Between Vancouver Island And Mainland BC Is Canada's Artsy Island Full Of Outdoor Fun And Beauty

Amid British Columbia's labyrinthine archipelagos is little Quadra Island, nestled between Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland. At 120 square miles, Quadra is part of the Discovery Islands, a serene, scenic set of landmasses rich in nature-driven adventures that invite outdoor enthusiasts. Protected by about a dozen islands, Quadra is an ideal place for paddlers. Kayaking the surrounding waters, which range from tranquil in the numerous coves to intense at Surge Narrow's wave, is among the island's biggest draws. 

Whether from watercraft or land, vistas abound on Quadra Island. Dense conifers, tranquil seas, and mountains silhouetted against pale blue skies provide some of the scenery both Quadra and the Discovery Islands as a whole are known for. The 14-mile Discovery Passage, running between Vancouver and Quadra Islands, is part of the Inside Passage, which ships navigate en route from British Columbia or Washington state to Alaska. It's considered to be among the most scenic passages on the planet. 

About 2,700 people inhabit Quadra Island year-round, although the population soars with seasonal residents and workers during the warm summer months. Artisans have long lived on Quadra Island. From the approximately 3,000-year-old First Nations petroglyphs at 13 sites around the island to the thriving arts community there now, Quadra has a deeply rooted artistic culture visitors can experience.

Like Nootka Island on Vancouver's "wild west coast," Quadra feels far from civilization. You can only travel there by boat. But its remoteness has enticed and inspired visitors and residents for generations.

Quadra Island's earliest artists were the Indigenous First Nations people who lived here thousands of years ago. Almost 100 boulders carved with petroglyphs dating back 2,500 to 3,500 years have been discovered at various sites around Quadra. See many in situ around Cape Mudge Village, one of British Columbia's oldest indigenous settlements and home of the We Wai Kai people, near the lighthouse, on the beach, and at the end of Petroglyph Road.

Quadra, one of the Discovery Islands considered Canada's secret island archipelago and continues to draw artistic residents to this day. Painters, sculptors, photographers, and cottage-industry crafters are among the talents found on the island. Many open their studios to visitors year-round, while each June, dozens of artisans participate in the Quadra Island Artists Studio Tour over one weekend.

On the island or in the water, plenty of outdoor recreation can keep Quadra visitors busy. Part of the intrigue is the scenery everywhere you look. Conifers sprout from rocky isles around Quadra's perimeter. The Vancouver Island skyline rises in the distance to the west. Wildlife is more populous than people here, with eagles, orcas, bears, deer, and dolphins spotted regularly. 

Explore the island's interior from a network of hiking and mountain biking trails of varying difficulty levels. Quadra's southern side is largely without hills and easier to traverse. Sea kayaking is also popular here, with the sandy beaches of Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park offering ideal launch points. Another option is to take a canoe or kayak around the six lakes that offer habitat to myriad plants and birds in Main Lake Provincial Park. Rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes, or book a guided tour from Quadra Island Kayaks & Adventures in Heriot Bay on the island's east side.

Ferry service from the city of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, considered the "Salmon Capital of the World," transports visitors to Quathiaski Cove on Quadra in about 10 minutes. Upon arrival at walkable Quathiaski Cove on the island's west side, one of the island's main population centers and its commercial hub, find shops, restaurants, lodging, and grocery stores. About 5 miles, or eight minutes by car, away is the island's other main town, Heriot Bay, with additional lodging and dining options.