There is no consensus on the origin of the name Fanny Bay and none of the various explanations — comical, romantic, local or historical — can be considered without skepticism.

[3] A popular and persistent local theory holds that Fanny Bay was named by Captain George Vancouver in 1792.

Vancouver's nautical charts and journals only describe the east side of the nearest body of water, the Strait of Georgia (including Texada Island).

The Palmer family had a number of daughters who were accomplished singers, and their home was at the centre of the social circle in early Victoria.

A community located in Fanny Bay called Ships Point also has its own fire department.

[8][9] Fanny Bay is well known as a source of farmed shellfish, specifically Pacific oysters (scientific name Crassostrea gigas), manila clams (Venerupis philippinarum), savoury clams (Nuttallia obscurata) and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), for both domestic and global markets.

McLellan's descendants still own and operate the oyster and clam farm located in Fanny Bay, Mac's Oysters Ltd.[10] Manila clam seed was inadvertently included in Joseph McLellan's initial seed shipments from Japan.

[12][13] Many of the artworks in the woods had a political and surrealist nature, with works touching on topics from old-growth logging to the War in Afghanistan.

It was built in 1938, and for decades has operated as a pub and local gathering spot, hosting music performances and jam sessions.