Gulf Islands vs San Juan Islands
Two archipelagos in the same sea, split by an international border. Which is which, why they look identical on a map, and which one you actually want.
They are the same archipelago geologically, cut in half by an international border. That is the entire explanation, and it is why every comparison feels slippery.
| Gulf Islands | San Juan Islands | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada (British Columbia) | United States (Washington) |
| Main islands | Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna | San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, Shaw |
| Reached from | Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay, Vancouver | Anacortes, Seattle, Victoria |
| Protected as | Gulf Islands National Park Reserve | San Juan Islands National Monument |
Which one you want
If you are already in Vancouver or Victoria, the Gulf Islands are simply closer and involve no border. The ferry you would take anyway to reach Victoria goes through them.
If you are coming from Seattle, the San Juans are the obvious choice for the same reason in reverse.
Crossing between the two is possible but it is an international crossing with everything that implies — passports, customs, and a schedule that does not forgive.
The naming trap
Note that “Gulf Islands” is also used for two entirely unrelated places in the United States: Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida and Mississippi, and a waterpark in Gulfport, Mississippi. If a search result about Gulf Islands mentions the Gulf of Mexico, white sand or Pensacola, you are in the wrong country. The British Columbia islands are in the Salish Sea, between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
The Gulf Islands Passage, Included
You cannot buy the Gulf Islands passage on its own — so buy the day that contains it. The Royal Victorian Excursion puts the Active Pass sailing, Butchart Gardens and an afternoon in Victoria on one ticket, rated 4.7/5 by 1,367 verified guests, from $165.
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