The most delicious &  easiest Way to Explore Salt Spring Island!

Hop on our small-group shuttle and sip, savour, and explore the island’s most loved artisan stops at your own pace. No driving, no stress, just great food, drink, and scenery.

Full day  Artisan Trail Tour  from just $55 per adult, $35 per child!

EXPERIENCE SALT SPRING: HOP ON TOURS

SALT SPRING’S #1 ARTISAN TRAIL EXPERIENCE

– ONLY 20 SPOTS PER DEPARTURE!

Our small-group Hop on Hop off "Artisan Trail" Tour is the perfect way to explore, sip and savour your way through some of the best local artisans & attractions on the Island!

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Salt Spring Vineyards

Visit 6 iconic Artisan stops in one scenic loop — no car needed!


Starting in the heart of Ganges Village, we head out of town and off the beaten path on a spectacularly scenic 28km loop trail that winds its way through forested roads and seaside scenery, with epic stops at:


  • Salt Spring Island Cheese & Goat Farm
  • Sacred Mountain Lavender Farm*
  • Salt Spring Brewing Co. 
  • Garry Oaks Estate Winery
  • Ciderworks & Salt Spring Apple Co.
  • Ganges Village & Public Market

  *Seasonal when in bloom July/August


April - September

Friday - Saturday - Sunday

Departure Times: 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm


**Limited to just 20 spots per departure**


Adult (13+ yrs) Starting at: $55.00 CDN

Child (2-12 yrs): $35.00 CDN


LEARN MORE

"Along the trail expect to discover delicious locally made food & libations such as fresh pastries, charcuterie, goat cheese, pizza, chutneys & spreads, gelato, craft beer, organic cider and estate wines!"

• This is a "must-do" experience for anyone visiting Salt Spring Island! •

CHECK OUT OUR STOPS

Tour Departs from Salt Spring Visitor Info Centre

START HERE

Ganges Village Visitor Info Centre

121 Lower Ganges Rd, BC, Canada


Easily accessible in the heart of Ganges Village,

right by the harbour, shops, cafés, and the Public Market.

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Salt Spring Island Cheese

Goat Cheese • Gelato • Baby Goats • Artisan Pizza • Cheese Cake


Salt Spring Island Cheese is a must-stop on the Artisan Trail and a true taste of what makes the island special.


  • Sample a wide range of handcrafted artisan cheeses with house-made jams, chutneys, and preserves
  • Explore the farm on a self-guided walk and visit the goat barn
  • Watch the cheese-making and packaging process through viewing windows
  • Enjoy the courtyard café with artisan pizza, fresh salads, and cheesecake made with their own cheese
  • Cool off with gelato made from the same goat milk used in their cheeses


Come hungry, take your time, and savour one of Salt Spring Island’s most iconic food experiences.

Salt Spring Island Cheese
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Sacred Mountain Lavender Farm*

60 Lavender Varieties • Essential Oil Distillation • Lavender Tea


Sacred Mountain Lavender is a seasonal highlight on the Artisan Trail, offering a peaceful, sensory-rich experience set against the slopes of Mount Tuam.


  • Over 60 varieties of organically grown lavender
  • 2.5 acres of lavender fields blooming *late June through early September
  • Self-guided farm walk through demonstration and harvest areas
  • Behind-the-scenes look at propagation, drying, and essential oil distillation
  • Farm shop featuring plants, spa products, and culinary treats
  • Cool off with a lavender fruitsicle or tea


Take a deep breath, slow your pace, and soak in one of Salt Spring Island’s most calming and colourful stops.

*Seasonal stop when in bloom July & August

Sacred Mountain Lavender
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Salt Spring Brewing Co.

 • Small-Batch • Spring Water Brewed • Forest Patio

Tucked into a forested hillside, Salt Spring Brewing Co. is a relaxed, nature-forward stop where great beer meets West Coast scenery.


  • Small-batch craft beer brewed with mountain spring water
  • Fresh, unpasteurized beer with no preservatives
  • Locally sourced ingredients whenever possible
  • Rotating taps including fan favourites and seasonal releases
  • Forest-side patio perfect for unwinding between tastings


Sip slowly, breathe in the forest air, and enjoy one of the island’s most iconic craft beer experiences.

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Garry Oaks Estate Winery

Estate Grown Grapes • Vineyard Valley View • Heritage Farm


Overlooking the Burgoyne Valley, Garry Oaks Estate Winery blends beautiful scenery with estate-grown, award-winning wines.


  • Wines grown and bottled entirely on-site
  • Sustainably farmed seven-acre estate vineyard
  • Historic farm setting with pond, mini labyrinth, and Garry oak trees
  • Charming tasting room showcasing awards and oak barrels
  • Scenic property walks and comfortable Adirondack seating


Whether you’re strolling the grounds or relaxing with a glass, this stop invites you to linger and savour the view.

Garry Oaks Estate Winery
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Ciderworks &

Salt Spring Apple Co.

Heritage Apples • Orchard-To-Glass • No Added Sugar • Apple Fritters


Ciderworks is a must-visit stop where orchard views, rare apples, and thoughtfully crafted cider come together.


  • Organic orchard home to over 425 heritage and connoisseur apple varieties
  • Small-batch cider made with minimal intervention and no added sugar
  • Ciderworks building overlooking a sloping hillside orchard
  • Focus on apples traditionally used for cider-making
  • Ocean views, cider tastings, and seasonal treats like apple fritters


From orchard to glass, this stop offers a true taste of Salt Spring’s apple-growing legacy.

Ciderworks
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GANGES VILLAGE & MARKET

The heart of island life.


Ganges Village is the perfect place to begin and end your Artisan Trail tour, offering harbour views, local shops, and a lively community atmosphere.


  • Waterfront strolls along Ganges Harbour
  • Saturday Public Market from April to October in Centennial Park
  • Local artists, makers, and handcrafted goods
  • Fresh produce, baked goods, and island-made foods
  • Cafés, galleries, and easy access to shops and services


Take your time, explore at your own pace, and enjoy the creative spirit that makes Ganges the heart of Salt Spring Island.

Garry Oaks Estate Winery

Frequently Asked Questions

We want your day on Salt Spring Island to be as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. See full FAQs here.

  • Do I need to reserve / book my seat in advance?

    Yes!  With just 20 seats available per departure the shuttle books out frequently!

  • How do I get to Salt Spring Island? (Ferry Schedule)

    Salt Spring Island is easily accessed by BC Ferries out of 3 convenient ferry terminal locations.


    1) VANCOUVER (click for current ferry schedule)  Summer schedule starts June 25th

    Departs from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal - Arrives Salt Spring Long Harbor Terminal


    2) VICTORIA  (click for current ferry schedule) Summer schedule starts June 25th

    Departs Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal  - Arrives Salt Spring Fulford Harbor Terminal


    3) CROFTON(click for current ferry schedule)

    Departs Crofton Ferry Terminal - Arrives Salt Spring Vesuvius Harbor Terminal


    *All 3 ferry terminals on Salt Spring are serviced by BC Transit (15 minute ride to the heart of Ganges Village) so Whether you are traveling as a "walk on" or bringing your vehicle, Salt Spring is super easy to get to and can even be done as a day trip!


  • I walked on the ferry - how do I get to you? (BC Transit Schedule)

    No problem! All three ferry terminals on Salt Spring Island are serviced by BC Transit just a short 15 minute ride to the heart of Ganges Village and stop directly in front of the Salt Spring Visitor Information Centre where our tour departs from!


    Click the ferry terminal you are arriving at to see the current BC Transit schedule.


    1) LONG HARBOUR (Click for schedule)


    2) FULFORD HARBOUR(Click for schedule)


    3) VESUVIUS HARBOUR(Click for schedule)


    Salt Spring Island is super easy to get to and can even be done as a day trip!


  • Where do we meet to catch the Hop On Hop Off shuttle?

    Please meet the shuttle 15 minutes before your departure time in front of the Salt Spring Visitor Information Center located at 121 Lower Ganges Rd. 

    *This is the same location that BC Transit will drop you off at if you did not bring your own vehicle.

    *Look for our Hop On Hop Off shuttle bus pulling into our commercial loading / unloading zone located just before BC Transits bus zone.

  • How much walking is there on the tour?

    We drop off as close to the venues / attractions on tour as possible, but due to the size of the shuttle bus and the small driveways you may have to walk anywhere from 1 - 5 minutes depending on the stop to reach the venue / attraction. 

    Most stops are only a one minute walk from being dropped off. 

    *Salt Spring Cheese & goat farm can take 4-5 minutes to walk to from the drop off as the road is too narrow for the shuttle bus to drive up. 

  • Can I start my Hop On Hop Off tour at any of the listed locations?

    Short answer no. Salt Spring Island roads become extremely congested during the tourist season and the stops are spread out over a 28km loop trail. For this reason we have chosen the Visitors Information Centre as our start location, as it is in the center of Ganges village with public parking.

    *Additionally all BC transit shuttles from all 3 Salt Spring ferry terminals converge at this same location making it super easy for you to access our tour!

  • What should I bring on the bus?

    Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle and of course a camera for those instagram worthy moments! A backpack or tote is a good idea to hold any of the goodies you will likely purchase along the way. 

    If you’re joining us on a hot and sunny day, consider bringing a hat and sunscreen. And, of course, don’t forget your sense of adventure!

  • I came with a vehicle - where do I park?

    There are several hundred free public parking spots conveniently located right behind the Visitor Information Centre in the heart of Ganges village. 

    *Arrive early though as the spaces fill up quickly, particularly on Saturday's. 

    Alternativly, most of the side streets on the outskirts of the village have free street parking.

Still have questions? If you didn’t find what you were looking for above or at the full FAQ page, feel free to reach out and we’ll be happy to help. You can contact us anytime at info@saltspringhopon.com.

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We respectfully acknowledge that our place of work is within the ancestral, unsurrendered, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish First Nations Peoples. These include the Quw’utsun Tribes (Cowichan), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), BOḰEĆEN (Paquachin), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) and W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) nations.


We here at Salt Spring Hop On Hop Off are grateful to the ancestral land keepers of this beautiful island we are fortunate enough to call home. We acknowledge and respect the historical relationships of First Nations People to the land, culture, and spirit of this island that is still thriving here today.