Galiano Island, BC, Canada

It was five years ago this week that theTravelsketcher and I visited Galiano Island, so I’m taking a break from writing about France to share some photos and thoughts of this gorgeous location. Galiano Island is located in the Gulf Islands at the southern end of the Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia.

This large archipelago includes the San Juan Islands in Washington State. The stunning scenery and tranquil feel of the island will draw you in, and you will not want to leave.

After crossing the border at Blaine, WA, it takes about 20 minutes to get to the Tsawwassen Ferry Landing. The crossing takes about 50 minutes and is a beautiful ride. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Galiano Island offers a wide range of accommodations including camping, cabins, resorts, and bed and breakfasts. We stayed at the Cliffhouse Cottages which is run by a delightful couple who are warm and welcoming. We stayed at the Treehouse which is cozy and comfortable, and has a nice view of the water.

We were invited into the Cliffhouse (as the name indicates, it is perched right on the cliff and has a beautiful view of the water, islands and mountains) by some delightful ladies, all in their 80s, who were visiting Galiano to do some hiking. We shared a bottle (or two) of wine, and they told us how they escaped Eastern Europe before WWII for Vancouver, BC. They met shortly after arriving in Vancouver, and formed a lifelong friendship. Meeting people and hearing their stories is one of the things I love about travel.

The ladies had hiked to the top of Mt. Galiano that day and encouraged us to give it a try. I hope I’m that spry when I’m in my 80s! This 5.6 kilometer moderately difficult hike, offers spectacular views at the top and an abundance of soaring eagles.

Speaking of eagles, we came upon an eagle’s nest while strolling along the beach, and I was able to get a photo of her feeding her eaglet.

I was amazed by the beauty of the island and took many photos.

There are just a few restaurants on the island, and some are open only seasonally, so be sure to check availability before you go. The Crane and the Robin was one of our favorites.

There are art galleries, beaches to explore, hiking trails and many other activities on the island. We were there for three days, which wasn’t enough time to explore this gorgeous place. I hope to return someday when we’re back on that side of the world.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Orcas Island, WA

Green Island, Australia

San Juan Island, WA

As always, I would love to hear from you, so please leave a message.

Wishing you grand adventures,

Tricia