Welcome to the Dictionary of Island Terms. Its purpose is to pin down the patois of Vancouver Island by recording its toponyms, nicknames, slang terms, personalities and places. Explore the ever-growing A-Z here.

Active Pass | strait, toponym | The narrow body of water that separates Mayne and Galiano Islands and connects the Georgia Strait to the Trincomali Channel. It was named after the American coastal survey vessel (USCS Active) that first navigated the 5.5 km route in 1855. The east and west entrances to Active Pass are where BC Ferries captains loudly blow their horns, startling the living daylights out of tourists sunning themselves on the top deck.

Usage: “I accidentally stabbed my face with my vanilla soft serve when the ship’s horn blew through Active Pass…”