Where to eat, what to do, how to get there and more: Here’s everything you need to know.
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There are more than 300 Southern Gulf Islands in the Salish Sea sandwiched between the coasts of Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland. Among them, is Galiano.
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A long, narrow strip of land that measures roughly 27.5-km from top to bottom, it is one of the seven main islands of the coastal B.C. archipelago and home to good food, great beaches and plentiful nature activities.
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And you can do it in a day trip from Vancouver.
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West Coast Table
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While a multi-day visit to Galiano Island is ideal, you can also see, do and eat a lot there in a day. Think of it as a welcome sampler for a future visit when you can spend more time on the island, and those that surround it, such as Saltspring and Saturna.
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Here’s everything you need to know about day tripping to Galiano Island from Vancouver.
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How far is Galiano Island from Vancouver?
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Roughly 68 kilometres from Vancouver across the Strait of Georgia, Galiano Island is situated between the southern mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island. From downtown Vancouver, Galiano Island is about a 2-hour and 45-minute trip away, one way.
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What’s the best way to get there?
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The island is accessible via ferry or Seair Seaplanes float plane from Richmond/YVR to Montague Harbour.
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B.C. Ferries operates multiple sailings each day from the Tsawwassen terminal to Sturdies Bay. To get to the ferry terminal from downtown Vancouver, you can drive, take a combination of the SkyTrain and buses, or book a ticket on the BC Ferries Connector bus from YVR and the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal.
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There’s a seasonal schedule for the route, which is valid from June 25 through Sept. 7, with the earliest non-stop ferry starting at:
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- Monday-Thursdays at 10:25 a.m.
- Fridays at 8:50 a.m.
- Saturdays at 8:20 a.m.
- Sundays at 7 a.m.
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Check out the full sailing schedule online HERE.
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What’s the best time to go?
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Seasonally speaking, it’s pretty much always a good time to visit Galiano. Though, the summer’s warmth and sun show off the best sides of the island.
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Timing-wise, the one-way trip aboard the Salish Eagle takes about 55 minutes and takes you to Sturdies Bay, which is a main area for the island. In order to get the most out of a day trip, it’s best to plan to take the first boat of the day, which typically departs around 10:25 a.m.
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The last non-stop return ferry from Galiano’s Sturdies Bay to Tsawwassen runs:
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- Monday-Wednesday at 4:45 p.m.
- Thursday to Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
- Sunday at 8:25 (except Aug. 16)
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How do you get around?
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The main area at Sturdies Bay is very walkable. But, beyond that, it’s best to have a car as the island is hilly and destinations are spread out. Biking is possible if you’re a seasoned cyclist.
