Things to do on Hornby Island

There are lots of great things to do on Hornby Island.  Some of these are summer only while others are all year round.

Sunbathe and swim

  • Tribune Bay – a big sandy beach with the warmest ocean swimming in western Canada.   A 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the house.
  • Whaling Station Bay – another nice beach.
  • Little Tribune Bay – Hornby’s clothing optional beach.
  • Helliwell Park – a rocky shoreline with small sand and gravel beaches.  A 10 minute walk from the house.
  • Several other small beaches and rocky shoreline accessible to the public.

Experience Hornby’s natural and cultural environment

  • Parkland covers approximately 40% of Hornby Island’s 30 square kilometers.
  • Walk the very scenic clifftop trail from the house into Helliwell Park. It’s 1.o km to the park boundary and another 1.8 km to St. John Point, the most easterly point in Helliwell Park and Hornby Island. Just before the park boundary there is a grove of rare Garry Oak trees.
  • Walk or mountain bike the many island trails. Buy trail maps at the Co-op or the nearby Hornby Island Outdoor Sports (The Bike Shop) where you can also rent bikes. The Hornby Island Mountain Bike Association website lists current trail conditions.   No bikes are allowed in Helliwell Park or on the trail between the house and Helliwell Park.
  • Paddle your sea kayak around all or part of the island.  There are numerous put-in points around the island.  It is about 30 km (19 mi) to paddle all around the island.
  • Rent sea kayaks, mountain bikes and other gear at Hornby Island Outdoor Sports near the Co-op.
  • Rent sea kayaks and motor boats at Hornby Boat Rentals located at Fords Cove.
  • Draw, paint, and/or photograph the sandstone rock formations at Helliwell, Dunlop Point, Grassy Point, Heron Rocks, and several other places on the shoreline.
  • See the wildlife on the island: deer, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, herons, and many other shore birds.  Ticks are only creatures on Hornby Island that could harm you. They are rare but have been seen on the island. The BC Government website lists preventive measures you should consider when walking in bushy areas.
  • Visit the Jeffrey Rubinoff Sculpture Park with over 100 steel sculptures in a converted farm.
  • Learn about Hornby Island at the Natural History Centre located in the Community School.

Do some shopping

  • The many artisan studios and galleries at the Ringside Market (at the Co-op), Ford’s Cove, and scattered throughout the island.  Pick up a studio guide at the Co-op.
  • The artisans/farmers market for crafts, food, and snacks.  At the community hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays 11:00-2:00.
  • Tours and tastings at the Hornby Heart Vineyard (and restaurant), Middle Mountain Mead, Hornby Island Estate Winery, and Island Spirits Distillery.
  • Visit the Hornby Island recycling depot and free store.  This is a truly unique community enterprise and worth the visit.  Fridays-Sundays 9:00-1:00.
  • The Room to Grow building at the Hornby Island Community School contains the Job Shop and the Community Access Centre with computers, printers, copiers, fax, and inexpensive internet access.  Location: 2100 Sollans Road; Tel: 250-335-2125.

Eat out

  • There are no chain restaurants, coffee shops, or stores of any kind on Hornby Island!
  • Friday night live jazz at the Thatch Pub and Restaurant located at the ferry terminal.  Get there before the ferry arrives at 6:45 pm to make sure you get a table. (Unfortunately the Thatch Pub and Restaurant are closed for redevelopment in 2024.)
  • Nice buffet lunch or dinner at the Sea Breeze Lodge.  There is a different menu each day of the week during the summer.
  • Casual lunch or dinner at the restaurant at Ford’s Cove Restaurant.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and snacks at Vorizo and Forage Farm and Kitchen at the Ringside Market.
  • Pizzas and baked goods at the Hornby Island Bakery and Pizzeria.

Partake in Hornby events

  • Attend the Hornby Festival in early August with individual performances during the year.
  • Learn to play and sing the blues at the Hornby Island Blues Workshop in early May.
  • Look at the bulletin board at the Co-op grocery store for notices of concerts, movie nights, and other events.

There is a local, seasonal bus service on Hornby Island. The nearest bus stop to the house is the Co-op store which is about a 30 minute walk from the house.

Here is a Google Earth fly-over tour of Hornby Island. Scroll down for photos.

Following are a set of photos taken on Hornby Island. Control the appearance by pressing the buttons on the top right.