Itinerario ideal para una excursión de un día a la isla Galiano desde Vancouver

There are more than 300 Southern Gulf Islands in the Salish Sea sandwiched between the coasts of Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland.

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. Home to good food, great beaches and plentiful nature activities. And you can do it in a day trip from Vancouver.

While a multi-day visit to Galiano Island is ideal, you can in addition 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.

Here’s everything you need to know about day tripping to Galiano Island from Vancouver. 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. 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. Buses, or book a ticket on the BC Ferries Connector bus from YVR and the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal.

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: Monday-Thursdays at 10:25 a.m. 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. The last non-stop return ferry from Galiano’s Sturdies Bay to Tsawwassen runs: Monday-Wednesday at 4:45 p.m.

But, beyond that, it’s best to have a car as the island is hilly and destinations are spread out. The Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa , located a short walk from the ferry terminal, has rental cars available for day use, which are priced starting from $80 for a half day (4 hours). What to do while visiting Galiano Island Sturdies Bay has some great spots to visit including Sturdies Bay Cafe & Bakery, Galiano Island Book Store, and the Atrevida restaurant at Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa.

For swimming and other water sports, venture to Montague Marina and the surrounding Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, which offers a bounty of wonders to discover, both on land and sea. The family owned Gulf Island Kayaking outfit at Montague Marina offers kayak rentals and guided tours, which takes the guesswork out of exploring the area from the sea. For breakfast, check out the Oxeye Cafe , which is located a walkable distance from the ferry terminal and a great spot for brunch upon arrival.

For a hearty but healthy lunch, head to the Crane and Robin restaurant at Montague Marina. For dinner, check out the Pizza Patio or Atrevida Restaurant at the Galiano Inn before you head back on the ferry.