Texada Island offers a wide range of activities. There is something for all ages and all interests, from galleries and a museum to festivals. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is an environment for every passion.
Annual Events
Sandcastle Weekend
An annual event for over 20 years, Texada hosts a weekend of family fun and activities at Shelter Point Park in Gillies Bay. The weekend kicks off on Saturday morning with a parade at 11:00 to the RCMP station. A lip sync contest and fashion show start the evening, followed by dancing to live music. The evening closes out with the release of moonbags as darkness falls.
Saturday is jam-packed, with bike races, childrens arts and crafts, a softball tournament, a parade, bed races and more!
Sunday begins with a pancake breakfast, then the sandcastle competition, with teams gathering on the beach in Gillies Bay to build their sand sculptures. The public votes on the sculptures, and trophies and prizes are awarded. The day (and weekend) closes with a pig roast in the ball park.
Texada Blues & Roots Festival
Celebrating music and our region. Most of our performers are local – from within 100 km of Gillies Bay. We have a diverse group of performers for your enjoyment while showcasing Texada Island, the largest island in the Gulf Island chain. Visit their website texadabluesfestival.com
Texada Artists Studio Tour
The Texada Art Studio Tour will include a fabulous range of fabric arts, stained glass, lapidary and jewellry, beadwork, garden sculptures, photography, stitchery and much more. Throughout the tour, artists will be on hand to discuss their styles and techniques and to share their passion for the arts with visitors. Visit their website texadaart.com
Run the Rock Marathon
Texada provides a challenging course that will provide serious bragging rights.
Marathon finishers have said it is the toughest road marathon in Canada.
Come decide for yourself.
See their website runtexada.ca
ALSO HAPPENING ON TEXADA
Gillies Bay Farmer’s Market
Sundays throughout the summer – 12:00 to 1:30
This 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 in Van Anda explores some of this history.
Check out their website texadaheritagesociety.com
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Fishing and Hunting
Texada Island boasts a myriad of freshwater lakes and saltwater beaches to play host for all your watersport needs.
The ocean waters of Malaspina Strait and Georgia Strait surrounding Texada abound with salmon. Excellent trout fishing can be found in many of the lakes.
The beaches at Shelter Point Park and Shingle beach Parks are great for swimmers and sunbathers alike.
Boaters will find anchorages in the many bays around the island, and transient moorage at Marble (Sturt) Bay near Van Anda, on the Northeast coast of the island. Boat launch facilities are available at Shelter Point Park and Marble Bay.
With no natural predators, Texada has an overabundance of Blacktail deer, and within the vicinity of 5500-6000, has a very generous hunting season and bag limit. Hunting season runs from the first week of September and concludes on the 15th of January. Not only is the bag limit 3, but 2 of those may be does in season. We also have a junior doe season.
Flower Rocks of Texada
The ‘flower rock’, a black volcanic stone that has white, flower shaped crystals is known by geologists as ‘star porphyryvolcanic’ and is unique to Texada Island. Many artisans create jewelry from this beautiful rock that is available for sale in both Gillies Bay and Van Anda.
The bartop in the Texada Island Inn pub is made from flower rock.
Hiking and Biking
From the relatively easy nature walk along the forested shoreline of Shelter Point Regional Park to the more difficult hike to the top of Mount Pocahontas, there is somewhere for hikers of all levels of experience and fitness.
A local hiking group, the Texada Trekers, welcome visitors to join in guided hikes every Saturday. Look for the signs posted near the grocery stores, gas station and post office to find out where and when to meet.
From offroad mountainbiking to long rides along paved roads, there are miles of roads and trails through spectacular scenery to entice bikers of all ages.
Bird Watching and Wildlife Viewing
Deer, birds, otters, racoons and many other forms of wildlife abound. There are no predators on the island, so it is very safe wilderness hiking and wildlife viewing.
With over 250 species of birds, Texada is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Fishing
Cast a fly for one of those delectable cutthroat especially at Bob’s Lake and Angel Lake.
For saltwater fishing, try Coho Point and Blubber Bay.
Tide Tables for Blubber Bay
Limits and Closures for Area 15 (Powell River, Texada Island) from Fisheries and Oceans
Limits & Closures for Area 16 (Sunshine Coast) from Fisheries & Oceans Canada
BC SALTWATER Fishing License Information
BC FRESHWATER Fishing License Information
Deer Hunting
For information on hunting in BC, see this page
