Attractions and Events
GALIANO ISLAND
Galiano Island is famous for its hundreds of bird species with this island being located in a major flight path for migrating birds. Egales are commonly sighted as well. Galiano Island has a large variety of plants and animals and off its shores are resident orca whales, otters, sea lions and seals, along with many varieties of sea life.
Mount Galiano is Galiano’s highest point of land. The top will provide hikers with views over the Gulf Islands, the U.S. San Juan Islands and the distant mainland mountains.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park accessible by BC Ferries is located on Galiano Island and is one of the most popular provincial parks in the Gulf Islands. Montague Harbour is unique for its shell beach, the whole expanse of the beach is covered with worn shells instead of sand. This provincial park has great camping with campsites overlooking the water. (Within walking distance from the park is a small marina where basic supplies can be bought.) The park is located on a peninsula with beaches and rock pools to play in the water and explore. This is also a very popular overnight stay spot for kayakers. Montague Harbour is popular with recreational boating. The harbour is generally quite crowded with sailboats and yachts during the warmer months June, July and August.
Dionisio Point Provincial Park located at the northwestern tip of Galiano Island. Dionisio Point is a rugged natural park with beautiful sand beaches and a unique shoreline sculpted with sandstone formations.
Bodega Ridge Provincial Park is located on Galiano Island. The park’s high cliffs and ridges rise several hundred metres above sea level and are home to bald eagles, turkey vultures and peregrine falcons. The view over many of the Gulf Islands and islets is only to say magnificent.
GABRIOLA ISLAND
Gabriola Island and its surrounding islands have more than 70 known sandstone carvings, (petroglyphs) of which is said by experts that some may be as old as 2,000 years or more. Special to Gabriola Island is an amazing natural phenomenon, known as the Malaspina Galleries. Visit the large coastal cave-like sandstone formations created by centuries of wave erosion. A small park at the Gabriola Museum contains reproductions of some of these petroglyphs. Gabriola residents often refer to Gabriola as ‘The Rock’. There are three provincial parks on the island with an assortment of beaches to discover.
The Saturday Market at the Agricultural Hall (throughout the summer) is all about local produce and baked goods from the island along with delightful crafts and artworks from the island’s artisans and artists. The island’s main shopping area is called Folklife Village and other shopping areas can be found at Twin Beaches Mall on the north end of the island and Silva Bay on the south end.
Island Festivals include the annual Thanksgiving Weekend
Studio and Gallery Tour, sponsored by the Gabriola Arts Council. The Dancing
Man Music Festival is held in late April through early May and the Home
and Garden Tour is in June. The Non-Marine Boat Race, the Sand Sculpture
Competition, the Annual Salmon Barbecue, and Gabriola Islander Day
all occur in August.
MAYNE ISLAND
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