I started thinking about this a few years ago after watching a couple step off their trawler in Ganges Harbour carrying two compact golf bags. No giant cart bags. No overthinking. Just enough clubs for a relaxed afternoon and a reservation at the clubhouse afterward. It struck me as one of the smartest boating lifestyle moves I’d seen in years. I am not a serious golfer, but I do enjoy a nice walk in the forest!
One of the best ways to combine these two passions is to explore the Tee Times & Tides: Golfing the BC Coast experience, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature while playing a round of golf. Because boating and golf actually have a lot in common.
Both reward patience. Both require a sense of humour. Both involve weather decisions. And both are far more enjoyable when you stop trying to be perfect. Let’s take a look at the some of the most popular coastal golf courses for boaters:
Arbutus Ridge Golf Club near Cowichan Bay feels slightly more polished and elevated while still maintaining Vancouver Island charm. The ocean views are spectacular, the fairways immaculate, and it pairs beautifully with a weekend cruising itinerary through the Gulf Islands. A quick Uber ride from Cowichan Bay or Mill Bay.
Blue Ocean Golf Club in the Sechelt area offers a slightly more modern golf experience while still embracing Sunshine Coast scenery. Wide fairways and approachable play make it ideal for recreational golfers who are more interested in enjoying the day than counting every stroke.
Bowen Island Golf Club on Bowen Island feels quintessentially West Coast. Surrounded by forest and island beauty, it’s more about enjoying the experience than chasing perfection. This is one of my all-time favourite courses, and it makes you feel like you are in a lush rainforest. Afterward, the village cafés and marina atmosphere make Bowen a wonderful overnight stop for boaters. When I was there, the marina manager lent us her car but I don’t know if they do that any more!
Campbell River Golf & Country Club in Campbell River is a larger full-service course that works beautifully as part of a longer north-island cruising adventure. After several days on the water, a polished golf course, a good meal, and a long hot shower can feel surprisingly luxurious.
Cordova Bay Golf Course in Victoria is one of Vancouver Island’s more refined public courses. The immaculate conditions and ocean-adjacent setting make it feel polished without becoming intimidating, and it’s an excellent option if your cruising itinerary includes Victoria.
Cowichan Golf & Country Club in Duncan has an old-school Vancouver Island feel that I genuinely love. Mature trees, beautifully maintained greens, and a welcoming atmosphere make it feel less corporate and more community-oriented. My old stomping ground! A quick Uber from Cowichan Bay, a little bit longer from Maple Bay or Genoa Bay.
Gabriola Golf & Country Club on Gabriola Island feels wonderfully tucked away from the world. The course is approachable and charming, surrounded by forest and island quiet, making it perfect for cruisers looking for an easygoing afternoon ashore without a highly competitive atmosphere. There is one Gabriola Taxi but the golf course is on the Gertie bus route!
Galiano Golf Course on Galiano Island is exactly the sort of relaxed island course that suits boating life beautifully. It’s casual, scenic, and wonderfully unpretentious, with ocean glimpses and towering evergreens reminding you that your boat is waiting just down the hill.You can use the Island Hoppers Bus Service.
Mayne Island Resort Japanese Garden & Mini Golf on Mayne Island offers a more playful version of a golf outing. While not a traditional championship course, it’s exactly the kind of spontaneous summer stop that boating is all about: easy laughs, gardens, sunshine, and an excuse to stretch your legs ashore.
Mount Brenton Golf Course in Chemainus is scenic, forgiving, and pleasantly relaxed. If your cruising route takes you through the southern Gulf Islands toward Vancouver Island, it makes an excellent shore excursion with easy small-town charm nearby.
Pender Harbour Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast is a hidden gem for cruisers exploring farther north. The course is casual, friendly, and close to several marinas and anchorages. You can access Sunshine Taxi Service.
Pender Island Golf & Country Club on Pender Island is one of those courses where nobody seems particularly concerned about your handicap, which frankly improves the entire experience. The nine-hole layout is relaxed and scenic, making it a lovely stop during a Southern Gulf Islands cruise.
Quadra Island Golf Club on Quadra Island may be one of the most charming boating-and-golf combinations on the coast. It’s small, friendly, scenic, and completely unpretentious, exactly the sort of course where arriving slightly windswept from the marina feels perfectly acceptable.
Salt Spring Island Golf & Country Club on Salt Spring Island has that classic Gulf Islands blend of friendly locals, rolling greens, and quietly beautiful scenery. It’s close enough to Ganges Harbour to make for an easy boating stop, and the clubhouse patio is ideal for a post-round glass of wine before wandering through town.
Saratoga Beach Golf Club near Black Creek (between Courtenay and Campbell River) is ideal for boaters heading north along the east coast of Vancouver Island. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with broad fairways and a distinctly summer-holiday feeling.
Storey Creek Golf Club near Campbell River is often considered one of Vancouver Island’s hidden treasures. Surrounded by forest and natural beauty, it feels immersive and peaceful, almost like hiking with golf clubs.
Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club in Roberts Creek combines towering coastal forest with beautifully maintained greens. There’s something very Pacific Northwest about golfing beneath enormous cedars before returning to your boat for docktails at sunset.
Not all locations have Uber or taxis, so check with the marina and the golf course when you book. Some marinas will drop you off and check the community Facebook page for ride shares.
The Smart Boater’s Golf Setup: Here’s What I Carry On Board
Space matters on a boat. That’s why I’m a huge fan of the minimalist boating golf setup.
The Basic Four Golf Clubs
- Driver for longer holes and optimistic moments
- 7 iron or a hybrid, which is versatile and forgiving
- Sand wedge because you may end up in the “beach”
- Putter for the win
That’s it.
Four clubs are surprisingly liberating. It simplifies the game, takes up less storage, and somehow makes golf feel less serious in the best possible way. And stow them in a lightweight “par 3” or “Sunday” golf bag, or a compact travel golf bag that fits beautifully at the back of a cupboard. If you don’t want to bring your clubs from home, consider purchasing a second set on Facebook Marketplace and keep them on board.
This lightweight golf carry bag is perfect for boating adventures, executive courses, and casual summer rounds, holding up to nine clubs without taking over valuable storage space on board. Durable nylon construction, stable folding legs, and smart accessory pockets make it an easy grab-and-go option for spontaneous afternoons ashore.
Now add a few smart golf accessories that can make golfing while cruising much easier.
Golf Shoes – Choose lightweight, waterproof golf shoes with good grip. Gulf Islands mornings can be damp, especially after a dewy overnight anchorage. A lightweight shoe bag is a great idea, along with an extra pair of socks and flip-flops for après.
Keep your golf shoes, gloves, tees, and accessories organized and protected with this durable, water-resistant golf shoe bag designed for easy travel and grab-and-go summer rounds. Ventilated side panels, smart storage pockets, and a clip-on handle make it an ideal companion for boating trips, executive courses, and weekend golf adventures.
Golf Glove – Keep one glove in a dry zip pouch onboard. Salt air and moisture can destroy gear faster than expected.
Collared Shirt & Skort or Shorts – One outfit that you can wear over and over.
Golf Balls and Tees – I have 6–12 golf balls, a small container of tees, ball markers, and a divot tool, and keep them all in a small zippered bag tucked into my golf shoe bag.
Range Finder Apps for Boaters – One of the easiest ways to save space on board is to skip bulky golf electronics entirely. There are excellent golf range finder apps for both phones and smartwatches now.
Towel, Hat & Sunscreen – Bring one of the quick-dry microfiber towels that you use on deck. The same goes for a good sun hat and sunscreen. Double-duty items work harder and save space.
Final Thoughts on Golfing the Gulf Islands by Boat
You don’t need to be an excellent golfer to enjoy golfing in the Gulf Islands. In fact, being overly serious about it may miss the point entirely. This is about lifestyle. About stepping off the boat and trying something different for the afternoon. About sunshine, cedar trees, easy laughs, and carrying just enough clubs to feel spontaneous.
So, this summer, consider making room on board for a small golf bag. You may discover that a relaxed nine holes between anchorages becomes one of your favourite new cruising traditions.
And if nothing else, the clubhouse patio usually has very terrific cocktails.
