Recreational activity or recumbent relaxation, Galiano Island offers no shortage of things to do (or, if preferred, not do).
Montague Harbour welcomes pleasure boaters in the summer, and it's a routine stop for incoming traffic from along the Pacfic coast. It's a chief departure point for kayakers paddling the Dali-esque, wave-carved sandstone coastline or heading off to stops in the Gulf Island National Park Reserve. Rent hardshells or sign up for guided tours with the marina-based Gulf Island Kayaking.
The outflow of relatively warm (compared to ocean temps elsewhere on the west coast) water from BC's Fraser River influences Galiano's east coast, and that makes Pebble Beach a favourite spot for swimmers. More popular, safer, and accessible are the white shell beaches at Montague Harbour.
The intertidal pools at Dionisio Point's Parry Lagoon campground are one of the rewards for those who kayak or boat to this otherwise inaccessible (until private property issues are resolved) provincial park.
Whale Watching
Head out on a whale-watching expedition with Gulf Islands Safaris, a regional charter operator that picks up zodiac passengers at Montague Harbour and Sturdies Bay. Or patiently wait for a sighting from a perch at Bellhouse Provincial Park. Locals claim that J-pod residents tend to swim past in the mid-afternoon.
Land Activities
The Galiano Golf and Country Club's nine-hole course (rated at par 64 over two rounds) is nicely groomed and deceptively tricky. The clubhouse can supply rental gear and motorized carts. While she or he swings the short irons, golf widows/widowers can destress in Sturdies Bay with a treatment at the Galiano Inn's luxurious Madrona del Mar Spa or the nearby Kasan Healing Centre.
A shopping/browsing run through the village will include stops at Art and Soul Gallery (specializing in BC crafts), Ixchel Gifts (fair trade products), Islands Edge Art Gallery, Galiano Island Books and the Twirly Tree Shop (art and all kinds of made-on-Galiano items). On Madrona Road right next to the ferry terminal, engage in lively conversations with the bibliophiles at Galiano Island Books and purchase cold-climate BC wines at the Galiano Inn's Vintages Wine Shop.
Easy to moderately difficult hiking trails are dotted around the island. The route along Bodega Ridge is a delight, even if a maturing forest is beginning to obscure some of the spectacular views. Follow an old forestry road on the Cable Bay/Pebble Beach loop route. Or drive right up to the viewpoint at the Bluffs. Toughest route? The 45-minute climb to the top of Mount Galiano. For a genuinely challenging workout, bring a bike and cycle around the island's huff-and-puff terrain.
Music, Events and Festivals
Bands and singer-songwriters are summertime regulars in venues like the Grand Central Emporium and Hummingbird Pub. The Galiano Concert Society presents an annual series at the cozy South Galiano Community Hall. New art exhibits are routinely mounted at various island galleries and home studios. A summer Farmer's Market is held at the Lion's Hall on Saturdays.
Topping the festival calendar here is the Galiano Wine Festival on the second Saturday in August. A fundraiser for the Galiano Health Care Centre, it draws a big crowd to Lion's Park (912 Burrill Road, a 20-minute walk from the ferry) for unlimited tastings and delicious appetizers.
The wine fest follows two events on the August holiday weekend: the family-oriented Galiano Lion's Club Fiesta and an annual open-house art tour. A month earlier, the Canada Day Jambouree is held on the grounds of the North Galiano Community Centre. Blackberry and mushroom festivals are held later in the fall.
Where to Begin
The Galiano Chamber of Commerce's information booth is on the right side of Sturdies Bay Road a few hundred meters up from the ferry dock. In the summer, a staff member is on hand to field questions. The year-round brochure rack is stocked with accommodations fliers, info on transportation rentals (kayaks, mopeds, bikes and boats) and the annually updated Galiano Visitor's Guide. The latter includes a good map and is also available for free aboard BC Ferries sailings to the island.
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