Six Hidden Gems on Mayne Island
- Marc S. Tremblay
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Six Quiet Places to Discover Near the Grove B&B
If you’re looking for hidden gems on Mayne Island, you won’t find them on a checklist or behind a tour bus window. They appear at low tide, at sunrise, or on a quiet forest path when the island slows down. These are the places our guests at the Grove B&B on Mayne Island remember most - moments that feel personal, unhurried, and deeply connected to the land and sea.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a nature‑focused escape, or a peaceful retreat in the Southern Gulf Islands, these six lesser‑known spots showcase some of the best things to do on Mayne Island, beyond the obvious, like Mount Parke, Georgina Point Lighthouse, Japanese Memorial Gardens, or the Mayne Island Brewing Company.
1. Gallagher and Piggott Bays
Gallagher Bay is one of Mayne Island’s most rewarding shoreline walks. At low tide, you can walk all the way to the end of the bay, where the view opens toward Conconi Reef and the deeper waters of the Navy Channel. The route follows the shoreline, sometimes sandy, sometimes rocky, with trees leaning over the beach as if reaching toward the water. It’s an ideal place for a slow, contemplative walk and quiet ocean views.
Piggott Bay transforms dramatically at low tide. The shallow bay allows visitors to walk hundreds of metres across the sandy bay bottom, creating an ever‑changing tidal landscape. It's a great place to wade in the shallows on hot summer days. Look closely near the rocky outcrops framing the clam beds on the south side of the bay, where you’ll often spot sea stars, tidal pools, and clams that send small jets of water skyward as the tide shifts. For bird watchers, look out for Herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and the occasional bald eagle that frequent the area.
These bays are a favourite among guests searching for coastal walks, tide‑pooling, and wildlife viewing on Mayne Island.
2. Glen Echo Forest Walk
The Glen Echo Forest Walk is one of the most peaceful forest trails on Mayne Island. There are two access points: at the end of Glen Echo Road (with roadside parking at the cul‑de‑sac turnaround) or at the end of Wood Dale Drive.
The trail is mostly flat and wide, with a slight incline, making it suitable for an easy, unhurried walk. Running along the face of Mount Parke’s distant cliffs, the path is lined with towering trees and striking Big Leaf Maples growing atop moss‑covered aggregate mounds, remnants of the island’s geological past. Sheltered and quiet, this walk is ideal for bird watching, deer spotting, and forest bathing year‑round.
3. Fred & Betty Cotton Park and the Orca Trail
Fred and Betty Cotton Park is a much‑loved community space offering forested paths, a small protected garden and sweeping ocean views. The Orca Trail gently winds from shaded woodland toward the shoreline, making it a natural spot for meditation, reflection, and quiet observation.
Located along Active Pass, this area is rich in marine life. Visitors often see seals, and with some luck, you might spot sea lions or pods of orcas passing through the channel. The combination of forest, ocean, and active marine corridor makes this one of the most rewarding nature walks on Mayne Island.
4. Sunrise at the Brick Dock
For early risers, sunrise at the Brick Dock is one of Mayne Island’s most unforgettable experiences. Perched on the east side of the island, the dock offers sweeping views of Bennett Bay, Georgeson Island, Curlew and Samuel Islands, with Mount Baker sometimes visible in the distance.
As dawn breaks, the water often lies glassy and still, reflecting soft pastel skies. The Brick Dock itself, a sturdy concrete pier, is a window into Mayne Island’s industrial past. In 1911, the Franco Canadian Company developed a brick works complex here, taking advantage of the rich blue clay deposits that stretch inland from Bennett Bay for about a kilometre. The facility included a warehouse, a kiln house near the barge landing, ore car rail tracks linking the site, a jetty-style dock at the foot of Seaview Road for loading bricks onto barges, and a large Tudor-style boarding house for the workers (which became the Mayne Island Resort).
Bring your morning coffee to the Brick Dock and experience the sun rising over the bay, casting golden light across the water and the islands beyond, a serene moment that captures the timeless beauty of Mayne Island.
5. Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay, located at the end of Bayview Road on the north side of Mayne Island, is an understated coastal treasure. At low tide, visitors can wander the shoreline, explore tidal pools, and admire unique sandstone formations shaped by wind and water.
Just offshore, seals frequently rest and warm themselves on the reefs, and on clear days, you may even catch a distant glimpse of Vancouver’s skyline across the Salish Sea. Oyster Bay is perfect for guests seeking quiet shoreline exploration and expansive ocean views.
6. Conconi Reef Community Park
Tucked away on Navy Channel Road, Conconi Reef Community Park offers a small but meaningful connection to the sea. A short access path leads to the shoreline, where low tide reveals rugged reef formations extending into the channel.
From here, visitors enjoy views across Navy Channel, watching boats pass between Mayne Island and North Pender. The reef and its beacon have long marked this stretch of water, making the park a subtle blend of natural beauty and maritime history, a true hidden gem for those who seek it out.
Discover Mayne Island at a Slower Pace
Hidden gems aren’t about checking boxes — they’re about moments that feel unplanned, personal, and perfectly timed. These quiet places invite you to slow down, explore with intention, and experience Mayne Island the way locals do.
If you’re planning a stay at the Grove B&B on Mayne Island, we’re always happy to share tips, tide timing, and seasonal advice to help you make the most of your visit. We hope these hidden gems become part of your story, long after you’ve returned home.
Wow !
Glen Echo Park is for sure a hidden gem - few Island visitors know about it...