Accommodations on the Southern Gulf Islands range from woodsy cabins to cliffside resorts to simple motels to primitive campgrounds to intimate B&B's, however, because rooms in these places are usual limited, it's extremely important to have confirmed reservations before you arrive -- unless you are traveling in the middle of the winter when visitors are down to a trickle.

Memorable accommodations are almost guaranteed, since most are owner-operated and the owners' personality shines through in decoration and location.

Of the dozen or so places on Saturna Island, (pop 300), about half are B&B's; the remaining are cottages. Cottages can be a house with three bedrooms or a small cabin with a loft. There are no public campgrounds on Saturna.

The Penders (pop 2,000) have a couple dozen lodging options and these, too, fill quickly in the summer. Most are self-contained private homes and B&B's. The Penders have a provincial campground.

If the amount of tourist traffic on the ferries in the summer months is any indication, Galiano Island (pop 1,000), is the most popular island of all. But, don't let the forty or so properties that hang the for rent sign in the window mislead you, since most can only accommodate four to six guests at a time. This busy island has a provincial park that also fills in the summer.

Mayne Island (pop 900) is the location of several B&B's, a cottage motel, an eight-room waterfront hotel and BC's oldest continually operating hotel/lodge. There are no public campgrounds on Mayne, however, there are a couple of private campsites.

Salt Spring (pop 10,000) has several motels along with the characteristic cabins, cottages and unique-to-island-lifestyle B&B's. With three points of departure and frequent sailings to Vancouver Island via BC Ferries, it's not as crucial to make reservations on Salt Spring as on the less accessible islands. But still, if your heart is set on spending the night on this island make sure you reserve before you arrive.

Lodging on Salt Spring ranges from the posh Hastings House with its fancy suites to the 100- year-old Old Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast with its European style pensions to the practical Seabreeze Motel. There's a government campground on Salt Spring.

To book a room on the Southern Gulf Islands call 1-800-HELLO BC.