Vancouver BC to Texada Island BC Trip

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Texada Island is a very large island located between Sunshine Coast of BC and Vancouver Island. It is home to just over 1,200 people and a whole lot of deer, as there are no natural predators on Texada Island. A ferry from Powell River (Westview Ferry Terminal) takes 50 minutes to reach the Northern tip of Texada Island (Blubber Bay Ferry Terminal). Two more ferries (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale and Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay) are required to reach Powell River from Greater Vancouver. One can also get to Powell River via a ferry from Comox on Vancouver Island.

Our trip report shows how we got to Texada Island (Gillies Bay general store) from downtown Vancouver BC by taking those three ferries, as well as driving on TransCanada Highway 1 and Sunshine Coast Highway (BC Highway 101).

39. A sign near Saltery Bay ferry terminal indicates 27 km to Powell River, and 55 km to Lund, where Sunshine Coast Highway comes to an end.

BC Highway 101 near Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal

40. Arriving to Powell River, BC.

BC Highway 101 on Sunshine Coast near Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

41. Soon, we have reached Westview Ferry Terminal, with services to Comox (Vancouver Island) and Blubber Bay Ferry Terminal on Texada Island.

Westview Ferry Terminal Line-up Area

42. Westview Terminal ticket booth.

Powell River Westview Ferry Terminal Ticket Booth - Service to Texada Island and Vancouver Island

43. BC Ferry "Island Discovery", seen here docked at Westview Terminal, services the route between Powell River and Texada Island.

BC Ferry "Island Discovery" docked at Westview Terminal in Powell River, BC

44-45. Westview Marina is located by the Westview Ferry Terminal.

Westview Marina in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

46. Boarding BC Ferry Island Discovery at Westview Ferry Terminal in Powell River. The crossing takes about 40 minutes.

Boarding BC Ferry Island Discovery in Powell River

47. Upper passenger deck of Island Discovery.

BC Ferry "Island Discovery"

48. Upper deck covered sitting area.

Upper sitting deck on "Island Discovery" BC Ferry

49. Island Discovery vehicle deck.

"Island Discovery" vehicle deck

50. Good-bye, Powell River.

Leaving Powell River, BC on a ferry

51. Island Discovery vehicle deck view from the other end.

Vehicle deck on BC Ferry "Island Discovery"

52. Island Discovery lower passenger deck.

"Island Discovery" lower passenger deck

53. Approaching Texada Island.

Approaching Texada Island on BC Ferry "Island Discovery"

54. Blubber Bay Ferry Terminal ahead.

Approaching Blubber Bay Ferry Terminal on Texada Island

55. Island Discovery docking at Blubber Bay on Texada Island.

BC Ferry "Island Discovery" docking at Blubber Bay Ferry Terminal on Texada Island

56. From the ferry terminal, Blubber Bay Road leads to one of the two settlements on Texada Island - Van Anda. Here we are 8.4 km from the ferry terminal.

Blubber Bay Road, Texada Island BC

57. A hundred meters later, we are approaching an intersection.

Texada Island, British Columbia, Canada

58. Here is that intersection - Blubber Bay Road at Gillies Bay Road. The only gas station on Texada Island is located just to the right. A few hundred meters after making a right turn is Texada RV Park (would be on the left side). This park has coin showers available for guests and non-guests alike. Another coin shower is located in Shelter Bay Provincial Park, located several kilometers past Gillies Bay.

Blubber Bay Road at Gillies Bay Road

59. And here is a business directory sign just before the intersection, showing what's where on Texada Island.

Texada Island Business Listing

60. Looking at this intersection from across the street. The gas station is seen in the background.

Texada Island

61. Here is that gas station.

Texada Island Gas Station

62. And here is Gillies Bay Road immediately after a right turn after Blubber Bay Road. Texada RV Park is on the left side ahead.

Gillies Bay Road, Texada Island BC

63. 11.2 km later, we have arrived to the other settlement on Texada Island - Gillies Bay, home of Texada Island fire department, library, police station, and general store.

Gillies Bay, Texada Island

64. Here is Texada Island fire station.

Texada Island fire station

65. Just a bit further, Texas Island library.

Texada Island public library

66-68. 11.9 km from the Blubber Bay Road / Gillies Bay Road intersection is a small but well-stocked Gillies Bay general store.

Gillies Bay General Store, Texada Island, BC

Inside Gillies Bay General Store on Texada Island

Texada Island - Gillies Bay General Store interior

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From Gillies Bay general store the road goes further into the island, and you may check out some of that in our Anderson Bay Provincial Park Visit trip report.