Galiano

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Landon Sveinson Photography/Tourism Vancouver Island
Photo provided by Landon Sveinson Photography/Tourism Vancouver Island
Photo provided by Landon Sveinson Photography/Tourism Vancouver Island
Photo provided by Landon Sveinson Photography/Tourism Vancouver Island
Photo provided by Landon Sveinson Photography/Tourism Vancouver Island

Untouched by development or crowds of tourists, Galiano is an adventure-filled island with spectacular wilderness and plenty of wildlife.

You won’t need to be in Galiano long to understand why it calls itself the “Gem of the Gulf Islands.” Watch whales gliding gracefully through the ocean and climb to the top of a forested peak in untouched wilderness. The few people who live here welcome visitors to the beauty of their island home with lively festivals and year-round entertainment.

Spend your day on a secluded beach lined by forests of pine and cedar. Measuring 17 miles (27 kilometers) from end to end, Galiano Island offers plenty of quiet coastline to discover. Take your camera along to Pebble Beach Reserve and Dionisio Point for photos of tranquil shores.

Experience adventure in the island’s interior. In spite of its size, Galiano is sparsely populated, which means that much of the island remains undeveloped. Hike through the protected parklands of Mount Galiano and Bodega Ridge for spectacular, untouched scenery. Take a mountain bike into the hills or sail a dinghy along the island coastline.

Step aboard a chartered boat departing from Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park to go whale watching in the ocean. Minke, orca and humpback whales are among the different species that visit these waters as they migrate through at different times of the year.

After you’ve had enough nature, explore the village of Sturdies Bay. Browse literature in independent bookstores and wander through charming art galleries. Rejuvenate in one of the island’s spas, where saunas, pools and flotation therapy will relax every muscle in your body.

Galiano is a hub for the network of ferries connecting the various Gulf Islands. Take a boat from here to Salt Spring Island, Mayne Island and other Gulf Islands destinations. To get to Galiano, book a ferry from Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay on Victoria Island.

Plan your visit to coincide with one of Galiano’s lively festivals. August has the Wine and Beer Tasting Festival, February offers a lively Literary Festival and in spring you can witness the unusual celebration known as Nettlefest.

Driftwood Village

Driftwood Village

3 out of 5
205 Bluff Road East, Galiano, BC
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Galiano. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (80 reviews)
"Very sweet little cabins. Lovely property. Not too far to get to a beach. For staying in the summer, though, I do wish there were screens on the windows. Other than that, it was a great stay!"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Driftwood Village
Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo

Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo

2.5 out of 5
809 Island Hwy S, Nanaimo, BC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P6,675 per night from Sep 15 to Sep 16
P6,675
P7,743 total
Sep 15 - Sep 16
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,356 reviews)
Not the best but definitely not the worst.
"I was disappointed in the housekeeping services. Returned to a half cleaned room on the second last day of our stay. However, overall the stay was good. Beds were comfortable. It was a decent location. Shower pressure is not great but it was clean."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo
Motel 6 Saanichton, BC - Victoria Airport

Motel 6 Saanichton, BC - Victoria Airport

2 out of 5
2401 Mt Newton Cross Rd, Saanichton, BC
The price is P7,751 per night from Sep 10 to Sep 11
P7,751
P8,758 total
Sep 10 - Sep 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Saanichton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,719 reviews)
"Staff was friendly and the place was clean. Close to alot of attraction around that area so that is nice. Bonus is that they are dog friendly. Would definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Motel 6 Saanichton, BC - Victoria Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Cottages on Salt Spring Island

The Cottages on Salt Spring Island

3.5 out of 5
315 Robinson Road, Salt Spring Island, BC
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Salt Spring Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Mistaken Identity Vineyards ...
9/10 Wonderful! (319 reviews)
"Love the is cottage! Good for families and friends to share"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
Cusheon Lake Resort

Cusheon Lake Resort

3 out of 5
171 Natalie Lane, Salt Spring Island, BC
Stay at this 3-star beach cabin in Salt Spring Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a private beach. Popular attractions Cusheon Lake and Salt Spring Vineyards ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (216 reviews)
"Amazing...a 3 star that is 5 star for nature lovers! Log cabins with kitchen and comfortable beds, real fire places with ample free dry wood topped up daily, view of the lake. 2 hot tubs and sauna, free access to plenty of canoes, kayaks and paddle boards any time you want, small but good size quiet ..."

Reviewed on May 9, 2025

Cusheon Lake Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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