Island life in Canada is known for being quiet, laidback and peaceful. Life runs at a slower pace, and there tends to be an abundance of beautiful natural surroundings wherever you go.
Small island communities are strong and tight-knit, with connected locals who look out for each other. For these reasons and more, island life is perfect for those seeking a tranquil and relaxed retirement surrounded by beauty.
This guide outlines the 5 of Canada's most desirable islands to retire and spend your golden years, based on the cost of living, accessibility to healthcare services and amenities such as seniors groups, libraries and recreational facilities, as well as climate.
What was once a small, remote and bohemian community in the 1970s has grown into a populated, wealthy municipality with schools, hospitals, and banks. There's also a bustling little downtown area called Ganges, filled with boutiques, galleries, hotels, restaurants and a marina.
Despite rapid growth over the last 50 years, much of Salt Spring Island’s laid-back, artistic charm has been preserved, making it a destination for creative types, travellers, homesteaders, summer cottage dwellers and retirees.
Salt Spring is the most populated of BC’s Gulf Islands and is easily accessible from both Vancouver and Victoria. Proximity to the big cities makes properties on Salt Spring quite prestigious and sought after. Celebrities, CEOs, professionals and wealthy expats choose Salt Spring as a summer escape from the big city or as a place to settle down for retirement years.
There are a few key recreational opportunities that make Salt Spring a hot spot:
Outdoor activities: Year-round hiking, kayaking and boating adventures are popular and accessible.
Saturday market: Held in Ganges, the Saturday Market is where locals gather to sell their art, crafts, culinary delights and more.
Wellness centres: Salt Spring is home to well-known wellness centres, where you can study yoga and meditation, attend retreats, receive bodywork, etc.
Cultural events: The Salt Spring community and tourists attract all types of cultural events, from music, dances and other performances from around the world.
Despite its popularity and reputation, Salt Spring’s community remains small and supportive, with a strong focus on sustainable living and respect for the natural world. Its proximity to Vancouver and Victoria adds to the island’s retirement appeal—seniors can access urban conveniences such as shopping, specialised health treatments and doctors, and international airports.
Due to its high population of professional artists, Gabriola Island is affectionately nicknamed the “Isle of the Arts”. Gabriola is accessible from the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. It is the most affordable of the Gulf Islands—a bonus for families and those relying on an old-age pension.
Gabriola is a peaceful, family-friendly island with a tight community of locals. The island hosts grocery stores, gift shops and restaurants. There’s also a library, an elementary school and a museum. Despite its small size, basic amenities and health services are available on Gabriola.
Like other Gulf Islands, the scenic hiking here is beautiful and unforgettable due to the ocean views and lush, temperate rainforest. Locals and visitors alike spend their time boating, kayaking, and exploring the island’s local beaches. Gabriola has a temperate climate, which means these activities are enjoyed year-round.
Gabriola hosts several annual cultural events featuring festivals and community gatherings related to art, poetry, gardens, music, boating and fishing.
The ferry from Nanaimo is 20-25 minutes, depending on the weather and season. This allows locals to access the small city with convenience.
Bowen Island is an island municipality part of Metro Vancouver. It’s located in Howe Sound, which is surrounded by majestic coastal mountains.
Bowen is an ideal place for retirees to enjoy peace and quiet while having excellent access to big-city conveniences. The ferry to West Vancouver is only 20 minutes long. There are also passenger-only water taxi services that run late into the night, allowing Bowen residents to enter the city for nighttime dining and entertainment.
The island has a medical clinic, grocery stores, a pharmacy, and a selection of cafes and restaurants. Locals and visitors enjoy year-round hiking, beach-combing, kayaking, fishing and paddle boarding.
Similar to Salt Spring, properties on Bowen are sought after and usually on the expensive end of things. Housing options range from sweet, cozy cottages and modern townhouses to luxurious waterfront properties, allowing for a variety of budgets and lifestyles.
Manitoulin Island is located in Lake Huron and happens to be the largest freshwater island in the world. It hosts a handful of small towns and Indigenous communities. Towns like Little Current and Gore Bay provide basic amenities, including healthcare.
The name Manitoulin comes from the Odawa/Ojibwe name Manidoowaaling, which means “cave of the spirit” after an underwater cave where a powerful spirit is said to live. The modern Odawa name for Manitoulin Island is Mnidoo Mnis, meaning "Spirit Island".
Manitoulin is popular for outdoor explorers who are drawn to the island's 100+ inland lakes. There are also unique cultural experiences through Indigenous events and rich history.
Retirees are drawn to Manitoulin because of its affordability and quiet, peaceful pace of life. Its uniqueness lies in its balance of natural beauty and prominent cultural heritage.
It was the “Anne of Green Gables” books that put PEI on the world’s map, and the island itself is famous for its rural beauty, red sand beaches, and friendly, welcoming locals. Canada’s East Coasters are known for being incredibly friendly, and PEI locals are no exception.
PEI is actually an entire Canadian province, and its capital is Charlottetown. Charlottetown has a population of 40,500 and provides amenities, shopping and Mi'kmaq cultural activities. Despite being a province, PEI locals enjoy a small-island feeling and closeness.
Fun fact: one of the largest industries on PEI is agriculture, and the island produces 25% of Canada’s potatoes.
Tourists flock to PEI to witness the setting of the famous Green Gables novels, and visitors and locals alike enjoy golfing, visiting lighthouses, and taking scenic oceanside drives. PEI has a vital arts scene and hosts many annual festivals and events.
PEI is friendly, and residents enjoy a moderate climate with warm summers and winter temperatures that rarely drop below freezing. It’s also very affordable, and property taxes are low. These are just a few factors that make PEI so popular with Canada’s retirement demographic.
There are many amazing places to retire in Canada. Here are a few other notable Canadian islands that are suitable for retirement:
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