Many visitors first approach Texada Island on the ferry that makes the round trip from Powell River on the mainland ten times every day.
Many Texadans take advantage of the island’s mineral-rich soil and temperate climate to grow kitchen and ornamental gardens as well as cash crops such as raspberries, garlic and hay.
Texada’s two villages – Van Anda and Gillies Bay – each are home to about 500 residents plus services such as grocery stores and post offices.
Texada Island, the largest of the Gulf Islands, is located in
the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Texada measures 50 km (31 miles) long and 10 km (6 miles) across at its widest point and is home to about 1,200 people, most of whom live here year-round.
In addition to people employed in Texada's primary industries -- limestone quarrying and forestry -- Texada Island residents include small business owners and entrepreneurs, artists and artisans, and people employed in island infrastructure jobs such as teachers, ferry workers, and retail staff. With our mild climate and variety of services, Texada Island also attracts quite a few retirees.
The steady population and healthy local economy means that Texada residents enjoy a wide range of permanent services and amenities. Texada has grocery stores, a gas station, post offices, shops and galleries, restaurants, a health centre with full-time doctor, fire departments and ambulance service, and much more. Recreational opportunities on Texada include boat launches, an airport, a marina, campgrounds and picnic sites, fishing and hunting, and a myriad of hiking trails and lakes to explore. For a full list of services on Texada Island, please click on the button to the right.
Residents and visitors to Texada Island enjoy the moderate climate of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Texada weather ranges from sunny summer days with an average temperature of 20 C (mid 70s F) to mild winters with average temperatures around 2 C (high 30s F). Because Texada lies within the “rain shadow” of the mountains on Vancouver Island, annual rainfall here measures just 990mm (39 inches), with measurable snowfall happening occasionally, but usually melting away within a couple days at the lower elevations
In addition to people employed in Texada's primary industries -- limestone quarrying and forestry -- Texada Island residents include small business owners and entrepreneurs, artists and artisans, and people employed in island infrastructure jobs such as teachers, ferry workers, and retail staff. With our mild climate and variety of services, Texada Island also attracts quite a few retirees.
