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With miles of forested trails and dozens of marked shore accesses, Galiano Island is a dream for anyone who loves exploring on foot. Quiet paths wind through mature forests, along rocky bluffs and down to secluded beaches, sandstone shorelines and peaceful coves.

You can hike to sweeping viewpoints on Mount Galiano or Bodega Ridge, wander the white shell beaches at Montague Harbour, or follow trails to Pebble Beach, Cable Bay and Morning Beach. Montague is one of my personal favourites, especially late in the day when the sun is still shining across the water.

Around Active Pass, several shore accesses offer excellent places to watch ferries, birds and, with a little luck, seals, sea lions or whales. Two of my favourite birds are ospreys and kingfishers, both of which can often be seen hunting for fish in the island’s many bays.

There is something undeniably special about arriving at a property by boat. The trip over is not just transportation, it becomes part of the experience. For many buyers, that is exactly the appeal. Owning a boat-access property is not about convenience in the traditional sense. It is about choosing a different pace, a different lifestyle, and a different kind of reward.

At first glance, some people see the boat transfer as an inconvenience. You cannot simply pull into the driveway and unload your groceries. You have to think a little differently. You plan ahead, watch the weather, load the boat, and make the crossing. But for the right buyer, that extra step is exactly what makes these properties so worthwhile. The journey creates separation from everyday life. The moment you leave the dock, the stress of the city begins to fall away.

Boat-access properties often offer exceptional value compared to more easily accessible waterfront homes. Buyers can save money while still enjoying an incredible recreational property, stunning natural surroundings, and a true sense of escape. In many cases, what might be financially out of reach on the mainland or on a road-access island becomes possible when you are open to a boat-access lifestyle.

Porlier Pass is one of the most storied stretches of water around Galiano Island, a powerful tidal passage between Galiano Island and Valdes Island long known by mariners navigating the coast of British Columbia. Its lighthouse history is deeply woven into the identity of this part of the island.

Geoff Howard came to the Porlier Pass lighthouse in 1973, and Irene joined him in 1974 after working in London, England. In Beacons of the Pass, Irene spoke about their time there and how it took about a year to settle in, relax, and become “Galianoized.” They handled the isolation with their reference library, good music, and by being buddies as well as lovers. Together, they built a life shaped by the rugged beauty, remoteness, and rhythm of this remarkable part of Galiano Island.

Later, Geoff oversaw the building of 13075 Porlier Pass Road (check it out here!) as his retirement home. That connection gives the property a rare authenticity. It is not just a house on Galiano Island, but a home shaped by someone who truly understood the resilience, practicality, and beauty of island life.

Currently offered at $825,000, the home has a sturdy vintage feel that suits its story perfectly. With ideal one-floor living, lots of storage, cedar cupboards, exposed wood beams, and a warm, practical design, it feels exactly like the kind of retirement home a lighthouse keeper would build for himself. There is a sense of durability and comfort throughout, with character and craftsmanship that are increasingly hard to find.

Located about two-thirds of the way up Galiano Island, 13075 Porlier Pass Road offers privacy, charm, and a connection to one of the island’s most historic areas. For buyers searching for Galiano Island real estate, Porlier Pass homes for sale, or a home with genuine history and soul, this property is a rare opportunity.