From Wikitravel

Galiano Island lies to the north-east of Saltspring Island off the East coast of Vancouver Island.

[edit] Getting to Galiano

Galiano Island is the closest and most convenient to Vancouver (and the U.S. border) of all of the Southern Gulf Islands, and in most cases it is the first stop on the BC Ferries route to the islands, only 50 minutes. In the quiet season there are just two ferries a day from Tsawwassen, the mainland terminal near Vancouver, and in the busier summer months, there may be up to 4 sailings a day. 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 (see "Getting Around") on the mainland, and travel as a foot passenger to see Galiano.

Visitors can also travel via Victoria (Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal) on Vancouver Island. There are several sailings a day, ranging from direct 1 hour and 10 minute sailings, to multi-stop island commuter ferries. These sailings are not reservable.

There is an "airport" in Montague Harbour, for float plane service, including regular scheduled service from the dock near Vancouver International Airport, with a connecting shuttle and complimentary parking.

Regularly scheduled service:

• Seair, 1-800-447-3247
• Saltspring Air, 1-877-537-9880

Charter service:

• Harbour Air (from Vancouver)
• Kenmore Air (from Seattle)

Visitors and residents arriving by boat can certainly find lots of moorage space. Montague Harbour has moorage, gas dock and some limited facilities. Government docks at Sturdies Bay and Whalers Bay allow transient boaters for a minimal charge, on a first come, first served basis.

[edit] Getting Around Galiano

Galiano is the second largest of the Southern Gulf Islands: approximately 40 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. Luckily there are options, if you choose to leave your car behind

• Rent a moped (250-539-0233)
• Rent a bicycle (250-539-9906)
• Take a Kayak tour or rent a kayak (250-539-2442)
• Rent a boat (250-539-0233)
• Take a taxi (250-539-0202)

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.

[edit][add listing] See

Galiano Island, quite simply, is simply beautiful. It is very undeveloped, having had most of its land left as either forest lands or as residential. It is the one island of the Southern Gulf Islands that has beautiful beaches, and they vary from the beautiful shell Indian midden at Montague Beach to the warm sands of Morning Beach, to the hidden sandstone pleasures of Coon Bay and the long stretches of pebbled beach at Pebble Beach and Cable Bay.

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.

Bicycle and mountain biking trails are definitely strenuous, but well worth it. Just ensure that you stock up on water and supplies when leaving the village of Sturdies Bay, or at the Corner Store just 3 kilometers further but still on the South End, as there are no shops or services traveling north on the island.

The best way to experience the island is by water: rent a kayak or take a sunset kayak tour, it is so easy in the sheltered waters of the Island and the islets that surround Galiano. Or take an eco tour with a gracious Greek Canadian fisherman and visit bird colonies and sea lion rocks and, hopefully, spot the Orca whales that the island is famous for.

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[edit] Get out

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