Hornby Island: Planning Your Way to an Unforgettable Experience
When to Visit Hornby
We typically visit Hornby for a week during the summer, to enjoy the beaches and outdoor offerings. The island is also a great place for a weekend getaway during the spring and fall. Be sure to check the hours of operation outside of the busy summer season if you have something specific you hope to do.
Getting There
Getting to Hornby is part of the experience. You will need to take a short BC ferry from Buckley Bay (one hour North of Nanaimo or two and a half hours North of Victoria on Vancouver Island) to Denman Island, drive about 15 minutes across Denman Island and get on a second short ferry to Hornby Island. The timing of the ferries usually works out so that you aren’t waiting too long, however, Hornby is popular during the summer. On our last couple of visits there have been long ferry waits to board the small ferry to Hornby so it’s always best to leave lots of time for the ferries.
Pro Tip: Purchase an Experience Card from BC Ferries for significant discounts on your ferry ride.
Location, Location, Location
Each time we visit Hornby we stay in a different vacation rental usually in the residential neighbourhood near Grassy Point, our favourite spot to enjoy the sunset each night. We typically find something through Airbnb or on the Hornby Island site, which includes everything from camping to glamping and vacation rentals. Accommodations book up fast, often with people booking for the following summer right after their visit. Be sure to plan your accommodation well in advance if you are visiting during the summer and looking for something specific.
Day Trips
Once we are on Hornby we don’t need to go too far. We usually spend our days exploring a beach, hiking and biking and visiting the local markets and food stands. The island is beautiful and incredibly laid back, it’s a great spot for a relaxing week away. Check out the Top 12 Experiences on Hornby in this post.
