Galiano Island is a long, narrow ribbon of forest and shoreline in the Southern Gulf Islands, the first stop on the ferry route from Vancouver. It stretches about 27 kilometers but is less than two kilometers wide at its narrowest.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
Late spring to early autumn offers dry weather, with August the busiest month.
How long
A weekend works, and a long weekend gives time for hikes, beaches and art studios.
Getting there
Take a BC Ferries sailing to Sturdies Bay or a floatplane from Vancouver.
Why visit Galiano Island
Galiano is the most accessible of the Southern Gulf Islands from Vancouver, yet much of it remains forest and rustic shoreline. It is named after Spanish explorer Dionisio Alcalá Galiano, who explored the area in 1792, and Coast Salish peoples lived here long before that.
The island has a gentle rhythm. Logging has all but ended and the local economy now leans on tourism and a lively art scene.
Because the island is so long and narrow, you are never far from the water. A morning can include a forest hike with views of distant mountains, a picnic on a pebble beach and an evening listening to live music in summer.
Beaches and parks
Bellhouse Provincial Park
Bellhouse Provincial Park lies near Sturdies Bay on the south-east of the island, on land donated in 1964. It offers views across Active Pass, where large BC Ferries slip through, to Mayne Island and the Strait of Georgia.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park
About 10 kilometers from the ferry terminal, this park has trails, a campground and Shell Beach, a favorite place to watch the sunset. At low tide you can explore the intertidal life along the shore.
Dionisio Point Provincial Park
Dionisio Point is reachable only by boat or on foot. It has sandy beaches, including Coon Bay just north of the campground, and is a good place for kayaking, fishing and wildlife viewing.
Morning Beach and Pebble Beach
Morning Beach, reached from the east end of Harper Road, is known for warm sands. Pebble Beach, reached from the north end of McCoskrie Road, has long stretches of pebbles including at Cable Cove.
Trails, art and the water
Mount Galiano
At 314 meters, Mount Galiano is the island's highest point, and the summit rewards hikers with views over the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands and the distant mainland mountains.
Bodega Ridge
Bodega Ridge and Bluffs Park offer more vantage points across the other Gulf Islands, as far as the mountains of Washington State. Depending on where you hike, you may see orcas in the water, bald eagles overhead and deer in the trees.
Gray Peninsula and Retreat Cove
The western coast, facing Trincomali Channel, is known for its sandstone formations and caves. Gray Peninsula has rippling patterns carved by glaciers and tides, and Retreat Cove has a sandstone sea cave shaped by erosion.
The Kunamokst Mural and the studios
The Kunamokst Mural is a collaborative work by more than 180 artists, showing West Coast sea life. It is displayed at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa.
Active Pass and Prevost Island
Orcas follow salmon through Active Pass in pods, and seals gather on reefs and islets around the island. A whale watching tour is the best way to see them, or you can paddle sheltered waters yourself.
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Food and local flavors
Galiano's menus lean on the cold waters of the Salish Sea. Dungeness crab is one of the best-known shellfish of the west coast, and spot prawns, harvested for a short window in spring, taste sweet and fresh.
The Hummingbird Pub is a local gathering place with live music in summer, and a free bus carries people to and from it. Galiano also hosts a wine festival on the second Saturday of August and a fiesta on the August long weekend.
Popular dishes to try in Galiano Island
Where to stay
Choices include inns, cottages and campgrounds, and summer fills up fast, so book early. Sturdies Bay is the ferry village, where shops, cafes and galleries sit within walking distance of the terminal, and it suits travelers without a car.
Dionisio Point offers camping with beaches nearby, accessible on foot or by boat, and suits those who want quiet and adventure. Retreat Cove is a calm area on the island's western side that suits anyone wanting solitude, so check current rentals before you go.
Where to stay in Galiano Island
Best time to visit
Galiano has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, which means dry, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. June to September is the main season for hiking, kayaking and beach days, and the ferries run more often. The Galiano International Wine Festival is held outdoors on the second Saturday of August, and the Galiano Fiesta takes place on the August long weekend.
Getting there and getting around
BC Ferries serves Sturdies Bay from Tsawwassen on a crossing of about 55 minutes, with two sailings a day in quiet months and up to four in summer. Sailings from Swartz Bay near Victoria take roughly an hour and ten minutes direct, and some island-hopper routes stop at other islands.
There is no public transit on the island. Roads cross its length, so a car is useful, though you can leave it on the mainland and travel as a foot passenger.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Arrive at Sturdies Bay, walk to Bellhouse Provincial Park and browse the village galleries.
Second day
Hike Mount Galiano in the morning for panoramic views, then visit Bodega Ridge or a studio in the afternoon.
Third day
Join a whale watching tour or paddle sheltered waters, then catch an afternoon ferry home.
Practical tips
- Reserve your ferry and leave extra time in summer.
- Pick up a printed island map at the visitor booth, since trail signs are limited.
- Carry water and snacks when heading north, where services are scarce.
- Check tide tables before visiting Gray Peninsula or Retreat Cove.
- Watch the currents at Porlier Pass if boating or paddling.
