My Island

Five locals on five isles—San Juan, Whidbey, Vancouver, Anderson, and Galiano—dish on how to make the most of your next island sojourn.

Edited by James Ross Gardner

GALIANO ISLAND

GULF ISLANDS, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Photo: Courtesy Robin Thom

by Alison Colwell, bookseller

AFTER YEARS OF LIVING in the city of Vancouver and a short while on Gabriola Island I moved to Galiano in 1996. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love the small community, where everyone knows everyone. You know, farming didn’t come to Galiano as early as it came to the other Gulf Islands. It was a fishing community and stayed heavily wooded, which eventually attracted hippies and other creative types. That attitude is still here. Author [and gay rights activist] Jane Rule lived here, and she was a big influence on the community. When I’m not working at Galiano Island Books (250-539-3340; www.galianoislandbooks.com), I’m at the beach. The kids and I go six times a week.

STAY

The Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa (250-539-3388; www.galianoinn.com) is more of a swanky city place, with a spa and contemporary furniture, something more like you’d find in Vancouver, while the The Woodstone Country Inn (250-539-2022; www.woodstoneinn.com) is more classic and old-fashioned. There’s also the Cliffhouse Cottage (250-539-5239; www.cliffhousecottages.com) a wood-slatted cabin hanging right on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

EAT

The Wisteria Dining Room (www.woodstoneinn.com/dining) at the Woodstone Country Inn is where locals go to celebrate a birthday. Gail Nielsen is both chef and owner, and she makes really great home-cooked meals like duck and grilled tuna. The Max and Moritz Spicy Island Food House (250-539-5888) is a wee little trailer that locals frequent, often for lunch. They serve German and Indonesian food (currywurst!). At the Sturdies Bay Bakery and Cafe (250-539-2004) the owners are chatty, the food is good, and it’s a great place to while away a morning.

PLAY

Photo: Courtesy Leanne Poon

Inner gardens at Galiano Oceanfront Inn on Galliano Island.

The hiking and kayaking here is absolutely amazing. For hiking, scale Mount Galiano—the view at the top is astonishing. You can see the whole island and beyond, even to nearby Mayne Island. Another great hike is in Bodega Ridge Provincial Park; the four-kilometer trail includes a steep 30-minute climb to the top of the ridge to a more mellow path along a cliff’s edge, where you can take in views of the water and Vancouver Island. Rent a kayak at Gulf Islands Kayaking (250-539-2442; www.seakayak.ca) and paddle through Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park to the spectacular basalt cliffs in Grey Peninsula. You’re always sure to see seals, and there’s a cormorant colony. *