When to go: The southern Gulf Islands are a year round destination though June through early October is the dry warm season. Noteworthy events include Salt Spring Island's Saturday Market from April through October where local artists and farmers sell organic food fine woodwork pottery crafts and jewelry August's Galiano wine Festival and on the third weekend of September the classic Salt Spring Annual Fall Fair which has celebrated the harvest since 1896 with traditional favorites like fresh pressed apple juice lives tock competitions and an apple sting contest. How to get around: Take a BC Ferry from Vancouver Island or the mainland to bigger islands (Galiano Mayne Pender Salt Spring and Saturna) and a private boat or floatplane to smaller islands. Through not technically a Gulf Island is close enough to Vancouver that many residents commute downtown via ferry. On the smaller Gulf Islands it' s easy to walk or bike wherever you want to go. On Salt Spring the largest and most visid of the southern Gulf Islands rent a car or use public transit.