10 Tips for Sustainable Island Touring

Written by Danielle Steiner

How to travel and enjoy the Food & Drink Culture of Vancouver Island, with an environmentally respectful approach.

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are filled with communities that offer unique culinary experiences. But before you pack your suitcase or your backpack for a weekend of exploring a new-to-you coastal community, take a moment to consider the environmental impact your travel will make on the region, and plan accordingly. Many of our small Islands and remote communities are struggling with over-tourism, limited resources and accommodations, water supply issues and more. And yet they depend on tourism and continue to welcome new visitors with open arms.

Before you visit a community or hop over to an Island for the day, do your research so that you know in advance any issues they may be facing. If you are planning to stay overnight, make arrangements before you leave, know if restaurants or stores will be open, and check to see if there are any rules or conservation measures in effect that are specific to that community.

Here are ten ways you can help promote sustainable, environmentally friendly travel around the West Coast.

1. Leave your car behind

Many island communities are small, providing the perfect opportunity to explore on your bicycle. Enjoy the scenery, then stop and refuel with scones at a local bakery or pop into a farm market along the road for some fresh fruit. When you’re shopping, consider walking between stores instead of driving—you might find some hidden gems that you wouldn’t have found if you were just driving by. And if you’re doing some wine tasting or enjoying the craft brewery scene, check the bus schedules for a safe ride back to your home base.

2. Stay at a local establishment

Whether it’s a resort, lodge, inn or cabin, find a place to stay that is unique to the region you’re visiting. These establishments provide jobs for local people and will give you the most authentic island experience. There’s a good chance they use and support local products as well, which all helps to serve the cyclical local economy.

3. Pack biodegradable soap, shampoo, & sunscreen

Bring toiletries that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. If you’re camping and need to wash dishes outside, make sure to use biodegradable soap that won’t harm the fauna or flora (dispose of the dishwater in a hole 6–8 inches deep and 200 feet from water sources). And if you’re taking a dip in the lake or ocean in the summer, be aware that sunscreen, lotions and shampoo pollute the water and can be harmful to marine life, so use eco-friendly products—or better yet, lather up after your swim instead.

4. Enjoy local libations

If you’re not sure what the island offers for local wine, beer, cider and spirits, stop by a local liquor store and ask the staff. They’ll know where to go to experience a cider tasting, wander some scenic vineyards and enjoy a flight of beer. There’s nothing quite like connecting memorable experiences with the local places and people that create unique West Coast libations.

5. Eat local food

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are filled with food and drink locations that rely on local farmers, fishers and foragers to provide the ingredients they use to curate their menus, creating culinary experiences that are as sustainable as they are delicious. The local farmers’ market is a great place to buy local products, and while you’re there, ask the produce growers and meat purveyors which restaurants and cafes use their products—then pick your dinner destination accordingly!

6. Pack out your garbage

Whatever makes its way onto an island, at some point must make its way back off. Limit the environmental impact your travel makes on things like garbage removal by simply taking back with you all the items you bring, as well as the waste and recycling you create while enjoying your island experience.

7. Bring your own water bottles, utensils, coffee mugs, etc.

Bringing your own reusable containers is an easy way to minimize waste. Pack your own water bottle and coffee mug; take it a step further and bring your own utensils and straws for when you opt for take-out. A reusable container or two with lids is perfect for packing up leftovers or to put your pastries in when you’re shopping at the local farmers’ market—or to fill with products at a local refillery.

8. Bring your own water

Fresh water is a limited resource on many of the Gulf Islands. The easiest way to make sure you and your pets stay hydrated on your trip is to bring along a jug of water with you, which will help keep your impact on the island’s water resources at a minimum.

9. Shop for local products

Seek out local shops who employ local people and sell local products. By doing so, you directly influence the lives of those who call that community their home. You’ll end up meeting many interesting personalities and finding unique island items—think décor, spices, soaps, treats, clothing and more. (Bring along a reusable tote bag or basket to help you carry your treasures!)

10. Picnic responsibly

Create a unique Island culinary experience by packing a picnic basket of treats from a local deli or café—or by ordering take-out from a local restaurant—then head to a hiking trail. Find a nice place to rest in the woods or along the beach and enjoy your food in the beautiful outdoors. Keep the region beautiful for generations to come by sticking to the marked hiking paths to protect our exquisite plants and wildlife.

Picking blueberries at Blue Haven Farm in Comox Valley, photo by Danika Sea Design