Dionisio Point Provincial Park
Dionisio Point Provincial Park
Dionisio Point Provincial Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
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quest4food
Penang, Malaysia22 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Dionisio is tough to get to yet worth the effort. BC Parks designed it as a drive-in and boat-in park on the northern tip of Galiano Island, facing Valdes Island, next in the Southern Gulf Islands chain. Changes to the zoning of forest lands during the contentious Environmentalists vs. Developers in the 1990s mean that the access road is gated closed to the public (park ranger has access). Cyclists can still ride in along this road, access off Vineyard Way, 1/2way up Galiano's winding country road, Porlier Pass Road. Boaters must brave the current races of the Porlier Pass to get in to lovely Coon Bay, a rare (in the Gulf Is.) gem of a sandy beach. Currents come up to 12 Knots, enough to sink a power boat. The best way to reach Dionisio Park is by sea kayak--after carefully calculating the slack currents, accessed on Dept.Fisheries&Oceans websites, paper tables, apps, or on diver apps, etc. Add to this the exposed geography and you also have a point of land that catches the weather from the exposed Georgia Strait, 18 miles wide and 30 miles open fetch in N and S directions. Carry enough food, tent and warm stuff.
Net result: Visitors are few and the park isn't trampled (loved) like so many of BC's provincial parks. Visitors are experienced boaters, cyclists, outdoors-people... or visitors are dreamers, fools, and tree huggers. I know of no better company!
There are several sandstone points jutting into the Georgia or the Porlier, all with their own magical, fantastic natural beauty. The sandstone rocks are sculpted smooth by wind and sea, often warmed and in the lee in orange evening sunsets. Much less visible is several thousand years of archeological remains of First Nations peoples and their predecessors--nothing to see under the black earth of the forest floor. But the geography speaks to a place where people can live beside what must have been a rich salmon bearing narrows once...
Although the park has a water pump (with a boil-water advisory that I ignore; the water is crystal clean!) well maintained outhouses and campsites, the park use layout was designed by morons! absolute morons! There are 12 or so walk-in campsites that are a difficult, arduous hike from the beach, Coon Bay. Even more ridiculous are the 'kayaker campsites' 1.2 km away from Coon Bay, or 20 minutes paddle down the Georgia Strait side of the island, away from EVERYTHING. Paddlers may pull out on an exposed, windswept rock shoreline before lugging their kayaks up a cliff to place them on wooden racks kindly constructed by BCParks staff (!) Closer examination reveals parking lots and a chain link compound all engulfed by new forest--a vivid metaphor of 20th century civilization gone wrong. One could be mistaken for concluding that the Dionisio Provincial Park Users Plan is actually governmental performance art, a parody by the avuncular artists who live on Galiano Island closer to Sturdies Bay....
Net result: Visitors are few and the park isn't trampled (loved) like so many of BC's provincial parks. Visitors are experienced boaters, cyclists, outdoors-people... or visitors are dreamers, fools, and tree huggers. I know of no better company!
There are several sandstone points jutting into the Georgia or the Porlier, all with their own magical, fantastic natural beauty. The sandstone rocks are sculpted smooth by wind and sea, often warmed and in the lee in orange evening sunsets. Much less visible is several thousand years of archeological remains of First Nations peoples and their predecessors--nothing to see under the black earth of the forest floor. But the geography speaks to a place where people can live beside what must have been a rich salmon bearing narrows once...
Although the park has a water pump (with a boil-water advisory that I ignore; the water is crystal clean!) well maintained outhouses and campsites, the park use layout was designed by morons! absolute morons! There are 12 or so walk-in campsites that are a difficult, arduous hike from the beach, Coon Bay. Even more ridiculous are the 'kayaker campsites' 1.2 km away from Coon Bay, or 20 minutes paddle down the Georgia Strait side of the island, away from EVERYTHING. Paddlers may pull out on an exposed, windswept rock shoreline before lugging their kayaks up a cliff to place them on wooden racks kindly constructed by BCParks staff (!) Closer examination reveals parking lots and a chain link compound all engulfed by new forest--a vivid metaphor of 20th century civilization gone wrong. One could be mistaken for concluding that the Dionisio Provincial Park Users Plan is actually governmental performance art, a parody by the avuncular artists who live on Galiano Island closer to Sturdies Bay....
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
11 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Dionisio Park was the best spot on our trip. The small bay is swimmable when the low tide is in but still possible for the brave of heart when the colder water rolls in. We saw star fish and sea lions which was quite exciting. Make a day of it and pack a lunch!
Written September 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig T
Vancouver, Canada4 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
One must obtain advance permission to walk through aboriginal lands to get to the point. Very willing to do this but not able to do so on short notice. Family member with local knowledge will help us on a future visit, unclear how anyone from general public would be able to accomplish this....
Written July 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
larsonc04
New Westminster, Canada51 contributions
Jul 2015
We cycled around Galiano Island and into Dionisio where we spent the day frolicking in the water and walking around the unique rock formations. Amazing!
Written January 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jcg8out
Nanoose Bay, Canada35 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
IMHO this is a very unique little park. It borders Porlier Pass which has amazing currents and rip tides. I have seen large power boats get pushed back by the rushing waters and pods of Orcas push through those same rushing water as if it wasn't even the slightest current. Lots of wildlife here and unique plants. There is Avery nice sand beach and some unique sandstone formations carved by the wind and the tides. There is a small peninsula leading to a grove of trees that becomes an island at high tide (be careful!). Unfortunately, park access is very limited. The access road has been blocked off by nearby residents because of ongoing issues with the local authorities and the Islands Trust. As a result this park is marine access only which is a real shame.
It is a real jewel and a great place to visit with great views of Georgia Straight, the north shore mountains, the Tantalus range etc.
It is a real jewel and a great place to visit with great views of Georgia Straight, the north shore mountains, the Tantalus range etc.
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smile317
Vancouver, Canada44 contributions
May 2022
They have completely made this no access . Private Property Owners are at main entrance and will call Police if you enter. I was told that you take a risk if you manage to enter. Unreal. One of the main attractions for biking, hiking, walking is unavailable. What a loss for tourist attraction. Then again thinking of the toilet paper thats all inside of trails from campers hiking in, I'm done with this Island of everyone and their dog relieving themselves in the forest. Of course the same goes for all the boats dumping their waste in the waters. Gross
Written May 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KerrisH
Brighton, UK16 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
This was a fun day in the sunshine... plenty of exploring: tide pools, beaches, rock formations. So peaceful too... we saw seals, geese, crabs, starfish, gulls and even a snake!
Written July 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trekwest
Calgary, Canada18 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
Amazing day at the beach. From ground, it's tough accessing - need to go to end of Vineyard Road - then hoof or bike it about 4km? Paved private road the whole way, so easy/peasy.
On the map, it looks like like you can drive to it on the South Shore, but you'll run into Native Reserve/No Access. Don't bother trying....
Amazing quiet beaches, trails, native historical sites and tent only camping.
Or if you have a boat...much easier, wouldn't it.
On the map, it looks like like you can drive to it on the South Shore, but you'll run into Native Reserve/No Access. Don't bother trying....
Amazing quiet beaches, trails, native historical sites and tent only camping.
Or if you have a boat...much easier, wouldn't it.
Written April 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carol g
12 contributions
Aug 2019
This overlooks Porlier Pass and you can only get to it by boat. You can walk in camp and fish. We kayaked and it was amazingly beautiful and peaceful . Some people were scuba diving.
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie N
Quesnel, Canada8 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Lovely. Beautiful walk along the ocean, couple of pics close to Stephens point. Maps are not really very good in the park
Written September 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I noticed on the website it states that Dionisio park is only accessible by water (as the one road that is available is privately owned and gated off to campers). I'm curious to know if anyone else has had experience getting to the campsites on foot/by car? Or if boating/kayaking is truly the only way to get there.
Written July 6, 2020
Hi John,
We are planning to head out to Galiano island next August. I understand that this is a marine access park only. Can you please tell me how you got to this park? Did you kayak or can you take a charter to this park?
Thanks,
Sharon
Written September 23, 2019
Hi, Does anyone know which if any water taxi companies in gulf islands will take you to Dionisio Point Provincial Park? or near enough to the walk in camp sites to make it work? thank you.
Written May 29, 2017
(or rent a car at the Galiano Inn like we did, drive north and walk in. Mixed info on trails heading to the point but we made it ok...)
Written January 4, 2018
do I need to make reservations for the camping site?
Written June 21, 2015
No it is first come first serve. And there are no care takers on site. You just put your camp fee in an envelope and put inside mail box located near manual water pump. Park ranger will come early evening to check.
Written June 21, 2015
Are there many camping sites? How much is it for camp ground? Do I have to make reservations?
Written June 21, 2015
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