The coastline is never more than a few minutes away no matter where one is on Galiano Island.
Get to the water at one of 69 access points. Swim at Montague Harbour and Cable Bay. Or sail past the cliffs and fantastical carved sandstone coastline in a boat or kayak.
Pleasure Boating
Montague Harbour Marina is among the most popular stops in the Gulf Islands archepelgo, which in turn is widely recognized as one of the top pleasure cruising regions in the world. Guest moorage space is available at the marina, and it's wise to book ahead when regional sailors are bee-lining here in the summer. Amenities include a fuel dock, grocery store, restaurant and rental facilities for mopeds, kayaks, motorboats, and bikes.
Mooring buoys are available in sheltered Montague Harbour. Drop anchor here, in Retreat Cove further north along the coastline and in pretty Whaler Bay in Galiano's southeast corner.
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The Sturdies Bay dock offers limited moorage and it's not the most peaceful spot to overnight given the wake kicked up by passing ferries. The Galiano Inn is constructing a more sheltered dock in the bay.
Kayaking
Steering clear of the riptides at the island's north (Porlier Pass) and south (Active Pass) ends, kayakers opt for the sheltered waters of the Trincomali Channel on the west coast. Best spots to set out for a day outing are Montague Harbour (which puts Parker Island and the Ballingall Islets in easy paddling distance) or Retreat Cove (with its remarkable shoreline caves and Wallace Island Provincial Marine Park offshore).
The Galiano division of Gulf Island Kayaking offers rentals and guided tours. Experienced paddlers who can navigate their way through Porlier Pass make strokes for the unspoiled Dionisio Point Provincial Park from such north-end departure points as the Spanish Hills dock or the beach at Spotlight Cove.
Fishing
Salmon, Red Snapper, and Cod swim in local waters. Purchase fishing licenses and rent boats at Montague Harbour Marina. Or contact Nick Stamatiou for charter fishing outings aboard his powerboat the Sporades. Peter Sara's Active Pass Charters on Mayne Island is also in the neighborhood.
Shoreline Access Points
The barbeque pits and white shell beaches at Montague Harbour Provincial Park are perhaps the best spot on the island for a family waterfront picnic. Those wishing to avoid the crowds can hike in to Pebble Beach on the northeast coast or cautiously descend the steep path to the foot of Matthews Point Park facing Active Pass.
Outside of the park system, nearly 70 green "shore access" signs around the island offer quick and easy routes to the water from public roads. Parking is restricted at many of these pullovers, but those seeking a deserted point of scenic beauty will soon find a spot to themselves.
Greenwater Beach at the end of Cain Road (off Sturdies Bay Road near the ferry terminal) delivers morning sun and views of nearby Gossip Island. The kid-friendly Scorpion Shore Access is next to the heritage Bellhouse Inn right on the edge of Active Pass. Look back at Vancouver from the rock slab shoreline paralleling Sticks Allison Road. And enjoy Trincomali Channel sunsets from stops along Porlier Pass Road, among them Saltery Bay and the Heather access near the Spanish Hills dock.
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