Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park
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A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
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- Water System Upgrade: We are pleased to announce that the Water Treatment Upgrade Project has been completed and is now serving campground and day use visitors.
- Shell Beach Staircase: The Shell Beach Staircase, located north-west of the lagoon and south of the boat launch, will be closed for the season. Replacement of this facility will take place as part of the upcoming Campground/Day Use Capital Project. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your co-operation.
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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).
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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| 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 6 |
| 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. | |
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Location
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.
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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
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Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is available in pdf format.
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Map / Brochure
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Park Map (64 kb pdf)
- Park Brochure (277 kb pdf)
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Reservations
All reserveable, 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.
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Activities Available At This Park
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Canoeing | |
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Cycling | |
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Fishing | |
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.
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Hiking | |
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Interpretive Programs | |
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Pets on Leash | |
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
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Swimming | |
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Facilities Available At This Park
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Boat Launch | |
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Campfires | |
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.
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Drinking Water | |
Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Water is available from March 1 to October 31. This water is treated and safe to drink.
View the Annual Drinking Water System Report: Montague
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Group Camping | |
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Picnic Areas | |
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Pit or Flush Toilets | |
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Vehicle Accessible Camping | |
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.
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Walk-In/Wilderness Camping | |
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Wheelchair Access | |
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Winter Camping | |
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