Gulf Islands BC. There is a beautiful, green island-chain between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. It's called The Gulf Islands; despite (when viewing the area on a map) there is no sign of a gulf anywhere in the vicinity. Why? Because during the Age of Exploration an inaccurate presumption made by the first European seafarers to the area lead to the belief that the Strait of Georgia was an enclosed body of water. Misnomer aside, the Gulf and its picturesque islands are one of British Columbia's most popular destination points. With a temperate climate, and sparkling waters, this pseudo-Mediterranean corner of Canada offers some of the most unique island getaways on the Pacific Coast. In total, 14 islands comprise the Gulf Islands: the southern islands of Gabriola, Galiano, Kuper, Mayne, North and South Pender, Saltspring, Saturna, Thetis and Valdes as well as the northern islands of Denman, Hornby, Lasqueti and Texada.