Montague Harbour Marine Park is on the southwest side of Galiano Island, about 10 kilometres northwest of Sturdies Bay. BC Parks says visitors can reach Sturdies Bay by BC Ferries from Swartz Bay or Tsawwassen, then follow signs to the park on Montague Park Road.
The park protects sheltered harbour shoreline, Gray Peninsula, white shell beaches, and a landscape with deep cultural history.
Montague Harbour is a classic Gulf Islands stop for camping, walking, paddling, and shoreline exploring. Well-maintained easy trails lead along Shell Beach and around Gray Peninsula, with views of surrounding islands, local marine life, and wildlife.
BC Parks highlights the park's white shell beach and shell middens, evidence of Indigenous occupation dating back more than 3,000 years. Naturalists and birders come for a distinctive climate and ecology, rare and protected plants, and more than 130 bird species. The forest, rocky coastline, and tidal lagoon attract birds throughout the year.
Walk Shell Beach and Gray Peninsula trails, camp, picnic, swim in cold ocean water, paddle Montague Harbour if experienced, fish under Fisheries and Oceans Canada rules, watch birds, and explore the foreshore carefully without disturbing marine life.
Middens are protected by law, so use stairs where possible and do not disturb archaeological sites. Replace overturned rocks, do not collect shells or marine organisms, note the permanent shellfish closure near the wharf, check Rockfish Conservation Area rules, keep pets leashed, keep bicycles on roadways, and remember the dock has an 11-metre maximum vessel length.
