1 of 2
Tourism Vancouver Island Tourism - Ben Giesbrecht
Take a hike on Galiano to see its real beauty.
2 of 2
Tourism Vancouver Island Tourism - Ben Giesbrecht
Galiano’s rustic yet scenic shoreline
Galiano Island
Words by Steve Fennell
Galiano Island is located between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland on the west side of the Strait of Georgia. As Galiano is just 27.5 km (17 mi) from one end to the other and 6 km (4 mi) at its widest point, it isn’t the largest island in the region. Yet, with its series of boating amenities, accommodations, dining and shopping, plus a series of provincial parks that lay within, the island provides the best of both worlds for city dwellers looking for getaway or an outdoor enthusiast seeking nature at its finest.
One of the great aspects of Galiano is the number of mooring options for transient boaters. A popular spot is Montague Harbour Marina. It’s located on the south shore of Galiano Harbour and is considered one of the most protected harbors in all the Gulf Islands, making it easy to access and manoeuvre into a slip. In addition to serving ethanol-free marine gas and diesel, the on-site grocery store sells the essentials, along with clothing, boating supplies, gift items, and fishing gear, if needed. It also offers bike, moped, and kayak rentals to make it easier getting around the island.
Alan
At anchor in Montague Harbour.
Other mooring options on Galiano include public moorage at Montague Harbour Dock with three floats, Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park with mooring buoys, The Galiano Inn (that can be reserved by the public), plus government docks at Retreat Cove (mid-island), as well as Whaler Bay and Sturdies Bay at the south end of the island.
While scenic from the shore with towering pines, Galiano’s true attraction is the series of provincial parks. The oldest – and perhaps the most popular – is Montague Marine Provincial Park. It’s accessible by mooring at one of the 35 buoys in Montague Harbour and once on land, entry into the park is by going up the Shell Beach Staircase, located on the north-west side of the lagoon, just south of the boat launch.
An interesting ecological fact is the park rises from five metres below sea level to an elevation of 180 metres with a steep, rocky precipice. At 102 hectares, the terrain is diverse. There are white shell beaches located on north side while tidal lagoons, open meadows, lush forests and craggy headlands provide something for everyone to admire.
There’s also Dionisio Point Provincial Park at the Northwestern tip of the island. One of the great things about visiting Dionisio is its only accessible by boat. It consists of 142 hectares and the terrain ranges from with rocky headlands, sandy beaches, forested uplands and picturesque bays. If you stroll along the shoreline, you’ll discover unique, sculpted sandstone shelves, pebble sand beaches, even meadows with natural wildflowers. There’s also stunning nature in the tide pools where you can often find an array of sea-stars, nudibranchs and chitons.
While Galiano is always enjoyable to explore, there are also many services to provide all the comforts of home. Accommodations range from bed & breakfasts, cabins, and vacation homes to hotels and resorts. For example, The Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa is popular among visitors for its services and amenities. For 2019, however, guests can expect even more comfort and convenience as renovations have been made to its Oceanview Spa Suites rooms, providing a more stylish ambient atmosphere with entirely new furniture, bathroom fixtures, rich laminate flooring and paint schemes to better complement the overall décor.
Further, the room’s classic wood burning fireplace will remain, while other upgrades are new patio furniture, wardrobes and custom cabinets that house the bar fridge, microwave, coffee station and glassware. Also, expect to see changes to the on-site villas for 2019 with more to come in 2020. Some of the modifications include updated showers, new throw rugs, and even "Smart" thermostats to better control heat. In addition, the resort announced renovations to its lobby, outdoor patio, and re-branded of the Madrona del Mar Spa plus The Atrevida Restaurant and Atrevida Lounge. New docks with electrical power will also be added.
Another option to consider is Bodega Ridge that offers of a series of stylish, spacious cabins, all featuring three bedrooms, a living room, plus a full kitchen and bath. They can comfortably sleep six and all bedrooms have a queen-size bed, making it a great choice for families or large groups. They also added a few new cabins in 2018 for more availability this coming season.
More peacefulness on Galiano can be found at Woodstone Manor. It’s situated on nine acres of private forested land, just a five-minute drive from Sturdies Bay Ferry Terminal (or from the Montague Harbour Marina) and offers only 12 luxurious rooms, making it ideal for intimate weddings, family gatherings, or secluded getaways for two. All rooms are tastefully decorated and the grounds include an expansive outdoor stone patio plus a 43-seat dining area that will be available with extended dining options starting in 2019.
Great shopping and dining can be enjoyed as well on Galiano. Perhaps try the offerings at The Crane and Robin, which is located at Montague Marina or The Hummingbird Pub, which conveniently offers a bus service to and from the marina.
With a series of restaurants, shops and accommodations, plus the opportunity to visit a series of stunning provincial parks, Galiano Island can provide a quiet weekend getaway or great stop over with many options to relax and unwind after a long day (or days) on the water.
For more information visit www.galianoisland.com
Les Williams
The skies are well, breathtaking in the region.
At Montague Harbor Marine Park, Galiano Island BC