Active Pursuits in Salt Spring Island

Biking -- Although Salt Spring has the best network of paved roads, it's not the best island for cycling. With ferries unleashing cars throughout the day, there's a lot more traffic here than you'd expect. However, these same ferries -- plus the Gulf Islands Water Taxi -- make Salt Spring a convenient base for cyclists. For rentals (starting at C$25 a day), contact Salt Spring Adventure Co., at the Saltspring Marina in Ganges Harbour (tel. 877/537-2764 or 250/537-2764; www.saltspringadventures.com).

Hiking -- Ruckle Provincial Park (www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks), on the southeast corner of the island, is the largest provincial park in the Gulf Islands; its entrance is 10km (6 1/4 miles) from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal on Beaver Point Road. Eight kilometers (5 miles) of trails wind through forests to rocky headlands where the tide-pool exploring is excellent; some trails are designated for mountain bikes. Ruckle Park is also the only public campground on Salt Spring.

Kayaking -- Island Escapades, 163 Fulford-Ganges Rd. (tel. 888/529-2567 or 250/537-2553; www.islandescapades.com), offers a 2-hour introduction to kayaking on the placid waters of Cusheon Lake, for C$50, with guided 3-hour ocean tours for C$65. Salt Spring Adventure Co. offers kayak rentals in addition to instruction and guided tours. A 2-hour double kayak rental is C$50. Sea Otter Kayaking, 149 Lower Ganges Rd. (tel. 877/537-5678; www.seaotterkayaking.com), offers a number of guided day-trips (C$115 including lunch) and also multiday expeditions to more remote islands.