Victoria 
Gabriola Island, located off the coast of Nanaimo, is a peaceful Gulf Island known for its coastal beauty, art scene, and outdoor recreation.
There is a chain of islands off the east shores of Vancouver Island which dot the Strait of Georgia. From Campell River in the north to the US border in the south, there are several more accessible islands to visit aside from Vancouver Island. Many of these scenic islands on the Strait are accessible year-round by boat or public ferry. A visit to each of these Georgia Strait islands has something different to offer, too! Each is a unique vacation destination worth a full weekend or week of visiting.
The 14.5 km long and 4.5 km wide Gabriola Island is central on the Strait of Georgia and a short distance off the coast from Nanaimo. And among those unique reasons to visit Gabriola Island (whether in the colder or warmer months), comes from Gabriola’s incredible beauty. The Island has a drastically changing shoreline around its edges and great views of both the mainland and Vancouver Island.
Plus, Gabriola Island is one of BC’s quintessential getaway locations for anyone after a slower-paced, quieter vibe and overall, closer to nature. The Island has vibrant communities to explore with local goodies to shop and browse, a busy local arts scene, local history, and the shoreline beauty for which BC is known.
Getting to Gabriola Island
BC Ferries runs year-round and daily ferry service between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island. The ferries welcome passengers on foot, on bikes or with a vehicle. Those coming from mainland BC will need to reach Nanaimo by ferry from Tsawwassen Harbour or Horseshoe Bay. Private boats are also welcome to access Gabriola Island via the public marinas and wharf.
Gabriola Island’s Parks & Natural Features
For a smaller Island, Gabriola has a great deal of parklands, trails, picnic spaces, and waterfront views. Each of Gabriola Island’s parks offers something a little different, too, or are better for certain activities.
- Malaspina Galleries are stunning sandstone formations sculpted by centuries of wind, waves, and frost. Resembling curling waves, these natural rock structures are best explored at low tide. A short trail from Malaspina Drive leads to this geological wonder, offering visitors a chance to walk beneath nature’s artwork and experience a truly unique coastal landscape.
- Drumbeg Provincial Park is a day-use only park on the southeastern end of the Island. It is a popular spot for seaside picnics and wildlife viewing, with amenities like picnic tables and washrooms. The park also has about 2km of easy hiking trails around the shore and day-use area.
- Gabriola Sands Provincial Park is also a day-use only but can be found on the northwestern side of Gabriola Island. The scenery here is quite different from that at Drumbeg, with taller cliffs and nearby sea caverns. It is popular for picnics, photography, and for canoe/kayak access to Taylor Bay.
- Sandwell Provincial Park is an excellent place for exploring the diverse ecosystems and landscapes of Gabriola Island, and the Strait of Georgia. The east-facing shoreline park is day-use only with picnic amenities, an 800m trail to the beach (with some steeper sections).
- Descanso Bay Regional Park is a great destination for anyone in need of accommodations on Gabriola. The park is a short drive south of Gabriola Sands with a beach and boat launch area, picnic areas, and year-round camping. The park also offers excellent hiking, cycling, and paddling opportunities.
- Coats Marsh Regional Park is part of the Island’s interior and offers a few kilometres of hiking trails around the Marsh and through the woods.
The Best Trails on Gabriola Island
Easily explore the interior areas of Gabriola Island with several maintained trails that wind through and connect various parks.
- The 707 Community Park borders the Coats Marsh Regional Park; together, these areas offer several route options among dozens of smaller loops. These hikes can range from 3-10km.
- Explore some of Gabriola’s shoreline areas with trails in the Elder Cedar Nature Reserve, the short trail around Drumbeg Park, the more than 2km of shore at Brickyard Beach, or those at Descanso Bay Regional Park.
Gabriola Arts, Culture, and History
The quiet surroundings, the seaside scenery, and overall island life make Gabriola Island an artist’s haven. This is evident by the rich and vibrant artistic community and many ways to explore it around the Island. The art and other attractions also give insight into Gabriola’s equally rich history.
- The Gabriola Museum is open year-round with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Inside the museum, find information on the Island’s history, arts, and Indigenous culture. Outside the museum, visitors can explore the park, gardens, trails, Gabriola’s industrial history, and more.
- Gabriola Arts Council are responsible for all of the major artistic events and festivals on Gabriola Island. These include the Isle of the Arts Festival (April), Cultivate Festival (July), Glow Lantern Festival (August), and Thanksgiving Studio Tours (October).
- Tour the art galleries and studios of Gabriola Island with the help of the Chamber of Commerce’s Yellow Flag system. The Island’s Yellow Flag artists and studios fly a yellow flag outside of their spaces during open hours to help visitors easily find places to visit, browse, or shop.
Local Restaurants & Cafes of Gabriola Island
Local dining on Gabriola Island can include patio time, pub time, or time with fresh coffee at the cafes. Plus, there are numerous local farmers and farmstands, open to the public, located throughout Gabriola.
- The Woodfire Restaurant, Bruno’s Kitchen & Catering, Surf Lodge Restaurant & Sunset Lounge, all provide a wide array of dining options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dine-in, or takeout.
- Start the day off right with fresh breakfast and caffeinated beverages from Ground Up Café & Catering, or Mad Rona’s Coffee Bar.
- Get an immersive dining or drink experience with sipping on the Ravenskill Orchards heated patio, or the Make Cheese With Paula classes!
- The local farmstands around Gabriola Island signify that they’re open to the public by flying a Green Flag out front. Find a great deal of fresh harvest goodies from local farmers.
