Galiano Island

🌊 Galiano Island by Sea

Untouched Beauty & Island Charm Just a Boat Ride Away

Galiano Island stretches 27.5 km across the Salish Sea, combining rugged natural beauty with a creative, welcoming spirit. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or spending a relaxed afternoon exploring, Galiano is a place to slow down and savor the moment.

🧭 Why Visit Galiano by Boat?

Approaching Galiano by boat is part of the adventure. Cruising through the scenic Pender Canal and along the island’s western coastline offers a peaceful, traffic-free entry to the island.

Keep watch for:

• 🐋 Orcas and dolphins

• 🦭 Harbor seals and sea lions

• 🐬 Porpoises and, occasionally, humpback whales

Pulling into Sturdies Bay, you’ll experience Galiano as it was meant to be discovered—by sea.

🌿 Activities & Adventures

🚶‍♂️ Hiking & Biking
Explore mossy forests, open ridges, and quiet backroads. Don’t miss Bodega Ridge and Bluff Park for some of the best island views.

🐋 Wildlife Viewing
The waters around Active Pass are rich with marine life. Orcas, seals, and sea lions are common sights from shore.

🦅 Birdwatching
With over 150 species, Galiano is a top birding destination. Prime spots include:

• Montague Harbour

• Bellhouse Park

• The Bluffs

• Bodega Ridge

🏖️ Beachcombing & Fishing
From pebbled beaches to sandstone headlands, Galiano’s coastline is perfect for slow wandering and shoreline discoveries.

🌲 Dionisio Point Provincial Park
Accessible only by water, this secluded park features coastal trails, tidal lagoons, and stunning ocean views.

🧑‍🍳 Food & Dining

Galiano’s food scene blends rustic charm with coastal flavor. Enjoy everything from gourmet meals to homemade pastries.

Top picks include:
🍽️ Harbour Grill Restaurant
🥐 Sturdies Bay Bakery & Café
🥂 Atrevida Oceanfront Restaurant
🍺 Hummingbird Pub
🍲 La Berengerie

🎨 Arts & Artisan Culture

The island is home to a vibrant arts community. Local studios and galleries offer a chance to meet artists and take home a handcrafted piece of Galiano.

Don’t miss:
🌀 Galiano Twirly Tree Shop
🖼️ Art & Souls Craft Gallery
🖌️ Shera Street’s Serenity Gallery
🏺 Cedar Grove Pottery

🏺 History & Indigenous Roots

Galiano is part of the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, whose deep connection to this land dates back thousands of years.

• 🐚 Shell middens over 3,000 years old can still be seen at Montague Harbour.

• ⛵ Named after Spanish explorer Dionisio Alcalá Galiano, who mapped the coast in 1792.

• 🧑‍🌾 In the settler era, residents fished, raised sheep, and rowed across Active Pass to Mayne Island for supplies and social gatherings.

🌅 Make It a Memorable Stop

Whether you’re stretching your legs on a trail, beachcombing for tide-washed treasures, or enjoying a slow lunch with a view, Galiano Island offers a rich blend of nature, culture, and calm—best experienced by boat.