Galiano Island is known as the "jewel of the Gulf Islands" for its unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant arts and culture, and relaxed atmosphere. It is a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat with access to outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and whale watching, as well as local markets and art galleries.
The ferry from Tsawwassen Bay to Sturdies Bay is around 1 hour.
Here are some notable spots from Galiano Island.
Sandstone area behind Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa
This area is located behind the garden. It is so quiet and serene.
Bellhouse Provincial Park
Located on Burrill Point, this park offers spectacular views of busy Active Pass, Mayne Island and the Strait of Georgia and is a great vantage point from which to observe the ferries passing between the Gulf Islands. If you are lucky, you might see pods of Orca killer whales transiting through Active Pass.
Bluffs Park Lookout
You can either hike or drive here. The park explores bluffs and cliffs decorated in arbutus and Garry Oak trees. The trails and cliffside viewpoints showcase marine and ocean views. The views reach as far as Salt Spring Island and include Mayne Island, Active Pass, Navy Channel and the Pender Islands.
Morning Beach
This charming and small beach consists of small rocks. Sit here and admire the ocean.
Galiano Island Farmers Market (Saturdays)
The farmers’ market is open for the season, and features many great land interesting local vendors, selling food, produce, ceramics and artwork. There was a local musician playing, which enhanced the lively atmosphere. I really enjoyed the cacao husk tea and truffles offered by Galiano Chocolates, as well as some challah bread from Tall Trees Bakery.
Bodega Ridge Trail (8km)
Credit: https://bcparks.ca/bodega-ridge-park/
Amazing views, wildlife and unique natural features are just a few of the reasons to visit Bodega Ridge Park, located on Galiano Island in the southern Gulf Islands.
The most stunning view of this day-use only park is a 4 km ridge rising 328 metres above sea level. The top of the ridge can be reached in approximately 30 minutes via a trail that leads uphill along the top of Bodega Ridge, through a forested area and along the cliff edge. From the top, hikers will be rewarded with spectacular vistas of Trincomali Channel, Vancouver Island and the Strait of Georgia.
Although the ridge area is exposed, there are a lot of shaded section in the forest area, which gives a nice reprieve from the sunlight. Be careful while on the ridge as certain portions are narrow, and there are hazardous signs warning of steep areas.
The park’s high cliffs are home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. Unique sandstone formations on the water’s edge below support large wildflower populations, which are known for their splendour and can be enjoyed by passing boaters and paddlers.
We hiked around 5km return trip, as there was a lot of overgrowth past approximately the 2.5km mark, and there did not seem to be many scenic views past that point.
Lover’s Leap Viewpoint
Lover's Leap is a viewpoint overlooking Wallace Island and Trincomali Channel from Bodega Ridge Provincial Park. It is a nice view if you do not plan on doing some of the hikes with better views.
Mount Galiano Trail (6km, 282m elevation gain)
The summit of Mount Galiano is the highest point on Galiano Island.
Considered a moderately challenging route, this trail has some pretty steep elevation gain at the start, and then more gradual inclines later on. A lot of the trail is in the forest, which offers nice shade. The path is quite wide. Be careful when coming down as you there are some downhill areas to navigate.
Once you are at the summit, you will feel like you’re on top of the world. It provides hikers with stunning southward views over Trincomali Channel, the Southern Gulf Islands & beyond.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park Gray Point Trail (2km)
Credit: https://bcparks.ca/montague-harbour-marine-park/
Montague Harbour Marine Park offers sights of beaches, open meadows, tidal lagoons, towering forests, craggy headlands and abundant bird life. It is a lovely place to have a picnic, go kayaking or watch boats.
It is an easy and popular loop trail hugging the shoreline in Montague Harbor Marine Provincial Park on Galiano Island. It's generally considered an easy hike, offering scenic views and access to several beautiful beaches, including a white shell beach The trail is well-maintained and offers a flat loop that's great for a casual walk or family outing.
Yellowhouse Arts Centre
Centrally located within a short walking distance from the Sturdies Bay Ferry Terminal, Yellowhouse Art Centre Society is a non-profit Community Arts Organization.
It is a platform for free artistic expression, a makery as well as a contemporary art gallery. Their goal is to help inspire and facilitate creativity in our community and beyond.
The current exhibition is Jeanne Erickson’s art. Her art beautifully depicts the romanticized realism of nature in Galiano Island.
Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa
We enjoyed massages from an RMT at this idyllic location. It was very relaxing, and the service was great.
Galiano Community Hall
The roadside soup and bread sign caught our eye, and we discovered great value with their $5 soup (bottomless) and bread on Monday, from 12:30-1:30pm. There was a variety of delicious soups, such as potato leek soup, roasted corn and red potato soup, golden curry lentil soup, african yam soup and tomato and white bean soup. It was a nice way to experience the community. They also offer frozen meals for $6-8 which are a convenient option for locals and tourists.
Interestingly and coincidentally, I bumped into my friend from university. What an unexpected place to bump into an old friend!
Sandstone Caves at Retreat Cove
A hidden gem, the sandstone cave is near the dock at Retreat Cove. Park before the dock, and head to the left and downwards before the dock. Walk around 80m, and you will see the wondrous cave.
The shores of Galiano Island are lined with a network of sea caves that have been carved by nature into its soft sandstone, and the sandstone formations are breathtaking. The side of the sandstone has been erodedover centuries, leaving some wonderfully mesmerizing patterns. It was nice and smooth, having been eroded over time by the waves. Listening to the waves while enjoying a picturesque view was paradise. It is truly a sight to behold, with such dreamy scenery to admire from the cave. The wild beauty of Galiano Island was gorgeous.
Pebble Beach
It takes around 25 minutes each way to hike to Pebble Beach. Relax at Pebble Beach, named for its smooth, perfect-skipping stone pebbles. When the tide is low, observe intertidal creatures in sandstone channels and tidepools.
Eateries:
Babes in the Woods
Delicious thin crust pizza and very friendly service.
Pink Geranium Cafe
This is a really hip and popular cafe. It has a charming ambience and the menu looks delicious. My husband enjoyed a de-caffeinated flat white coffee.
A short walk away from the cafe and Bodega Cove accommodation is a beach access. Be careful not to trespass the private properties areas. A short walk down, the soft lapping of the sea awaits you. It was truly entrancing and peaceful.
Wild1 Cookhouse Thai & Seasonal Cuisine
Highly rated, the Thai food here was definitely comforting. We enjoyed the green curry with tofu and yellow curry with seafood. Our dishes were hearty and soul-warming. This was a delightful break from cooking our own meals.
Service was friendly, and they were kind to offer us some complimentary pakoras which had a spicy zing to them as a snack.
Max and Moritz Spicy Island Food
This food truck is located right by the Sturdies Bay Terminal. It serves Indonesian and German cuisines. We enjoyed a burger.
