Savary Island

Kayeqwan

Savary Island (Kayeqwan) is located on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, Klahoose, and Homalco First Nations. It’s one of the most beautiful islands in the Salish Sea, with gleaming white sand beaches, stunning ocean and mountain views, and some of the warmest waters north of Mexico. According to the Tla’amin people, Kayeqwan was once a double-headed serpent that transformed into what is now known as one of the country’s most unique landscapes.

Savary Island is home to approximately 100 people year-round, but the population swells with vacation homeowners and visitors in the summer. The island is 7.5 kilometres long and 1 kilometre across at its widest point. Services are limited on the island, so visitors must plan and prepare accordingly and act responsibly during their visit.

Make sure you book accommodation before arriving, bring adequate supplies with you, and be prepared to conserve water (a limited resource on the island). There is no electrical power on the island, though you may see residents using solar panels and generators, and there are also no public washrooms. Due to these limited public amenities, day-tripping is not encouraged at this time.

Things to Do

Tread softly while you’re on Savary and help us take care of this island paradise. It’s home to ancient cliffs and sand dunes that are eroding and sensitive to disturbance. Please do not play on, climb, carve, or build into the cliffs—stick to existing trails, and do not trample or disturb vegetation.

The island’s trails lead to many beautiful beaches. Prime stops include South Beach, Duck Bay, Sutherland Beach, and the Malaspina Promenade. Go for a walk along the beach, or spread out on a blanket and enjoy the views, read a book, or play cards with friends and family. Take your kayak or paddleboard out for a spin, or swim—a popular pastime, since the island’s waters are so warm. 

If you plan to fish, just remember that a BC Saltwater fishing license is required. Looking for a good way to get around? Stop by the Savary Island Bike Shop to rent a bike in the summer months or bring your own (it only costs a couple of dollars extra to take your bike on the water taxi). Keep an eye out for wildlife as you explore—you might spot dolphins, orcas, sea lions, or even humpback whales.

Savary Island is also home to a handful of artists, some with studios and galleries that you can visit, and a fair trade gift store.

Where to Stay

Stay at Savary Island’s charming vacation rentals, cabins, or campsite overnight for the best island experience. Visitors must book ahead as options are limited and typically are booked well ahead of time. You’ll also need to book transportation to the island; note that the water taxis are walk-on and that you will not be able to bring your vehicle.

Accommodations in Lund are also limited, and should be booked in advance if you plan to stay in Lund before or after your trip to Savary Island.

Food and Drink

The Savary Island General Store offers basic necessities (plus snacks, coffee, and fresh baking) and is licensed to sell beer, wine, and liquor. Remember that there is limited inventory, so plan ahead and bring your groceries with you. For dining, on the island, check out Rigger’s Pub, the Mermaid Café, Hilltop Goodies, and the Savary Sugar Shack. These businesses are open seasonally but remember, you’re on island time and hours, staffing, and availability may vary.

Getting to Savary Island

Savary Island is accessible by water taxi, boat, or chartered float plane. If you plan to take a water taxi or ferry, you’ll first need to get to Lund. The Savary Island Ferry and Lund Water Taxi offer scheduled services from Lund Harbour to the public wharf on Savary Island, but reservations are required. Remember that the service is walk-on only, so you’ll need to leave your car behind at the pay parking in Lund. The water taxi ride from Lund to Savary Island is approximately 15 minutes long.

To get to Lund from Vancouver, take the 40-minute ride on BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, drive up Highway 101 through Gibsons and Sechelt, and then catch a second ferry at Earls Cove. This 50-minute ferry ride will take you to Saltery Bay, where you can continue driving up the coast Highway 101 coastline into Powell River and Lund. 

If you’re coming from Vancouver Island, you can take the BC Ferries route from the Little River terminal in Comox to the Westview terminal in Powell River (85 minutes). Then it’s just a short drive north along Highway 101 to reach Lund. 

Chartered float plane flights are available through Sunshine Coast Air (Sechelt to Savary Island), Harbour Air (from multiple locations to Savary Island) and CorilAir (Campbell River to Savary Island). 

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