Galiano has earned its reputation as the Gateway to the Gulf Islands through geography and scheduling alike. BC Ferries vessels arrive from the mainland at Sturdies Bay, making Galiano the first landfall for travelers from Vancouver. From here, inter-island ferries and summer water taxis connect to Salt Spring, Mayne, Pender, and the other jewels scattered through these waters. Many visitors use Galiano as a base, returning each evening after day trips to neighboring islands, their accommodation waiting in one of the island's cozy bed and breakfasts. The ferry terminal sits within walking distance of village shops and galleries, allowing even foot passengers to explore without needing a car.

Something about island light and island time draws artists to Galiano. Pick up an Art Tour guide at the Tourism Information Booth and plot a course through the interior, where forest roads lead to studio galleries hidden among the trees. Painters capture the play of light on water. Potters shape clay pulled from island soil. Woodworkers transform fallen arbutus into sinuous sculptures. The Art and Soul Gallery in the village gathers work from many island creators under one roof, but the real pleasure lies in visiting artists in their homes, watching them work and hearing their stories while surrounded by the landscapes that inspire them.

Active Pass cuts between Galiano and Mayne Islands, a narrow channel where tidal currents run swift and salmon gather in abundance. The orcas know these waters intimately, and pods travel through regularly, following their prey with strategic precision. From shore, patient watchers can sometimes spot their distinctive dorsal fins cutting the surface. Kayakers experience something more profound, paddling through kelp forests while listening for the explosive breath of whales nearby. But caution is warranted: the largest BC Ferries vessels transit Active Pass multiple times per hour in summer, and paddlers should stay close to shore and avoid the channel's center where ferry lanes run.

Galiano's backbone rises in a series of peaks offering increasingly spectacular views. Mount Galiano provides the classic panorama, its summit looking out across the other Gulf Islands toward the mountains of Washington State. Bodega Ridge runs along the island's spine, a protected area where old-growth forest gives way to cliff-edge viewpoints. Bluffs Park offers easier access to similar views for those with less time or ambition. Over 150 species of birds have been spotted on Galiano, and the trails pass through their territory: deer browse in the understory, seals watch from offshore rocks, and bald eagles nest in the tallest snags. The hiking is strenuous but never technical, and the rewards justify every drop of sweat.