ART WALK
Check out www.texada.org for dates for the Art Walk and other events like the Blues and Roots Festival.
Shelter Point Regional Park
From The Retreat it’s an easy stroll down the beach to Shelter Point Park where there are boat launching facilities, picnic sites and a concession with covered seating serving a full menu. The western point of the park features a Tombolo to privately owned Dick Island. Further into the park, a groomed Nature Trail features many ancient fir trees.
Sandcastle Competition
Texada’s annual Sandcastle Competition showcases world class sand sculpturing. Festivities on Sandcastle Weekend include live entertainment, a parade, dog show, moon-bag ceremony, laser light show, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, skim-boarding lessons and rentals, pancake breakfast, and much more.
Heritage
Texada has a rich history as an early pioneer settlement and saw two gold rushes in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Texada Island Museum in Van Anda is well worth the visit to explore some of this history, including The Little Billy Mine and Bucket o’Blood Saloon. (See texadaheritagesociety.com)
Arts and music
Texada has many fine artists and frequent musical events. Further information can been seen at the Texada Arts, Culture and Tourism Society
Gillies Bay Farmers’ Market
On Sundays at Gillies Bay, a seasonal farmer’s market offers fresh locally grown produce and crafts made by local artisans.
Golf and Tennis
Golf in Crescent Bay is a nine hole golf course that is getting excellent reviews. Two tennis courts are available in Gillies Bay.
Hiking
The nature walk along the forested shoreline of Shelter Point Regional Park offers some spectacular examples of BC coastal forest. Long branches from two groves of Douglas fir spread like arms above each end of the trail. Eagles and osprey rest in the tallest boughs when they aren’t out cruising the coastline for a meal.
Near the south end of the trail stands the largest Douglas fir of them all, a full 7 feet (2.1 m) in diameter. As you look west from here across the Strait of Georgia at the Comox Glacier’s broad white expanse, you get one of the best views of central Vancouver Island. Lasqueti Island lies off to the southwest. The trail loops back from its southern terminus at a gravel road through the forest to the giant fir. You can also choose to walk partway on a rough shoreline trail that branches away from the main trail and leads past arbutus and western red cedar. Look for the 2-mile (3-km) loop trail at the south end of the entrance to the park’s campsite area.
A hike to the top of Mount Pocahontas (1,745 feet) will net some spectacular viewing opportunities: 360 degree views of Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait, and the Coast Mountain range on the BC mainland.
A local hiking group, Texada Trekkers, welcomes visitors to join in guided hikes every Saturday. Hikes are on Saturdays year-round, 10 am to mid-afternoon. Notice of hikes is posted at Gillies Bay General Store and Texada Market in Van Anda.
Biking
Texada abounds with dirt roads and trails to explore by mountain bike. See the Texada Map on Our Location page to get some ideas where to go.
Swimming
The warm waters of Gillies Bay make the beach at The Retreat a great spot for a swim on those warm summer days. Our property has the superb location of the best swimming beach on Texada Island. Warm up after an evening swim with a fire on the beach.
Water Sports
Explore the coastline with kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. Our low tide sand flats are great for sand-sculpting and skim-boarding. Check out the underwater world with diving and snorkelling.
Boating
Boaters will find anchorages in the many bays around the island, and limited moorage at Marble Bay near Van Anda, on the northeast coast of the island. The anchorages aren’t particularly sheltered, so weather conditions should be monitored. Boat Launch facilities are available at Shelter Point, adjacent to The Retreat.
Fishing
Excellent fly-fishing for trout can be found on Texada, particularly at Bob’s Lake and Angel Lake. The ocean waters of Malaspina Strait and Georgia Strait surrounding Texada abound with salmon especially during the annual spawning runs in September.
Wildlife Viewing
Deer roam freely over the island. Outside of deer hunting season, the deer have no predators. Cougars and bears are not found on the island making it a very safe place for wilderness hiking.
Whale Sighting
Orcas have traditionally made a regular appearance in our waters for and continue to do so. Humpbacks are visiting more frequently and have been sighted several times recently.
Bird Watching
Bring your binoculars for a birding bonanza! As many as 250 species of birds including herons, eagles, loons, osprey, harlequins, cormorants and scooters, can be spotted here. See more on our page wildlife viewing and birding.
Fossil Hunting
Fossils can be found at Marble Bay near Van Anda at the north end of the island, at Moat Bay near Shelter Point mid island and at Cook Bay near the southern end of Texada. Marine fossil beds in a variety of locations around the 400 ft elevation mark.‘
Rock Hounding
Texada Island offers a unique bonanza for rock hounds. “Flower rocks”, known to geologists as “star porphyryvolcanic”, are unique to Texada. This black volcanic stone with white flower shaped feldspar crystals is particularly beautiful when polished.
Stargazing
Observe astronomical events and ponder the universe from our unpolluted night skies without the bright lights of the city. Bring your telescope! For the dates of meteor showers, we recommend timeanddate.com; this site also has a list of all celestial events. (Set location to Comox for the most accurate results.)