Key Tips For Visiting Savary Island
- Book the water taxi early. In July and August, spots go fast, especially if you're bringing bikes. Less pressure to book ahead starting in September.
- Bring cash. The general store takes cards, but smaller spots and bike rentals and galleries don't.
- Prepare for hills. The bike ride is a lot of up and down if you're crossing the island. Mentally prepare or splurge on an e-bike rental if your legs can't take it.
- Pack in, pack out. No garbage pickup on beaches. Whatever you bring, you carry back.
- Stock up before you go. The general store is well-priced for how remote it is, but it is definitely pricey and limited compared to mainland groceries
- Check the tides. Many beaches change dramatically between high and low tide. Time it right, especially for bike rides and swims.
- Come prepared. No ATMs, no real medical services, and very little in the way of “extras.” Treat it like a remote trip, even though it's only 10 minutes off the coast.
Location Map
All locations mentioned in this blog are pinned here so you can visualize your trip!)
Things to Do On Savary Island
1. Rent Bikes and Beach Hop
You could walk across the island in a few hours, but it would be a gruelling and pretty boring walk along dirt roads. Bikes are a great alternative, and you can cross the island in around 45 minutes on 2 wheels.
There is just one place to rent bikes. There is an unofficial-looking shop just up the hill from the general store. And the general store is just up the hill from the dock. You may already be clueing into the issue here (lots and lots of hills).
You can rent e-bikes and scooters, which are nice because Savary Island is NOT a flat island. It's all dirt roads and quite a few steep hills. They are a bit more expensive, but the real downside is that they need to be returned by 5 PM. They are a great option for day trippers, but you won't be able to take them out for sunset.
You can also rent regular pedal bikes for 24 hours at a time, which is a great option if you're camping and want to take your bike to sunset.
2. Sunset at Indian Point
It's insensitively named, but the view can't be beat. It's a massive sandy beach that wraps around the north-west tip of the island. At low tide, the beach expands by at least 100 meters in every direction and during high tide, there is just a thin strip of sand and driftwood left above the water.
From the tip of the beach, you have uninterrupted views to the east of the Sunshine Coast, and to the west, you can watch the sun turn orange as it ducks behind the distant peaks on Vancouver Island.
No washrooms, garbage collection, or cafes. Grab whatever you need from the general store on your way and pack out what you pack in.
This was one of the best sunsets on our whole Sunshine Coast trip. We took our old rental bikes down the dirt road, basically to the end of the island and posted up with our general store snacks and drinks for a few hours and rode back to our campsite in the dark. 11/10 recommend it.
There was only one other group of people there with us that night, and one incredibly industrious sea otter. Three separate times this guy crawled out of the sea with a fresh catch and joined us for a picnic.
3. Beach Day at South Beach
In our opinion, South Beach is the best “beach day” beach on the island. Backed by towering cliffs, the massive stretch of pristine white sand stretches for nearly 8 km and is dotted the whole way with scattered driftwood and the eclectic structures that have been built from it over the years.
This is one of the most popular beaches on Savary Island and definitely our most frequently visited. It's massive, and the shallow water stays nice and warm, and it's a much easier walk from the main town or the general store than the other beaches. Oh, and don't forget to also look behind you once in a while, because the massive cliffs along the edge of the beach are equally impressive as the shoreline.
It's expansive, the waters are calm and shallow. At low tide, you need to walk a few minutes to the waterline and at high tide, you will need to wade through the chilly water just as long to reach an area deep enough to dunk in.
There is great sunshine on the beach all day, but the light will disappear behind the cliffs late in the day, so it's not the best spot for sunset.
No washrooms, garbage collection, or cafes. Grab whatever you need from the general store on your way and pack out what you pack in.
4. Have Coffee or Lunch at Mermaid Cafe
The Mermaid Cafe is the only cafe on the island, and everyone raves about it. Devastatingly, when we passed on our bikes the first Monday of September, they had just closed for the season the night before. Most businesses on Savary are only open during the busiest months of the year. Except for the general store, which is open year-round.
It is a perfect stop on the way to the north side of the island since it is roughly halfway. It's a cute little cafe with quirky aesthetics and interesting details they've added using driftwood and other local materials. They serve up amazing coffee, full meals, and wood-fired pizza. The main seating area is a beautiful patio area outside that's been covered with white sand, so the beach vibes can continue over lunch.
5. Visit the General Store
Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This is not the norm for the island since most businesses are seasonal. But the opening hours are short: just 12-5 every day. So if you need supplies, make sure you plan your day around your visit.
This is the only place on the island to grab supplies, and they've got you covered. Fresh produce, meats, cheeses, vegan alternatives, specialty items, household supplies, and of course, an entire refrigerated room full of all the local beers you could ask for.
They have a picnic table out front, and it's normal to see tourists or locals sitting out there enjoying whatever snacks or beers they just picked out.
6. Visit the Hacienda Farmers Market
Open every Tuesday throughout July and August. We also missed this by just a few days. We came on the first Tuesday of September, and they had already shut down for the year. The official hours are 11 AM to 1 PM, but some stands take down early and others linger past closing.
We asked some locals about it, and the general consensus was that it was a cute market but nothing too impressive to write home about. If you find yourself there on a Tuesday in the summer, it would be worth checking it out. It's just a short walk from the general store, so it's not a big commitment.
7. Boogie Board on Sutherland Beach
If you're looking for a bit more action, head to Sutherland Beach towards the north side of the island. As the tide is coming in from low tide, the uneven beach forms massive sandbars that stretch way out into the ocean like fingers, flanked on both sides by newly formed shallow lagoons. These miniature channel-shaped lagoons are flat and shallow and perfect for a boogie board.
It's one of the most dynamic beaches on Savary, constantly shifting with the tide. Great for kids, families, or anyone who wants a break from just lying in the sand.
We had a great time here because taking photos of the changing tides was so fun, but we were the only people on the whole beach, except for one young guy who was serious about boogie boarding. There is nothing wrong with this beach except for the location. It has mostly the same pros as South Beach, but it's quite a bit more out of the way to get to. We rented bikes specifically so we could bounce around and check out all of the beaches, but if you're not already planning on getting a bike, just stick with a quick walk to South Beach.
Like most beaches here, there are no facilities, so bring everything you need with you.
8. Take a Walk
The island has a handful of short trails that let you explore the forested interior and parts of the coast. The Mermaid Beach Trail is a mellow walk that links some of the southern beaches, winding through second-growth forest and popping out onto stretches of sand. For something a little more scenic, try the Sunset Trail, which leads you through mossy trees to one of the island's quieter western viewpoints.
Neither trail is long or difficult, but they're a great way to stretch your legs and escape the midday sun. Don’t go in with too high expectations. These are nice walking routes, but Savary is not a hiking destination. These trails won't compare with some of the nice trails you will see on your BC trip.
We had our typical conversation on both trails about what it would be like to live here, and for this to be our regular evening walk, but luckily, we were almost 2 weeks in to our Sunshine Coast trip at that point, so we'd already caught ourselves getting carried away enough times to stop ourselves before the conversation got too serious.
9. Check Out Some Art Galleries
Savary has a huge creative scene for such a small island. Local artists often open their studios to visitors, showcasing beach-inspired paintings, driftwood carvings, and handmade jewelry. You'll find pop-up galleries scattered along the main road in summer, where you can chat with the artists themselves and maybe take home a unique souvenir.
There were noticeably fewer events and open studios when we visited in September. It's not impossible past the summer, but you will have a lot more luck diving into the art scene if you visit in July or August.
Where to Stay On Savary Island
We camped at Pascal's Campground and can highly recommend it. There are about 15 wooden tent pads and a few basic cottages. It's pretty ideally situated about a 15-minute walk from the main dock, and about a 5-minute walk down to the general store. There is a decent shower and a regular flushing toilet. It's basic camping, but it's nicely done.
For a more upscale stay, you might consider Savary Island Resort. It's a collection of cozy cottages with an onsite cafe, cedar sauna, cold plunge, fire circles, hammocks, and large indoor common spaces. Perfect for couples looking for a private getaway, or the larger cabins are perfect for getting a larger group of friends together.
How to Get to Savary Island
Savary Island feels more remote than it is just because of the number of steps involved, but it actually is not that time-consuming.
- Step 1: Get to Lund Drive or bus north along Highway 101 from Vancouver. The trip includes two ferries: Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, then Earls Cove to Saltery Bay. From there, keep heading north until the road ends in Lund, the last stop on the Sunshine Coast.
- Step 2: Water Taxi to Savary. From the Lund Harbour, hop on the Lund Water Taxi. They are located right in the centre of Lund, at the very end of the Sunshine Coast highway, next to the iconic 'End of the road sign.' It’s a short 10-minute ride across the channel, and it departs every hour on the hour and returns on the half hour. As of 2026, it costs $14.00 per person one way ($7 per child 6 and under). You can also take your bike for $3 each way. In peak season, water taxi spots fill up, so book ahead. If you're travelling with bikes, make sure to mention it when you reserve. You can make a reservation by calling them at (604) 483-9749
- Step 3: On-Island Transport Once you land, you can walk, bike, or arrange a shuttle. Cars are limited, and most visitors get around by bike.
Getting Around Savary Island
Savary is small. No buses. No car rentals. Most people ride bikes or dusty old trucks. The roads are unpaved and dusted with sand. Walking works too, though it takes time and can be rough in the summer heat.
Bring a bike if you can, or rent one on arrival. It's the fastest way to hit the beaches, the store, and the pub without wasting your whole day walking.
Hitchhiking is possible but not practical. We were offered a ride quickly heading down to the government dock; the locals are all friendly and quick to pick you up, but there aren't many of them.
The issue is that the dock, the general store, and your own house are the only places you have any reason to drive to. So if you're heading out to the remote areas to the north, you can stand with your thumb out for ages with no one passing, and then when they finally do, they're just going a few more minutes up the road to their house.
When to Visit Savary Island
July and August are the peak season. That's when everything is open and the beaches are really buzzing with day trippers. But it also means longer waits, higher prices, and busy ferries. By September, the tourists thin out, some shops and services start to shut down, but the weather hangs on. Warm days, cool nights, and quiet trails. If you don't mind fewer options for food and tours, September might be the best bet. But if you want the quintessential experience with more of a safe bet on weather and business being open, then the end of July and the first weeks of August are your best bet.
Final Thoughts
Savary isn't polished. It's on the map and connected to the grid, but just barely. It's not really fully built for tourists. There is some basic infrastructure like guest suites and camp sites, but mostly it's just sand, dirt roads, and a handful of locals who tolerate the summer rush. No one is going to be trying to sell you on a boat tour or a paddleboarding lesson. Everyone is going about their day, and to me, the real charm comes from that feeling. It’s a place where people really live and where the eclectic lifestyles they’ve all carved out for themselves feel inspirationally intentional.
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