A short ferry ride or two from Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island will lead you to these Northern Gulf Islands. Denman is a quiet community and often overlooked by tourists as they make their way to the beautiful beaches of Hornby Island. Neither island is to be missed, here is a list of things to do on Denman and Hornby Island.

Denman Island

A cable ferry takes you on a 10 minute ride from Buckley Bay to the laidback and beautiful Denman Island. Filled with beaches, art galleries, vineyards, and farms – there is no shortage of things to do on this little island.

1. Boyle Point Provincial Park

If you have limited time on Denman, this was our favourite little hike and a must do. The 2.5km return hike leads you to a couple viewpoints – Eagle Rock and Boyle Point, where you have a great view of Chrome Island Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is staffed and only accessible by boat. Eagle Rock is fun to explore at low tide, and also provides views of the lighthouse in the distance.

2. Graham Lake

A short walk through the forest leads to this picturesque and quiet lake you will most likely have to yourself. Complete with a dock to jump off of and enjoy a swim in the refreshing water.

3. Morning Beach Park

Take the short trail to a view point, followed by a long set of stairs down to Morning Beach Park. If you turn to the left, at LOW tide you can walk the 2.2 km out to Tree Island/Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park.

4. Eat at the Earth Club Factory Bistro and Guesthouse

Within walking distance to the ferry and the rest of town, enjoy a meal or a coffee at the Earth Club Factory! The home styled food is delicious with plenty of fresh baking, as well as vegan and gluten free options. The ambiance and service is great, you will not regret making a stop here.

5. Fillongley Provincial Park

There are beautiful trails through old growth Douglas firs and beaches to explore at this destination. There are also 10 sites for $23/$12 per night (high/low season), and it is highly recommended to reserve in advance due to the limited amount.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay without camping, consider the Earth Club Factory Guesthouse as well! There are also a few Airbnbs on the island, we really enjoyed our stay and ocean views at this one.

Hornby Island

To get to Hornby, you need to ferry hop on another 10 min ride from Denman’s Gravelly Bay. Once you see the tropical looking clear blue water, you will understand why Hornby is often referred to as Little Hawaii. Like Denman, Hornby only has a population of about 1000 people; however it swells to about 5000 during the summer.

1. Ford’s Cove

The sandstone formations tucked behind the marina store are beautiful, and we often had it to ourselves. It is best to visit at low tide! There is a popular pizza place at the marina, hopefully we will get a chance to try it next time. Ford’s Cove is also home to a campground, as well as an easy trail to Shingle Spit (6km return).

2. Tribune Bay Provincial Park

The main attraction on Hornby, and for good reason. The white sandy beaches and azure warm waters making you feel like you’re on a tropical island.

We stayed at Tribune Bay Campsite. Reservations are necessary in high season, and a basic site is $43 per night. Unfortunately because we went in high season during the summer, the campground was packed and sites are crammed next to each other. The evenings were quiet though, and amenities were clean. While not beach front, the campground is less than a 5 minute walk to the beach which was very convenient. It also meant we could easily stroll down for sunset, where there were fellow campers enjoying beach fires.

Also within walking distance is a small general store where you can stock up on more food or ice. There are also a couple small shops and most importantly, delicious ice cream!

3. Helliwell Provincial Park

This 5km loop is not to be missed! The walk includes a lush forest, grassy headlands, Garry Oak ecosystem, seaside cliffs giving you mini Cliffs of Moher vibes, beaches, and old growth firs (in that order).

We saw SO many bald eagles and an otter with her two pups. We even watched one eagle try and go after the baby otters a couple times. Mom was there and ready to defend though!

There are no shortage of beaches to comb and explore. Other places worth checking out on Hornby include Heron’s Rocks, Mt Geoffrey Nature Park, and Whaling Station Bay. Consider kayaking, biking, or diving at either island, or explore the local artists and potters.

TIP: Keep in mind that ferries will be incredibly busy in the summer, especially during peak times. A lot of the time, they will stop following the schedule and start taxiing back and forth to transport people as quick as possible. Despite this, be prepared to still wait in the hot sun for a couple hours for either sailing.

Hope this post gives you plenty of ideas for things to do on Denman and Hornby Island. Any favourite spots of yours that I missed? Leave a comment below! If you’re looking for other Gulf Islands to explore, check out my Guide to Gabriola Island or 10 things to do on Texada Island.