Saturna is just north of Orcas Island. It is situated midway between the Lower Mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, and has a population of 1071. A SATURNA ISLAND DAY TRIP While you're in Victoria, you should definitely think about exploring some of the Gulf Islands. Saturna Island is the perfect place for bird watching: over 180 species-- including ruby-throated hummingbirds, oyster catchers, bald eagles and great blue herons-- can be seen on Saturna Island. “Getting to see the wild goats at Mount Warbuton Pike was really cool.” “We enjoyed the short hike to Fiddlers Cove and had the beach all to ourselves!” Saturna Island is in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada. Saturna Island offers a diverse wildlife population and is a world class site to see whales and other marine wildlife. Saturna Island Local Trust Area is located 27 km east of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, has a 2011 census population of 335 and covers an area of 3,570 ha. Boundaries. Approximately half of the island is in the new Gulf Islands National Park Reserve that was formed in 2003 from 2 provincial parks, an Ecological Reserve, and other Crown land (i.e. At Mt. Saturna has a permanent population of around 350, although that number increases significantly during the busy summer season. There is regular ferry service from Vancouver on the mainland or from Victoria on Vancouver Island. Saturna Island is known for its onshore whale watching, for playing disc golf at Thomson Park, for its peace and quiet and natural beauty. This view is from Russell Reef overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Mount Baker. The Saturna Island Local Trust Area is home to some of the rarest ecosystems in the world. A close-knit community of 350 islanders shares Saturna with the abundant wildlife and sealife found in its forests and shorelines. Members of the Tsawout First Nation stepped in March 17 to block logging on the community’s reserve on Saturna Island, requesting clearer consultation with community members over the … with a resident population of around 350 people. Saturna is one of the least populated and least spoiled of the Gulf Islands. land owned by the province). With the population of the province steadily increasing, excess tourism will mean a greater carbon footprint for all of the Gulf Islands. According to BC Geographical Names (BCGNIS) the name "Gulf Islands" was originally intended and commonly understood to refer to the archipelago at the southern end of the Strait of Georgia—from Gabriola Island in the north to Saturna Island in the southeast and D'Arcy Island in the southwest. Learn more about this island. For all its proximity to Vancouver, the year-round population is only 350, and most of the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Saturna Island is one of the larger Gulf Islands in size (96 sq.km/38 sq.mi.) Wikivoyage If you want a quiet, outdoorsy get away, Saturna Island is probably your choice. Thankfully there is a conscientious effort to help combat some of the problems brought by increased human presence. It is between Vancouver Island and the mainland, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. Saturna has the least development and smallest population of the main southern Gulf Islands, not least because 48% of the island lies within the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. To learn about the conservation status of the Saturna Island Local Trust Area, view the island profile. , you should definitely think about exploring some of the Gulf Islands BC and Vancouver Island, and a. Learn about the conservation status of the least populated and least spoiled of rarest. 96 sq.km/38 sq.mi. this view is from Russell Reef overlooking the Strait of Georgia Mount. 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