Many sea bird colonies can be found on the surrounding islands and
provide a fantastic opportunity for the avid photographer.

Galiano Boat Rentals is located at Montague Harbour Marina.
When you arrive by ferry and are staying at a B&B, Inn or cottage give us a call and
we will pick you up, and return you to your accommodation after your boating experience.


Operator must have a valid drivers licence. Learners permits are not acceptable.

We accept Mastercard or Visa for the required damage/security deposit

Boat renters must be at least 25 years of age and complete a CANADIAN COAST GUARD questionaire or have a PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATORS CARD

We reserve the right to refuse rentals to anyone at our discretion.

(250) 539 3443 or 539 0234


The moped and boat rental season is from May through September.
12 mopeds and 2 boats are available for rent.

The boats are 17 foot HOURSTON GLASCRAFT, powered by Yamaha and Suzuki 70 HP
four stroke motors .

NO SPECIAL LICENCE IS REQUIRED for Boat rentals, only a valid drivers licence.

Renters are required to leave an imprint (Visa or Mastercard)
for the REFUNDABLE damage deposit.

Leaving MONTAGUE HARBOUR the ‘wise boater’ will stay to the middle of the channel that separates PARKER ISLAND from GREY PENINSULA for these points of land hide rock shelves that jut out into the water.

Once clear of Grey Peninsula the boater can head over to the west coast of GALIANO and travel north, stopping to view the many unique rock carvings that have been created by wind and water erosion. Stopping off at the white cliff face that is the home of the Pelagic (Black) Cormorant, shut off the motor and drift along the cliff as the multitude of returning Cormorants swoop in and plop into their nesting areas, while seagulls and hawks drift by the nests looking for an errant chick or a discarded bit of seafood.

Cormorant nesting site - click to enlarge -

Arbutus clinging to cliff

Craggy cliff face - click to enlarge -

Continuing northward the visitor can stop at RETREAT COVE and explore the sandstone cave at the waters edge (photographers may wish to climb inside and use the opening to frame a picture).

Orcas and rainbows in Active Pass O - click to enlarge -

Sandstone Shorelines - click to enlarge -

Turning westward towards SALTSPRING ISLAND the boater will soon pass by PANTHER POINT on WALLACE ISLAND. By traveling inside the marker called U44 the next stop is the beautiful west coast Marine Park, CONOVER COVE.

Boaters should be aware that U44 is a starboard hand marker and note that it is not just a rock, but a reef that parallels the west side of WALLACE ISLAND

This is an opportunity to tie up at the dock and explore the trails and headlands or set off on a picnic. When exiting CONOVER COVE the visitor should stay close to the shore until U44 is passed on the starboard side and the boat is powered up to cruising speed for the trip over to SALTSPRING ISLAND. The next point of land is FERNWOOD DOCK that is a public dock that juts out into the water?. If hunger is starting to make itself felt, a short walk up the dock to the Raven Restaurant and Store is well worth the effort, for the locals know that the wood fired pizza is a pizza lovers delight. Casting off from the dock the boater can head south to WALKER HOOK for a picnic or an opportunity for the family to swim off the sandy shore. Traveling along the coast of SALTSPRING ISLAND the boater can decide to return to MONTAGUE HARBOUR or continue on to PREVOST ISLAND and the quiet and tranquil JAMES BAY. This little bay offers solitude, bird watching and clam digging (when they are in season). A great place to shut down the motor, put up your feet and let the world go by. A quick trip across TRINCOMALI CHANNEL and through the channel on the south end of PARKER ISLAND brings the boating adventure full circle and back to MONTAGUE HARBOUR MARINA.

Montague Harbour - click to enlarge -

Tie up the boat and drop into the HARBOUR GRILL for fine food, a glass of wine, live entertainment and a world-class sunset…. Another perfect day on GALIANO.

Casting off the dock at MONTAGUE MARINA the boater travels slowly through the numerous boats that are anchored in the harbour before increasing the throttle and taking the boat up on plane.

Travelling past PHILLMORE POINT on the left, the boat moves out into TRINCOMALI CHANNEL and heads westward to PREVOST ISLAND (an island of many bays) past NOSE POINT on SALTSPRING ISLAND and toward GANGES HARBOUR.

Phillimore Point - click to enlarge -

Hidden beach on Prevost Island - click to enlarge -

Ganges Harbour - click to enlarge -

Many boaters make the error of travelling on the inside of the THREE SISTERS and encounter what the locals call 'Moneymaker Reef' which lies hidden below the surface ready to damage another motor, boat or both.

Tie up to the public dock (2 hours free moorage) and walk a short distance up the dock and visit the many shops, artists galleries and restaurants that make up the town of GANGES. A visit to the Saltspring Saturday Market is a highlight of the trip. After a morning visiting the shops the boater can retrace the path out of GANGES HARBOUR and back to GALIANO or travel around PREVOST ISLAND exploring or watching for the resident Orcas (J Pod) that frequent ACTIVE PASS and the surrounding Southern Gulf Islands.