Galiano Island

Getting there

By boat Galiano Island is the closest and most convenient to Vancouver. Galiano is the perfect island for "island hopping." Visitors can stay on Galiano, and use BC Ferries (or a summer water taxi) for visits to other islands, returning to Galiano at the end of the day.

By ferry BC Ferries, toll-free: +1-888-223-3779. Car ferries connecting the larger of the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring, and Saturna) with Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta and Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal near Sidney. Free reservations are strongly recommended, especially in the summer and can be made online or by phone. (updated Jun 2022) 1 Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay) ferry terminal, 2622 Sturdies Bay Road. Is the first stop on the BC Ferries' route to the Southern Gulf Islands from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal, a 55 minutes crossing. In the quiet season there are just two ferries a day from Tsawwassen. In the busier summer months, there may be up to 4 sailings a day. (updated Oct 2023) If traveling with a car, reservations are advisable and there is no additional charge for reserving on the Gulf Islands Route. If you want to, it is very feasible to leave your car behind on the mainland, and travel as a foot passenger to see Galiano. There are several sailings a day from Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal, ranging from direct 1 hour and 10 minute crossings, to multi-stop "island-hopper" ferries.

By water taxi In the summer months only (July and August), a water taxi operates on Saturdays between the dock beside the ferry terminal on Galiano Island and the Village of Ganges on Salt Spring Island. The remainder of the year, the same boat provides school transportation between Galiano Island and Salt Spring Island from Monday to Thursday. Space permitting, non-school passengers can ride the school trips.

By charter boat Private charter boats are also available at the discretion and timing of the passengers which affords gues

Getting around

Galiano is the second largest of the Southern Gulf Islands: approximately 27 kilometers long and very narrow. While hiking can take you to many beautiful places on Galiano, it also helps to have a little assistance with transportation.

By car Roads cross the length of the island.

By public transit There is no public transit on the island. The closest thing the public transit is a free bus for transport to and from the Hummingbird Pub, see Eat section.

Rentals Mopeds, eBikes, and smart cars can be rented on Galiano Island and companies offering those are listed below. For boating and kayaking rental options, see the Do section.

Galiano Adventures, ☏ +1 250-539-0233. Rents mopeds, eBikes, and boats. (updated Apr 2023) Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, 134 Madrona Dr, ☏ +1 250-539-3388, toll-free: +1-877-530-3939, [email protected]. Rents smart cars and eBikes. See listing under Sleep for location marker. (updated Apr 2023)

Maps of the island are available on BC Ferries or at the Chamber of Commerce Information booth, near the ferry terminal. Hiking trails are not well marked on Galiano, nor is there adequate signage. But local people are friendly, and exploration is fun and easy and quite safe. Maps of the Island are available at the Chamber of Commerce Tourism booth at Sturdies Bay and at the "bus shelter" at the Marina.

See

Galiano Island is the most accessible to Vancouver, yet has the most rustic, seemingly untouched places. It is very undeveloped, having had most of its land left as either forest lands or as residential home sites. It is the one island of the Southern Gulf Islands that has beautiful beaches.

1 Bellhouse Provincial Park. Offers views of Active Pass including large BC Ferries passing through it, Mayne Island and the Strait of Georgia. (updated Apr 2023) 2 Cain Beach (accessed from the north end of Cain Rd). Enjoy some quiet and relax or have a picnic at Cain Beach with views of the Strait of Georgia including boats and possibly whales. (updated Apr 2023) 3 Dionisio Point Provincial Park. This park is accessible by boat only or by walking in. It has sandy beaches, such as at Coon Bay (just north of the campground). A good place for fishing, boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing and scuba diving. (updated Apr 2023) 4 Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park. Located about 10 km from the ferry terminal. Enjoy trail walks, watching sunsets from Shell Beach, exploring intertidal life during low tides, and more. Also has a campground, see listing under Sleep. (updated Apr 2023) 5 Pebble Beach Recreation Site (accessed from the north end of McCoskrie Rd). Features long stretches of pebble beaches including at Pebble Beach and at Cable Cove. (updated Apr 2023) 6 Morning Beach (accessed from the east end of Harper Rd). Known for its warm sands. (updated Apr 2023) 7 Kunamokst Mural, 134 Madron Rd (at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa), ☏ +1 250-539-3388, toll-free: +1-877-530-3939. Do not miss the chance to see this famous mural. The collaborative work of over 180 artists created this mural of West Coast sea life. Original works by Robert Bateman, Roy Vickers, Wyland, and many Galiano and British Columbia artists. Daily, at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa. (updated Aug 2022) Gray Peninsula. The rugged shoreline, sculpted from sandstone bedrock, reveals rippling patterns etch

Do

Galiano Island has as many amenities as larger centres, but they are smaller, more one-of-a-kind. There is as much to do on the island (and its surrounding waters) than other vacation places in British Columbia, but without the crowds or signs of urbanization. Many world-class artists make their home on the Gulf Islands, and Galiano is no exception. Be sure to combine the outdoor activities with a visit to an artist's studio, a visit to the spa, and a glass of wine with some live music at a local watering hole.

Island-hopping - Galiano is the Gateway to the Gulf Islands, with easy first-stop ferry access from Vancouver, and many travel options via inter-island ferries to explore the other islands. Spa Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa (Madrona del Mar Spa). See listing under Sleep section for further information. (updated Apr 2023) Art Tour - Take a tour around the island (pick up an Art Tour guide at the Tourism Information Booth or one of the local businesses) and visit some of the great art studios in the forest homes of the artists, or see several of them at Art and Soul Gallery in the Village. Many are walking distance from the ferry, in the Village. Or take a drive to visit artists in their studio galleries throughout the island. See the Buy section for some locations. Hiking - Hiking trails are everywhere, and the vantage points atop Mount Galiano, Bodega Ridge and Bluffs Park present spectacular views across the other Gulf Islands, all the way to the mountains of Washington state. You can also walk along Mathews Park Beach. Depending on where you hike, may be able to see Orcas in ocean, Bald Eagles in air, an