Entire home

Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage

Beachfront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage

No caption required!
the massive lower lawn is a great place to spend the whole day
Come on in!
a few days into your stay you'll find yourself saying 'really, another rainbow!'
view from the private beach at low tide

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12297.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Salt Spring Saturday Market
  • Place, Ganges Marina
  • Place, Saltspring Marina
  • Airport, Victoria, BC (YYJ-Victoria Intl.)

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Double Room

1 Double Bed

Kingsize room (or 2 singles)

1 King Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Queen Suite

1 Queen Bed

The Old Nursery

1 Double Futon, 1 Single Bed and 1 Crib

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage

This is the very best of West Coast Canada!

Watch the seaplanes land and sailboats pass by as you relax on your private oceanfront estate. Gorgeous sweeping views of Ganges Harbour are visible from nearly all rooms of this one of a kind heritage retreat.

Built in 1906 by the pioneering Tolson family, this property was the first private school on the Gulf Islands and was later a creamery and then the private retreat of a technology billionaire and his family, during which time the property was greatly restored.

A vast variety of birds and other wildlife make this 4 acre property home. Watch the swans, eagles, hummingbirds, blue heron, quail and other exotic birds from the enormous picture window and expansive veranda. Raccoons, otters, deer and other critters are curious, safe and plentiful.

There is much to do here for all ages. On the property, there is plenty of exploring to do, and the 300 feet of private beach front to enjoy. The main lawn is large enough for a serious soccer game. Pick fruit and berries at several times of the year, then bake them into a pie in the great kitchen that looks into the gorgeous back gardens.

Various flowers are usually blooming all over the park-like gardens and landscaped terraces. Numerous exploration paths weave throughout the property.

Off the property, hiking, kayaking, sailing, golfing, fine dining, casual dining, patio drinking, swimming, shopping, scuba diving, a day at the spa, fishing, yoga, farmers markets, etc... are all close at hand.

The house is set up perfectly for entertaining and relaxing alike. With plenty of space indoors, the adults can enjoy the evening with a roaring fire in the main living room, while the kids use the spacious upper living room or the entertainment room to watch movies on the big screen and play games of all sorts. There are plenty of bedrooms to go around, all beautifully furnished and well appointed. The three full bathrooms mean that no one is waiting for their turn for a shower. The big gourmet kitchen provides the space to cook a grand meal while onlookers enjoy a glass of wine without every getting in the way.

I guarantee you will love your stay here as much as we do!

This house is operated by the Island Heritage Appreciation Club which allows members to use it to cover the costs. Membership is open to all those who appreciate well-maintained heritage properties.

Keywords: Rustic luxury, waterfront, view, views, Saltspring, Ganges, convenient, marina, island, private, landscaped, heritage, Vancouver, Victoria, British Columbia, acreage, farmers market, orchard, garden, family

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Kids love this property, inside and out.
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Events

No events allowed
This property is not suitable for parties/events
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Pets

Pets allowed
Pets must be described/approved at booking.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please smoke outside. Lots of covered areas.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: This property is not suitable for parties/events
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
Property Registration Number H447656870

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ganges

Located in Salt Spring Island, this holiday home is near the airport and on the beach. Artspring Arts Center and Hand of Man Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Dinner Bay Japanese Garden and The Raptors. Teafarm and Hansel and Gretel's Candy Company are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Saltspring Island, BC

What's nearby

  • Salt Spring Saturday Market - 3 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Salt Spring Island Visitor Centre - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Ganges Marina - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Saltspring Marina - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Long Harbour Ferry Terminal - 9 min drive - 8.1 km

Getting around

  • Ganges, BC (YGG-Ganges Harbour Seaplane Base) - 1 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Shipyard Pub - ‬54 min drive
  • ‪Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Moby's Pub - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Ox Eats Grass - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Oystercatcher Seafood Bar and Grill - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Heritage Estate W/5 Bedrooms on Stunning Acreage located?

Nestled on the beach, this Salt Spring Island holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Artspring Arts Center, Salt Spring Saturday Market and Spa by Lenice. Ganges Marina and Salt Spring Island Visitor Centre are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 96 out of 117 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 117 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 117 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 117 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 117 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deborah A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular!! One of the best places we’ve ever stayed. Private and secluded but quick walk in to town. The was clean and had everything you needed.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing view

Twas great
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property in the perfect location

Excellent stay at this amazing property. Beach access and proximity to Ganges are unmatched. Michael was great with communication and the house is well stocked with everything you’ll need. I would gladly stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Chris N.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beuatiful setting and great property

Great place to stay for our family of 13 adults and 4 dogs. Lots of room to set up games and space for the dogs to run around...room for everyone and cooking meals
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely stunning views

We feel so lucky to have spent time in this wonderful house. It was comfortable, and roomy, and well equipped.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A siblings gathering

Great three day stay, warm, welcoming and comfortable house. Location excellent, loved the architecture, with original windows all around the main floor, awesome fireplace and lots of wood for evening fires. Liked the modern art glass and cozy furniture. Wonderful stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenny N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A magical week

What a wonderful house and location; we couldn’t have asked for better. Our family of 12 were easily accommodated- there was plenty of room to rest and play and cook fantastic meals. We would not hesitate to return!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Location Location

Wonderful stay for our family of 9! The home had so much charm and character and there was plenty of room for our group. The view was amazing. And the proximity to the shops was convenient. We went for walks, played lots of games at the large dining table and enjoyed our family time together. Michael was great to deal with. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim C., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location and property

Old heritage home with amazing outdoor property and view. Within walking distance to Ganges. Kitchen well equipped and dining room worked for a large family. Host was very responsive and accommodating. If travelling to Salt Spring again we would not hesitate to stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

80th Birthday!

Absolutely fabulous all around :]]
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vic S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extended Family vacation

Large older heritage home on large property. Easy short walk into Ganges. On site parking. Private yards for kids to play in. Large kitchen with good appliances. Nice dining area with view to harbour.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Gillian H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heritage house stay

The stay was great. The house was very interesting with all it's older entities. Nice garden and lots of room outside and in. The only downside was the beach. Lots of garbage and not really able to do much on the beach as very sludgy. Also campers on beach below us made quite a bit of noise at night. But other than that it was a great place to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

melissa b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It’s all about

the couch
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Evan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great experience

We chose this place for a family reunion and are very glad we did. Lots of space, elegant rooms, comfortable beds and bedding, and well supplied kitchen. Our timing over spring break meant the weather was not ideal, so we didn't enjoy the extensive grounds as much as we might have, but the wonderful views from some of the rooms made up for that. The location was hard to beat: it felt quiet and secluded, but also a very short walk to all that Ganges has to offer. Perhaps it's most special feature is the real heritage feel: generous furnishings gracing large social spaces, with interesting art throughout and bookshelves well filled. Well equipped for kids and cooks, with a sense of quiet grandeur for the oldies.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Nick C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

A real gem in the heart of the Island

This property and home is advertised - it is a stunning estate overlooking the harbour, perfectly positioned in the heart of Salt Spring Island. Our family had a wonderful time here creating new memories and taking in the surroundings. If were to pick one issue, it was that the home wasn't as clean as we had hoped. This could be personal preference for our family, others may not have been as concerned!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darlene B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous spot that we have visited over the years . It keeps getting better and has served our family well as it has grown from 4 to now 12!!! Can not beat this gorgeous property ,well appointed ,breathtaking views ,and a welcoming home await you at eagles landing Thank you Michael for hosting us and Tara for preparing the home so beautifully for our family thanksgiving stay .
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
Great places. Everyone enjoyed being in town.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Esther C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great family reunion

This property spacious with lots of room for a family get-together with different ages. The kitchen is roomy and well stocked , and several living areas create ease for more intimate conversations.It is close enough to walk easily into Ganges for fresh baked goods and morning coffee.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Virginia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property in the greatest location if youd like to go into town or to the summer market. Very roomy home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This beautiful home lived up to and beyond expectations. Spacious and comfortable with lots of space to relax inside and out it felt like staying with the most hospitable friends. We were a multi age ( 3 generations) family and despite the beautiful furnishings we weren’t constantly on vigil and the stay was without incident. The kitchen was well equipped so meals were a pleasure to prepare for both British and Korean guests. All the facilities of Ganges were just a short walk away so we enjoyed no driving days lounging in the garden and on the beach We had a great few days - thank you Michael
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leah G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Oceanfront Oasis

This lovely, heritage home was the perfect spot for my family’s multi generational gathering. A tasteful and spacious home set in a gorgeous location with a Salt Spring island vibe that highlights art and nature. We will definitely return!
The mesmerizing view of Ganges.
Our seal visitors that swam in morning and night.
It was a treat to have beach access and so many accessible green spaces.
The sweet backyard, with its water feature and garden, led to charming forest paths with bridges over the creek that led to the ocean.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous home forba group of friends

This is a beautiful historic house in a great location and beach access. It is always to challenge to find a waterfront home with enough real beds for 5 that is reasonably priced. Highly recommend for families or gŕoups..
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

W G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

We had a lovely time. The weather was turning toward fall as we arrived, so we had a great time exploring the area and then returning home for an evening fire. The house served us very well and the view out to the harbor was a wonderful start to every morning.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kate T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A hidden gem

What an incredible property! We stayed with family friends, 5 kids and two dogs in total and everyone had a blast. The pictures don't do the grounds justice, truly a magical piece of land. The location cannot be beat, you can walk to everything you need in Ganges, you have total privacy and room to roam. Excellent service by the host and their team. We can't wait to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leigh-Anne F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious and Relaxing

This gem was clean and inviting. You are going to love the peace and quiet… relax on the porch or just gaze through at the ocean from any window. There was plenty of room for all our family (10 of us!) walking distance to all the local shops and restaurants. We enjoyed the weekend market too… so much to see and do. Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Michael

Host profile image
I'm a city boy from Vancouver, who has always dreamed of enjoying and maintaining an island heritage property (You don't so much 'own' such a property as take your turn looking after it)

Traveling is in my blood, but I love the natural wonders and serenity of the Gulf Islands of British Columbia more than anywhere else I have been privileged enough to visit.

An environmentalist at heart, I am sensitive to keeping this property chemical free and the house as healthy a living space as possible.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with this late 19th century estate when a friend bought it many years ago. Every opportunity to visit that came up, we made it a priority to get there.

This is one of those properties that changes your life in so many ways, and all of them for the better.

What makes this property unique

Once you arrive at this property, you no longer need your car. Everything you need is within close walking distance. But when you enter and close the gate behind you, you are in a private world all your own and the outside world ceases to exist. It is the very best of all worlds!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests