Can I Take My Dog to Sidney Spit?

Yes, you can take your dog to Sidney Spit, with two conditions: your dog stays on a leash the whole time, and you show up during ferry season. That season runs roughly May to September, and in 2026 it ended on September 7, so as of today the honest answer is to plan this trip for the island's 2027 opening in mid-May.

I first took Ziggy to the spit a few seasons ago, and it is one of the best dog days out in the region when the timing works: no BC Ferries, no highway driving past Sooke, just a short walk in Sidney, a boat ride, and miles of shoreline. The catch is that Parks Canada runs this place as a national park, not a beach party, so the leash rules are real and enforced.

What is Sidney Spit, and where does the ferry go?

Sidney Spit is a long sandy spit on Sidney Island, part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and it sits just off the town of Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula. The spit is famous for its shallow, bathtub-warm water at low tide, the picnic area behind the beach, and the sense that you are a long way from the city even though you are only a 25-minute boat ride from downtown Sidney.

The transfer from Port Sidney Marina at 9835 Seaport Place, a short walk from the Sidney waterfront. The boat is a foot-passenger catamaran, so no vehicles, which suits a day pack, a cooler, and a leashed dog just fine. The ferry runs about 4 to 5 sailings each way per day in high season.

Are dogs allowed on the Sidney Spit Ferry?

Yes. The ferry operator welcomes dogs on board as long as they stay on a leash, and the same rule applies the moment you step onto the island. Parks Canada's regulations for Gulf Islands National Park Reserve are straightforward: pets must be on a leash at all times, and you must pack out their droppings and remove them from the park.

That pack-it-out rule catches a lot of first-timers. There are no dog waste bins on the spit, so you carry a bag to the ferry and off at Port Sidney with you. It is a small thing, but it keeps the beach honest for everyone.

When does the ferry actually run?

The 2026 season ran May 15 to September 7. Early in the season the ferry sailed Fridays to Sundays, then expanded to daily service from around July 1 through the end of the season. The island itself closes to visitors from October 15, 2026 to February 14, 2027, so there is no sneaking over on a private boat during the closure window either.

Schedules are not carved in stone. Extreme low tides change the sailing times, so the operator posts a real-time schedule at sidneyspitferry.com/schedule. Check it the morning of your trip, and again before you walk back to the marina, because the last sailing is not worth missing with a tired dog and a long walk back into town.

What should I pack for a day on the spit with a dog?

In order of importance: a solid leash and collar or harness, waste bags with a place to stash used ones, water for both of you, sun protection, and snacks. There is no drinking water situation on the spit that I would rely on, so carry what your dog drinks in a normal day and top up before the ride home.

The water near the spit gets shallow and warm by mid-summer, but keep in mind your dog must be leashed even in the water. That is not a swim-and-fetch beach in the off-leash sense, more of a wade-and-look beach. Dogs who genuinely need to sprint belong at a regular off-leash park on the mainland side of the water.

One more honest note: the spit is exposed, shade is limited, and a black dog like Ziggy cooks in direct sun. Mornings are cooler, the sand is firmer, and you get the prettiest light. Take the early sailing.

What else can I do with a dog in Sidney that day?

Sidney is one of the most walkable dog towns on the peninsula, so build a full day around the trip. The waterfront promenade is a pleasant leashed stroll before or after the boat, and a handful of patios in the town centre happily seat dogs. Our Sidney patio guide lists the ones we have actually sat at with Ziggy.

If the ferry idea has you curious about the wider island-hopping question, our BC Ferries guide for dogs covers the bigger boats to Salt Spring, Pender, and the rest.

Living where the spit is your local summer day trip

Dog owners in Sidney and North Saanich treat Sidney Spit the way downtown owners treat Beacon Hill Park: the default summer plan. The trade-off is real, though. Peninsula homes near the waterfront do not come cheap, but the daily walking network in North Saanich, with the Lochside Trail and parks like Island View Beach, is among the best in the region for dogs of every energy level.

When Perry and I sit down with buyers considering North Saanich or Sidney, we honestly compare the waterfront premium against what their dog actually needs: the Lochside Trail access, the yard, the distance to the ferry. If you are weighing that move, book a call with the Happy Homes Team and tell us how your dog spends a normal Saturday. We will start from there.