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Sandcastle Competition
Texada's annual Sandcastle Competition at Shelter Point Park in July
showcases world class sand sculpturing. Other festivities on Sandcastle
Weekend include live entertainment, a slow-pitch ball tournament, games
and races, a beer garden, a barbecue, a pigroast, a dance, and much more.
Gillies Bay Farmer's Market
On Sundays at Gillies Bay, a seasonal farmer's market offers fresh locally
grown produce and crafts made by local artisans.
Arts and Heritage
Texada has a rich history as an early pioneer settlement. The Texada
Heritage Society museum at Blubber Bay explores some of this history.
Also at Blubber Bay, the Holtenwood Gallery showcases some of the
artists who live on the island.
Golf
Deer Leap Golf Club in Crescent Bay - Nine hole
golf course getting excellent reviews..
Hiking
The nature walk along the forested shoreline of Shelter Point Regional
Park offers some spectacular examples of BC coastal forest. Long branches
from two groves of Douglas fir spread like arms above each end of the trail.
Eagles and osprey rest in the tallest boughs when they aren't out cruising
the coastline for a meal.
Near the south end of the trail stands the largest Douglas fir of them
all, a full 7 feet (2.1 m) in diameter. As you look west from here across
the Strait of Georgia at the Comox Glacier's broad white expanse, you get
one of the best views of central Vancouver Island. Lasqueti Island lies off
to the southwest. The trail loops back from its southern terminus at a gravel
road through the forest to the giant fir. You can also choose to walk partway
on a rough shoreline trail that branches away from the main trail and leads
past arbutus and western red cedar. Look for the 2-mile (3-km) loop trail
at the south end of the entrance to the park's campsite area.
A hike to the top of Mount Pocahontas (1,745 feet) will
net some spectacular viewing opportunities: 360 degree views of Vancouver
Island, Georgia Strait, and the Coast Mountain range on the BC mainland.
A local hiking group, the Texada Trekers, welcome visitors
to join in guided hikes every Saturday. Led by a local resident knowledable
about Texada's bird watching opportunities, the hikes may be of
particular interest to birders.
Swimming
The warm waters of Gillies Bay make the beach at The Retreat a great
spot for a swim on those warm summer days.
Arial view of Gillies Bay
Fishing
Excellent fly-fishing for trout can be found on
Texada, particularly at Bob's Lake and Angel Lake. The ocean waters of Malaspina
Strait and Georgia Strait surrounding Texada abound with salmon especially
during the annual spawning runs in September.
Boating
Boaters will find anchorages in the many bays around the island, and
limited moorage at Marble Bay near Van Anda, on the Northeast coast of
the island. The anchorages aren't particularly sheltered, so weather conditions
should be monitored. Boat Launch facilities are available at Shelter Point,
adjacent to The Retreat.
Wildlife Viewing
Deer roam freely over the island. Outside of deer hunting season, the
deer have no predators. Cougars and bears are not found on the island making
it a very safe place for wilderness hiking.
Bird Watching
Bring your binoculars for a birding bonanza! As many as 250 species of
birds including herons, eagles, loons, osprey, harlequins, cormorants and
scooters, can be spotted here.
Click here for more on wildlife viewing
and birding.
Shelter Point Regional Park
From The Retreat it's an easy stroll down the beach to Shelter Point
Park where there are boat launching facilities, picnic sites and a concession
with covered seating serving a full menu. A groomed Nature Trail features
many ancient fir trees.
Biking
Texada abounds with dirt roads and trails to explore by mountain bike
as the map below shows.
Map of mountain bike trails on Texada Island
Fossil Hunting
Fossils can be found at Marble Bay near Vananda at the north end of the
island, at Moat Bay near Shelter Point mid island and at Cook Bay near the
southern end of Texada. Marine fossil beds in a variety of locations around
the 400 ft elevation mark.
'Rock Hounding'
Texada Island offers a unique bonanza for rock hounds. "Flower rocks",
known to geologists as "star porphyryvolcanic", are unique to Texada. This
black volcanic stone with white flower shaped feldspar crystals is particularly
beautiful when polished.
Deer Hunting
The extended deer hunting season, the higher bag limit and the great
profusion of deer make Texada Island one of the best deer hunting destinations in British Columbia. |
