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Galiano
Island
Galiano Island is located in the Gulf Islands east of the northern
half of Saltspring Island across
Trincomali Channel and directly west over the Strait of Georgia
from Tsawwassen
and north of Mayne Island across
Active Pass.
BC
Ferries
To get here you can take the regular scheduled BC Ferries sailing
from either Tsawwassen,
Swartz Bay or through the other Gulf Islands. The ferries arrive
at the Sturdies Bay Ferry Terminal near the south end of Galiano
Island.
Bodega
Ridge
The island itself is quite narrow, around 27 km (17 miles) long,
with roads travelling north almost to the northern tip of Dionisio
Point. Bodega Ridge rises to around 328 metres (1,076 feet) above
sea level for about 4 km (2.5 miles) of the island with the land
sloping into the ocean on both the east and west sides.
Sturdies
Bay
The community of Sturdies Bay is the main centre for Galiano Island.
There are a number of commercial enterprises including the Hummingbird
Pub, a great place to eat, located right on the water. The rest
of the community including the Trincomali Bakery & Deli and
Scoops Ice Cream & Burger Bar are located going north along
Sturdies Bay Road leaving the community towards Montague Harbour.
Montague
Harbour Marine Provincial Park
Located on the south-west side facing Saltspring Island is Montague
Harbour Marine Provincial Park about 10 km (6 miles) north-west
of Sturdies Bay. Just a short walking distance from Montague Harbour
Marine Provincial Park is Montague Harbour Marina.
Camping
on Galiano Island
Very
popular with sail boaters from all over the world, Montague Harbour
Marine Provincial Park is a great spot to stay if you are camping
and travelling the Gulf Islands. Campground reservations are accepted
but because of its popularity, plan to reserve your stay early.
Hummingbird
Pub
Montague Harbour has great swimming, hiking trails, boating and
kayaking. The beach and access to the moorage floats for the boats
are tremendous. A plus about Montague Harbour is the famous and
friendly bus service on a regular schedule during the summer that
is provided by the Hummingbird Pub, an excellent establishment featuring
folk music and good food.
CRD
Trails and Parks
For outdoor recreation areas besides Montague Harbour, there are
other provincial parks plus a number of CRD-managed trails and community
parks protecting ecological zones. Other parks worth visiting feature
beautiful ocean landscapes with some remarkable fields of wildflowers
and birds including bald eagles found throughout the island.
Dionisio
Point Provincial Park
Named after Dionisio Galiano of Spain to whom the island is named
after Dionisio Point Provincial Park provides great access to the
ocean waterfront. Dionisio Point is located on the northern tip
of Galiano Island overlooking Porlier Pass and Valdes Island and
has to be accessed by water only with no-through roads.
Bodega
Ridge Provincial Park
With the establishment of Bodega Ridge Provincial Park, you'll have
access to some unreal ocean viewpoints. The park features a 4 km
(2.5 miles) trail that takes around 30 minutes to the top of Bodega
Ridge where you can see all around Vancouver Island, the Strait
of Georgia and Trincomali Channel.
Galiano
Inn and Spa
For complete pampering and ultimate in relaxation, try visiting
the Galiano Inn which is located on 134 Madrona Drive. Operating
in one form or another since the early 1900's,the Galiano Inn and
Spa features a waterfront location, suites and a very intimate restaurant
called Atrevida offering beautiful views of Sturdies Bay and Active
Pass.
Galiano
Health Care Centre
If you are contemplating retiring to Galiano, there is a small clinic
and health facilities that are provided by the Galiano Health Care
Centre.
Bicycle
the Island
To avoid the crowds and ferry problems with your vehicle one of
the easiest ways to see Galiano Island is by using a bicycle. First
on and first off you can park your car at either Swartz Bay or Tsawwassen
ferry terminals. Once on Galiano Island, unless you are travelling
to the far north, everything is very close and handy for viewing
most of the island.
Floatplane
Service to Galiano Island
If you would prefer to access the Island, besides the ferry there
is a regular scheduled floatplane service from Vancouver International
Airport seaplane terminal offered by Seair and, from the Vancouver
Harbour, by Harbour Air.
Information
on Galiano Island
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