Next on our quest to visit all of BC’s Southern Gulf Islands, we travelled to Galiano Island for two nights in October 2021. This was our first overnight trip with our baby girl (she was eight months old at the time). We were so excited, and a little nervous, to travel with a baby. Luckily, the trip was easy enough logistically that we minimized a lot of first-time parent stress, and it helped that our daughter LOVED every minute of it. We may not have been able to do all the things we would have done without her, but we were still able to see a good chunk of the island and we made memories as a family that we will cherish forever. So, read on for our tips on what to see and do on Galiano Island!
There is a convenient direct ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen terminal) to Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay terminal). It doesn’t have many daily sailings so make sure to check the BC Ferries schedule and make a reservation in advance.
You could also make your way over to Galiano via seaplane, but this is an option we’ve never looked into.
We actually chose our accommodation first when deciding which island to visit next, and would definitely recommend Bodega Cove.
There are two properties owned by the same group, Bodega Ridge and Bodega Cove. Bodega Ridge is the original (seven 3-bedroom log cabins on a lovely 22-acre rural property) and Bodega Cove opened more recently (five 1-2 bedroom beautifully restored cabins just down the street and closer to the ocean).
The 2-bedroom Bodega Cove cabin was comfortable and perfect for our needs. Every detail was thoughtfully and beautifully designed.
While the cabins are not right on the water, they are across the main road from the ocean and it is only a few minutes to get to their private beach access. We caught a beautiful sunset on our first night.
Since we travelled in the off-season, our options for eating out were a bit limited, but we were lucky to still have some great places open while we were there.
This bakery is right by the ferry terminal and offers a wide selection of delicious drinks, baked goods and sandwiches. We visited them every single day. Their pumpkin tarts are something else, especially paired with their London fog. Don’t miss out if you’re visiting in the fall!
We were lucky to arrive on Thanksgiving and picked up an incredible turkey dinner from Woodstone Manor to eat in our cabin. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and pumpkin pie. It was all perfection.
Located next to some cute shops and galleries, this restaurant is a great option for a casual lunch or dinner. They have everything from pizzas to stir-fries, so you’re sure to find a good option for everyone.
This lovely organic food and specialty food grocery store is definitely worth a visit if you want to get fresh ingredients for making a meal yourself, or just for some fruit and snacks.
Other places we wanted to try that we weren’t able to due to our schedule were Pilgrimme and Atrevida.
Bellhouse Provincial Park
A small day-use park on Burrill Point, Bellhouse Provincial Park is a nice spot for a picnic overlooking the harbour or for a wander along the rocky coastline.
Bluffs Park Lookout
You can choose to hike to this lookout from near the ferry terminal, or drive up to the top where there is a small parking lot for 5-6 cars. There are plenty of spots along the trail where you can stop to enjoy the gorgeous view of the other Southern Gulf Islands.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park
A lovely place to spend a morning or afternoon, this park has it all: a unique white shell beach, open meadows, tidal lagoons and coastline trails.
Morning Beach
Located on the northeast side of the island, this spot is great for catching the sunrise (although we went in the evening), with benches spread out for taking in the views and very easy shore access to a small white sand beach.
Galiano Island Soap Works
Local soaps and bath products made from all-natural ingredients. We stocked up on soap from here while we were visiting!
Other places we would have visited if we had the time (or if we weren’t travelling with a baby) were Mount Galiano, Dionisio Point Provincial Park, and Retreat Cove.
We always appreciate coastal island life for its slower pace, beautiful views and thoughtful lodging options. Galiano Island is certainly worth a visit at any time of year, and we’ll for sure be back to explore more of it as our daughter gets older!
Happy travels,
Maria