confections inspired by the island around it, the kind of handmade chocolate designed to be savoured slowly. Treat yourself to a bar on your way past, or duck in for a longer browse.
Salt Spring Coffee Cafe and Kitchen
The flagship cafe for the island’s well-known coffee roastery, Salt Spring Coffee Cafe and Kitchen pairs freshly roasted, fair trade coffee with chef-inspired, organic dishes. Whether you need a coffee to carry through the farmers’ market or a proper sit-down meal, this is the spot.
Salt Spring Wild Cider
End your time on Salt Spring with a glass of something foraged. Salt Spring Wild Cider produces a range of ciders, from dry and semi-dry to pear, farmhouse scrumpy, and bitter orange rosemary, all made from wild and orchard fruit. Settle in among the trees and let the afternoon slow all the way down.
Passport offer: Check in on the app on a Salt Spring market day (Tuesday) for 10% off your food and drink bill.
Running since 1978, the Pender Island Farmers’ Market is woven into the island’s identity. Though the population swells with summer visitors, it is the steady support of year-round residents that has shaped the market into what it is today. Expect hot food, farm-fresh produce, eggs, Gulf Island lamb, baked goods, flowers, and a strong lineup of artisan goods, all wrapped in genuine community spirit.
Southridge Country Store
Southridge Country Store is built around ethically sourced, organic products and delicious in-house prepared meals. It is a practical stop and a tasty one, ideal for restocking the cooler before heading back to the ferry.
Passport offer: Check in on the app on a Saturday farmers’ market day for 15% off Amanda’s Recipe items.
Sea Star Vineyard and Winery
Few wine experiences come with views like this one. Sea Star Vineyard and Winery makes handcrafted wines that reflect the island’s terroir, with a strong commitment to sustainable farming. The tasting room overlooks the water, making this one of the more memorable stops on the entire tour.
Passport offer: Check in on the app on a Saturday farmers’ market day for 10% off your purchase.
Islnd Grl Collective
A carefully curated boutique near the farmers’ market, Islnd Grl Collective stocks clothing and accessories from local makers alongside finds from seven countries around the world. It is a small space with a global reach, perfect for an unexpected souvenir.
Passport offer: Check in on the app on a Saturday farmers’ market day for 10% off your purchase.
Talisman Books and Gallery
Browse new and used titles, rare finds, and first editions at Talisman Books and Gallery, along with a well-stocked kids section, toys, games, art supplies, greeting cards, and local artwork. A genuine bookshop in every sense, the kind worth getting lost in for an hour.
Passport offer: Check in on the app on a Saturday market day for 5% off new items.
Dog Mermaid Eco and Indigenous Excursions
For something more active, Dog Mermaid Eco and Indigenous Excursions runs kayaking tours and rentals around Pender Island. It is a hands-on way to see the coastline up close and round out the day with a little adventure.
Passport offer: Check in on the app on a Saturday market day for 10% off rentals.
There are plenty of places to stay on the Southern Gulf Islands. Discover cozy cottages, charming inns, seaside resorts, and more at SouthernGulfIslands.com
Get out there and enjoy the Southern Gulf Islands Tour! Download the BC Farmers’ Market Trail App to unlock exclusive discounts available only to Tasting Passport app visitors.