Ministry of Environment - Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park

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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

There is currently a position available for a Volunteer Park Host (the Volunteer Park Host Program is a hospitality service for park visitors). For more information, click here.

Park Info:

Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park on peaceful Galiano Island is rich in natural and cultural history. White shell beaches, open meadows, tidal lagoons, towering forests, craggy headlands and abundant bird life are just a few of the things that attract visitors to this park in the southern Gulf Islands.

The park starts five meters below sea level and climbs 180 meters to a steep rocky precipice. Visitors can moor their boats to one of the 35 buoys in sheltered Montague Harbour or come by ferry and camp in one of the scenic vehicle-accessible or walk-in campsites. The park is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or afternoon of exploration. Located within the park is Gray Peninsula, which was inhabited by First Nations peoples before the arrival of Spanish explorer Dionisio Galiano in 1792. Skirting the northwest edge of the peninsula is a spectacular rock ledge that was carved into rippling patterns by the movement of glaciers thousands of years ago.

Montague Harbour, with its sheltered waters and abundant salmon and shellfish, is heir to a rich history. The white shell beach on the north side of the park marks one of several shell middens – evidence of native occupation dating back more than 3,000 years. Castaway shells left by centuries of harvesting form berms on the foreshore in many areas of the park. Wave action erodes the middens, crushes the shells and redeposits them to create Montague's white shell beaches. Archaeological excavations of these protected middens have unearthed arrows, spearheads and stone carvings, helping to unravel the stories of earlier cultures.

Montague Harbour is a delight for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers in any season, but particularly during the long hot days of summer. Naturalists and bird watchers enjoy a climate and ecology found nowhere else, making Galiano Island a haven for many rare and protected plants and more than 130 species of birds. The waters around Montague Harbour attract flocks of wintering birds including diving ducks like scoters, buffleheads, goldeneyes and mergansers.

Special Features: On the northwest edge of Gray Peninsula is a spectacular rock ledge that was carved into rippling patterns by the movement of glaciers thousands of years ago. The park also features a salt water marsh between the main campground and Gray Peninsula, and evidence of First Nations culture that dates back more than 3,000 years. Middens are located in the north side of the park and in the harbour.

Park Size:

97 hectares

Special Notes:

Middens are protected under BC law. Do not disturb these archaeological sites. Help protect them by accessing the beach using the stairs where ever possible.
In your exploration, please remember to carefully replace overturned rocks in their original position. Look but do not touch or remove any shells or marine organisms from the park.
Maximum vessel length for the dock is 11 metres or (36 feet).
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees, click here.
Dock Facilities Use Fee: $2.00 per metre / night
Mooring (to buoy) Fee: $10.00 per vessel / night

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is available in pdf format.

Location:

Location Map

Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park is located on the southwest side of Galiano Island approximately 10 km northwest of Sturdies Bay. BC Ferries provides vehicle and passenger service to Sturdies Bay from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver. The park is located on Montague Park Road; follow signs to the park from the ferry terminal. Boaters can reference marine chart #3442, #3462, #3463 and #3473 for more information on this area. Nearby communities include: Galiano Island, Saltspring Island, Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, Vancouver.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map
Park Map (64 kb pdf)
Park Brochure (277 kb pdf)

Nature & Culture:

History - Montague Harbour, with its sheltered waters and abundant salmon and shellfish, has a rich human history. The white shell beach on the north side of the park marks one of several shell middens (refuse heaps) that indicate native occupation that dates back more than 3,000 years. Castaway shells left by centuries of harvesting form berms on the foreshore in many areas of the park. Wave action erodes the middens, crushes the shells and redeposits them to create Montague's white shell beaches. Middens contain many of the archaeological clues that help to unravel the stories of earlier cultures. Middens are protected by law. Do not disturb these archaeological sites
Cultural Heritage - The arrival of the Spanish explorer, Captain Galiano, in 1792 marked the European discovery of the Gulf Islands. Montague Harbour, named for a naval officer, first appeared on a British surveying chart around 1859. Gray Peninsula was settled in the late 1890s by Captain Gray, who cultivated an orchard that supplied fruit to residents in Victoria. Remnants of this old orchard can still be found.
Conservation - Montague Park is rimmed by diverse shoreline – on the open shore, the shifting surface of sand and shells prevents large plants and animals from making their homes. Acorn barnacles grow in intertidal zones, together with the giant barnacle, edible mussel and Japanese oyster. At low tide scores of ochre sea stars can be seen on the rocks, feeding on barnacles, mussels and sea snails such as the whelk and periwinkle.
A rich habitat of flora and fauna can be viewed in the small salt marsh on Gray's Peninsula. A lush mixture of Douglas fir, western red cedar, grand fir and arbutus characterize the park. Skirting the northwest of the peninsula is a spectacular rock ledge that thousands of years ago was carved into rippling patterns by the movement of glaciers.
Wildlife - The forest, rocky coastline and rich tidal lagoon attract many birds year-round. Great Blue Herons, glaucous-winged gulls, black oystercatchers, northwestern crows, belted kingfisher and bald eagles can often be seen scavenging and soaring over the seas in search of a meal. Horse clams, littleneck clams and butter clams find a safe sanctuary by burrowing beneath the shifting sands on the open shore.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted. First-come, first-served sites are also available.

Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Contact Information:

K2 Park Services Ltd.
E-mail address: k2parks@shaw.ca
Phone/Fax: (250) 539-2115

This park offers 25 vehicle accessible campsites located within the forested area, adjacent to the beach and day use area. Campsite reservations are accepted for 13 of these sites and the remainder are first-come, first-served. Montague Harbour is open year round; a winter fee is charged and limited services are available in the off-season.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $9.50 per senior's couple/night Winter Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night

Campground Hours of Operation All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)	Year round
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	March 15 - October 31 Winter fee from November 1 - March 14; no services
Campground Reservable Dates:	May 12 - September 15
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	40 total with 25 drive-in and 15 park/walk-in
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	13 drive and 15 walk-in
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.

15 walk-in/cycle in sites are available to the left as you enter the park, above the parking lot near the wharf. These sites are situated in the forest above Montague Harbour. Campsite reservations are accepted for all 15 walk-in sites.
Walk/Cycle-in Frontcountry Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night

There is one walk-in group campsite at this park, located behind the walk-in sites and overlooking the lagoon. There are two wood-burning stoves and a stand-up barbeque for the group use. Click here for reservation information.
Group Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night
Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night

This park has a day-use/picnic area. As you enter the park, head straight past the drive-in campsites to an open grassy field beside the boat launch. Picnic tables and pit toilets can be found in the day-use area.
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees, click here.
Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.

Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season. This water is treated and safe to drink.

There are 10 sets of male/female pit toilets located throughout the park.

No showers.

No sani-station/dump facilities.

This park has campfire time restrictions:

Cooking fires are allowed from 7:00 am - 9:00 am; 11:00 am - 1:00 pm; and 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Small campfires are permitted after 7:00 pm. These restrictions will improve air quality and firewood conservation while still permitting fires. Visitors must use campfire rings, which are provided at each campsite. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented.

During the camping season, firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park offers scheduled interpretive programs. The Floating Nature House offers interpretation programs through the summer, for details, click here.

There are a variety of well-maintained walking trails in Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park. Routes lead along Shell Beach and around Gray Peninsula. These easy trails offer spectacular views of the surrounding islands, local marine life and wildlife. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

This park does not have a playground.

This park offers ocean swimming opportunities; however the water is very cold. Bring good footwear for the gravel beach. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park offers canoeing and kayaking opportunities for more experienced paddlers. Paddlers should be aware of ocean currents and check weather forecasts before heading out. Montague Harbour is both a destination and a starting off point for kayakers wanting to explore the Gulf Islands.

This park has a boat launch, located at the north end of the park; follow the main road past the drive-in campsites. Dock facilities and mooring buoys are located within Montague Harbour and are accessible from the south. Boats can also anchor in Montague Harbour.
Mooring (to buoy) Fee: $10.00 per vessel / night
Dock Facilities Use Fee: $2.00 per metre / night

Saltwater/ocean fishing is permitted, subject to closures. A permanent shellfish closure is in effect due to poor water quality within Montague Harbour. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.

Bicycles must keep to roadways and are not permitted on trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Horseback riding is not permitted in the park.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

No wildlife viewing opportunities.

No winter recreation opportunities.

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

No windsurfing opportunities.

No waterskiing opportunities.

Montague Harbour Park is closed to hunting.

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.