Things to do on Texada

There are lots of good hiking trails on Texada – and with no large predators (no bears or cougars) and no poisonous snakes, walking/hiking is a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Our Dr. Kay Garner Nature Trail at Shelter Point Park is a lovely 20 minute walk to a very beautiful, rocky beach where local flower rock can be found.

ATV’s (quads) are very popular among the resident population, and this activity is drawing more and more visitors to our island. With lots of forestry roads through beautiful wilderness areas, and the southern half of the island largely uninhabited, there is plenty of room for exploration.

In the forests, and along the roadsides, small black-tailed deer are numerous (and attract hunters to Texada during hunting season). Raccoons and squirrels are also seen. For bird watchers, bird life is abundant and varied, from Great Grey Heron, to Osprey and Bald Eagles, to several varieties of woodpeckers, sapsuckers, Oyster Catchers, cormorants, thrushes, loons, kingfishers, grosbeaks, ducks and geese, and hummingbirds galore!

Texada is an industrialized island. There are limestone quarries here (tours can sometimes be arranged) as well as active logging.

Fine dining and shopping for unique items for gifts or to remind you of your stay are all offered on Texada. For a fine dinner out, or a casual but elegant lunch, consider The Ravenous Raven in Gillies Bay. For a quick bite – a great hamburger or fish & chips – try the Texada Island Inn (Restaurant and Pub) in Van Anda and The Cabin at Marble Bay (Vananda): tea and gift shop bosts a beautiful deck for enjoying a coffee outside on a warm summers night.

For shopping at Blubber Bay, at the ferry landing, there are two great little shops: Holtenwood Gallery, and the Manyana Shop both offer beautiful, useful, and mostly locally handcrafted items to take away with you.