One of the key tools is the Islands Trust, the elected body in charge of land-use planning whose mandate is to preserve and protect the islands. There are a number of conservancy or environment groups working in the Georgia Strait region and on most of the Islands. The primary organization concerned with the coastal environment is the Georgia Strait Alliance, a non-profit society pledged to protect, preserve and restore the marine environment and ecology of Georgia Strait and its adjoining waters. Or Visit the BC Ferries Website Access to the Gulf Islands is provided by BC Ferries, directly from Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay, as well as from a number of smaller Vancouver Island terminals. The southern Gulf Islands have direct service from Tsawwassen, plus an inter-island ferry which calls at Saltspring, Pender, Galiano, Saturna Island and Mayne.
All ferries take cars, bikes, passengers.
Kayak walk-ons are usually possible. Most terminals have potential put-in spots nearby, but we recommend checking with local kayak operators for specific information or rentals. BC Ferries runs from the BC Mainland Tsawwassen terminal to Swartz Bay or Nanaimo, and from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. Overloads are not uncommon on holiday weekends or during the summer. There are also various floatplane operations which serve the islands, including Harbour Air and Hanna Air.