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Gulf Islands

May 29, 2009 | Tips from Us > Galiano Island, Beaches & Swimming

The Southern Gulf Islands have always been a special place for me: my family has had a cabin on Galiano Island for many decades. For me, the island is a place to relax and unwind, for lazy walks down sandstone beaches, exploring tidepools on the shore, kayak excursions and bike rides.

 

This photo is at Bellhouse Park on Galiano, which overlooks Active Pass and the ferry traffic that travels through it. At low tide, with a little bit of scrambling over seaweed and rocks, it's easy to walk along the waterfront from Sturdies Bay to the point where the park is located, and around the corner to the next little bay with a sandy beach (both bays as well as the park have public access from the roadway). Along the shore the soft sandstone rock takes on weird and wonderful shapes from the force of the water.

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Posted by Janice , at 11:14 AM

Galiano Island - amazing

August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Galiano Island, Beaches & Swimming

After an enchanting walk through the forest at the Northern tip of Galiano - 6 and 5 year olds in tow - we came to the ocean.  Dionisio Point Provincial Park is amazing.  Hours were spent looking at tidal pools, logs, rocks, beaches and a incredible view.  We saw only a couple other people and felt like we were seeing the land and sea just as the people who lived there 7,000 years ago did.  I have rarely experienced waterfront in such purity and I was thrilled to share it with my daughter.

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Posted by Darci, Vancouver at 12:39 PM

Easiest travel destination that saves $$$

June 24, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Galiano Island, Accommodations
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 My husband and I wanted to go to the Westcoast, but after buying tickets to fly there our vacation expenses were piling up.  How could we get any waterfront rental and stay within our budget?  We were starting to feel that it wasn't even worth doing if we had to sit somewhere inland since we could find a similar place here - Ontario, north of Toronto.  I grew up on the west coast and definitely was missing the sea - but wanted the ocean as a close part of our holiday.  We came across a website: www.gulfislandwaterfront.com

and our needs were answered.  Not only was it REALLY reasonable but its location was perfect (waterfront and beautiful view) as well as it could save us money.   We decided to do as the website recommended and save money.  We caught the bus to the ferry terminal (schedules are on the site)instead of the expense of renting a car and drivignon the ferry.  BC Ferries loaded our stuff on a van that was unloaded on the other side.  The cottage was just a four minute walk.  To our delight, everything we needed was within walking distance (very close but not on top of us) and we had our own staircase to the beach.  We never even felt like we needed to add any additional activity as we were having wonderful walks everywhere, seeing lots of deer, eagles and seals whenever we went out.  The cottage was an intimate size to just be together. The sunroom was a favourite and my hubby loved the arbutus arching right outside the window.  It's a quintessential stop and Galiano was our favourite of the gulfislands that we've seen so far.  We'll be back there again. Thanks

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Posted by island girl, Guelph at 04:39 PM

Gulf Islands

February 22, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Galiano Island, Kayaking (Ocean)

Found ourselves getting in a rut with repeated visits to the San Juan Islands, so tried out the Canadian side with great enjoyment (Galiano and Salt Spring Islands). Wonderful opportunities for kayaking, unique B and B's. Highly recommended!

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Posted by adsley, portland at 03:40 PM