ACTIVITIES

The Beach House is located on Shingle Spit Road, only a few minutes drive from the ferry landing. Hornby Island Resort at the ferry landing has a great restaurant for a snack or a tasty meal, eat in or take out. It is also home to the fun Thatch Neighbourhood Pub with it’s “like you’re on a boat” outdoor deck. Friday Night Jazz is legendary! This Resort also has a retail liquor outlet and the island Credit Union.

You are on Hornby to escape from the every day and enjoy all the Island has to offer. Within a few minutes drive you are at the Hornby Artists Gallery, (a good representation of local talent), Carbrea Winery, (tasting room & gift shop) and the Cardboard House Bakery (Sunday & Wednesday evenings is Pizza & Music night, a real “happenin’”.)

A couple of more minutes brings you to

Joe King Ball & Tennis Park

the Community Hall corner. The Hall is home to movies, dances, art shows, and the Island Farmer's Market (on Wednesdays and Saturdays). The May Blues Festival and the summer Hornby Festival are very special events.

Medical Clinic (doctor and dentist)

School with the Natural History Museaum, the Computer Access center, and a large playing field.

Also in the vicinity: the R.C.M.P. office, Seniors Center and Public Library

A few minutes more:

The big Co-op Store, Gas Bar & Ringside Market (groceries, hardware, liquor, gas, restaurants, and retail stores)

Tribune Bay Provincial Park (A day park only, the gorgeous sandy beach is rated one of the top in all of Canada)

Another five minutes:

To the left: You’re at Helliwell Provincial Park and a spectacular circle hike on the bluffs.

To the right, takes you to Ford Cove Government Marina, Convenience Store with video rentals, and Arts & Crafts Gallery. On your way back, be sure to venture up the mountain to visit the Elderfield Old Time Farm and the Middle Mountain Meadery……..both are unique and fun experiences.

EXPLORING

Beachcombing – Our favourite hikes are along the shoreline, most of the island's shores are accessible, with an abundance of shells, intertidal life and pretty rocks. Several areas have petroglyphs (ancient Native carvings) and others have fossils (sharks teeth, shells, even dinosaur bones have been found).

Cycling - Mountain bikes can be rented at the Outdoor Shop in the Ringside Market at the Co-op Corner.

Swimming – For privacy, walk to your own personal beach. For variety, be sure to go to Tribune Bay Provincial Park. Swimming, sun tanning, beach volleyball, skim boards for the kids, and just hanging out. We also love sandy Whaling Station Bay, park in the public beach accesses.

Sunset Gazing – Stay home………you’re in the right place at the right time!

Kayaks - The local kayak company rents boats, gives lessons and offer guided tours. They meet you at various island beaches, depending on the weather and direction of winds.

Inland Hiking – The island is laced with an extensive network of well maintained trails. The 750 acre Mt. Geoffrey Nature Park and the 400 acre Mt. Geoffrey Escarpment Park are excellent places to explore the ancient Pacific rain forests, the bluffs, the meadows and the vistas. There are trails suitable for all fitness levels.

Studio and Farm tours - from pottery to photography, to Elderfield Old Time Farm, to the Old Rose Nursery, to roadside flower stands…..the commerce on the island is all accessible. Touring is another great way to spend any overcast days.

Fishing or sightseeing charters can be booked with Inter Island Charters. View the sea lions, visit the light house, check out the plethora of bird-life or land a gleaming spring salmon. It’s great to be on the water! Or in it, Hornby Island Diving is well known for their spectacular diving trips.

Live off the land right in your front yard by digging your own clams and picking fresh oysters. Or later in the summer, help yourself to the many roadside blackberries.