Galiano Island is the closest and most convenient to Vancouver and the U.S. border of all of the Southern Gulf Islands, and in most cases it is the first stop on the BC Ferries route to the islands, only 50 minutes. In the quiet season there are just two ferries a day from Tsawwassen, the mainland terminal near Vancouver, and in the busier summer months, there may be up to 4 sailings a day. If traveling with a car, reservations are advisable and there is no additional charge for reserving on the Gulf Islands Route.
If you want to, it is very feasible to leave your car behind see "Getting Around" on the mainland, and travel as a foot passenger to see Galiano.
Galiano is the perfect island for "island hopping"...visitors can stay on Galiano, and use BC Ferries or a summer water taxi for visits to other islands, returning to Galiano at the end of the day.
Visitors can also travel via Victoria Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal on Vancouver Island. There are several sailings a day, ranging from direct 1 hour and 10 minute sailings, to multi-stop "island-hopper" ferries. These sailings are not reservable.
Private charter boats are also available at the discretion and timing of the passengers which affords guests the convenience of their own time table as well as privacy. These are reservable and can fit parties of almost any size, though they are more expensive than taking BC ferries.
There is an "airport" in Montague Harbour, for float plane service, including regular scheduled service from the dock near Vancouver International Airport, with a connecting shuttle and complimentary parking.
Regularly scheduled service:
SeAir, 1-800-447-3247 (http://seairseaplanes.com/)
Saltspring Air, 1-877-537-9880 (http://www.saltspringair.com/)
Kenmore Air from Seattle (http://www.kenmoreair.com/)
Charter service:
SeaAir, 1-800-447-3247 (http://seairseaplanes.com/)
Saltspring Air, 1-877-537-9880 (http://www.saltspringair.com/)
Kenmore Air from Seattle (http://www.kenmoreair.com/)
Harbour Air from Vancouver
Pat Bay Air from Victoria (http://www.patbayair.com/...)
Visitors and residents arriving by boat can certainly find lots of moorage space. Montague Harbour has moorage, a gas dock and some limited facilities. A new dock at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa is available to day users of the resort, and with Government docks at Sturdies Bay and Whalers Bay, are walking distance to the shops in the Village of Sturdies Bay; all allow transient boaters for a minimal charge, on a first come, first served basis.
In the summer months only July and August, the school boat becomes an inter-island shuttle. People and their bicycles, if they wish can travel on Saturdays only from Galiano to Saltspring, returning in the afternoon. It allows visitors the chance to 'island hop' from Sturdies Bay Village the Government dock next to the ferry dock directly into Ganges Village for shopping and the Saturday market.
