How to get to EcoReality

From EcoReality

EcoReality is 37 acres in a rural area in the south of Salt Spring Island, next to a 63 acre community farmland site. It is walking distance to the village of Fulford, which has basic services.

Salt Spring Island is in the Gulf of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and mainland North America. We are nearly due west of Bellingham, Washington, and nearly due north of Victoria, BC.

There are three ferry terminals on the island, for people traveling from mid or north Vancouver Island, Victoria, and Vancouver and other Gulf Islands.

Mapping via Google

Here is a map to help you get here.

From North Vancouver Island

• Go to the Crofton, BC, Ferry Terminal.
• Take the 20 minute ferry to Vesuvius, BC on Salt Spring Island.
• Proceed from the ferry terminal on Vesuvius Bay Road, until you come to a stop sign at a four-way intersection.
• Turn right on Lower Ganges Road.
• Continue through the village of Ganges, then another 20 km to the Fulford Valley.
• Go down a steep hill into Fulford Valley, follow the sweeping curve to the left.
• Pass Furness Road on the right.
• Look for the tiny white church on the right.
• Turn right at the next open driveway. That's EcoReality!

From Victoria/Saanich/Sydney

• Go north on BC 17 to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
• Take the 35 minute ferry to Fulford Harbour, BC on Salt Spring Island.
• Proceed from the ferry terminal on Fulford-Ganges Road for about 3km.
• Look for the white fence on the left. That's EcoReality!
• If you pass a tiny white church on the left, you've gone just a bit too far. Turn around.

From Vancouver, North Pender Island, Mayne Island, or Galliano Island

• From the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (or island terminals),
• take the 90-120 minute ferry (depending on number of stops) to Long Harbour, BC on Salt Spring Island.
  • Alternatively, take the 90 minute ferry to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, follow the signs to exit and then re-enter the terminal at the toll booths, then take another ferry to Fulford Harbour, as above. Be sure to ask for the "through rate" to Salt Spring Island; it's cheaper than buying two tickets.
• Proceed from the ferry terminal to a "T" intersection.
• Turn left on Robinson Road.
• Proceed to another "T" intersection.
• Turn left on Lower Ganges Road.
• Continue through the village of Ganges, then another 20 km to the Fulford Valley.
• Go down a steep hill into Fulford Valley, follow the sweeping curve to the left.
• Pass Furness Road on the right.
• Look for the tiny white church on the right.
• Turn right at the next open driveway. That's EcoReality!

Via Air & Public Transport

Air and bus schedules are subject to change, and may be erratic on weekends or holidays. Please double-check as part of your travel planning!

Easiest: Ganges Harbour

• Fly to Ganges Harbour:
  • From Vancouver Harbour, Victoria Harbour, and others: Harbour Air
  • From Lake Union (Seattle): Kenmore Air
  • From Vancouver Airport: Seair Seaplanes
  • From Vancouver Harbour, Vancouver Airport, and others: Salt Spring Air
• Take the local bus (no Sunday service) toward Fulford Harbour.
• After about 20km, get off at EcoReality, 2152 Fulford-Ganges Road, on your right.

Easy & Cheaper: Victoria International Airport

• Take any BC Transit bus (#75 or #83) toward Victoria.
• Tell the driver you want a transfer to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
• In Sidney (just a few minutes from the airport) transfer to the #70, #76, or #81 bus to Swartz Bay.
• Travel about 10-15 minutes to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
• Take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour.
• Take the local bus (no Sunday service) about 3km to EcoReality, 2152 Fulford-Ganges Road, on your left.

More Air Options, Longer Ground/Ferry Travel: Vancouver International Airport

• Take the #620 bus to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
• Sail to either Fulford Harbour via transfer at Swartz Bay (generally shortest) or to Long Harbour (generally several stops, plus a longer bus ride on-island)
• Take the Salt Spring Island local bus service from either Fulford Harbour (about 3km, or your left) or Long Harbour (6km to Ganges, transfer to the Fulford Harbour bus, then about 20km, on your right) ferry terminals.

For US Travelers: Seattle/Tacoma International Airport

• From SeaTac Airport, take either bus #174 or #194 and they should get you within walking distance of the Victoria Clipper.
• Take the #70 bus to Swartz Bay.
• Take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour.
• Take the local bus (no Sunday service) about 3km to EcoReality, 2152 Fulford-Ganges Road, on your left.

Coming from the US?

Driving from Seattle and points east via I-90, 

take I-5 north to the border, then follow the signs for the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Then proceed as from Vancouver, above, or as from Victoria, via ferry change at Swartz Bay -- be sure to ask for the "through rate" to Salt Spring Island; it's cheaper that buying two tickets.

Driving from Olympic Peninsula, Olympia, and points south, 

there is a ferry from Port Angeles, Washington to Victoria. Then proceed as from Victoria, above.

Non-winter driving from Seattle and environs, 

Washington State Ferry runs from Anacortes, Washington to Sydney, BC in three seasons. Then proceed as from Victoria, above. (This is an especially scenic route.)

Foot passengers from Seattle 

take the Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle to Victoria, then bus service from Victoria to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. (This is an especially scenic route.)

Within Salt Spring Island

• Most roads have 50kph limits, and there is a lot of mixed-traffic. Please drive carefully!
• Hitch-hiking is safe and widely practised.
• Cyclists beware: roads are narrow, curvy and busy, with some steep hills.
• Local bus service runs during daylight hours, Monday through Saturday. The Fulford-Ganges bus goes right past our driveway.
• We may be able to pick up or drop off from one of the three ferry terminals. A small voluntary contribution is appreciated!