The BEST

PADDLING

GALIANO ISLAND

The dozens of kayaks lined up on the Montague Harbour Marina slip are owned by Galiano Island’s Gulf Island Kayaking, the original kayak outfitter in the Southern Gulf Islands. The marina is located next to Gray Peninsula in Montague Harbour Marine Park (061126).

GALIANO ISLAND’S BEST

SGI OUTSIDE will add paddling routes originating from Galiano Island, such as Around Prevost Island and to Dionisio Point Park via Porlier Pass, once RP revisits these spots in 2026. In the meantime, read about Galiano launching/landing options and destinations in the Galiano Island/AND IF YOU PADDLE section of knowledgeable paddler/hiker Charles Kahn’s book Hiking the Gulf Islands of British Columbia: 4th Edition.

Gray Peninsula-Ballingall Islets-Montague Harbour Loop • Last paddled by RP: June 2026 • Circle Tour • INTERMEDIATE • Launch/Landing Coordinates (Montague Harbour Marine Park/Gray Peninsula boat launch): 48.900117, -123.407314 • Tide Station: Montague Harbour • CHS Nautical Chart: 3442 • 12-18 km (approx. 6.5-9.7 nmi) round trip • 2.5-4 hrs • Free parking in Montague Harbour Marine Park (BC Parks), at the north end of Montague Park Road • Route: From Gray Peninsula, hug the Galiano Island shoreline north to a point parallel with the the Ballingall Islets, cross Trincomali Channel to the Ballingall Islets Ecological Reserve (remain in your vessel and well away from the hauled out Pacific harbour seals), turn south and pass Wise Island, Turtle Island Nature Reserve, and Sphinx Island before following the north and east sides of Parker Island, then cross over to the Montague Harbour Marine Park anchorage area (sheltered by Gray Peninsula), explore the peninsula shoreline and either land on the beach by the campground parking area (48.897687, -123.401797, on the east side of the park dock) or follow the shoreline back to the boat launch where you started • Services along route: Montague Harbour Marine Park (fresh water, interpretive signs, beautiful beaches, dock, pit toilets, campground, and Gray Peninsula Trail), Montague Harbour Marina (general store, restaurant, bathrooms, and kayak tours/Gulf Island Kayaking) • Birders (Montague Harbour Marine Park): 129 species since 1970 (eBird) and gulls and Pigeon Guillemots on the Ballingall Islets • Highlights/Notes: The sculped sandstone and plentiful intertidal life at near zero or lower tide (the downside is a mucky launch); beware of of fast-moving motor boats entering/exiting Montague Harbour when crossing from Parker Island to Gray Peninsula or paddling to Montague Harbour Marina; Trincomali Channel can experience strong winds at times (check the wind forecasts) • Best time of year: Spring and ummer for intertidal life, fall/winter for peace and quiet and over-wintering birds.