Mayne Island
Miners Bay
Georgina Point Lighthouse
POPULATION: 900
FERRY TERMINAL: Village Bay
TOURIST INFO: Pick up a Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce brochure
ATM MACHINES: Trading Post and Mayne Inn.
You'd never know it from the pleasant tranquility of modern-day Mayne Island, but this is a community with a rich and colourful history. In 1858, not long after the island was named for Richard Charles Mayne, a lieutenant on the HMS Plumper, gold was discovered in the Fraser River area of the mainland. At the time, Victoria was the main port of entry for the West Coast and thousands of prospectors entered the city, where they then boarded or rowed boats headed to the Mainland. Mayne Island, located midway between Vancouver Island and the Mainland, burst into life as boatloads of miners stopped in to rest up. Hotels, saloons, and supply shops sprang up to meet their undoubtedly boisterous demands.
Mayne Island's reputation as a Pacific Northwest destination for adventure travellers continued to grow after the gold rush years and, by 1900, was considered quite a fashionable vacation spot. At the same time, Mayne Island had become the commercial and social hub for the other southern Gulf Islands and numerous farms were established throughout the island. It was a busy place back then!
You'll find plenty of historic buildings in Miners Bay and Village Bay to aim your camera at, including the 1892 Springwater Lodge, reputed to be the oldest continuously operating hotel in the province; the 1890s agricultural hall; the 1898 St. Mary Magdalene Church and its adjoining cemetery, overlooking Active Pass; the 1885 Georgina Point Lighthouse, which was staffed until 1997; the Mayne Mast, a restaurant that was once a Japanese farmhouse; the old government wharf; and the 1896 Plumper Pass Lock-Up, now a small museum displaying local artifacts.
Top modern-day activities for energetic Mayne Island visitors are kayaking and canoeing (rentals and tours are available), as well as diving and cycling. For a good bit of exercise and an awe-inspiring view, tackle the 45-minute uphill climb to the 271-metre summit in Mount Parke Regional Park; the trail begins at Montrose Road near the Fernhill Centre. Mayne Island has several beautiful beaches to stroll along, namely Village Bay, Miners Bay, Oyster Bay, Horton Bay and Piggott Bay. The beaches at Campbell Point and Bennett Bay are excellent for swimming, beachcombing, and boating and are now in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
The island's main commercial centre is Miners Bay, a pleasant village overlooking Active Pass. A number of inns, cottages, B&Bs and a variety of services, shops, galleries and artists' studios are located throughout the island. Mayne Island's most photographed sight is surely the Georgina Point Lighthouse. Surrounding the lighthouse is a beautiful park that boasts glorious water views, a rocky beach, interesting sandstone formations and picnic facilities.
Dinner Bay Park is a family favourite that features the Japanese Memorial Garden. Dedicated in 2002, this volunteer-maintained garden was created to commemorate the Japanese families that helped develop Mayne Island. Dinner Bay Park also has a baseball diamond, a picnic shelter with electricity, a launch for small boats, a beachfront swimming area and a putting green.
Various community events are presented at the agricultural hall. The Mayne Island Fall Fair is one of the top annual events and has been held at the "Ag" since the 1890s.