About Gulf Escapes Vacations

For 30 years, Jon DeWest, President of Gulf Island Escapes, has been creating unique, hassle-free and affordable vacations for independent travelers. Jon’s passion is to bring you the best of Coastal British Columbia and his experience proves it. Former owner of DeWest Tours, Canada’s first and largest receptive tour operator, Jon has spent his career in the tourism industry and he simply can’t stop doing what he loves. Since retiring in 1987, Jon has become a resident tourism operator on beautiful Saltspring Island, building relationships with the best B&Bs and travel operators on the Coast. Today, he shares his passion for the Islands and his intimate knowledge of their hidden gems with his customers from around the world.

To bring you the best the Islands have to offer, Gulf Escapes Vacations is partnered with more than 50 exclusive B&Bs from Victoria to Tofino, and from Port Hardy to the Southern Gulf Islands.

We work closely with hotels on the mainland and the Island and have forged relationships with BC Ferries, Thrifty Car Rental, attractions operators and other key tourist services. These relationships allow us to confirm custom itineraries on short notice to ensure you’ll have the independent Island vacation you’ve been dreaming of.

Contact us today and let Jon and Gulf Escapes show you the hidden beauty of BC’s Gulf Islands.