Steveston

A fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser, still working, at the southwest corner of the island. Boardwalk, boats, a cannery turned museum, and more people than you'd like on a sunny Saturday.

The dock sales

Fishing boats sell directly off the wharf. What's available depends entirely on the season and what came in — spot prawns in spring for a few short weeks, salmon in summer, crab and tuna at various points. Bring cash and a cool bag. Ask when it was landed; they'll tell you straight.

There's no schedule you can rely on. Some mornings there are six boats, some mornings none.

The cannery

Gulf of Georgia Cannery, a national historic site in the old building on the waterfront. The canning line is still in place and the exhibits deal honestly with who did the work — largely Chinese, Japanese and Indigenous labourers — and how they were treated. It takes about ninety minutes and is the best indoor hour in Richmond.

Walking and cycling

The West Dyke Trail runs north from Garry Point along the water, flat and open, with the mountains across the strait on a clear day. Garry Point Park at the end has the wind, the driftwood and an ice cream place with a queue that says a lot.

Practical