The largest of the Gulf Islands along coastal British Columbia, Texada Island is somewhat of a hidden gem, despite being the largest Gulf Island. Accessible mainly by ferry from Powell River and about six hours from Vancouver, what does a trip to this, in a sense, remote location entail? Well, today I’m going to break it down for you.
The name Texada comes from the Spanish explorer Jose Maria Navarez, who named it after Rear-Admiral Felix de Texada. The Tla’amin, the local First Nations peoples who were the first to discover and set foot on the island, refer to the island as Si’yi’yen. Texada has two main residential communities: Van Anda and Gillies Bay. Both places give you that small rural community vibe; you get the sense that around here, all the locals know each other. Little of the island is inhabited, as most of it can only be accessed by off-roading, hiking, and boating.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, don’t pass up Rocky Valley Resort, just outside of Van Anda. Built from the ground up by Brian Stasiewich and his wife Shannon, the resort buildings and spa are made from materials harvested from the property. There’s also an outdoor dining area designed for everyone at the resort to come together for a brilliant community meal! Don’t miss Brian’s wood-fired pizza made with homemade dough or Shannon’s beautiful charcuterie boards complete with crackers, veggies, and cheese.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the nearby historical town of Powell River. The main access to Texada Island is the ferry terminal there, so you might as well explore! Started in 1910, Powell River is one of Canada’s earliest planned communities, and was designed according to Garden City principles. In 1912, the Powell River Company completed the Powell River Mill, the first hydroelectric newsprint mill in the world, which made use of water from Powell River and Powell Lake. Although it is no longer operational, it still stands today, along with its long line of old concrete warships from World War I, now being used as water breakers.
While you’re in Powell River, don’t miss the Patricia Theatre, Canada’s oldest continuously running movie theatre, which first opened in 1913. There’s also The Old Courthouse Inn, which, as the name suggests, is an inn in the old courthouse, a cool-looking structure that’s full of history. There are many other notable historical moments and ‘firsts’ to learn about in the qathet region (which includes Powell River and five electoral areas between Toba Inlet and Saltery Bay), and learning about them will only enhance your time in this beautiful area.
To learn more about how the region developed—and also about early European exploration to the area, in insane detail—take a trip out on the water with Rugged Coast Expeditions. Tour guide Captain Matt Emig is a living encyclopedia when it comes to local history. You’re also guaranteed to see some marine life, including seals, Pacific White-sided dolphins, and whales!
So, if you find yourself traversing British Columbia’s coastal circle route along the Sunshine Coast, plan some time to explore Powell River and spend a day or two on Texada Island. It’s far more than it seems, and once you get to know the area, you’ll be very sad to leave.
Photograph by Ben Stainbrook
